yeah, nope? what thoughts art thou havest?

coaststarlight14 · 02-06-2011, 04:57 AM

I'm thinking of acquiring a "professional" digital camera and i wanted some advice...first since i'm not a millionaire and the cheaper a camera gets the less megapixels it has.

there is a camera that would really be stretching my limit that has 18 megapixels
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_245003_-1

or http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_267071_-1 plus http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_180642_-1

the next one has 15 megapixels
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_227015_-1

or

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_273120_-1 plus http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_180642_-1

the last one (most affordable) is a 10 megapixel camera
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_204269_-1

and for recording HD movies i'd use
http://www.target.com/Vivitar-Camcor...n&frombrowse=0
^
is this good?

and how good is 10 megapixels vs. a 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A570?
or an 8 megapixel olympus camera?

i've only looked at canon cameras but how many megapixels can you get for the least amount of money with a different brand?

mark woody · 02-06-2011, 05:14 AM

Why not look around found this in 5 mins and I'm in another country, I have this camera and am Quite happy with the results.

http://www.adorama.com/ICADRXSIBKB5.html

ssw9662 · 02-06-2011, 05:15 AM

Sensor size is important. The number of megapixels is not. Sure, it helps having a few extra megapixels, but if you're just going to post web-sized photos you won't see any significant difference.

As a rule of thumb, DSLR's produce better results than point and shoot cameras. Obviously they are more expensive (especially when you factor in lens purchases), but it's well worth the money.

I noticed the links you posted were to "refurbished" cameras. I don't have any experience with these, but I would be careful.

Chase55671 · 02-06-2011, 05:45 AM

Austin is correct. The cheapest DSLR with perform better than an advanced P&S. A six megapixel SLR with produce better results than an eight megapixel point and shoot. I enjoyed my first Canon SLR, a Canon XSi Rebel. Great camera that produced some great photos both during the day and night.

Being able to upgrade to different lenses is nice, despite it being an expensive and time consuming process. I recommend the SLR route as there is a lot of potential with these cameras, more so than the point and shoots.

Chase

Watain · 02-06-2011, 06:23 AM

If I was a Canon guy I would have one of these.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...R_Digital.html

Then again, if I was just starting out with Canon DSLR's. I would get a used XTi, or even a 30D and a few L series lenses...

Then I would get a 7D, yes I have thought about what it would have been like if I had joined the darkside that is Canon...

Joe the Photog · 02-06-2011, 01:55 PM

For anyone who has shot with film SLRs in the past, I would highly suggest NOT getting a P&S camera. The lag time with the shutter will make you miss shots. I shot with the Rebel series in digital from 2004 and they are very capable cameras. Over time, you can get better lens too and keep upgrading your product without getting a new camera.

JRMDC · 02-06-2011, 02:25 PM

General Canon advice, should you choose to go DSLR:

- the most important thing is the body configuration. Given your budget, the choice is between the xxxD line (so, in the US naming system, XT/XS/XSi/Ti whatever, etc) and the xxD line. The latter have two wheels for adjustment, so you can change shutter and aperture easily. And they are a little bigger, so they feel different in your hand. I happen to prefer the feel of the xxD and I love the two wheels, so I was willing to pay up for that.

- given that, I am a fan of spending little money on bodies and more on lenses. So in the xxD line I would look at anything back to a 40D, and even a 20D is fine; I used that for years, until very recently. I am no longer familiar with the xxxD line.

- even the bottom of the line new Canon DSLR will provide excellent results, of course if used correctly

coaststarlight14 · 02-06-2011, 08:41 PM

so basically i should go with http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_204269_-1 because #1 it's the least expensive, #2 megapixels don't matter that much, and #3 it's not a point and shoot camera...thanks for those suggestions...but the camcorder is that a good one?

Greg P · 02-06-2011, 10:51 PM

Another key thing to look at is focal points. My old camera had 7 focal points, my new one has like 19, and I get much clearer pictures.

coaststarlight14 · 02-06-2011, 11:15 PM

7 AF...is that focal points???

PLEzero · 02-07-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coaststarlight14

so basically i should go with http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_204269_-1 because #1 it's the least expensive, #2 megapixels don't matter that much, and #3 it's not a point and shoot camera...thanks for those suggestions...but the camcorder is that a good one?

