Comments on: How to choose your first dSLR – a complete buyer’s guide http://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/ Design & Photography Tutorials and Resources Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:39:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Armand Niculescuhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-514 Armand Niculescu Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:04:43 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-514 Bird in Flight - oh man, that's a whole genre - like landscape or glamour. I mean, there are people who only do that and nothing else. The good thing is, Nikon has a very good AF system so you can track moving things with relative ease. For this, the more focus points you have, the better. Then all you'll need is a long, fast telephoto... too bad those tend to cost a fortune :) Bird in Flight – oh man, that’s a whole genre – like landscape or glamour. I mean, there are people who only do that and nothing else.
The good thing is, Nikon has a very good AF system so you can track moving things with relative ease. For this, the more focus points you have, the better. Then all you’ll need is a long, fast telephoto… too bad those tend to cost a fortune :)

]]> By: Tom marshallhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-513 Tom marshall Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:57:28 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-513 Armand; thanks once again for your answer,i had forgot about the 4/3rds system doing that.I guess i new along i would end up with a nikon. Now I have to choose between 11 segment or 3 segment Af metering. D40x with the extra pixels or D50 for more metering and choice of lens ??Etc. etc. etc. But most of all all id really like is to get a shot of an Eagle in flight. something I could hang and frame , you know like the fisherman with his trophy bass. Well ill keep trying. One of these days mabey ill feel that line tugging!!! Armand;
thanks once again for your answer,i had forgot about the 4/3rds system doing that.I guess i new along i would end up with a nikon. Now I have to choose between 11 segment or 3 segment Af metering. D40x with the extra pixels or D50 for more metering and choice of lens ??Etc. etc. etc. But most of all all id really like is to get a shot of an Eagle in flight. something I could hang and frame , you know like the fisherman with his trophy bass. Well ill keep trying. One of these days mabey ill feel that line tugging!!!

]]> By: Armand Niculescuhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-512 Armand Niculescu Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:15:51 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-512 The 4/3 system sits somewhere in between the compact cameras and a "real" dslr. There's definitely interest in compact cameras with interchangeable lenses and all major manufacturers will provide cameras in this segment.In terms of quality however, the rule is simple - the larger the sensor, the better (it's actually pixel density but let's not go into details). That's why even a 5 Mp cell phone will produce crappy photos and a 6 Mp dSLR will produce better pictures than an 8 Mp compact. Micro 4/3 uses a smaller sensor than the usual size in dSLR, which means it won't perform as well at high ISO for example.Personally I'd go with the Nikon as a clear upgrade. You get now an used Nikon but you keep th lenses. In an year you may buy a new lens or a flash or something else, in two years you'd get a new body and so on.Still, do your homework. Walk into a store and try the Evolt. Try to shoot some samples from both kinds of cameras and make an informed decision based on quality, price, ergonomics and so on. The 4/3 system sits somewhere in between the compact cameras and a “real” dslr. There’s definitely interest in compact cameras with interchangeable lenses and all major manufacturers will provide cameras in this segment.

In terms of quality however, the rule is simple – the larger the sensor, the better (it’s actually pixel density but let’s not go into details). That’s why even a 5 Mp cell phone will produce crappy photos and a 6 Mp dSLR will produce better pictures than an 8 Mp compact. Micro 4/3 uses a smaller sensor than the usual size in dSLR, which means it won’t perform as well at high ISO for example.

Personally I’d go with the Nikon as a clear upgrade. You get now an used Nikon but you keep th lenses. In an year you may buy a new lens or a flash or something else, in two years you’d get a new body and so on.

Still, do your homework. Walk into a store and try the Evolt. Try to shoot some samples from both kinds of cameras and make an informed decision based on quality, price, ergonomics and so on.

]]> By: Williamhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-511 William Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:09:11 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-511 Hello Armand,I'm taking a step up from a compact digital camera to a DSLR. I'm planning on taking pictures of landscape, portraits, and of models that I will be building. With the later, I'm guessing that I might need a macro lens, on top of whatever lens may come with the camera. The later is actually the main reason for the switch due to being unable to take decent close-up photos. I figured that I might be better off with a manual focus. The landscape and portraits portion of my plans come from a upcoming wedding that I'm attending where I'll be able to see the Rocky Mountains. Alas, I have not taken any phototography classes, but wish to learn to take good photos in this case, probably through experience. If it matters at all, the compact digital camera I currently have is a 7.2 megapixel cybershot camera. The model number escapes me at the moment. Hello Armand,

I’m taking a step up from a compact digital camera to a DSLR. I’m planning on taking pictures of landscape, portraits, and of models that I will be building. With the later, I’m guessing that I might need a macro lens, on top of whatever lens may come with the camera. The later is actually the main reason for the switch due to being unable to take decent close-up photos. I figured that I might be better off with a manual focus. The landscape and portraits portion of my plans come from a upcoming wedding that I’m attending where I’ll be able to see the Rocky Mountains. Alas, I have not taken any phototography classes, but wish to learn to take good photos in this case, probably through experience. If it matters at all, the compact digital camera I currently have is a 7.2 megapixel cybershot camera. The model number escapes me at the moment.

