What Digital Camera Do You Use?
One of my favorite type of posts here at DPS is when we open things up for discussion with a reader question.
While a few weeks ago we asked you about your favorite DSLR Lens - today I want to turn our attention to the actual camera that you own.
What is your Digital Camera?
Please tell us the digital camera’s manufacturer and the model number and more importantly take a couple of moments to share with us a brief description of what you like (or don’t like) about it. Is it a certain feature, price, size, suitability to a certain type of photography….
If you use more than one digital camera feel free to include more than one answer.
PS: I’ll kick things off by simply pointing you to my recent review of my camera, the Canon EOS 5D where I’ve answered my own questions.
Read more posts like 'What Digital Camera Do You Use?'
July 26th, 2007 at 12:37 am
Nikon D40x with kit lens 18-55, SB-400.
it wasn’t expensive and it’s tiny and lightweight.
then lens is alright but i’ve been looking into getting another one..
with the bounce flash i get great colors indoors.
i love it!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:38 am
I use a Canon Digital Rebel XT with the factory lens because its all I can afford right now.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:40 am
I have a buddy of mine who was in the army and stationed in Germany. He would describe the weapons he carried as follows:
Main weapon - M16 rifle
Sidearm - 9mm pistol
Backup/Capture - 22 calibre Beretta pistol
I described my cameras to him using the same terminology:
Main weapon - Nikon D50
Sidearm - Nikon S50
Backup/Capture - LG Camera Phone
July 26th, 2007 at 12:46 am
Nikon D50
Got it about a year ago before the D40 came out; love it as my first true DSLR. It’s forgiving but also allows for full manual controls and everything in-between. Having it has helped me gain new friends and have more reason to go see and shoot places around Washington, DC. Wouldn’t trade it for the world…okay, I’d trade it for the 8-frames-a-second D200, but that’s it.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:50 am
Nikon D200
Solid camera body but not overly heavy. The flexibility and programing options of the camera really make it the camera it is. The noise at ISO 1600 is OK although skip the reds if possible.
Lukas
July 26th, 2007 at 12:52 am
I’ve got a Canon Digital Rebel XTi.
It was a logical step into digital SLRs since i already had Canon lenses and accessories from my film Rebel2000.
It’s a great camera.
I bought my wife a Casio Exilm for a point and shoot. The color difference of that and the Rebel is amazing… which is why I try to shoot with the Rebel when I really care about the picture quality.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:54 am
Nikon D50 with Nikkor 18-70 lens.
This is my first dSLR and I love the camera and lens both. The quality of the lens is very good, and I’m glad I didn’t go for the kit lens. The only thing is that I might be looking into something like a 55-200 lens, cause the 70 just isn’t enough zoom sometimes.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:54 am
Canon Digital Rebel XT, Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 lens.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:55 am
Canon 300D Digital Rebel, original kit lens — hoping to get a zoom lens soon. I use a Sony DSC-T5 as my point&shoot backup.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Canon 350D (it’s the Rebel XT in USA, but 350D here in Portugal - as I’m sure you know).
Actually it’s my first real cam (i had a cybershot P-51 before), and I’m loving to learn about the specifics of the pictures and taking pictures in manual mode, so right now I like to take pictures at everything I find interesting, but before I try to predict how the pic will come out.
Still learning - and loving it.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Fuji FinePix F11, it’s a great camera!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Canon Rebel XT/350D
-Lens: Kit 18-55 / 70-200 F4 L / 50 F1.8
I don’t like its small viewfinder. The preview screen is also small compared to other recent DSLR. In full manual mode, the ergonomics could be better. The body is also a bit small for my hands, but I’m used to it now.
I like it’s speed, it’s quality output, it’s weight, it’s price.
It’s my little treasure, and I love it! ;) But of course, there’s now the newer versions, XTi/400D, which seems to be nice, but not enough to think about an upgrade yet. I’ll probably save more pennies for something better in quality, 20D or something in that range.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:57 am
Canon 400d with kit lens, 50mm prime and 70-300 sigma
July 26th, 2007 at 12:58 am
Pentax, baby!
k100d, k10d mainly with the da21 and da40 primes. also use the 50-200 from time to time, and eagerly waiting for my pre-ordered 16-50/2.8
July 26th, 2007 at 1:00 am
I have a Nikon D80 with the battery grip and SB-800 for 4 months now but I’m already thinking of upgrading/changing, hm :) Maybe take a peek at Canon?
Current lenses:
Sigma 10-20mm
Tamron 28-75mm 2.8
Nikkor 50mm 1.8
July 26th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Got a Pentax K10D (and still have my former K100D but trying to sell it).
I love all the possibilities it offers, the ergonomy of this body is wonderful (and so are the results). There’s not a a specific detail that I love most, but I particularly appreciate the Shake Reduction that helps win a few stops in difficult conditions, since I do not have professional (and very fast) lenses.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:02 am
My Canon EOS 400D is my first DSLR. I went with the kit lens (it was a gift) and I’m starting to feel the limitations after only six months. I would love to get myself a half decent macro lens, and a good wide angle……
This is the problem with SLRs. Buying them is just an opportunity to spend more money on lenses, flashes, battery packs, filters, etc.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:03 am
Sony A100 with 18-70 kit lens.
Minolta 50mm f1.8
Minolta 70-210mm f4
My first slr, bought about 4 months ago, absolutely love it. The built in image stabilization is really nice. The 50mm prime is awesome for portrait shots and I really like that the 70-210 has a constant f4 aperture.
I now really want to get an off camera flash. Looking into the Sigma EF-500 DG Super.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:04 am
I had a buddy of my in the Army describe his weapons as follows:
Primary Weapon - M16 Rifle
Sidearm - 9mm Pistol
Backup/Capture - 22 calibre Beretta pistol
I described my cameras to him in similar terms:
Primary Weapon - Nikon D50
Sidearm - Nikon S50
Backup/Capture - LG Camera Phone
July 26th, 2007 at 1:04 am
Canon XTI rebel (also called EOS 400D)with the 18-55 kit lens, +ves: Cool nice shape, lightweight(plastic body),easy to use menu, effective burst mode, sensor cleaning feature, easy to use lens mount
-ve: Sorely miss spot metering.., lcd quality could’ve been better
I use kit lens guess its time for an upgrade….
July 26th, 2007 at 1:05 am
I have a Canon 400D Just a fantastic camera. I can’t think of anything negative to say about it. My last film camera was a Canon AE1 , I went Digital with a Canon A70 compact which I loved, but what I really wanted was a SLR which was digital .It wasn’t until this year that that I discovered that Canon (Bless there cotton socks) Had a range of digital SLR’s . The controls on the Canon are so user friendly and coupled with near 35mm sensor size makes for a great combination.
Trying to use a compact digital in manual modes was a nightmare but the modern DSLR is ideal . I just love it.
Richard.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:07 am
Hi! I use on dSLR the Canon 400D Rebel XTi with lens kit EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 / EF 50mm f/1.8 II / Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 DG APO; primary camera and I love it and from Canon too, the high-end Point and Shoot PowerShot S3 IS. I love both cameras and both are beside me everywhere =D
July 26th, 2007 at 1:08 am
Sony Cybershot DSC W1.
It was kinda the best point-and-shoot at the time I bought it, 3 years ago - ah! only now I realise it is 3 years old!! I liked the large 2.5″ CCD and the features. It lacked aperture/shutter priority modes and some other modes found in Nikon and Canon. Also the flash is too bright, thats what my friends told me after I shot their pictures with flash!
July 26th, 2007 at 1:11 am
Been using a Nikon D70S for 2 years with SB800.
Lenses: Kit 18-70, Sigma 70-300, Nikon 50mm(1.8).
Also use a Canon SD500 for those moments I don’t want to carry/pull out the Nikon.
What I love about the D70S, for an entry DSLR (at the time) it had plenty of controls, and I love the two dials (shutter/aperture) at my finger tips (Mostly working in Manual or Aperture priority).
