chrisbags

Hi there!

I have been shooting for over 20 years, starting with black and white 35mm rolling my own bulk film and developing it 'wet', I worked my way through college as a digital copy and restoration technician in Fredericksburg, VA - mainly doing digital restoration of family heirloom silverprints and tintypes mostly from the Civil War era.

I switched to Digital myself in 2007, I bought a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, and I primarily shoot two lenses, 18-55mm/5.6 and 70-300mm/5.6 both by Sigma. Lenses are both about 5 years old.

I shoot mainly pictures on and around the Eastern Shore of Md. mainly of my family and my daughters, 5 and 7. I love to shoot black and white and I do process most of my images with Aperture or Photoshop, depending on what I want to do.

My budget is realistically around $500 for a new body - If it were a smart move I could justify spending up to $750-$1000 on a kit or on quality pre-owned gear. I would just need to wait and save up a bit. I've always shot Canon but like the feel of the Nikon gear, I have large hands and the newer Canon bodies (except for the D60 that I held in Costco) seem too small for my hands anymore. I prefer to shoot with a dual battery/portrait camera control grip for a feeling of more control. I shoot probably 10000 frames per year (that might be high, but it's a realistic ballpark.

I am looking to improve my technique and I like to shoot manually - though I am not as proficient at it as I'd like. My next camera would ideally be one that could help me raise my game and my photos another level as an 'interested amateur'.

My flickr photostream is indicative of how I shoot, it's at http://www.flickr.com/baypointebagleys

Thanks all for any advice or recommendations!

chrisbags

Yahoo! changed my link on me - or I need another cup of coffee, either way...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/baypointebagleys

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

All introductory level bodies are going to feel small to you, no matter who you consider. For landscape work you will find the full frame bodies offer major advantages. Your lenses are not the best offerings from Sigma and would not work on full frames anyway (except the 70-300mm which is a DG lens). I would recommend you take a good look at the Canon 6D or the Nikon D610, both at the same price range, both full frame, and both take wonderful images. Handle both in a camera store if you can to see which system you might like the best. For lenses you might look at the 24-105mm F4 from Canon and the 24-120mm F4 from Nikon, either would work pretty well for you.

drdarryl Loc: Tybee Island, GA; Eddyville, KY

Chris, thanks for sharing your work. I really like what I saw. I have been shooting a Nikon D-70 for many years. I like the feel of the Nikon and will most likely one day upgrade to an even better version. However, I drop this note to you to just let you know that in my opinion having used for many years several different brands of cameras I invariably return to the Nikon for dependability and versatility.

thelazya Loc: Wendell, MN

Look at refurb bodies and new Sigma lenses. They are as good if not better than Nikon. Their 24-105 is a great lens.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

MT,

Good recommendations for FF cameras. Also good advice, as usual.

If I might add to it he may find it hard to find a local camera shop. They are almost impossible to find in my area. If so then try the big box stores such as Sears or Best Buys. Another suggestion is to try and find a camera (photo) club in the area. Normally the members do not mind showing off their equipment, and will allow someone to handle it. Also, camera clubs are a great place to get suggestions and to learn from.

Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

mikedidi46 Loc: WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA

I think if you want a nice body for that money maybe look into a new T5i or a used 60D.