]]> By: Tomhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-504 Tom Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:36:11 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-504 Hello Armand: Thanks for your quick reply , much appreciated!!! what do you think about the Evolt 500 ? I know i have to start over with the lens but the 4/3 system really intrigues me with the focal range . the Evolt 500 with the 75-150mm i can get close to 300$ to start into digital, hope to move up to their 70-300mm eventually. That lens would be the equivilant to 600mm for about300bucks . And their dust sensor sounds good??? I do know ill be limited by the brand but they do seem to have alot of innovations in their camera. Naturally pic quality is foremost , how do you feel about their lens ? Oh the tortue of picking whats best!!!! Hello Armand:
Thanks for your quick reply , much appreciated!!! what do you think about the Evolt 500 ? I know i have to start over with the lens but the 4/3 system really intrigues me with the focal range . the Evolt 500 with the 75-150mm i can get close to 300$ to start into digital, hope to move up to their 70-300mm eventually. That lens would be the equivilant to 600mm for about300bucks . And their dust sensor sounds good??? I do know ill be limited by the brand but they do seem to have alot of innovations in their camera. Naturally pic quality is foremost , how do you feel about their lens ? Oh the tortue of picking whats best!!!!

]]> By: Armand Niculescuhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-502 Armand Niculescu Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:34:40 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-502 Definitely go with the D40. I think it supports all your lenses (better double-check that if you can). Definitely go with the D40. I think it supports all your lenses (better double-check that if you can).

]]> By: tomhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-501 tom Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:11:31 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-501 Hi Armand, thanks for your help. Im new to digital photography, although ive done film. I see im going to have to convert . yes i was the last one on my street to get cable, a vcr , dvd, player, computer,etc. Well anyway i need to convert. The question is this. i only have about 300 bucks U. S. Yes i have a wife and kids.Hence the 300 bucks is a stretch. Please hurry with your answer you know how fast money can go . I own a nikon N80, 4 lenses.>50mm/ 17-35mm/ 35-105mm/70-105mm nothing oustanding.2 after market and 2 nikon. Would i be better to buy the older model pro d100x in prime cond or a relatively newer nikon 40 . any other suggestions would be appreciated also. General amateur photography landscape , lightning,nature . Hi Armand, thanks for your help.
Im new to digital photography, although ive done film. I see im going to have to convert . yes i was the last one on my street to get cable, a vcr , dvd, player, computer,etc. Well anyway i need to convert. The question is this. i only have about 300 bucks U. S. Yes i have a wife and kids.Hence the 300 bucks is a stretch. Please hurry with your answer you know how fast money can go . I own a nikon N80, 4 lenses.>50mm/ 17-35mm/ 35-105mm/70-105mm nothing oustanding.2 after market and 2 nikon. Would i be better to buy the older model pro d100x in prime cond or a relatively newer nikon 40 . any other suggestions would be appreciated also. General amateur photography landscape , lightning,nature .

]]> By: Armand Niculescuhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-407 Armand Niculescu Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:34:22 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-407 The motor is used by the AF (auto focus) mechanism of the lens.Many Nikon lenses have a built-in motor, but not all - even pro ones - if you look at http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/lens/af/index.htm, only AF-S ones will work if the camera body doesn't have a motor. This is even more important if you're planning on buying third-party lenses, like from Sigma or Tamron - you need to be careful.If you're not planning on buying many lenses or have some very specific requirements, you'll be perfectly safe with a D5000. The motor is used by the AF (auto focus) mechanism of the lens.

Many Nikon lenses have a built-in motor, but not all – even pro ones – if you look at http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/lens/af/index.htm, only AF-S ones will work if the camera body doesn’t have a motor. This is even more important if you’re planning on buying third-party lenses, like from Sigma or Tamron – you need to be careful.

If you’re not planning on buying many lenses or have some very specific requirements, you’ll be perfectly safe with a D5000.

]]> By: elmohttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-406 elmo Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:27:01 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-406 What is the lens motor used for? It is very important? What is the lens motor used for? It is very important?

]]> By: Gabriel Nituhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-403 Gabriel Nitu Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:17:50 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-403 Armand, just found your site and I must say I love it. Plenty of valuable information.I have an objection to one of your introductory statements though. People do and WILL fight over everything, not just cameras. This is human nature.Take a look at the age-old PC vs MAC debate. And let's not even get into cars... Just join a car discussion forum and you will find it's the same story all over again.Thanks for taking the time to write these nice articles and keep up the good work ! Armand, just found your site and I must say I love it. Plenty of valuable information.

I have an objection to one of your introductory statements though. People do and WILL fight over everything, not just cameras. This is human nature.

Take a look at the age-old PC vs MAC debate. And let’s not even get into cars… Just join a car discussion forum and you will find it’s the same story all over again.

Thanks for taking the time to write these nice articles and keep up the good work !

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