ABJanes
Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia
After studying the bridge camera choices, it seems that I need two cameras. An SX50 for traveling with tour groups and a DSLR for fast moving grandchildren in all sorts of lighting conditions. I love the telephoto and macro on the fly but low light issues are troublesome (Powershot S3 IS). After borrowing my friends D5000 I am spoiled with how forgiving it is even as a point & shoot on auto. Any thoughts or suggestions here? Maybe I should fish more and try harder at golf :o) I could show some of my efforts but feel a bit intimidated by the quality of work shown on the hog.
You should definitely show some of your work. Yes, there are great photographers at UHH, but there also some incredibly helpful people who will suggest how you can improve your own photography. It's definitely a learning process, and we only get better with practice.
ABJanes wrote:
After studying the bridge camera choices, it seems that I need two cameras. An SX50 for traveling with tour groups and a DSLR for fast moving grandchildren in all sorts of lighting conditions. I love the telephoto and macro on the fly but low light issues are troublesome (Powershot S3 IS). After borrowing my friends D5000 I am spoiled with how forgiving it is even as a point & shoot on auto. Any thoughts or suggestions here? Maybe I should fish more and try harder at golf :o) I could show some of my efforts but feel a bit intimidated by the quality of work shown on the hog.
After studying the bridge camera choices, it seems... (
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Don't worry, we don't bite. I owned the SX50 but sold it. Nothing wrong, just with 2 bodies and 6 lenses, I never used it. It all depends on budget. I suggest to people to start with some sort of kit (T3i & 18-55mm ???), then save $$$ as you learn your camera. Once you've learned your camera, you will have a better idea of what type of shooting you will do most often. This will determine your first "good" lens. Macros or portraits or whatever.
The SX50 is almost $400, and that is all it will ever be. A kit, however, will cost just slightly more and can grow and grow with each new lens. There is another reason I sold the SX50. Once you get use to the immediate 8fps shutter of the 7D, it's tough to go back to a P&S.
Besides, golf pisses me off and fishing gets me drunk.
I carry 2 camera bodies (both 50D's) with several lenses so I don't have to change lenses as often.
people carry only 2 camera's? Geeze which I could.
When going out for no purpose I generally carry 4 bodies, a point and shoot or a bridge camera.
If you are in the market for a Dslr I would suggest either a factory refurb or a used rig from KEH camera or other purveyor ( B&H, Cameta, 42st etc)
Used gear provides the best bang for the buck.
When I wanted to shoot birds in flight and sports I opted for an older pro body that can rip 8 frames a second. Canon 1D Mk II cost me 400 bucks a few years ago, Used glass can also provide top value. I might not suggest Ebay as a source though they can be, provided you do your homework, know what you are buying and ensure the seller has stellar feedback.
40D is very reasonable and a fine camera, I shoot 50D and 60D and like them very much
Bruce with a Canon wrote:
people carry only 2 camera's? Geeze which I could.
When going out for no purpose I generally carry 4 bodies, a point and shoot or a bridge camera.
If you are in the market for a Dslr I would suggest either a factory refurb or a used rig from KEH camera or other purveyor ( B&H, Cameta, 42st etc)
Used gear provides the best bang for the buck.
When I wanted to shoot birds in flight and sports I opted for an older pro body that can rip 8 frames a second. Canon 1D Mk II cost me 400 bucks a few years ago, Used glass can also provide top value. I might not suggest Ebay as a source though they can be, provided you do your homework, know what you are buying and ensure the seller has stellar feedback.
40D is very reasonable and a fine camera, I shoot 50D and 60D and like them very much
people carry only 2 camera's? Geeze which I could.... (
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I carry 2 with 2 more on standby.
Erv
Loc: Medina Ohio
Hi AB! What kind of budget are we looking at? There are some awesome cameras out there now. Give us an idea of what you can spend. I am sure you will get a lot of ideas. But you should go to a real camera store if you have one around you and pick up and feel them. I shoot a D300s. After looking and handling a lot of cameras and learning about them. It just felt right and did every thing I wanted. It is built like a tank and sealed very well for weather. I am always outside with my work in all kinds of weather and it takes everything I throw at it.:) The best thing I can tell you after you get a body, is to buy the best glass you can aford! It does make a difference!!!