July 26th, 2007 at 1:13 am
Canon 400D
July 26th, 2007 at 1:15 am
Canon 350D + Grip with 17-40/ 70-200/ 100-400 L-Series lenses.
Pros - its price, good image quality at iso 100-400, well built (no problems with it after a serious fall), a good kit lens
Cons - image quality at high iso speed (800, 1600) is no more so decent, slow in burst mode, small viewfinder.
For that money it’s really a treasure and worths every cent.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:16 am
I’m lucky to get access to both EOS-1D and EOS-ID mk II, and they are just superb to use, if just a bit heavy after a while. Each time I use it I find a new feature (for instance, I didn’t notice you can lock the viewfinder off to stop light getting through till last week)
Wish I could find a way of turning off previews in TIFF files when shooting RAW on the 1D though.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:17 am
I have a Konica Minolta 5D and am very happy with it. I originally bought it for the in-body stabilization; now it seems that more cameras offer that feature.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:18 am
I have a Nikon D40 with the kit lens and an SB-600 and I love it!
Pros:
Its very well priced, easy to use and produces excellent image quality!
Cons:
I would have liked to see a DOF preview button on it and its a shame that there’s no dedicated button for altering ISO or white balance.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:20 am
Canon Digital Rebel xTi. Main lens is sigma 17-70.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:20 am
I’m using Sony Alpha 100 with Kit Lens 18-70mm 3.5/5.6. Looking to buy 50/1.4 and some longer zoom lenses.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:24 am
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS 5D
I love the resolution and full-frame sensor on the 5D for landscapes and other things that don’t require a fast shutter rate or benefit from the effective zoom increase from a crop sensor. The 30D works great for when I need both of those.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:27 am
I recently upgraded to a Canon 5D with a 70-200mm 2.8L IS, 24-105 f/4L IS, and 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS lenses. It was almost an instant love-affair. The sharpness, the colors, the focus system all were great improvements over the Sony A-100 I was using before.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:27 am
Nikon D50
This was a longevity award from the company I have worked for for 20 years. So it was free and that’s the right price. This is my first SLR and I love it. I have the IR remote. which is pretty cool.The package came with the accessory pack for the D40.. case book and battery So I have a spare battery for a D40 if anyone is interested. I would trade for some other accessory for the D50 , lenses.. filters tripod, monopod ??? rmarler@gmail.com
July 26th, 2007 at 1:28 am
I shoot with a Canon 30D - Lots of features for the price. Spot meter is a big plus for me. I love the jog dial on the back - LOVE it! Solid feel with easy to use interface.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:30 am
Primary: Lumix FZ-30. Great outdoors in full light, not so much in the shade. I’ve taken some decent nighttime shots on a tripod. Bought it because it has full manual mode and I wanted to teach myself about aperture, shutter speeds and all that fun stuff so I could make an educated purchase of a D-SLR in a few years.
Secondary: Canon Powershot A540. Great little pocket cam.
Tertiary: Treo 650.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:31 am
P&S
Kodak z612 - for me it was affordability 1+ years ago.
I definitely want to make the jump to a DSLR, but I can’t afford it right now.
My next cam WILL be a DSLR though.
I am very jealous of all of you that have one and the great pix you all take!
July 26th, 2007 at 1:33 am
Total newbie here (6 months with a camera), trying to learn bits from you all here…but thought I’d chime in on this one.
My meagre kit list (in its entirety, as it won’t take up much space!)
Canon Digital Rebel XT
Canon 17-85mm IS USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Opteka Battery Grip (makes it *way* more comfortable for big hands)
erm… thats it - everything I own, other than a little bag to put it ‘all’ in.
No flash yet, no extra toys…
Anyone feeling generous enough to give any advice to an utter amateur, feel free to visit my flickr world (linked above)
I’ll go back to lurking now. Apologies for the interruption.
Ben
July 26th, 2007 at 1:39 am
Nikon D40 with the 18-55mm kitlens and a Nikkor 55-200mm VR lens.
It being my first dSLR it had to be somewhat ‘cheap’… however I demand great results from anything I buy (I’m a gadgetfreak tbh) so I spent most of my time researching stuff like that and what I’ve come to like is the small size/light weight and most of all the quality you get for the price you pay - surely it isn’t the best camera out there, that was easy to conclude, but for my budget and for my needs it definitely the best I could get/afford :)
July 26th, 2007 at 1:40 am
Main camera: Nikon D50 with the Nikkor AF-S 18-55 kit lens + a Nikkor 70-300 zoom lens. I love the quality of the photos I get, the fast shooting possibilities, and it’s quite lightweight for a digital SLR.
Back-up: Canon Elph SD300.
Back-up to the back-up: Motorola V3 Razr phone.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:41 am
Canon Rebel XT/350D
The size of the screen and the viewfinder are a bit annoying, but nothing I can’t live with :)
I love the quality of the unit though.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:42 am
Nikon D70
Primary lenses are Nikon 50/1.8 and 70-200/2.8.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:44 am
Canon Rebel 300D, the origonal entry level DSLR, with a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. The lens is worth 4 times as much as the camra these days, but it still does a good job. Going on 2 years with this camra and have yet to have a problem, good quality. Only thing that annoys me is that it only has a buffer size of 4 RAW, slowing me down at times when I and trigger happy. I am looking forward to an upgrade, most likely a 30D, or possibly a leap frog to the 5D.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:49 am
Nikon D200 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 VR as Primary Camera
Kodak Z740 as Backup
Sony Cybershot P(something) - DDs Camera
Motorola Razr camera phone - extreme emergency back-up
My favorites are the D200 for the flexibility to do what I want. I love this camera. I still have much to learn about it too.
I also love my Kodak. I has given me some beautifully sharp photos for a point and shoot. The lens is fantastic.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:49 am
Leica Digilux 3
It is essentially a Leica-branded Panasonic DMC-L1, only a little bit cuter and with different color settings (I am told).
I bought it for two main reasons :
1) Amazing Leica lens (stabilized 14-50mm @ f/2.8-3.5)
2) It feels like a good ol’ SLR: no need to tweak the menus to take a picture.
Its main drawback is the viewfinder which is a little dark.
I love it anyway.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:51 am
Canon 350D Rebel XT
Lenses: Kit 18-55mm f/4, 50mm f/1.8
I love my Rebel. It fits perfectly in my hands and has good features, though I’d like a bigger/nicer LCD screen. Oh, I would be cool if I could fit it in my smaller purses too (but that would defeat the purpose of having it now wouldn’t it?).
July 26th, 2007 at 1:52 am
I have a Fuji s9500, and I like it, but it’s not a DSLR. So I’m saving money for buying a real DSLR.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:53 am
Hi -
I used to have a Canon PowerShot A70 which I bought some time ago. I eventually saved up enough money to buy a Canon EOS 400D. Had I had a bit more money to play with I might have looked at the Nikon D80, but I am very happy with my Canon. It’s a wonderful camera and produces great photographs. The only negative reviews of it that I read were that it was a little on the small side and the construction felt a bit too “cheap”, but I do not think they are an issue to be honest.
I’ve just bought a new lens for the camera - a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II - and it’s amazing. Can get a really shallow depth of field with it and use it in very low light conditions.
As a “back-up” I have a nice 3.2 mega-pixel camera on my Sony Ericsson K800i which is actually quite advanced with settings for white balance, exposure compensation, etc. so I use that when I’m out and about and just want to quickly capture something - an item in a shop for example.
Oliver Coningham
Website design in Yeovil, Somerset by Oliver Coningham
July 26th, 2007 at 1:54 am
Am a Canon Rebel XT user.
Love the kit lens, 18-55 mm, for its wide angles. Also have the 50mm f/1.8 for its lovely bokeh and near portraits.
