Advice for camera

[joanneding]

So Matt and I finally thought we might want to get a new camera so we can take better pics for our trip. I went to the camera shop and talked to the lady and she recommended the new Canon Rebel. I'm no pro when it comes to camera so I'm wondering if anybody has any review about it and if you have a better suggestion for camera. I'm looking for a light weight (this will of course compromise durability), durable and affordable.

[LiLiaN]

canon rebel... i think those are SLR camera, isn't it...?
SLR are going to be bulky, but they are very good indeed...

i use canon digital ixus 700, which is called powershot sd500 in US (according to google)...
they are very compact, fits in pocket and ready to go at all time...
i find it sufficient for my purposes, but as you and matt go climbing etc...
at high altitude, i am not sure how well the battery would last...
when i was in stockholm and it was very very cold, my battery only lasted for a couple of hundred shots...
which was much shorter than the usual use that i get out of it...

in between the bulky rebel and the sleek powershot S series...
there's also powershot S3 IS (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=13077) which you can consider...
it is a rather powerful piece of equipment, with good optical zoom and ISO...

i am a big fan of canon camera, so i haven't a clue about other brands/models out there... :o

[Dino]

So Matt and I finally thought we might want to get a new camera so we can take better pics for our trip. I went to the camera shop and talked to the lady and she recommended the new Canon Rebel. I'm no pro when it comes to camera so I'm wondering if anybody has any review about it and if you have a better suggestion for camera. I'm looking for a light weight (this will of course compromise durability), durable and affordable.

What terrain are you looking to use the camera for?
You want it to fit it in your front pocket?

[joanneding]

Yeah I know the Rebel is big and bulky but we are really looking into good high resolution pictures :). We already have the crappy power shot that we can use if we want to fit into our pockets so not really looking for small camera. I want to be able to zoom far and close to get good quality pictures. Another question I have is what kind of lense do I need? There are so many kind of lenses out there, I'm so clueless :confused:

[Dino]

Yeah I know the Rebel is big and bulky but we are really looking into good high resolution pictures :). We already have the crappy power shot that we can use if we want to fit into our pockets so not really looking for small camera. I want to be able to zoom far and close to get good quality pictures. Another question I have is what kind of lense do I need? There are so many kind of lenses out there, I'm so clueless :confused:

If you want a consumer point and shoot camera with good zoom....i recommend Canon S3.Its got 12x optical zoom and a 6.3megapixel. I use to own an Canon S1 and i love it. For me....i would love to dwell into DSLR but lenses are waaaay to expensive and i am pretty dumb when it comes to digital camera settings. I am keeping an eye out for an S3 myself but so far you can get one for about $369 on Amazon.com . I want to buy it but taxes kills it for me.

If you want a DSLR...probably wait for the forum experts to come in later.

[kamkuey]

Canon just announced its latest line of digital SLR.. the Digital Rebel XTi (or 400D for the rest of the world) which comes with a 10mp censor. Physically, it is about the same size as the S3 IS.

Prize wise, it is about RM4K here (I think.. )

If you wan to zoom far and close, then it would mean that you have to fork out additional moolah to get them nice lenses to get. For example, if you want to zoom far far, then you would have to get this...

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_70300_456is/lens.jpg

.. the Canon EF 70-300mm USM IS which cost about RM2.5K

and if you wanna zoom close close (ie. macro).. then you would need this..
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/tamron_90_28/lens.jpg

The Tamron SP90 f2.8 Macro.. which cost about RM1.4K

Then you would need a general purpose lense... so you might wanna look at this...

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1785_456_is/lens.jpg

The Canon EF-S 17-85 USM IS.. which cost another RM2.5K

So altogether ... slight less than RM11K...

And these are the average lenses..... the L-series lenses would have been much much better.... in terms of build and picture quality... price also very nice. ehehehe..

So.. in the end, if you are not ready for digital SLR and their lenses, then do have a look at the Canon PowerShot S3 IS. For less than RM2K, you get to do what the RM11K digital SLR + lenses can do (except for probably.. some image quality issues which you may or may not even notice). It has very good focal length for general usage, macro mode, as well as 12x telephoto.

