Worth the upgrade?

[SunnyX]

Let me start off by saying that I am not a photographer. I like taking pics of my tank once in a while.

Is it a big jump from a Nikon coolpix 4300 to a Nikon D50 SLR?

What do you guys think?

Will I see much difference?

Im not into the fancy lenses and stuff, just the one it comes with.

 

[BlueCorn]

Re: Worth the upgrade?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7554383#post7554383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Im not into the fancy lenses and stuff, just the one it comes with.

What don't you like about your existing camera? What are you trying to improve?

If being able to change lenses as necessary doesn't interest you I think you'd be better off with a point and shoot camera. Seriously.

 

[SunnyX]

Current camera is ok but I have problems taking macro shots with hit, seems so hit and miss.

I dont even know how I got this shot-

 

[BlueCorn]

Without additional lenses you may find that macros are easier with the p&s than with a DSLR. For one thing you can compose on the screen vs. having to use the viewfinder.

 

[Frisco]

what don't you like about the example pic? Is it the depth of focus, color rendition, minimum focusing distance, exposure time/hand shake problems?

 

[VoidRaven]

If you don't like your current camera but don't want to go as far as a DSLR you might want to look at the prosumer cameras.....such as the Fuji S9000 or similar cameras. All one unit, great flexibility with the lens, and no fuss with multiple lenses. If you want better macros with a DSLR you will really want to buy a macro lens. That's why people tend to go DSLR...they want the lens flexibility for multiple photography situations.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7556034#post7556034 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Frisco
what don't you like about the example pic? Is it the depth of focus, color rendition, minimum focusing distance, exposure time/hand shake problems?

I would like to be able to take pics like the many I see on this board. I like the ones where the fish is the only thing in focus and everything around it is blurry.

When taking pics they tend to be not sharp and over exposed. It is almost impossible for me to take a decent macro.

This is a recent pic, look at how some parts of the pic are bright , especially in the middle over the sand.

Now this other one turned out ok, but still could be improved:

 

[SunnyX]

The only reason I didnt want to get into the whole lens thing was due to the fact that I tend to be obsessive. As soon as I get the camera I will be buying up all sorts of lens and hopping around to all the photo boards.

 

[SunnyX]

Well I decided to purchase one of these new SLR cameras, I plan on taking my time and learing about them. Which of the two would you recommend?

EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR Digital Camera, 8.0 Megapixels

or

Nikon D50 6.1

 

[Frisco]

My suggestion is to explore the impact of the exposure metering, aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings if you haven't already, before you look at the SLRs. DSLRs are great for a number of reasons, but you might be able to take tank pics without any problems with the right settings on your existing cam. It looks to me that the overall exposure levels are different in the two pics above, and it might just be that you need to manually adjust the camera settings when you shoot your tank. I'm not familiar with the CP4300, but I just found some specs on it and it looks like you should be able adjust the settings manually.

ISO rating Auto, 100, 200, 400
Zoom wide (W) 38 mm
Zoom tele (T) 114 mm (3 x)
Aperture range F2.8/F7.6, F4.9/F13.4
Min shutter 8 sec + Bulb
Max shutter 1/1000 sec
Exposure compensation -2 EV to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Metering 256 segment Matrix, Center-Weighted, Spot, Spot AF Area
Aperture priority Yes
Shutter priority Yes

For the blurry pics with the bokeh effect that you asked about, you want to set the aperture to a wide value / small number, like f/2.8. That will reduce the depth of focus, and you then need to adjust the ISO and shutter speed parameters so that you get the exposure level right with a shutter speed that's fast enough that the fish don't appear to move in the image.

To take sharp pics and reduce hand shake, you want to use a tripod and the timer (or a shutter release) on the camera so that you're not accidentally moving it by pressing the button to take the pic. Whichever route you go down, a tripod is an important accessory.

In your pics, it's hard for me to judge whether the over exposure on the sand is due to limited dynamic range on the sensor itself or that the pic is just slightly over-exposed because of variability in the exposure metering. It looks like the overall exposure level is slightly different between the two pics, and it might be due to the exposure metering mode you have the cam on. As you're playing around with the iso, aperture, and shutter speed, you should also look at the overall exposure compensation (as well as teh exposure metering mode) and see if dropping the exposure down (ie, intentionally making the pic slightly dark) will help reduce the sand being over exposed.

HTH

 

[zenya]

Sunny,

I think it will be fair to say that you would want to look into a whole system and not just the camera body. Both Canon and Nikon make great glass and you wouldn't be disappointed with either one. Having said that, I personally have Canon 350D(Rebel XT) and like the size and feel of the camera.
Perhaps it would be better if you could get to the camera shop and play with both bodies and see which one feels the best in your hand.
For technical reviews of both cameras you can check out www.dpreview.com

Good luck!

PS. The tank look spectacular...

 

[Frisco]

Well I'm a canon type and would recommend the canon If you get that cam body, make sure to get a good lens. I'd suggest skipping the kit lens and investing in something a little better.

 

[SunnyX]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7558077#post7558077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Frisco
Well I'm a canon type and would recommend the canon If you get that cam body, make sure to get a good lens. I'd suggest skipping the kit lens and investing in something a little better.

What lens would you suggest?

 

[reefrunner69]

Well I decided to purchase one of these new SLR cameras, I plan on taking my time and learing about them. Which of the two would you recommend?

EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR Digital Camera, 8.0 Megapixels

or

Nikon D50 6.1

Of the two, either will provide stunning images in the right hands, you need to go and handle both and see what feels best, which menus make the most sense to you. You need to weigh the 2MP difference (virtually a non issue) with the better high ISO of the D50 (although the XT does very well at high iso as well). Look at the features of each camera and see which one has the features you need/want for the photography you want to do.

What lens would you suggest?

What lens is dependent on several things, budget, what use the lens is going to be put to etc...

 

[SunnyX]

I am just waiting to see what price my buddy can get me on either of the cameras. He works at a retail store and get an employee price so I will wait and see.

 

[reefrunner69]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7558355#post7558355 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
I am just waiting to see what price my buddy can get me on either of the cameras. He works at a retail store and get an employee price so I will wait and see.

While I am in favor of supporting the local camera shop, after you see what price he can get you, check on the internet, even with a discount you might be able to get it for substantially less from a reputable on-line vendor.

 

[MRBONNETHEAD]

That is one BEAUTIFUL TANK!!!!!!!!!

 

[opie]

Forget the camera, tell us your reefing secrets!!!

P.S. Many point and shoot cameras will do an excellent job but be wary of DSLRs, they are like reefs, you can't stop with just the defaults. You will end up buying a macro lens, a walk around lens, telephoto for those eagles and far off birds, a wide angle for the landscape shots... and on and on....

 

[SunnyX]

So which of the two is better?

EOS Digital Rebel XT SLR Digital Camera, 8.0 Megapixels
or
Nikon D50 6.1

 

[reefrunner69]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...side&cameras=canon_eos350d,nikon_d50&show=all

Neither, both....it really depends. Personally, I might go with the d50 between the 2, but others will prefer the XT. Go to the store and handle each. Look at the features of each and see which has more that you would use. The D50 has better high iso control, but 2MP less, as the XT does really well with high iso anyway and 2MP isn't really very much, niether should be the main factor for your choice.