BTW, Saving up for a 18-200mm.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:55 am
Used to have a Sony DSC-93 and then upgraded to a Canon S2IS with a telephoto and wide angle lens. Still in love with it.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:56 am
Canon Rebel XT/350D, Kit lens. Just bought it - love it so far.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:58 am
I used to work with a Canon IXUS 55 but then it got lost, so now I camera-lees, except for the one in my Nokia 5140 phone.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Olympus FE-190
I’ve had this point and shoot camera for awhile and I just started getting into photography so its all I have now but I plan on buying a new camera I’m thinking a Kodak either p or z series because I can only afford like a $400 camera and my dad has the easyshare 650 and i have been playing with it and I like it. It has a lot of the manual settings I’m looking for and I’m a beginner so I don’t need the best camera in the world right now. I know its technically a dslr but it has a lot of the same features to get my feet wet.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Canon Powershot S2 IS
Mostly very happy with it, but I have trouble focusing when in low light or when there are a lot of other items in the scene it doesn’t focus on the ‘right’ one. It might be time for me to go DSLR, but in the meantime, I can take some pretty good shots.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:00 am
Olympus Evolt-500 with the 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f3.5-4.5 kit lenses
My first DSLR replacing my Nikon N90s 35mm SLR. Purchased to be used underwater as well (with an Ikelite #6855 TTL housing).
July 26th, 2007 at 2:03 am
Olympus E-500
What i love about the camera
The anti dust mechanisme, after a whole year of changing lenses, sometimes even on the beach, still no dust what so ever
Feel - it feels like a real camera. It is a bit heavy, but that makes it easier to grip
Great colors in natural mode
What i like less
Kit lenses are not to good in a darker surrounding.
However, overall, very satisfied.. and having much to learn still..
No movement correction options
July 26th, 2007 at 2:03 am
I currently use a Canon 300D Digital Rebel. It’s my first entry into DSLR photography and I wanted to go with something economical (300 bucks off of eBay including kit lens and a couple CF cards). I’ve loved using it and have definitely been getting hooked by photography so I might just upgrade at some point to the XTi when I have the cash. We’ll see what happens!!
When the 300D is not possible, like going to clubs/parties, etc., I bring along my trusty Canon SD400. Not the most feature packed but takes very nice quality pics with even colors/tones and fits nicely in a pocket.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:04 am
I use a Canon S80 and rely on photoshop to compensate for lens & sensor limitations that come with not using an SLR. Aside from that, it’s a quite nice camera with plenty of features and also quite usable manual controls. A unique feature is the mechanical click wheel which you can use to easily fiddle with shuttertime, aperture and other settings simply by rotating it.
The best thing is that it fits into my pocket and I can open it and take a picture in under 3 seconds. That fits my impulsive style quite well and it allows me to travel light.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:12 am
I have a Canon 5D that I use every day. 95% of the time I have my Canon EF 28-300 mm F3.5-F5.6 L IS USM lens on its face.
28 mm
http://www.classannual.com/php/gallery/20070630-SFmoonrise/20070630_MG_1273
300 mm
http://www.classannual.com/php/gallery/20070630-SFmoonrise/20070630_MG_1305
Jack
July 26th, 2007 at 2:13 am
Canon XT/350D rocks my world.
Packed with the 50mm f1.8 it’s a powerful camera even in low-light situations.
I use the 70-200 F4L IS for wildlife and portraits, I’m soon going to buy the 17-40 F4L (kit lens sucks!), but before that i’m going take a peak at the peleng 8mm :)
July 26th, 2007 at 2:16 am
Canon 350D (Rebel XT)
I recently got this camera after looking at it for the couple of years it’s been around.
Likes:
- while a lot of people with big hands complain that it feels small, i like the smaller size of this body. i don’t feel like a national geographic journalist.
- very short time from off/sleep to on
Dislikes:
- a bigger LCD would always be nice
—
Nikon Coolpix L4
This is my “go everywhere” point and shoot.
Likes:
- i picked this camera mostly for the ergonomics and the lcd size (given the lack of a view finder, a big bright lcd is a nice to have)
- picture quality is impressive, i’ve taken some really nice shots with this
Dislikes:
- this piece came out before image stabilization was readily available - IS would be nice to have given the situations i find myself using this camera.
- shutter lag. this camera is VERY slow to get going
July 26th, 2007 at 2:23 am
I just got in my first “serious” camera, and am loving the hell out of it. It be:
Canon EOS 30D with 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens
I’m -trying- to save up the cash for the 24-70mm f/2.8L lens…but yeebah, those are expensive!
July 26th, 2007 at 2:25 am
Canon 30D - I love the spot metering in full manual - great way to quickly sanity check exposure.
Speedlight 580ex - Bouncing flash off white ceilings makes for great, soft light. I’m thinking of adding an off-camera shoe cord to experiment a bit more, as well as a 430ex to do wireless slaving.
50mm f/1.4 - daaaaaaamn this lens is fast. Goes well without flash (say, in a bar) at ISO 3200. Colors get a little retarded at that sensativity, but these kinds of photos look better in B&W anyway (in my opinion).
28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS - great walk around lens. The IS makes it a ton more useful than it sounds (and I rarely, if ever, use this with a tripod - I rarely need one).
10-22mm EF-S - I love the “no-look” capability of this lens. I’ve gotten a ton of great photos, say, riding on my bike, without even looking in the viewfinder. This lens rocks! That said, there is a bit of distortion at the wide open (10mm) end of things, but that’s to be expected.
70-200mm f/2.8L IS - This is a brand new addition to my kit, and I absolutely love it! The speed of autofocus, the aperture (and depth of field), the image stabilization. I love it. I rarely need a tripod, even at the 200mm end of things. I’ve been able to use this as a walk around lens at night, and i was quite surprised. Very great addition to the kit.
My old kit (which I’ve just sold) was the Canon digital rebel XT (350D). I actually liked the “straight from the camera” quality of this camera a bit better than my 30D, suprisingly. However, the construction definitely wont stand up to my current work/travel lifestyle. I’m surprised the 30D is doing so well, but I guess that’s why it’s made of magnesium and not plastic.
Another down side to the 350D is it’s susceptibility to dust: in my experience, this camera gets a lot more dust than my 30D (and now with such a diverse kit, I’m changing lens a lot more often with the 30D).
July 26th, 2007 at 2:26 am
I shoot with a Nikon D40 but planning on moving to D200.
-Jeff O’Hara
http://blog.zemote.com
July 26th, 2007 at 2:27 am
Nikon D80 . Nice build quality anda handling. It still has the top LCD.
I have a Pentax istDs too. It is a nice compact camera, but has a very slow focus system.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:35 am
Right now…a Canon S3IS…I am hoping to convert over to a DSLR soon. My idea situation would be to have the ‘real thing’ for ’serious’ photos and then a quality, high MP, small P&S camera that I can carry with me at all times (fit in my purse easily) so that I never miss a photo opportunity. Even though my Canon isn’t a DSLR, it is close to one in size and I find that I miss a lot of good opportunities for pictures because I just don’t want the hassle of carrying it everywhere (it DOESN’t fit in my purse)! :-)
July 26th, 2007 at 2:38 am
Canon EOS Digital REBEL XTi.
Call me a big computer geek, but the thing that irritates me the most is that in the GUI you can’t swap columns sideways, you have to go through all the selections upwards or downwards.
Apart from that, I think I’m still to much of a newb to properly critique the camera as a camera. I just love it period. I works great. All the management is simple (except for the columns), it handles great and the image quality for a low level DSLR camera is just great. (and I see great images popping in mags like NATURES BEST taken with the XTi so it’s gotta be a good camera)
July 26th, 2007 at 2:42 am
Canon 10d and A620.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:42 am
I am still to lazy to take the SLR plunge.