Having said all that, if you are OK with the Rebel and it's kit lense, then by all means go ahead. The Rebel is a fine piece of equipment.

BUT...

for entry level digital SLR, I would suggest a Nikon D50.. do check it out. If you can wait a little longer, the D80 will be released soon (altho there is a delay)..

Hope this helps...

*all pics thanks to photozone*

[jerrychoo2004]

wow i can go broke if i buy those things

[kamkuey]

wow i can go broke if i buy those things

This is nothing...

Now let's do a different league..

Telephoto Lense
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_300_28is/lens.jpg
Canon EF 300mm f2.8L USM IS

Macro
Lensehttp://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_180_35/lens.jpg
Canon EF 180mm f3.5L USM Macro

General Purpose
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1635_28/lens.jpg
Canon EF 16-35 f2.8L USM

Together with a Canon EOS 1DS Mark II, can buy top of the range MyVi with spare change to upgrade sound system, sports rims and tinting... and probably HID light upgrade as well.

*again.. photos thanks to photozone*

[Dino]

I almost got the white canon lens for USD$300 due to misprice on Dell. But dem...they caught up and cancel my order. If i have gotten that....would have jump on the DSLR bandwagon long time ago.

[athena]

how come unker KK like canon spokesperson one?

[kamkuey]

Wah.. dem... Dino.. I would have order quite a few units to sell for a HUGE profit.. tehehehe..

athena.. where got.. I did mention the Nikon D50 wor.. :P

[shiruikage]

Wah.. dem... Dino.. I would have order quite a few units to sell for a HUGE profit.. tehehehe..

athena.. where got.. I did mention the Nikon D50 wor.. :P
D50 is the updated version of D70 izzit? i find D70 is very good. for pros really, but nobody said others cant use it.

[kamkuey]

D50 is the updated version of D70 izzit? i find D70 is very good. for pros really, but nobody said others cant use it.
D50 is the lower specced version of D70.
The pros use D70 as their third or fourth body.
The pros use D2X or D2H..

If canon, then they use the 1Ds series...

[joanneding]

hmm, the one I saw is going to cost about US$1000 and there's no sales tax in OR. It's the Rebel + a normal lense + another wide angle zoom lense. there's so much lenses, how do I know which is enough for me??

[Lava Gal]

sory to gatecrash!
jus wondering is the buy digi-cam together-gether plan still on...or over dee?

[LiLiaN]

lava gal, i think that one is gone....
joanne lives in US so this is really her purchase...

i like the powershot S3, which i think is quite powerful...
and good in between the compact and the DSLR...
i've kinda been eyeing it for a while, but can't quite make up my mind...

KK thanks for the advice...
goes to show i don't think i'm ready for DSLR yet...
i got headache thinking i need all those lenses.... :confused:

[Lava Gal]

tanx, lil...:)

Joanne> hope u find the most compatible model for u soon :) with the help of experts here, shudnt be a prob ;)

[joanneding]

Well, I think judging from price, weight(main plus because a lot of time I'm already carrying very heavy pack) and quality I know I'm going to get the Canon Rebel body. But I'm still not sure what kind of lense I really need. Don't think I need telephoto lense since they are so expensive and I'm no pro anyway.

[kamkuey]

Well, I think judging from price, weight(main plus because a lot of time I'm already carrying very heavy pack) and quality I know I'm going to get the Canon Rebel body. But I'm still not sure what kind of lense I really need. Don't think I need telephoto lense since they are so expensive and I'm no pro anyway.
Ok Joanne, since you have kind of made up your mind about getting the Rebel, allow me to bestow upon you some of my experiences.

USD 1K is a little too high a price to pay for a Rebel XT. It should be around USD700-800. It should not be the new XTi because it was JUST announced. Maybe it is a Rebel XT with some extra stuff...

Anyways.. a Rebel XT with its 18-55mm kit lense should suffice for anyone who is shifting up from consumer digicams to digital SLR. Go with that first. If you have an option to get the Rebl XT with the body only, then get the body only and get a general purpose lense like the Canon 17-85 USM IS which should cover your everyday needs. Leave the other lenses out for the time being.

