rodart Loc: Comanche, TX

Preface: I know, and have known that a camera doesn't make you a better photographer... I have included a picture of the camera that I carried since 1984. I still have it. It works perfect. You put 35mm film in it. You point it at something, focus, set exposure and when you push the shutter release 1/1000 of a second later the first curtain starts moving. The image that burnes into the film is the same size and resolution as any other 35mm camera using equivilant film in the world. Let me first say that I LOVE THIS DIGITAL ERA, but it's very different than film. I bought my first decent digital camera a few months ago. It is a Canon SX40. At first I was dead set on getting a t3i, but soon discovered that there are so many things to consider, that I need to get something to tide me over until I can make an educated dslr purchase. I have narrowed it down to two brands. It almost sounds cliche to me now, but it will be a Canon or Nikon, I think. I will be starting with the cropped frame first. The 7d has been my focal point so far... What's my question? I don't know. Ken Rockwall points out that Nikon's have some kind of magic with ttl flash exposure. I'm studying Scott Kelby's lessons and he tends to be a Nikon shooter. There are microscopic differences in the sensor sizes of these smaller frame camera's. Nikon looks to be a little less money in the whole scheme of things. Canon has more problems with compatibility to older equipment than Nikon. Canon seems to have the "faster" option. The first question photographers ask me is what will you be shooting. The answer to this is everything. I will be getting into portrait work and will go full frame, as I went medium format in the past (Pentax 6x7). Before I drop thousands in Canon, I would like anybody's thoughts on why they like or dislike their brand choice. There are many discussions on this and I searched and read many similar postings, but wanted to put it out in my words...I love this forum!

ebaribeault Loc: Baltimore

I shoot a Nikon with Nikor lenses. I think it is a personal preference of the user between Nikon and Canon. Both of them are excellent cameras and each brand offers a complete support system (lenses,Speed lights,and etc.) The best advice that I can give you is go to a camera store and see which camera feels more comfortable to you as far as control placement and menus. I have shot both Canon and Nikon film cameras with good results. The last film camera was a Nikon and some of the lenses though had to use manual focus were compatible with my Nikon digital so I stayed within the Nikon family. Hope this helps

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

ditto

abby Loc: Tampa, Florida

Both Nikon and Canon should provide you with everything you will need in the digital era. I have shot Pentax and Nikon film cameras and now have a Nikon D90. Personally, I feel that the lenses are the more important issue than the camera body and I am not too concerned about how many MB the camera has. ( however I hardly ever have the need to make large prints and am an enthusiast(new word for amateur) and not a pro).

I totally agree that the photographer places the true artistry into the photograph - not the camera and certainly not the computer. This subject has been debated a couple times on this forum and as expected, with any public forum, the opinions were all across the board. Some old school photographers ( like myself ) try to do as little post-processing as possible. Others feel that photoshop has allowed them to discover their creative capabilities and has allowed them to become better photographers. Many pro photographers' clients demand these cutting edge-appearing images and there are some incredible photos and effects that can be produced (HDR, etc.) However I still like the challenge of producing a nice photo in the camera and not on the computer - just my opinion.

Best of luck.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Wait a minute! You have Pentax Lenses, will they fit DSLR Pentax cameras? If so, that is a heavy in your decision making; lenses are expensive. Caveat is you will have manual focus..which is what you are use to. See discussion here: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/59817-old-film-lens-compatible-new-digital-slr-camera-bodies.html

Throw the flash over your shoulder and get a new one with low voltage trigger so you do not fry you new digital.

Perhaps you will do better getting a digital equivalent of what you are use to and have been successful with. Automated photography is not necessarily "better" photography. Make your personal decisions and do not be heavily influenced by the mystique of the Canon/Nikon Church, there are lots of preachers out there who consider other brands as being heathen trash and that is not reality.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I agree with the 1st two responses. I would also read reviews of accessories i.e. the lenses you may be interested in buying from Canon or Nikon or flash systems.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Chevy vs ford argumants!

dpullum makes good sense as far as lenses go. Go to a camera club or store and handle as many cameras as you can and decide what feels good in your hands. Then plan on spending a lot of time researching the different models. No one can tell you what you are going to like or what will work best for your type of shooting. You will find there are many good cameras out there.