I love my Canon S3 IS
July 26th, 2007 at 2:43 am
Sony R1, Great camera for the price. Love that there is no mirror slap when taking photos. Nobody knows that they are being photographed. Also love the LCD viewfinder that allows live histogram and preview. Only wish there was more optical zoom and larger aperture at telephoto for those difficult lighting shots. Anti-shake would also be nice. Also would like more than the 3 frame burst and faster focus in low light situations.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:46 am
Pentax K100D (along with the ‘kit’ lens, DA 18-55mm, an SMC-P FA 50mm F/1.something and a Tamron 70-300mm), and a Canon A620 p&s
Why I like the k100d: Total control, shake reduction, and image quality (its noise profile blows my canon p&s out of the water.) Plus, despite the pentamirror and the totally bare-bones focus screen, I can actually manually focus on things.
I also like the fact that I don’t feel like a homogeneous member of some “Canon/Nikon” oligopoly.
Why I like the Canon A620: it’s small, my roommate can use it, the LCD swivels, and while you can’t take true ‘macro’ shots with it, you can literally get the lens into some ridiculous places.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:50 am
Nikon D40x with kit lens 18-55
I just got this about 2 months ago, and have had a great time using it. I would like to upgrade the lens, but other than that, I have no complaints. Its very user friendly, and its pretty light weight for its size. I’m still getting used to it, but I’ve already learned so much.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:53 am
I use a Canon Powershot S3 IS. [To all DSLR users: IT’s NOT A P&S!]
This is my first camera. I would have loved to get something like an XT(i) for a first cam, but cost and zero exposure to photography made me choose one that was not expensive and yet would allow me to control many elements of a shot. Moreover, the large optical zoom was hard to beat.(And macro, too!) If I had bought a DSLR, I would have also needed to invest in a tele-end lens to capture that colourful bird 20m away. But the S3 IS is a nice package, with USM and IS (well, it may not exactly be Canon L stuff, but still, something is better that nothing.)
It has a very nice movie-mode as well!
July 26th, 2007 at 2:54 am
I have a Nikon D40. I like it because I’m still learning and the in menu help and visual examples help me remember what the different settings do without making the camera feel like it was made for only novices. I like that it’s smaller than most DSLRs, but the D50 did feel more comfortable in my hand. The bigger display on the back is really nice too.
I think Nikon has really nailed it’s target demographic for this camera and there are plenty of add-ons for the D40 that are within my price range that I can get into without investing in a pro setup. I’ve already ordered a 55-200MM lense and remote shutter release, and I’m hoping to buy the SB-400 flash some time soon.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:56 am
Panasonic DMC-FZ30
Going to be two years old in another few months. The good:
1. Great all rounder with excellent long zoom Leica lens
2. Lots of manual functions giving flexibility for control
3. Vari-angle LCD
4. Manual focus and zoom rings
5. Great optical image stabilisation
The bad:
1. It is limited in-terms of its sensitivity - only at ISO 400
2. Noisy from ISO200 and above.
3. Not very useful for low light photography with lots of movements
July 26th, 2007 at 2:58 am
Nikon D80 with several lenses, but mostly the 18-135mm kit lens. Also an SB-600 (looking to buy a second one).
My first DSLR (upgrading from a digital P&S and a Nikon SLR) and loving it!
July 26th, 2007 at 2:59 am
Oh yeah, some cons: You’re stuck with jpegs and really huge .avi files. 2″ screen. I would’ve liked 30 secs for the min. shutter speed instead of 15.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:05 am
Canon XT and an SD800 is …
Nice and brief, just to help your stats collection ;)
July 26th, 2007 at 3:09 am
Nikon D50 with various Nikkor lenses
Best features are the ergonomics and price point. The body is plastic, but it’s very good plastic. The Canon’s I tried just didn’t feel like they had the same quality; I’m not afraid to take my D50 outside when there’s weather going on and I don’t feel like I have to baby it. It’s really easy to just pick up and use, within an hour of unpacking it I was out shooting.
After using the D200, there are some more frustrating shortcomings, but one can’t really expect to get everything for cheap. The 3 fps and 3-4 image RAW buffer really cut into action shooting. I didn’t really notice it until I started shooting sports for my University Newspaper. Also, Nikon’s high ISO noise handling isn’t as good as Canon’s.
Really, my biggest complaint is that I don’t have enough money for all the glass I want. All things considered, it’s not too bad of a problem. :)
July 26th, 2007 at 3:10 am
Currently S3 IS. Love it, except so many of my photos are taken of my children inside the house…aka low-light situations. Thus seriously looking to upgrade to the Canon Rebel XTi with a 50mm/1.8 lens instead of the kit lens. I really miss my old non-digital Canon Rebel (the camera, not the film).
I call the S3 IS a “faux dSLR.” You can change settings like you can with a true SLR and actually get different results, in contrast to lesser P&S models I’ve owned and used. I think it’s a great camera to test the photography waters and find out whether or not you’re really “into it” enough to justify the expense of a true dSLR.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:12 am
Canon Digital Rebel XT/350D
Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS lens
I love the ability to take 3 frames per second. The whole reason my wife and I bought this camera was so we could take pictures of our son right after he was born. With our old camera, by the time it took the picture, he’d already turned his head or moved onto something else.
After playing around with the 30D, however, I’ve noticed how much smaller the body is. The 30D feels much better in my hands. I like the stronger construction, as well. The use of a grip makes this less of a problem, and the ability to add a second batter is an added plus. The ability to add Picture Styles on the newer XTi model is nice, too, as it saves time in post production.
The 28-135mm lens is outstanding. I just got it a few weeks ago, and love it. The IS eats up battery life like crazy, but it’s well worth it in those situations where you need just a little help to get the right shot.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:14 am
I’m still using our trusty EOS 300D - closing in on 50k shots :) Hasn’t failed me yet and even though it may be slow it gives good results.
We are using three Sigma lenses, a 28-90, 70-300 and the kick-ass 12-24mm. Latest addition is EF 50mm f/1.8. We try to buy all our lenses full frame (no EF-S lenses) because we still use our EOS Rebel2000 35mm camera somewhat and the next one we buy will be the 5D :)
July 26th, 2007 at 3:16 am
Canon 10D.
I’m still a beginner and the camera is far more capable than I.
Lenses: Canon 24-70, 2.8 L series and a general purpose 24 - 225 kit lens.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:17 am
I favor the Canon S3IS. Smallish, full-featured and versatile, nice image quality. Also have a Canon G6 that is used on occasion. My son uses a Lumix to good results and my wife has a very nice (albeit lacking image stablization) Fuji. We all take photos in this family.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:22 am
Nikon D70s w/ 18-70 kit lens. But I’m saving up for a Canon 5D. I’m tired of the noise in higher ISO’s with Nikon. Plus I’d like a full frame Camera and I don’t think Nikon has plans to make one any time soon.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:37 am
FujiFilm s5200
Am saving up for a DSLR.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:38 am
I use the Canon 20D and generally am pretty happy with it. Most of my complaints can be fixed with just a little extra care or ingenuity while shooting thus why I haven’t opted to upgrade to the 30D (and I’ve heard rumors of a 40D soon!!).
In summary:
+Controls are superb (very intuitive)
+5fps
+build/feel/durability (though not technically water-sealed, I’ve known people to use this camera in light rain with no adverse effects)
-only 1.8″ viewfinder
-viewfinder only covers 95% of the frame
-no spot metering
-no auto-dust cleaning
July 26th, 2007 at 3:43 am
Canon 20D with Canon EF 70-200 f/4L, EF 1.4X Extender, EF 85 f/1.8 and EF 50 f/1.8.
I love the feel of the camera body, it’s ease of control, command dial on back, high shooting speed (5 FPS), and the fact that it eclipes the Rebels in nearly all usability aspects, especially size of viewfinder.
I don’t like the small viewfinder compared to the 5D or 1 series, or any film SLR for that matter. I wish it had an RGB histogram, bigger display (though not critical), auto ISO, better AF and faster FPS.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:43 am
I’ve got the Canon S3IS as well. I love the 12X zoom and it has plenty of manual controls to keep me busy until I upgrade to a DSLR. It’s bigger than your standard P&S but definitely not a hassle to carry around.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:49 am
Canon 30D. Had it for about 6 months and love it!
