Camera Question

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
I've wanted to get back into Photography for a while, but havn't found the money/time/resources...

Now that, after next week, I'll have all 3 of those things, I want to know what's a good advanced camera...

I heard that Canon releaed the new S2 IS with 12xoptical and 5MP. Any other good cameras?

I don't know what my price range is going to be, especially since I'm going to see if I can get a job somewhere over the summer, so if you photographic experts can suggest a good camera in these two ranges :

sub-$500

$500-$1000

that'd be great :)
 

$500 - $1000: Canon Rebel XT. No question, the best digital SLR you can get under $1K. Canon lenses are awesome as well.
 
Mar 19, 2003
18,289
2
71
I saw the S2 IS (have the S1 IS right now and :heart: it), but I was instantly turned off to it when I saw that they'd moved to SD memory (and thus my 5GB Microdrive would be useless). :p
 

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I saw the S2 IS (have the S1 IS right now and :heart: it), but I was instantly turned off to it when I saw that they'd moved to SD memory (and thus my 5GB Microdrive would be useless). :p

5GB!

I have about 1GB in SD cards from our familys various point-and-shoots
 
Mar 19, 2003
18,289
2
71
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I saw the S2 IS (have the S1 IS right now and :heart: it), but I was instantly turned off to it when I saw that they'd moved to SD memory (and thus my 5GB Microdrive would be useless). :p

5GB!

I have about 1GB in SD cards from our familys various point-and-shoots

Video takes up a lot of space. ;)
 

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I saw the S2 IS (have the S1 IS right now and :heart: it), but I was instantly turned off to it when I saw that they'd moved to SD memory (and thus my 5GB Microdrive would be useless). :p

5GB!

I have about 1GB in SD cards from our familys various point-and-shoots

Video takes up a lot of space. ;)

Oh, okay ...


I have to say that I'm sort of biased towards Canon. At least when it comes to their point-and-shoot lineup, they are the best cameras I've used.
 
Mar 19, 2003
18,289
2
71
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I saw the S2 IS (have the S1 IS right now and :heart: it), but I was instantly turned off to it when I saw that they'd moved to SD memory (and thus my 5GB Microdrive would be useless). :p

5GB!

I have about 1GB in SD cards from our familys various point-and-shoots

Video takes up a lot of space. ;)

Oh, okay ...


I have to say that I'm sort of biased towards Canon. At least when it comes to their point-and-shoot lineup, they are the best cameras I've used.

I haven't really used anything else (the S1 IS is the first "real" digital camera I've owned, and I briefly used my brother's A75 before that), but they are very nice cameras. I did quite a bit of research last fall before coming to a purchasing decision that fit my needs. :)
 

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I saw the S2 IS (have the S1 IS right now and :heart: it), but I was instantly turned off to it when I saw that they'd moved to SD memory (and thus my 5GB Microdrive would be useless). :p

5GB!

I have about 1GB in SD cards from our familys various point-and-shoots

Video takes up a lot of space. ;)

Oh, okay ...


I have to say that I'm sort of biased towards Canon. At least when it comes to their point-and-shoot lineup, they are the best cameras I've used.

I haven't really used anything else (the S1 IS is the first "real" digital camera I've owned, and I briefly used my brother's A75 before that), but they are very nice cameras. I did quite a bit of research last fall before coming to a purchasing decision that fit my needs. :)

Yeah, I'm kind of leaning towards the S2 IS since I'm not exactly a "hardcore" photographer and since I'm still in High School, I don't want to spend a ton of money on a camera.

So I'm sort of leaning towards at least sub-$600

I'll have to talk to my 9th grade Photography teacher sometime next week and find out his opinion
 

NTB

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2001
5,179
0
0
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I saw the S2 IS (have the S1 IS right now and :heart: it), but I was instantly turned off to it when I saw that they'd moved to SD memory (and thus my 5GB Microdrive would be useless). :p

5GB!

I have about 1GB in SD cards from our familys various point-and-shoots

Even if you go with a Digital SLR (Canon Rebel XT, one of the Nikon D70s, etc.), you have a couple options as far as using that memory goes: a few of these, like the Pentax *ist DS and the nikon D50 nikon, use SD cards. The Nikon D70/D70s and the Canon Rebels all use compact flash - but you can get an SD->CF adapter.

Personally, I went with the Canon Rebel XT a month or so ago. Great camera :)

Nate
 

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
I havn't found any S2 IS reviews on dpreview

Perhaps it's too new of a product?

edit: dpreview has it on the news part of the site

released 22-Apr-05

only about a week old
 

NTB

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2001
5,179
0
0
Originally posted by: Amol
I havn't found any S2 IS reviews on dpreview

Perhaps it's too new of a product?

edit: dpreview has it on the news part of the site

released 22-Apr-05

only about a week old

which means it may still be a few weeks before they actually ship, but canon is pretty good about that. The XT was in Best Buy what, less than a month after the announcement?

Nate
 

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
Originally posted by: NTB
Originally posted by: Amol
I havn't found any S2 IS reviews on dpreview

Perhaps it's too new of a product?

edit: dpreview has it on the news part of the site

released 22-Apr-05

only about a week old

which means it may still be a few weeks before they actually ship, but canon is pretty good about that. The XT was in Best Buy what, less than a month after the announcement?

Nate

well, i'd like to have the camera by the start of sumemr vacation, which for me is late june, so i don't mind waiting
 

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
Can S1 IS owners comment in this thread? I want to know what you guys think of that camera, since I'm VERY interested in the S2 IS
 
Mar 19, 2003
18,289
2
71
Originally posted by: Amol
Can S1 IS owners comment in this thread? I want to know what you guys think of that camera, since I'm VERY interested in the S2 IS

Do you have any specific questions?