You don't have to make a link every time you refer to a camera. Every one on the forums knows enough that you can call a camera by its name.

Thanks.

JRMDC · 02-07-2011, 04:59 PM

They are focus points, not focal points. More are nice, but I had 9 on my 20D and never had any issues. As for Greg P saying his shots are now "clearer," sounds like operator error to me. 9 is plenty if you are paying attention to what you are doing. More is useful in some but certainly not all or even most situations and so, like most things, are hardly essential.

BTW, are you actually intending to buy from the Canon website? At least try Amazon, Adorama, B&H (bhphotovideo.com)

troy12n · 02-07-2011, 09:33 PM

Buy a used 1D mark 2 for around $700 and be done with it

coaststarlight14 · 02-07-2011, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRMDC

They are focus points, not focal points. More are nice, but I had 9 on my 20D and never had any issues. As for Greg P saying his shots are now "clearer," sounds like operator error to me. 9 is plenty if you are paying attention to what you are doing. More is useful in some but certainly not all or even most situations and so, like most things, are hardly essential.

BTW, are you actually intending to buy from the Canon website? At least try Amazon, Adorama, B&H (bhphotovideo.com)

no, just for price refrences

i'll probably buy from target, amazon, or maybe best buy or something like that...

Greg P · 02-08-2011, 12:15 AM

JRMDC, it's very possible it was my own error. But since Coast is just starting out, it might help him to have that safety net.

A good quality used camera might not be bad, or a refurbished one. They are usually cameras that broke and got sent back, so they've been fixed and retested. They are usually cheaper and have same warranty as a new one.

coaststarlight14 · 02-08-2011, 12:36 AM

So does anybody know how many focus points the EOS Rebel XS has?

Greg P · 02-08-2011, 12:52 AM

High-speed, wide-area 7-point AF with center cross-type sensors.

bigbassloyd · 02-08-2011, 12:56 AM

The XS has seven.

Loyd L.

coaststarlight14 · 02-08-2011, 01:14 AM

oh bummer, well i'm just gonna have to get that one, i still don't understand focus points anyway...

thanks for all the advice guys!

mark woody · 02-08-2011, 01:35 AM

If at all possible go for a XSi it has more mps and a larger lcd panel. Focus points are selectable spots in the viewfinder where you can set the camera to focus, they are on the rule of thirds co-ordinates, centre and middle edge of the frame on 7 point cameras. The XSi also has 9 focus points.

Smoke · 02-12-2011, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coaststarlight14

oh bummer, well i'm just gonna have to get that one, i still don't understand focus points anyway...

thanks for all the advice guys!

Focus points are the places on the LCD screen where the camera will automatically focus. Read this: http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/dig...autofocus.html

And for the record, I own a XS and i have no problem with the 7 AF points.

milwman · 02-12-2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coaststarlight14

oh bummer, well i'm just gonna have to get that one, i still don't understand focus points anyway...

thanks for all the advice guys!

Pulled this off DPR It's the screen of a 60D you can see the AF Points or little boxes can be made to light up so you know what one you have working or set to all working and the camera picks the FP. The one with 45 is a pro 1D mk4 but you will pay $5,500+ for it.

Slopes09 · 02-14-2011, 01:44 PM

I've been shooting with one AF point my whole life, and I think I've done alright for myself.

On another note, I shop on a budget and have never had any problem with manufacturer refurbished cameras (the key is that they are certified by the manufacturer, I don't know if I'd trust them otherwise).

Finally, obligatory plug for a Pentax DSLR:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...412+4291284238

Watain · 02-16-2011, 07:10 AM

Just wanted to add on to the discussion about AF points...

My D300 has 51, and they are not there until you press the shutter halfway... So it gives you a nice open viewfinder. My ancient D80 had 11 points etched into the viewfinder.

Really a massive amount of AF points are not a big deal for shooting trains.. Now if you're wanting to shoot sports that might be a different story.

JimThias · 02-16-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slopes09

I've been shooting with one AF point my whole life, and I think I've done alright for myself.

Same here. I've never understood what people need all those focusing points for.