July 26th, 2007 at 3:51 am
Nikon D70. I’ve taken 12K pictures with it and I really like it. The battery lasts a *very* long time and the camera is tough. At this point I’d prefer a few more MP but 6.1 is still pretty darn good.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:51 am
Nikon D2x (2) … fast, well-balanced - for sports.
Nikon D200 (2) … versatility - good all-arounder.
Nikon D80 … ease of use - D200’s baby brother.
Nikon D70s … my “point-n-shooter” (stays in vehicle)
Fuji S5 Pro (2) … great skin tones, great OOC JPGs, incredible dynamic range performance, great high-ISO low noise performance. used for weddings and portraits.
regards, michael
July 26th, 2007 at 3:55 am
Canon 350D
Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS
2 Vivitar 285HV flashes, wireless triggers, various accessories
I intend to get rid of the 75-300mm and get a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS, then a 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5. Perhaps an upgrade to the 30D when the 40D comes out.
I’ve been very happy with the 350D, it’s a great camera for the price. There are obviously some limitations compared to the 20/30D, 5D and 400D, but the one that I miss most is spot metering, second being the larger viewfinder and third being the anti-dust technology.
July 26th, 2007 at 4:00 am
Nikon D40 w/ 18mm-55mm kit lens
50mm f/1.8 lens
SB-400 Flash
Upgraded from a no name 3MP point and shoot. I loved the D40 for its lightweight, price (ppl can’t believe its only about $500), features i needed, and it had great reviews all across popular camera sites. It is my first step into the DSLR world, and the D40 helped make it a great transition!
July 26th, 2007 at 4:02 am
I just got a new baby: Nikon D40 w/ 18-55mm kit lens. The D40x looked nice, but was more money than I really wanted to spend. The Canon Rebel XT was very tempting, but it was also a little more expensive. I decided on the Nikon to save money (better spent on a lens) and because I had a couple future lenses picked out, while I didn’t immediately find any with the Canon that made me say “Yes, I could get this next, and then someday if a sack of money falls out of the sky and hits me on the head, I can get this one.”
July 26th, 2007 at 4:03 am
I have an Olympus E-500. I bought this back in February becasue I wanted to move up from a Point and Shoot to a nice entry level dSLR. I use the two Zuiko kit lenses (14-45 and 40 to 150). My thinking was that I’d buy this dSLR, get good with it, and by then I’d know what I’d “need” when I upgraded in a year or two.
Like:
Dust reduction is pretty cool. I like the looks of the camera and the Scene modes are fun to use as a learning tool.
Dislike:
I really like this camera, but I wish that Image Stabilization was available at the time of purchase.
July 26th, 2007 at 4:19 am
Nikon D40 + 18-55 + 55-200 VR + SB-400
Going for the 18-200 or a 30mm prime next along with some proper off-camera light (SB-600 most likely)
July 26th, 2007 at 4:19 am
I’m using a Canon EOS 10D, which is a couple of years old now (and comming up on 200000 exposures). The main thing you notice compared to the current DSLRs is that the 10D feels a bit sluggish. I does have a buffer of 9 frames so it’s not a problem while shooting. But if you want to review a picture quickly it can be annoying.
For the most part though, the 10D doesn’t feel outdated at all. It basically looks and functions the same as the 30D - I have no urge to upgrade.
July 26th, 2007 at 4:23 am
I bought a Canon 20D with Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens about six months ago after using a lot of borrowed cameras (350D, 20D, Nikon D50, various PnS) and my family’s crappy 3mp Coolpix PnS. I’m very happy with it, save an occasional technical glitch, and it’s performed superbly for all kinds of shooting. Next on my shopping list is either an ultra-wide zoom or a fast telephoto (maybe the 50-150mm Sigma f/2.8?).
July 26th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Sony A-100 with :
- Sigma 18-200
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4
- Minolta 100-300
soon Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4
and as backup or always carry-on:
Ricoh Caplio R6 (optical zoom 28-200mm)
July 26th, 2007 at 4:42 am
Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D
It’s big, heavy, and full of manual knobs and buttons.
Olympus 720SW
It’s small, tough, and waterproof.
July 26th, 2007 at 4:43 am
I own a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50, I really like it, very light and silent. The design is very comfortable, and the Leica lens has a very wide range of options 40-200mm F2.8-11, and a 10.1MP sensor.
Controls are very intuitive and easy to use, the gyrating LCD is great for those complicated positions. Cons: Fixed Lens, lack of accessories.
I also own a Canon A-1, the oldtimer still lives.
July 26th, 2007 at 4:43 am
Fuji s5100
Got it a few years back when my HP 318 bit the dust. Plan on keeping it until it dies. Hoping my next camera is a DSLR. But I’m not a pro, so it doesn’t make sense, yet. With a baby and wife, I’ve got better things to spend my money on.
Pros:
Very light weight.
Pretty close to an SLR without the ability to swap lenses.
Takes a ton of shots on a set of batteries. Rayovacs work best/longest.
Cons:
No hot shoe for an external flash
As far as I know, there is no way to white balance before the shot.
Cost a bit more than I felt it should have.
July 26th, 2007 at 4:55 am
Canon 400D (XTi)
This camera is more than a great stepping stone into the DSLR world. As far as SLRs go, this is an affordable camera, and without it I’d still be struggling to take my photography to the next level with my point and shoot. Some complain about it’s small size, but I find it to be very ergonomic.
So far I’m about 5 months into ownership and over 1,000 photos shot, and no complaints!
July 26th, 2007 at 4:57 am
Canon 20D + 50mm f/1.8
Lovely, still got much to learn about that camera, but so far it gives great, crisp images.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:04 am
I’ve got a canon s3is and I like how versatile it is. It got a nice of zoom, macro and a lot of possibilities and settings. I bought it when my youngest was born - to take family pictures and video 6 month ago.
But now I am hooked on photography! I’m taking a lot of different pictures of everything!
Of course the s3is has some limitations - and sometime in the future I will probably look for another camera with more possibilities like a larger aperture range and higher shutter speed.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:04 am
Nikon D70s | Nikkor 18-70 | Nikkor 50/f1.8
July 26th, 2007 at 5:05 am
Looks like I’m the first Alpha user on here so:
Sony Alpha 100
Sony 18-70 3.5-5.6 kit lens
Sony 75-300 4.5-5.6
Sigma 28mm 1.8
I bought the Alpha because it was recommended to me and the in-body stabilization seemed like a great feature. I really can handhold at pretty low shutter speeds with no camera shake. However I’m not sure if it’s a product of the supersteadyshot or just steady hands, seeing as how I’ve never had another camera to compare it to.
Also, I wanted to be different from all the Rebel users :).
-Keenan
http://keendog.blogspot.com
July 26th, 2007 at 5:07 am
Canon 350D with kit lens, 50mm f/1.8 and 90-300mm zoom. My first SLR type camera and I am still trying to come to terms with it. I also have a Canon A80 which still gets an occasional outing when I want to use take a self portrait (it has a flip out screen) or when I don’t want to lug the bigger camera around.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:12 am
i have a Nikon D50 with the Nikon 18-200 VR and an external flash (Nikon SB400). i love the way it feels; not too bulky.
i also have a Canon Power Shot S60 which is great because it’s small and easy to carry with limited options (ISO 50-400, f/2.8-5.3, etc.).
July 26th, 2007 at 5:14 am
Canon Powershot S3 IS. I like all the manual controls it offers for a beginner like myself. IS and optical zoom are great as well. I would have loved a little more than the max f8, but for the price, i cant complain.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:23 am
Nikon D-80
18-200mm VR (main lens)
18-135mm kit lens (back-up)
SB-800 Speedlight flash
Loving every minute of it!! I made the big switch to DSLR about 6 months ago and can kick myself that I did not do it earlier.