The only weak point IMO is the somewhat weak low-light focusing performance (because of no AF-assist light, although they seem to have added one on the S2).

Edit: I :heart: the long optical zoom, I :heart: the support for CF Type II Microdrives (not applicable to the S2), I :heart: the awesome movie mode, etc.
 
Mar 19, 2003
18,289
2
71
Originally posted by: Amol
do you use any interchangable lenses with it?

how are those?

Those adapter things? Nah, I haven't used any...Don't really have the use for any, although at times I do kind of wish the wide angle end of the lens was a little wider. And 10x optical zoom is enough for me to stalk people with. ;):evil:
 

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: Amol
do you use any interchangable lenses with it?

how are those?

Those adapter things? Nah, I haven't used any...Don't really have the use for any, although at times I do kind of wish the wide angle end of the lens was a little wider. And 10x optical zoom is enough for me to stalk people with. ;):evil:

Is that how you get pics of YOyo? :p

What lenses do you have?
 
Mar 19, 2003
18,289
2
71
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: Amol
do you use any interchangable lenses with it?

how are those?

Those adapter things? Nah, I haven't used any...Don't really have the use for any, although at times I do kind of wish the wide angle end of the lens was a little wider. And 10x optical zoom is enough for me to stalk people with. ;):evil:

So THAT'S how you got those pics of YOyo!!

What lenses do you have?

That's how I get my pics of everyone. ;)

Lenses...I just use the camera's lens with no add-on lenses or whatever....you do realize that this is not an SLR, right? :confused:
 

amol

Lifer
Jul 8, 2001
11,680
3
81
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: Amol
do you use any interchangable lenses with it?

how are those?

Those adapter things? Nah, I haven't used any...Don't really have the use for any, although at times I do kind of wish the wide angle end of the lens was a little wider. And 10x optical zoom is enough for me to stalk people with. ;):evil:

So THAT'S how you got those pics of YOyo!!

What lenses do you have?

That's how I get my pics of everyone. ;)

Lenses...I just use the camera's lens with no add-on lenses or whatever....you do realize that this is not an SLR, right? :confused:

Oops, I'm talking about the wrong camera :eek:

 
Mar 19, 2003
18,289
2
71
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: Amol
do you use any interchangable lenses with it?

how are those?

Those adapter things? Nah, I haven't used any...Don't really have the use for any, although at times I do kind of wish the wide angle end of the lens was a little wider. And 10x optical zoom is enough for me to stalk people with. ;):evil:

So THAT'S how you got those pics of YOyo!!

What lenses do you have?

That's how I get my pics of everyone. ;)

Lenses...I just use the camera's lens with no add-on lenses or whatever....you do realize that this is not an SLR, right? :confused:

Oops, I'm talking about the wrong camera :eek:

n00b :p
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,572
971
126
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
Originally posted by: Amol
Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I saw the S2 IS (have the S1 IS right now and :heart: it), but I was instantly turned off to it when I saw that they'd moved to SD memory (and thus my 5GB Microdrive would be useless). :p

5GB!

I have about 1GB in SD cards from our familys various point-and-shoots

Video takes up a lot of space. ;)

Oh, okay ...


I have to say that I'm sort of biased towards Canon. At least when it comes to their point-and-shoot lineup, they are the best cameras I've used.

Their SLRs are even better.
 

dartworth

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
15,200
10
81
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 is the bestg "super" zoom point and shot you can get.

I recently picked one of these up and love it. I like it so much that I am selling my Rebel XT and lenes..:)

I've owned the S1...the Lumix is a far better camera and the S2 doesn't bring anything better to the table.


The DMC-FZ5 is a great choice too.
 

MazerRackham

Diamond Member
Apr 4, 2002
6,572
0
0
Get a Canon 20D, plus a Canon EF 17-40mm L f/4 USM, a Canon EF 70-200mm L f/4 USM, a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, and a Lowepro Nature Trekker AW II bag, and you'll be just like me!!

Having a real job can be handy when it's time to blow $$$ on camera gear.

Before this setup, I had a Canon S1 IS, and it was a very capable and versatile camera. I expect the S2 IS to be at least that good and probably much better! You can't go wrong with the S2, especially if you can wait.

You also might want to see how low the S1 IS prices drop in case you want to save some money. Good luck, and happy shooting. :beer:
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,572
971
126
Originally posted by: dartworth
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 is the bestg "super" zoom point and shot you can get.

I recently picked one of these up and love it. I like it so much that I am selling my Rebel XT and lenes..:)

I've owned the S1...the Lumix is a far better camera and the S2 doesn't bring anything better to the table.


The DMC-FZ5 is a great choice too.

You're crazy. But if you want to unload your Rebel XT, I might be interested. How much?

Edit-I'm not interested in any crappy kit lenses though. Just the camera body. Is it black?
 

dartworth

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
15,200
10
81
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: dartworth
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 is the bestg "super" zoom point and shot you can get.

I recently picked one of these up and love it. I like it so much that I am selling my Rebel XT and lenes..:)

I've owned the S1...the Lumix is a far better camera and the S2 doesn't bring anything better to the table.


The DMC-FZ5 is a great choice too.

You're crazy. But if you want to unload your Rebel XT, I might be interested. How much?

Edit-I'm not interested in any crappy kit lenses though. Just the camera body. Is it black?



I'm not crazy...I'm just not into carrying all of the gear. I can go from 38mm to over 400mm all for under $500. That's less then the cost of a good lens.