The Singapore Forum

Hi,

We want to get a family member a really good camera for his 40th b-day. The target is an SLR but I don't know whereto start.Has anyone any recommendations? Are there pitfallsto look out for etc?

I guess you have a choice between Canon and Nikon, with Sony as a bit of an outsider

unless you are feeling in a semi-pro mood, the Canon EOS 400/450D or the Nikon D60 would be worth a look

http://www.dpreview.com is prob the best place for info and reviews

Is there a reason you don't want to go digital? I know there are many creative/artistic reasons for using film photography, but after using digital for a few years now (and there are some very good DSLRs out there), I just can't imagine why I would use a film camera anymore if I'm not going to develop the film myself or if I won't be needing them in huge print. I have both an excellent SLR and DSLR, and I can't remeber the last time I picked up the former.

The thing I love about digital is that you can see the shot just after you've made it. You don't have to wait til the roll is used and you take it down to the shop for developing to see what you got. If you miss a shot, or it looks wrong, you can try again immediately, no wasting of film. No lost moments.

Just thought to ask.

Don't see anything in the original post about not wanting to get digital.

Unfortunately, all digitals are not equal. The old adage used to be, "the lens takes the picture." So you could buy any camera from a system and get pictures just a good as with the top model, if you spent money on the lenses. That was simply because you could load the film of your choice. With digitals, of course, the recording medium is a chip that is built into the camera, so you now have to consider it as well. Sadly the best chips are on the most expensive models so going up in price will increase the quality of the picture, something that never happened with film cameras.

So now we can say that the chip takes the picture.

That means that you can look at older models for the same picture qualities. For example, the Canon EOS 20D has the same chip as the later model the 30D, but the 40D has a new chip. 30Ds will be more expensive on the second-hand market than 20Ds, but you essentially get the same camera (barring a couple of minor features). So look carefully at the chips, and then look at some of the older models. You could pick up a real bargain on eBay.

Burbage wrote:Don't see anything in the original post about not wanting to get digital.

It's the SLR reference, which generally refers to film and DSLR to digital.

I'd change to a DSLR if Canon were to make a digital version of the EOS3 SLR, with a full-frame sensor. In the meantime I can wait.

Jedi wrote:

Burbage wrote:Don't see anything in the original post about not wanting to get digital.

It's the SLR reference, which generally refers to film and DSLR to digital.

Both digital and film cameras of this type are SLRs. Only one type is a DSLR though.

What I'd really love to see is someone coming out with a digital chip back for my film cameras.

I probably should have said a DSLR in that case. Defo digital.Iwas looking at the Nikon D60 simply becuase its a in price range thats affordablefor agift and the special offer package sells it with 2 lenses.

is it a decent choice?

Can't go wrong with Nikon. Though the 'free' lenses that come with kits are often quite poor.

You would need to be sure that this person is going to use an SLR as an SLR and not just as a grandiose compact. I've seen a lot of people with SLRs who never get beyond using one zoom lens. This is all well and good, but if a zoom range is all you want or need, there are some excellent compact cameras which are designed specifically to use a single lens and they don't have to live with all the compromises of an SLR. SLRs sacrifice a lot of optical performance so that you can (a) change lenses and (b) see through the lens when compose a picture (something digital users do less and less frequently). Their advantage is that you can make use of some fabulous and often very expensive optics.

Be sure you need an SLR and not a top quality compact.

Of course if he's a gearhead, he'll just be happy with an SLR no matter what the disadvantages might be.

I wouldnt bother when any extra zoom lenses ..... unless you are going on safari or taking a lot of pictures of bird life . If your hubby hasnt bought a dlsr already he probably isnt a photography enthusiastand wont need or use the zoom lenses other than the standard lens that comes with the camera .The extra lenses are a pain in the arse to carry around and ill just sit around gathering dust in a drawer.

I would agree with Burb ...if you are not an enhtusiast you may as well get something like canon G9 PowerShot. These digital cameras incorporate the creative performance of a professional digital SLR camera and the compact convenience of a point-and-shoot. You can slip it in you pocket and take it everywhere.

I was thinking more like something of this kind:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/F ... pixis1.asp

This also has some reviews

http://reviews.cnet.com/4321-6501_7-655 ... ?tag=prmo1

I love my Canon, but it was a tough choice between it and the Nikon. Only decided on the Canon because of the deal I got with it.