Amazing quality photos. Saving up for my next piece of glass (probably a wide angle).
July 26th, 2007 at 5:33 am
Canon EOS 350D Kit
Nikon Coolpix 5400
Canon is my first and the best DSLR till today. I looking to 400D but don’t have $ to buy it.
Nikon is my first compact digital camera, but I don’t use it becouse 350D :)
July 26th, 2007 at 5:33 am
My camera is a D50 with SB600 + VR 18-200mm
July 26th, 2007 at 5:39 am
Canon Rebel XT/350D
-Lenses: Kit 18-55 / 70-200 F4 L / 50 F1.8 / 17-40
This was a starter camera for me - I enjoyed taking pictures, but didn’t know how I would feel about all of the options. Well, I love the options and trying to perfect a shot. I am a female and the camera fits comfortably in my hands. Also easy to use with a tripod or monopod. I don’t have any complaints about this camera and absolutely love it.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:45 am
Nikon D40 - 18-55mm Nikkor / 55-200mm Nikkor / 50mm 1:1.8 Nikon / SB-400 Speed Flash. Like the camera alot. Great feel and light weight. The pictures are clear and crisp. The learning curve was easy.
The only thing that I dislike about the camera is that the auto focus motor is in the lenses and thus you have a limited lens choice as far as auto focus goes and they are a little more expensive.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:46 am
Currently I am shooting with a Sony DSC-H5. It’s a great all around camera for a good price. Aside from the monster zoom (up to 432mm, 35mm equivalent - 734mm with Sony’s telephoto converter) which is great for nature photography on a budget, I also love the fact that it uses plain old AA size batteries (which was the main reason I chose the H5 over its predecessor the H9). While I carry around 20 or so rechargeables in my camera bag (which is more than I ever need - I usually only use 1 to 2 pair in a day of shooting), it is nice to know that I can pop into just about any store and pick up more batteries if I need to.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:52 am
I use a Canon EOS 20D with the EFS 17-55mm f/2.8 IS for most of my shots. Lately, I have been using my 35mm f/1.4L and 85mm f/1.8 alot more.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:57 am
Nikon D200
Primary lens: 28-70 f/2.8
Others: 105 f/2.8 Macro, 300 f/4, 50 f/1.8, 16 f/2.8 (film fisheye leftover)
SB800 w/ Gary Fong light sphere defuser.
Likes:
Two things that motivated me to spend the extra dough on the D200 as opposed to the D80 is the D200 uses the higher capaicity CF cards, and the 5fps continuous shooting.
Dislikes:
What’s not to like? Weight, maybe. Especially with the 28-70 f/2.8 lens. It becomes cumbersome on family outings. Took it on the kids’ first trip to D-Land and rig felt like I was carrying around a cinder-block. Nikon PP software is a memory hog.
Eyeballing the remote shutter release next.
We also have a little Canon point & shoot that we’ve had about 4-years. I’ve never been happy with the results after using both 35mm and medium format SLR’s in the past; just nothing to get excited about.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:00 am
Another KM 7D user here, plus a truly embarrassing # of lenses.
I love the knobs and the ergonomics. I’m a little tired of 6mp and slow AF and the flash completely stinks. Mostly I love, love, love this camera!
July 26th, 2007 at 6:02 am
I have a Canon EOS 30D with a 50mm 1.4, 100mm 2.8, and a 20mm 2.8.
I upgraded from an XT, and am incredibly happier with it.
I don’t like the small view finder or the crop factor. I am waiting a while until I upgrade to the 5D. I haven’t decided when exactly.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:06 am
I just recently got a Canon 400D and I like it a lot - but I still have a lot to learn.
Previously I was using a Sony DSC-P32 - it was a great point & shoot that got me some nice photos.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:15 am
My first DSLR camera is the D40 with its 18-55mm kit lens. I’ve been quite happy with it until recently, when I decided I have to experiment more so I’m looking into the 18-200mm. I’m ever so pleased with the camera, it’s all I need, and over.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:33 am
I use the Olympus C8080 WZ, a high-end point and shoot. While this camera is great, I am looking to upgrade to a dSLR soon!!!
July 26th, 2007 at 6:42 am
I just purchased the new Canon PowerShot S5 IS, replacing my Canon PowerShot Pro1. I also have a Sony DSC-V1, my partner has the Sony DSC-H1 and a brand new H9.
As for what I like…when compared to my previous Canon, I like the cross bars on the display which help me make sure I am lined up vertically and horizontally; being able to zoom when shooting a movie; improved zoom 12x vs. 7x; zoom control is now accessible from my right hand; and the colour enhance and swap features.
Some things that are suddenly missing…the new Canon no longer allows me to save in RAW mode like the Pro1 did - huge loss in flexibility; the Pro1 had a superb rechargeable battery while the S5 requires 4 AA batteries.
Overall, I’m liking the new camera a lot. I have yet to really test out the battery life, which at this point is the most important thing for me comparing it to the Pro1. I also want to see how it behaves with night photography, using the new HI ISO and image stabilization settings.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:44 am
I use two Pentax *ist D bodies, with too many lenses.
I like the overall handling of the cameras, would like faster focusing, bigger buffer, bigger LCD. I like being able to get photos to 16×20 out of a 6MP camera without extra effort. I have gotten shots that print up to 20×30 with interpolation, but I print here on an Epson R1800 to 13×19 without anything more than normal post processing.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:49 am
I like how Tom describes his cameras. I never really thought of it but it makes sense to an ex-military type like me.
main = nikon d50 kitted out with a 18-55 nikon lens, 55-200 nikon, 70-300 nikon, and a 50mm nikon
been shooting with this camera for about a year and it has been a great camera to learn with. now i wish the controls were more accessible on the body instead of software driven. really wish there was a verticle shutter release. but i have shot with this camera at least once a week for a year now so i’m really happy with it
side arm = sony cybershot dsc-s650
needed a point and shoot for a family vacation that i could let my wife use and would give me some flexibility with exposure. this camera worked really well in this capacity. small enough to wear on my belt at amusement parks and sharp enough image to see good detail. don’t like having to use memory stick when i have a lot of sd cards for my d50 but one large card was enough to keep me going on vacation.
holdout = sony ericsson z525 camera phone
i almost never use this so i have no real comment about it.
July 26th, 2007 at 6:54 am
I have the Sony A100 as well.
Sigma 28-105mm f3.8-5.6
July 26th, 2007 at 7:14 am
Canon Powershot S3IS
likes: shape, quality, sharpness, functions, velocity.
dislikes :raw option (only with hack), hard focus on tele, noise on 200ISO.
July 26th, 2007 at 7:17 am
I started with a Konica Minolta Dimage Z2, chosen for its 10x zoom and because it has a proper hand grip, unlike most point-and-shoots at the time. It’s only 4MP but has given me excellent results.
A short while ago I got a Sony Alpha A100 with kit lens, 18-70mm, and have added a Sigma 28-300mm DG lens for the extra zoom range. I wanted a DSLR because I take a lot of photos at motor racing events and wanted to capture on-track action. I chose the Sony partly because I’ve got a couple of lenses from an old Minolta film SLR, though I probably won’t use them now. The Sony suits me very well - it has all the functionality and features you could wish for (and then some), it’s reasonably easy to find my way around, and it’s not too heavy!
July 26th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Firstly, I am jealous of you all who seem to have multiple cameras… Oh how joyous it would be not to have to switch lenses at a wedding… Anyways:
Nikon D200 - Absolutely the best! Manageable, Easy to use, with buttons for everything on the body for lightning fast settings adjustments!
Lenses: Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G, Best wedding lens, also long for great portraits.
Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G Kit lens, Great for everything else! Wide for some excellent landscapes, and small/light enough to get dragged everywhere I go!