You do not need to get additional lenses yet. Play around with your new toy first and when you know what you like to photograph, then get the lense which suits you.

BTW, entry level telephoto lenses are rather cheap.. check it out..
http://www.adorama.com/TM70300DEOS.html

[joanneding]

Ok Joanne, since you have kind of made up your mind about getting the Rebel, allow me to bestow upon you some of my experiences.

USD 1K is a little too high a price to pay for a Rebel XT. It should be around USD700-800. It should not be the new XTi because it was JUST announced. Maybe it is a Rebel XT with some extra stuff...

Anyways.. a Rebel XT with its 18-55mm kit lense should suffice for anyone who is shifting up from consumer digicams to digital SLR. Go with that first. If you have an option to get the Rebl XT with the body only, then get the body only and get a general purpose lense like the Canon 17-85 USM IS which should cover your everyday needs. Leave the other lenses out for the time being.

You do not need to get additional lenses yet. Play around with your new toy first and when you know what you like to photograph, then get the lense which suits you.

BTW, entry level telephoto lenses are rather cheap.. check it out..
http://www.adorama.com/TM70300DEOS.html
Yeah, well it was $1000 for the package I was looking at. For just the body and a regular lense, it will be about $700++. Well I think it's a good idea, I can try out the regular one and then go pro afterward :). But the thing is if I get a package, the lense get some reduction in price so i thought I will get better deal that way.

[kamkuey]

Yeah, well it was $1000 for the package I was looking at. For just the body and a regular lense, it will be about $700++. Well I think it's a good idea, I can try out the regular one and then go pro afterward :). But the thing is if I get a package, the lense get some reduction in price so i thought I will get better deal that way.
Here in KL, price is RM3K which includes :
1) 350D (Rebel XT) Body
2) 18-55mm kit lense
3) 90-300mm USM lense
4) 1GB CF Card
5) Camera bag
6) LCD protective film

I am asumming you are getting about the same package. This is a very good package. Can start straight away.

But you might wanna wait a little longer. The replacement for the XT, the XTi was just announced. Price of XT will definitely drop.

[joanneding]

Here in KL, price is RM3K which includes :
1) 350D (Rebel XT) Body
2) 18-55mm kit lense
3) 90-300mm USM lense
4) 1GB CF Card
5) Camera bag
6) LCD protective film

I am asumming you are getting about the same package. This is a very good package. Can start straight away.

But you might wanna wait a little longer. The replacement for the XT, the XTi was just announced. Price of XT will definitely drop.
That seems like a good price, similar to the one I'll be getting. Yeah I did look into the XTi but I don't think I'm going to spend US$400 extra to get such a good camera. I think the XT is good enough upgrade from my Powershot A300 3.2Mega Pix :). Thanks for all the advices.

[joanneding]

So Matt and I cannot agree on which lense to get, we have 2 options: 18-75mm USM lense or 28-135mm USM lense. The 18-75 costs about $150 more than the 28-135mm. Well I thought a better wide angle will be better but Matt seems to think better zoom is better. How do I know which one should I get?

[kamkuey]

So Matt and I cannot agree on which lense to get, we have 2 options: 18-75mm USM lense or 28-135mm USM lense. The 18-75 costs about $150 more than the 28-135mm. Well I thought a better wide angle will be better but Matt seems to think better zoom is better. How do I know which one should I get?
Firstly, there is no 18-75mm lense. Either the 18-55mm kit lense, or the 18-75mm USM IS lense. I will assume that it is the 17-85mm lense since it is $150 more.

Secondly, will either of these two be your one and only lense? If so, then the 17-85mm USM IS would be the obvious choice. With a crop factor of 1.6, that will make the 17-85mm be like a 27-136mm lense. You would need a 27mm for indoor shots. Also, the 17-85mm USM IS features a third generation IS (Image Stabliser) while the 28-135 is a second generation IS.

The 28-135 is a good walk-about lense but not very useful taking indoor photos. Not wide enough.

If I were you guys, I would get the 17-85mm for starters.

Just for comparison, this is what I have :
1) 18-55mm kit lense
2) 50mm f1.8
3) 85mm f1.8

That's all. :P No need for a longer focal length cos I still do not need it... yet..