Have fun and enjoy your research. when you have specfic questions come back and ask.

Jim D

dwrcymru Loc: North Wales, UK

Me, I would stick to what has served me over the years.

http://www.pentaximaging.com/dslr/

Dave

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Wouldn't be wonderful if we could just keep our send them in for rejuvenation. I had a 1972 Ricoh and when you held it to your eye you could adjust ever thing in a second viewing the exposure via needle on the right side of view. You adjusted exposure based on common sense knowledge of the scene. They were fast and we were fast and we were the masters.

Of course now some cameras are becoming a bit retro like the introduction of the Fuji X-100 was quite a sell out event because there is that hunger to control the camera.
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I apologize to Nikon/Canon people... They are great cameras and I say that tho I am a Sony owner. (I will not mention that Sony makes parts for Nikon...) My comment is based on Canon and Nikon owners who act like Mrs. Buff-Orpingtons. They who own the only brand that a civilized person would have and the rest are low life. Mrs Buff-Orpington.... the ritzy lady motif on old radio. (while you will not find Blondie on the site, you will find lots of audio enjoyment on .... http://www.otr.net/#D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

I is called "auto" on most cameras now, LOL!

Jim D

anotherview Loc: California

Rent to try before you buy. www.lensrentals.com

Other rental Web sites exist.

That said, you may wish to consider the latest Rebel, the Canon T4i. This Rebel version may go for less than the new price, as a refurbished or used camera. This camera with its cropped sensor mounts near 70 Canon lenses.

Nikon and Canon compete strongly, and have their adherents. I went with Canon partly as an emotional decision. But the quality and cost of its lenses, as well as their look, played a part.

Either way you go, your skills paired with the gear will produce fine photographs.

Red Rock Formation, Red Rock Canyon NCA (2012)

john vance Loc: Granbury,Texas

I like Pentax takes great pic's and can use all len's ever made for pentax

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

HAY "anotherview" 3D photos like your "Red Rock Formation, Red Rock Canyon NCA (2012)" should go someplace else.... or is it my eyes that think it is 3D, really great effect, great camera, great photographer, great formation. A WOW shot.

What, if anything, did you use for PostProcessing?
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Just a thought that, red rock, is a 400 x 600 photo and looks great... do most of us really need a 20+ megpix format to show well on a 52" HDTV ? Ironic that in todays 7" screen ipad or reader our cameras are so excessive in detail when the 8x10 requires little more that 5 mpix. Humm.... whatcha think?

rodart Loc: Comanche, TX

Thank you for your response! First off, I loved all the Pentax camera's I've shot. Especially the LX! It is so tempting to go with a K-5 or the new K-30. I'm thinking to the future and what is available, and most popular (not to be a lemming and follow the crowd!) for support reasons mainly. Also, to my knowledge, Pentax doesn't make a full frame. I know they have the 645d but that is way outside my price range! In regards to that Sunpak flash: I know this wasn't the safest thing to try, but I took that flash and put it on my sx40 and shot flash auto and camera manual and it beats my new Canon dedicated Sunpak flash using ttl matrix for exposure. I think there is a little magic in that flash unit! I made this post mainly to look for opinions per. brand and equipment choice that tend to be problematic more than anything else. In the sx40 manual under every section there are boxes with things like, "this function only works in..." or "this function or action is not available when using..." etc... My sister just got a t3 and there seems to be a lot less of this, and it's probabally the case on most true dslr camera's. Thank you again for the response!

rodart Loc: Comanche, TX

This is so tempting!!........ Do you shot the k-30 or k-5?