Which Camera to buy?
Feb 13, 2015 06:44:36 #
Micro 4/3 ticks all the boxes and then loads of potential to extend if/when the bug bites. I'd start with a Panasonic Lumix GX7 or Olympus E-M10- either with the 14-42mm kit lens.
Feb 13, 2015 07:08:08 #
Stilllearning wrote:
Who will help a longtime amateur photographer (I'v... (show quote)
As others have suggested look into the Sony mirror-less line. I have some pros in my club that gave up their 5DII and III's and big Nikons for these. Super quality photos, fast focus and light weight.
Feb 13, 2015 07:33:27 #
I would go to my local camera store, Best Buy or even a local photo club and play with the cameras they have. You can't go wrong with Nikon or Canon but Im liking the Sony mirrorless more and more everyday. They are lighter, excellent quality, great shots, easy to travel with and less expensive.
Feb 13, 2015 08:45:17 #
I am very happy with my Panasonic Lumix FZ-200. You can find them refurbished for about $350. Look up the reviews.
Feb 13, 2015 08:57:13 #
Jackdoor wrote:
Micro 4/3 ticks all the boxes and then loads of potential to extend if/when the bug bites. I'd start with a Panasonic Lumix GX7 or Olympus E-M10- either with the 14-42mm kit lens.
You do not have to settle for 4/3 to go mirrorless. There are full frame mirrorless cameras. The Sony A7 A7 II and A7R have gotten great reviews. Since I do not know your budget it is hard to give more advice. They are priced in the upper enthusiast to pro range.
This series has a fair number of lenses available and has most of the advantages of a DSLR without the weight.
If I was not already invested in DSLR lenses, I would seriously consider the Sony line.
Feb 13, 2015 09:22:02 #
dsmeltz wrote:
You do not have to settle for 4/3 to go mirrorless. There are full frame mirrorless cameras. The Sony A7 A7 II and A7R have gotten great reviews. Since I do not know your budget it is hard to give more advice. They are priced in the upper enthusiast to pro range.
This series has a fair number of lenses available and has most of the advantages of a DSLR without the weight.
If I was not already invested in DSLR lenses, I would seriously consider the Sony line.
This series has a fair number of lenses available and has most of the advantages of a DSLR without the weight.
If I was not already invested in DSLR lenses, I would seriously consider the Sony line.
Me three! There are times I'm humping up a hill with a backpack full of heavy gear I wonder how much more pleasant it would be to levitate with a light load of mirror-less. With somewhere between 8-10 grand of camera and lens', I'll haul the big boy. :) :)
Feb 13, 2015 09:26:55 #
If you want small, light and excellent quality get an Olympus OM-D EM-10, the 9-18 and 14-150 lenses and you'll be covered from 18-300mm (2X crop). Add the 75-300 II and you're out to 600mm.
Feb 13, 2015 09:28:00 #
I have a SONY NEX 5T which I love. It has now been discontinued (upgraded) but any of the SONY mirrorless cameras are probably worth having. The A6000 for example would be the ideal camera for me. I want a lightweight, fully functioned, high quality camera and the SONY Alpha NEX series is all of that plus it is capable of taking sports (moving objects) photos The newer models have dropped the NEX part of their name and now just uses Alpha.
I am pretty new to this level of photography but I studied up on which camera to buy for months in advance and from that I chose the SONY mirrorless line. Everything I have seen and studied since about these types of cameras has convinced me that I made the right choice.
It's worth mentioning that I had to learn about this camera from the level of a beginner and after buying everything I could find on the subject of operating this camera I found Friedman Archives and bought his course for something like $19.95. I can't say enough good about his course. It's in depth but written in a manner that makes it easy to learn. He doesn't just teach you how to operate the camera but how to take pictures with it and get the results you want. He also has tons of links to related articles and websites for these cameras. Highly recommended.
I am pretty new to this level of photography but I studied up on which camera to buy for months in advance and from that I chose the SONY mirrorless line. Everything I have seen and studied since about these types of cameras has convinced me that I made the right choice.
