Digital nikon? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 12-08-2009, 10:59 PM

I am planning to buy a digital camera soon. I had noticed that there was recently offered a nikon which looked a lot like a 35mm slr. that was attractive to me since that is what I am used to. the tiny metallic digital cameras have no cachet and feel awkward to this old school guy.

Comments?

Oh the nikon was about 300 on special. That would probably be my max.

TheDon · #2 12-08-2009, 11:17 PM

get a canon rebel t1i

but thats waay over your max

So you want a DSLR or a step above a point and shoot? I am strictly canon so ask away if its canon

MTI · #3 12-09-2009, 02:17 AM

There are digital cameras positioned between "point & shoot" and DSLR, the "ultra zoom" models. Eye level viewfinders, hot shoes, and larger zoom ratios.

#4 12-09-2009, 03:34 AM

Nikon and canon both make a nice range of cameras. Play with both and decide what you're most comfortable with. I like nikons myself because that's what I've been using forever, I have a D5000 and a bunch of nikon film cameras. I think you're talking about one of these:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Digital-Camera/index.page

t walgamuth · #5 12-09-2009, 06:13 AM

Thanks for the comments!

I like the ones that look like a traditional 35 mm slr and I think they will be able to hold better for a good picture. None of those in the nikon ad seem to say how close it will focus. I want to be able to get about a foot and a half away and focus as well as panoramas.

450slcguy · #6 12-09-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I am planning to buy a digital camera soon. I had noticed that there was recently offered a nikon which looked a lot like a 35mm slr. that was attractive to me since that is what I am used to. the tiny metallic digital cameras have no cachet and feel awkward to this old school guy.

Comments?

Oh the nikon was about 300 on special. That would probably be my max.

My Dad who is in his late 70's thought the same way. So I bought him the "traditional" sized digital camera. After about a year of lugging that big clunker around, he often left it at home because he didn't want to carry the extra baggage around, He finally realized the advantages of the small size camera and admitted the clunker was a PITA.

So last Christmas I replaced it with a lightweight pocket sized camera. He now carries it with him everywhere and never has to lug a peice of "luggage" around. The picture quality is excellent.

You really should reconsider and possibly shed the "old school" thoughts. You'll quickly acclimate to the portability and appreciate the convenience of the small size and weight. I know he did.

Angel · #7 12-09-2009, 08:19 AM

+1

Wife and I bought one of the aforementioned "ultra-zoom" models (a Kodak IIRC - stay away from the Z740...) - I thought that you'd get some extra functionality out of the larger package. I thought that it'd feel nicer having something to fill your hand when holding it.

Wife and I were not happy with it. Slow to boot, consumed AA's like they were candy and we rarely/never used the extra zoom that it offered. It wasnt as big as a DSLR ("old 35mm looking") but still too big to carry around easily. The lens cap broke off and got lost, and it was downhill from there (it was spilled orange juice that finally did it in.

We then bought a nikon coolpix somethingorother. 7mp is fine for us, uses the same memory cards, installed battery lasts **way** longer than the easily replaceable AA's. We are happy. We dont like the delay between hitting the button and snapping the picture, but, my impression is that unless you go DSLR, you are always gonna have that. The coolpix has an automatic lens cap (covers the lens when you turn it off) so thats one less thing to worry about.

You also need to think of storage media (do you already have a phone or wifes camera with an SD card ? if so, get a camera that uses a memory form factor that you already own/can manage. Some laptops and desktops have card readers built in- check yours.

For reference - our picture taking needs are simple - get as many pictures of us, our friends and our children while they are young. Neither of us have any kind of photography background or interest.

-John

Honus · #8 12-09-2009, 10:58 AM

The other day I got out my Pentax 35mm SLR with the nice Pentax lenses (28 mm, 50 mm, and 80-200 or so zoom). About the only thing it is good for is to make a cool sound when you hit the button. I love that sound. Sigh.

Thinking along the same lines at t walgamuth, I was wondering whether my lenses would work on a digital SLR.

stimpy451 · #9 12-09-2009, 11:48 AM

You should be able to pick up one of the older 6MP Nikon D70/100 or Canon Rebels for next to a song with the proliferation of the newer full-frame CCD 12MP models.

I still use a Nikon D100 that I removed the CCD filter from - it's now a dedicated infrared camera.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30817&id=724027940&l=193852ffc2

Most of the images there were taken with the D100. This was infrared, but with a pinhole lens on the D100 body:

t walgamuth · #10 12-09-2009, 12:05 PM

Wooohoooo.

Information overload!

Thanks to all!

Dee8go · #11 12-09-2009, 12:36 PM

I have a Canon G7. If you like to have a lot of control, want something solid, and with excellent features, look at the Canon G series. I think they are up to G10 or 11 by now. It's over your stated limit, but you still should take a look at it.

TheDon · #12 12-09-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

I have a Canon G7. If you like to have a lot of control, want something solid, and with excellent features, look at the Canon G series. I think they are up to G10 or 11 by now. It's over your stated limit, but you still should take a look at it.

yeah the G series are nice. I really like the G9. I would seriously go for one of those if anything. The G10-11's dont have the time lapse feature anymore

Mistress · #13 12-09-2009, 12:39 PM

Canon or Nikon both make nice point-n-shoots. Nikon N90 and D300 are very nice as well but alittle more expensive.

t walgamuth · #14 12-09-2009, 05:06 PM

I am planning to go to a small local camera store. Maybe they will have a good used one.

Stoneseller · #15 12-09-2009, 06:20 PM

I became a loyal Nikon user many years back, mostly on the recommendations of my Brother in law, who is a photographer for a living. I have some awesome Nikon ED lenses & Nikon 35 mm Bodies I collected many years ago, but have not used in close to ten years. My first step into digital was a Nikon Coolpix 990, which ran me almost a grand when they first came out. That camera still sits in my drawer at work, and takes wonderful 4 MP photos. I use it regularly.

My BIL has now shelved all his Nikon's & Hasseblads, and shoots everything with the one of the latest Canon digital cameras. His opinion, which I highly value based on experience, is that both Nikon & Canon offer great equipment, but Canon seems to consistently offer the latest & greatest features about a year before Nikon does.

I now use a little tiny Panasonic with a Leica lense that cost around $250. Great little 10 MP unit that does everything the average Joe needs. I still prefer the consistent quality images my Nikon 990 gives, but it eats AA batteries like candy & is much more cumbersome to carry around.

My Nikons SLR's are in a closet somewhere

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