July 26th, 2007 at 7:56 am
I use a Nikon D50 with a Tamron 28-300mm (42mm - 450mm using the 1.5 conversion factor for Nikon). I also own a Nikon F3 and a Nikon N70. The D50 is my first DSLR and I love it and carry it with me wherever I go. Looking forward to using it in Alberta and Alaska this summer.
July 26th, 2007 at 7:57 am
Canon Rebel XTi with Canon 28-135I and 420EX Speedlight:
I like that it is light, but miss the grip length. I will be purchasing the battery extender so that my fingers have some room. Battery life is great. I bought it a few weeks ago and have been pleasantly surprised by may of its features and flexiblity. I thought I was going to miss the thumbwheel, but I don’t.
Nice machine, especially for the price.
July 26th, 2007 at 7:58 am
Nikon D 70S
Nikkor 18-70mm kit lens
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Nikkor 70-300mm
July 26th, 2007 at 8:14 am
Hi
I just bought a Nikon D80, I picked it because the body seemed sturdier than the canon rebel. I am enjoying learning how to use it. I love it so far, I just need to get used to the larger camera bag.
I also have a canon s80 when I cannot take the Nikon.
July 26th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Recently I got a Canon Powershot S5 IS.
July 26th, 2007 at 8:51 am
I use two digital cameras:
Kodak V705 compact
Dual lens: 23 mm equiv. fixed focal length & 39-116 mm equiv. zoom, both Schneider-Kreuznach
Likes:
* Tiny — will fit in my trouser pocket with space for keys and loose change.
* Ultra-wide-angle lens is incredibly useful.
* Image quality is quite respectable, although it can be a bit noisy on areas of flat tone (e.g. blue sky), although this is easily cured in software on the computer.
* Kodak KLIC-7001 Li batteries (or clones) are very cheap, so I can always carry spare charged batteries with me.
Dislikes:
* Image noise (see above).
* Lack of control of aperture (but this is to be expected from such a camera).
Pentax K100D DSLR
Pentax 18-55 mm (27-83 mm equiv.) kit lens
Likes:
* Ergonomically far superior to Nikon and Canon models that I’ve looked at.
* In-body image stabilization, so any lens will benefit. The system actually works, giving 2-3 stops worth of stabilization, in my experience.
* Excellent picture quality, particularly when shooting RAW format and developing in Silkypix Developer Studio. Ignore the fact that this uses a 6 MP sensor — there are more than enough pixels for anything you want to do.
* Lens is remarkably good for the price.
* Attention to detail — e.g. pop-out hatch in lens hood to allow access to the rim of a polarizing filter for rotation.
* Takes AA batteries, so disposables can be used in a pinch.
* Viewfinder image is larger and brighter than Nikon D50.
* Very feature-complete for the price.
* The price: this has to be one of the biggest bargains available in DSLRs.
* Can even use old M42 thread lenses (e.g. Zeiss Flektogon 2.4/35), albeit with stop-down metering.
* When shooting JPEGs, can apply digital filters in-camera (e.g. red filter followed by conversion to monochrome).
Dislikes:
* Bulky and un-ergonomic compared to my 35 mm Olympus OM-1n SLR (but other DSLRs are worse).
* Short-ish battery life (always need to carry a spare set of freshly-charged NiMH batteries).
* Viewfinder is small and dim compared to my 35 mm Olympus OM-1n SLR.
* Lack the dust-removal system of the K10D (remedied in the K100D Super).
* Fewer 3rd-party lenses and accessories available for Pentax than for Nikon and Canon.
* It isn’t a K10D :-)
Remember: you only ever take a photograph with the camera you’re carrying, so my Kodak sees a lot more use than my Pentax.
July 26th, 2007 at 9:08 am
My main camera these days is the Nikon D70s.
Lenses: Nikon 18-70mm (kit lens), 50mm f/1.8, 70-300 G (non ED/non VR).
Flash: Nikon SB-600
What I like? Just how everything is layed out for easy access without taking my eye out of the viewfinder.
Also, I like that I can fire the SB-600 flash when it’s not mounted to the hotshoe.
What I don’t like? Not much actually. Safe to say, I haven’t yet outgrown it. On second thoughts, I just remembered something. You can’t meter with old AI/AI-S lenses, a minor annoyance yes, but not a major flaw.
My secondary camera, which I’ve had since before the days of the D70 was the Nikon Coolpix 4500 (and still used at times these days). It’s a great camera, but for the unfortunate shutter lag.
Likes: Swivel body, Great Macro, and access to semi-auto (Programmed Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority) and a full manual mode.
Dislikes: The shutter lag. No RAW (unless you apply the diag hack). But then again, it’s a point and shoot, and fits its’ target market okay.
I think overall, i’m pretty happy with both cameras, but wouldn’t mind having a smaller point and shoot that would fit comfortably in my pocket. The Coolpix 4500 is a bit large for shirt pockets.
July 26th, 2007 at 9:16 am
I use Nikon D80 (upgraded from my 3 yr old D70 recently) with a 50mm f1.8 as main lens.
My main reasons:
* affordable
* Nikon’s Advanced Wireless Lighting system
* works with my old Nikon lenses and SB-800
* looks and feels good ;)
July 26th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Minolta 5D picked up relatively cheap just after Minolta sold their DSLR to Sony
Likes: small size and nice color and skin tones
Dislikes: small view finder, poor auto-focus, no sync port
Lenses
Minolta 18-70
Minolta 28-75 F2.8
Minolta 50 F1.8
Tamron 90 macro F2.8
Minolta 100-400 APO
July 26th, 2007 at 9:23 am
In purchasing order:
Canon A200
Sony P200
Canon 400D
July 26th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Canon EOS400D with kit lens. I also use my 28-80 + 55-300 Canon lenses left over from my old EOS300 film camera, both work very well with the DSLR.
For fun: Sony DSC600 - pretty average camera. Not as good as my original Fuji S2800z (i think that’s what it was called) 2MP.
For wandering around: Nokia N70 2mp phone camera.
July 26th, 2007 at 9:26 am
I have an Olympus E-500 with the 14-40mm & 45-150mm lens.
What I like:
The grip, dust reduction, good manual control.
What I dislike:
Lens prices are TOO expensive and hard to find (here in brazil at least)
July 26th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Canon EOS 400D ( =XTi)
July 26th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Main camera:
Nikon D70S
Nikkor 18-70 kit lens
Nikkor 50 f1.8
Sigma 70-300 APO
Nikon SB600
Pocket camera:
Panasonic DMC FX-12
July 26th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Currently: Olympus C3000
Waiting for Olympus E500 to be delivered any day…and the suspense is nearly killing me!
I had to upgrade (I’ve had the C3000 for 6 years) and this was the best I could afford at the time. I’m looking forward to the 8mp pictures and better lenses.
July 26th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Canon 350D
Pros:
Affordable
Excellent entry level DSLR
Cons:
An almost incessant amount of dust entering the sensor/mirror/focus area during lens change
Small LCD
July 26th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Using Olympus SP550, trying to enjoy it.
July 26th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Camera:
Canon 20D (great camera… hope to add/replace with a 5D successor some day..)
Lenses:
Canon 70-200mm f/4 IS L (so great! my favorit!)
Canon 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS (”all-rounder”)
Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 (landscapes, architecture, ..)
Canon 50mm f/1.4 (portraits, low light, ..)
July 26th, 2007 at 11:23 am
I have the following:
NIKON D200
18 - 200 mm lens (VR)
Great camera and one of the best lens on the market by a long way.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Canon EOS 350D (Digital Rebel XT), silver.
18-55mm Stock Lens
70-300mm Zoom Lens with Electronic Stabilization
This is the first SLR I’ve owned, and its been a great aid in going from point-and-shoot to amateur photographer. Its been very easy to fool around with it and learn more about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, etc. If I want to take a picture of something quickly and I don’t have time to fiddle with settings, I can use the auto-modes. Its the perfect camera for newcomers to SLRs. I looked at the Nikon D series before buying, but a few things sold me on the Canon.