It's worth mentioning that I had to learn about this camera from the level of a beginner and after buying everything I could find on the subject of operating this camera I found Friedman Archives and bought his course for something like $19.95. I can't say enough good about his course. It's in depth but written in a manner that makes it easy to learn. He doesn't just teach you how to operate the camera but how to take pictures with it and get the results you want. He also has tons of links to related articles and websites for these cameras. Highly recommended.
Feb 13, 2015 09:46:00 #
dsmeltz wrote:
You do not have to settle for 4/3 to go mirrorless. There are full frame mirrorless cameras. The Sony A7 A7 II and A7R have gotten great reviews. Since I do not know your budget it is hard to give more advice. They are priced in the upper enthusiast to pro range.
This series has a fair number of lenses available and has most of the advantages of a DSLR without the weight.
If I was not already invested in DSLR lenses, I would seriously consider the Sony line.
This series has a fair number of lenses available and has most of the advantages of a DSLR without the weight.
If I was not already invested in DSLR lenses, I would seriously consider the Sony line.
I still can't see the logic of full frame or APSC mirrorless if what you want is to save weight. You might save about a pound in the body (where it could be argued that you need some weight and strength) but all the rest of the kit weighs the same. If you're happy to lug big lenses, stick with something that will give you a wide range of lenses. If you want less overall weight, micro4/5 is the way to go.
Feb 13, 2015 10:54:31 #
Jackdoor wrote:
I still can't see the logic of full frame or APSC mirrorless if what you want is to save weight. You might save about a pound in the body (where it could be argued that you need some weight and strength) but all the rest of the kit weighs the same. If you're happy to lug big lenses, stick with something that will give you a wide range of lenses. If you want less overall weight, micro4/5 is the way to go.
With mirrorless you eliminate the mirror box allowing the lenses to be moved closer to the sensor. This allows a lens of a given length to be designed smaller and lighter on a mirrorless than on mirrored camera. So a FF 50mm lens on a mirrorless can be smaller and lighter than a 50 mm lens designed for a FF DSLR.
Feb 13, 2015 11:23:03 #
I would suggest that you look at the Nikon 1 system particularly the V3 body. This is a mirrorless system with an electronic view finder and interchangeable lenses. the controls are similar to a DSLR so that you will have everything from manual to full automatic control over settings.
The Nikon 1 is not as good as a DSLR in low light but you did say that low light photography isn't something you do frequently. I, like you, no longer can mange heavy camera equipment. This system is extremely light and has excellent reach with a 2.7 crop factor and an 18 megapixel sensor.
The Nikon 1 is not as good as a DSLR in low light but you did say that low light photography isn't something you do frequently. I, like you, no longer can mange heavy camera equipment. This system is extremely light and has excellent reach with a 2.7 crop factor and an 18 megapixel sensor.
Feb 13, 2015 11:49:15 #
John_F wrote:
You might look at the 'mirrorless' camera varieties, if saving 'bulk' is an aim. I am currently 'getting acquainted' with the Sony a6000. Set me back 699 but the telephoto was on 'special' for 200 bucks off.
If you still have your minolta lenses and assuming you like them, you could get a sony a6000 with an adapter, or if you want something a little more substantial in your hands one of the A7 models again with an adapter. Works great for me although I use one of the A models with the standard minolta mount. Bigger cameras for my bigger hands.
Feb 13, 2015 12:48:19 #
dsmeltz wrote:
With mirrorless you eliminate the mirror box allowing the lenses to be moved closer to the sensor. This allows a lens of a given length to be designed smaller and lighter on a mirrorless than on mirrored camera. So a FF 50mm lens on a mirrorless can be smaller and lighter than a 50 mm lens designed for a FF DSLR.
I get the theory, and agree- they CAN be smaller and lighter- it's just that when you look at the specs, they aren't! Or at least, not by enough to make a real difference. Not easy to compare, because there seem to be few direct equivalents.
I'd love you to prove me wrong, especially about the FF mirrorless Sonys. You might get a convert yet! 8-)
Feb 13, 2015 13:24:42 #
try www.kenrockwall.com for reviews. straight forward. He buys all his equipment so gets nothing from the camera companies.
Feb 13, 2015 14:38:08 #
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