[Jamalludin]

This is nothing...

Now let's do a different league..

Telephoto Lense
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_300_28is/lens.jpg
Canon EF 300mm f2.8L USM IS

Macro
Lensehttp://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_180_35/lens.jpg
Canon EF 180mm f3.5L USM Macro

General Purpose
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1635_28/lens.jpg
Canon EF 16-35 f2.8L USM

Together with a Canon EOS 1DS Mark II, can buy top of the range MyVi with spare change to upgrade sound system, sports rims and tinting... and probably HID light upgrade as well.

*again.. photos thanks to photozone*


Hi Kamkuey, what happen Nikon man? promotting canon lenses. Anyway d whole lot of lenses will cost a bomb!!!!

[joanneding]

Thanks for all the advice. I went in and finally bought the rebel and I did choose the 17-85mm lense :). Hopefully the next pics I post will look better.

[kamkuey]

Hi Haji... Still using Nikon... hehe. Just that joanne asked about Canon mar :P

Joanne... congrats on your new purchase. do post up some pics k?

[JC]

Thanks for all the advice. I went in and finally bought the rebel and I did choose the 17-85mm lense :). Hopefully the next pics I post will look better.oooooo...... congrats on your new toy.
Anxiously waiting for those pics... :)

[Jamalludin]

[QUOTE=kamkuey]Hi Haji... Still using Nikon... hehe.

Yap! waiting for u 2 balik kampong with ur 50mm lens.

[kamkuey]

[QUOTE=kamkuey]Hi Haji... Still using Nikon... hehe.

Yap! waiting for u 2 balik kampong with ur 50mm lens.
Dun worry.. when I am back there, sure look you up wan :P

Furthermore, got new arsenal for you to test test :P

[joanneding]

Ok, now that we got this nice camera,we don't really know how to use it too well. For easy to use, we always set it to auto mode. However, the camera always seem to focus on the wrong thing, the rock instead of my face so we kept getting all these pics of clear rock and blur face. Does anybody know how I can get clear focus on both me and the background within blurring one or another?

[kamkuey]

Ok, now that we got this nice camera,we don't really know how to use it too well. For easy to use, we always set it to auto mode. However, the camera always seem to focus on the wrong thing, the rock instead of my face so we kept getting all these pics of clear rock and blur face. Does anybody know how I can get clear focus on both me and the background within blurring one or another?
Strange.

The the rebel's autofocus should lock on to the nearest object.

Anyways, check the manual. There is a section there where it shows you how to lock on to your subject instead of rocks or trees.

You might also want to set the autofocus to focus on the centre focus point instead of using all seven. This you would have to check the manual. I forgot the setting already :P

[joanneding]

Well, it was true that the nearest object was the rock because I'm further out climbing, but you are rightt, I should try to set the focus to the center point. Thanks for the advice.

[kamkuey]

... and we are all still waiting for the pics :D

[joanneding]

Well, you know, the pics I posted regarding my dog are the pics taken with the new camera :). I thought it capture the water effect really well. Better than my old crappy camera.

[kamkuey]

What doggie pic? Where? WheRE?

[joanneding]

Here: http://www.acs-sitiawan.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4415&page=13

[joanneding]

Here is one pic taken when we went to Leavenworth, Washington. I like the water effect :).
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i157/joanneding/IMG_3045.jpg

Here are some pics taken when we went to Smith Rock (my obsession on flowers and bees)
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i157/joanneding/IMG_3117.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i157/joanneding/IMG_3120.jpg

[jerrychoo2004]

i think its time for me to get a new camera liao

[joanneding]

I know, makes so much different in photos taken. But I do think it's kinda bulky and annoying to climb with most of the time.

[LiLiaN]

oooooooooo they're good....

*must save money to upgrade liao*

[joanneding]

Yeah totally. When I went to the camera shop I saw so many new models with cool LCD display (non-SLR) and now I want to upgrade my non-SLR camera so I have a better cooler, lighter camera to carry around :). But I'm sure Matt will not agree to it since we just spent so much money on the SLR model.