Erv
ABJanes wrote:
After studying the bridge camera choices, it seems that I need two cameras. An SX50 for traveling with tour groups and a DSLR for fast moving grandchildren in all sorts of lighting conditions. I love the telephoto and macro on the fly but low light issues are troublesome (Powershot S3 IS). After borrowing my friends D5000 I am spoiled with how forgiving it is even as a point & shoot on auto. Any thoughts or suggestions here? Maybe I should fish more and try harder at golf :o) I could show some of my efforts but feel a bit intimidated by the quality of work shown on the hog.
After studying the bridge camera choices, it seems... (
show quote)
AB, welcome to the Hog.
My advice? Fish more, and give up the golf all together! The scenery is beautiful no matter where you fish, and golf will just make you old and burn up your life.
Use the DSLR on vacations, and the bridge for the Grandkids! :lol:
That's what I would do. ;-)
SS
ABJanes wrote:
After studying the bridge camera choices, it seems that I need two cameras. An SX50 for traveling with tour groups and a DSLR for fast moving grandchildren in all sorts of lighting conditions. I love the telephoto and macro on the fly but low light issues are troublesome (Powershot S3 IS). After borrowing my friends D5000 I am spoiled with how forgiving it is even as a point & shoot on auto. Any thoughts or suggestions here? Maybe I should fish more and try harder at golf :o) I could show some of my efforts but feel a bit intimidated by the quality of work shown on the hog.
After studying the bridge camera choices, it seems... (
show quote)
When I am shooting, I use one camera, and a few lenses. I never have to worry about whether I have my "better" camera for a particular shot.
If a DSLR like the D5000 with a lens like the 18-140mm or 18-300mm is too big or too expensive, then maybe the SX50 is the way to go. But if you can handle the DSLR for travel, I think your overall results will gradually be better.
since I now carry a cell phone and a slim Nikon Coolpix in my cargo pants I guess that makes me a 3 camera man. when I go out to shoot I plan ahead on what i'll take. mostly one camera and 2 or 3 lenses.i would bet that most of us feel ok with only one body. for the others take 2 or 3 if you think you need to. I carry the Coolpix because I wouldn't insult a subject by using the cell phone on them.
Get one camera and learn how to use it. If you want everything automatic, you will never learn the basics of photography.
What is your ultimate goal? What type of photos do you want...snapshots, fine art, wall portraits, landscapes? What is your budget? Answer these questions first before you decide.
Point and shoots and bridge cameras are improving all the time. More pixels, better sensors, longer telephoto, etc. If you want something light, easy to use, shoot primarily in auto or program, like using scenes and effects, then stay with a bridge or point and shoot. If you want more control of your camera, you like telling your camera what to do, want to carry lenses and a flash, want to spend time really learning your camera inside and out, want to be able to be more creative with your shots, have a bigger budget, then go DLSR. Once you learn the camera, you will be as fast as you are with a bridge or point and shoot and you will love the results.
The camera is just a tool to get the end result you want in a photo. Which ever camera does that for you, is the camera you want.
If the weight of a DSLR doesn't bother you skip the bridge camera.
You stated that you are comfortable using the D5000 and you can spend the $400 - $500 a bridge camera would cost you on lenses for the DSLR.
Jerry
Get a Nikon D3200/18-55mm for under $500 and you can grow with it and latter a better body if you need one. Or the Canon SL1/18-55mm for around $550-600.
ABJanes
Loc: Jersey Boy now Virginia
Thanks to all. Great input!! I love shallow depth of field, macro shots and find that I am a purist. PP creative art is not what my eye sees. Some of the Nikon JPEG shots that a friend sends me are so sharp that they look fake, not appealing to me. I need to go slowly and refurb makes sense for a higher quality DSLR but the bridges are awesome when on the run. I am not afraid to learn and study things to the point of exhaustion. Who else read the Word, Powerpoint and Excel manuals cover to cover. Yup, I did, also the iPhone all 284 pages. What a looney. Genetically I come from a family of engineers.
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