1) There lens technology is better than Nikon in my opinion
2) The range of ISO and shutter speed was higher
3) The price was better at the time.
Both my fiancee and I love it!
July 26th, 2007 at 11:36 am
I use a Canon 350D with a Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 and a battery grip. Occasionally, I put the kit lens and a fifty on.
I like the 350D because, even with the battery grip on, it’s still lighter than the 30D and other models - this makes it a good camera to bring around everyday.
Since my hands are big, and also because I tend to favor shooting in portrait mode, the battery grip makes this small camera feel much better in my hand.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:49 am
I use a Nikon D70s with a 18-70mm f/3.5 Nikkor lens.
I also have a 50mm f/1.8 Nikkor lens and a Nikon SB-600 Speedlight.
I love my cameras builting wireless flash capability, and dedicated aperture and shutter speed dials. Also it’s good to have the 1/500s flash sync speed compared to say the d80 that only has 1/200!
I’ve printed perfect, cropped 11×14 prints form the 6 mega pixels.
And I like the solid feeling of the body, compared to say the Rebel XT which is a bit smaller and feels more “plasticy”.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Hello! :)
I use Canon EOS 350D (Rebel XT)
+ kit lens for short distances
+ Tamron 70 - 300 F4 - 5.6 zoom and macro
This is my first dSLR already for 6 month and I think it’s the best thing with start, like if you start with digital! Camera produces good picture quality if gear is right like these pictures have been taken with my canon + Canon 70 - 200 F2.8 IS USM zoom lens:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peech/sets/72157600354110908/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peech/sets/72157600354451033/
I have a choice to buy a 400D (Rebel XTi) or 350D (Rebel XT) and when i looked up on internet i relised that 400D produce darker pictures and it doesn’t have so many advantages to pay extra 200$ for it - so i bought 350D + flashgun - 430EX. And now when i have used it for some time i’m planing to upgrade my gear - leans and maybe camera :)
So Canon EOS 350D is perfect if you haven’t use dSLR never ever and you want to learn how to do it, and it produces high quality pictures with kit lens already! It’s perfect to get understanding how dSLR works and what are all numbers like F un shutter spped - what they affect…
July 26th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
My setup:
Nikon D40
18-55 Nikkor kit lens
55-200 VR Nikkor lens
SB400 Speedlight
I love the size and the quality of images. I wish it had DOF preview and could autofocus non-AI-S lenses - will probably upgrade to the next ‘prosumer’ Nikon which has the above and live view on the LCD - my previous point-n-shoots have spoiled me. Love the SB400 - I use it with an 80/20 reflector - works great and makes indoor shots look semi-pro.
For point-n-shot use:
Canon SD800IS
I love the size and IS - use it whenever I can. I also use the heck out of the macro. I really like the wider low-end (28mm - 35mm equiv) - great for what I usually shoot.
July 26th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Nikon D40x w/a Tamron 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 and Nikor 50mm f1.8
July 26th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Canon 10D
Bought it because it had the same controls as my Canon EOS Elan II film body, and would work with my existing lens. Two months later the 20D came out and I was really bummed. Since then I have learned to love my 10D and I don’t think I am really missing much. I have added to my list of lenses, instead of upgrading camera bodies, and I think I’m better for it. I have access to a brand new 5D at work, yeah, its bigger and badder, but my 10D still works great and I am closing on 10,000 pictures.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Nikon D40 w 18-55mm Nikkor / 18-200mm VR Nikkor / SB-400 Speed Flash.
July 26th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Canon Powershot S2 IS
I love this camera and very happy with it. Developed a new hobby - macro photography :-)
July 26th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
I have:
*-Pentax K110D
*-PENTAX 18-55mm
*-SIGMA 70-300mm
My first DSRL. Excelent camera
July 26th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Sony DSc-H5.
Its a great camera but I think its time for a DSLR.
July 26th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Nikon D70s not so happy, but it works…
Nikon D100, old second camera, if my D70s fails…
I dream of Fuji FinePix S5 Pro
July 26th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Canon S2 IS
Great for learning and versatility. Has a really decent movie mode. Great Super Macro. Swivel Screen allows for tricky angle shots. 2.5fps burst mode. 12x zoom (over 400mm 35mm equivalent.
Negatives:
lots of noise at ISO above 200
aperture limited to F8
Shutter limited to 15 seconds on the slow end
No low battery indicator (until the batteries are suddenly ready to die)
Sensor size is something like 5.7mm (which amounts for huge cropping and lots of noise)
The more I learn the more I realize how quickly one can outgrow a non-DSLR camera.
July 26th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
I use the Canon Digital Rebel XTi with the kit lens and am considering a good telephoto lens as well…
July 26th, 2007 at 4:16 pm
This is my first time that I post something here, although I’ve been reading for quite a while.
My Equipment is
Nikkon D40 with Kit Lense 18-55
Fuji F10 Finepix (Japanese Version)
Planned is the 55-200 Nikkor VR lense (yeah the cheap one, can’t invest more money right now)
July 26th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
I have a Canon 30d with 24-105/4L
My favorite camera after Konica Minolta a200.
:)
July 26th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
My “serious” camera: Olympus E-500 with the 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 & 40-150mm f3.5-4.5 kit lenses, although I haven’t had too many chances to use it as of yet.
What I like: how it feels in my hands, ease of use (at least, I think it’s pretty easy to use), uses the media I already have (CF cards), the batteries last almost forever (or so it seems), and the price was right for me.
What I don’t like: lenses are pricey (the Macro lens I’m eying will cost me almost as much as my camera w/the 2 lenses), accessories are a bit on the expensive side ($40 - $75 for a spare battery?), and it’s kinda heavy to keep around the neck while hiking through a park.
My “P&S” camera: I have 2, but the one I like is my Kodak DC4800.
What I like: it has options. I can set it for aperture priority (f/2.8, f/5.6, f/8.0), shutter priority (up to 1/1000th of a second), or manually set both; it’s fairly light weight, and does alright for it’s age.
What I don’t like: No true view through the viewfinder; you MUST use the LCD display if you’re taking photos in Macro mode, and the LCD display doesn’t function if you only have 1/2 a charge left on your battery. Also, at this point, accessories are almost impossible to come by, I can’t use anything over a 1GB CF card because anything more than that will cause the camera to lock (and even the 1GB card causes the camera to lock up on occasion), and I’ve pretty much pushed myself to the limit with it.
My other p&s is a Nikon CoolPix 3200, which I let my 9-year-old use.
What I like: it’s pretty easy to use, takes movies, my 9-year-old can use it (although my 9-year-old already knows how to program the DVR, so maybe that’s not so much of a stretch), and it was free (for me)
What I dislike: pretty much everything. The shutter lag is so horrible, when I started looking at new cameras, I swore off the CoolPix line altogether. There’s very little in the way of versatility, and the EXIF info doesn’t correspond with which specific “mode” you’re in, so it’s almost impossible later to go back into your photos and figure out how you took that great shot. Which isn’t to say that it doesn’t take good pictures - just that you’re subject needs to be pretty stationary ;)
July 26th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
5D that stays put most of the time and 20D in that gets used the most in the field and for concert shoots, another compadre’ an fellow concert shooter also uses the 20D, we both think the 20D does everything we need for outdoor and concert shoots and we’re not worried about losing a $3000 camera body.
My Compadre’ uses mostly prime lenses and I have an assortment of fisheye/wide/telephoto so between the 2 of use we have almost everything from 400mm down covered
July 26th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Nikon D50
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit
12-24mm f/4 Tokina (AMAZING, and at 24mm the wide-distortion isn’t noticeable)
50mm f/1.8 (perfect for portraits, and low-light/fast-action when I can get close)
I like everything about it, except that the display and viewfinder display should indicate the ISO speed, and it should support TTL Commander mode like the D70. I shoot in RAW, and usually set the exposue manually, but there’s been a few times I’ve set the ISO to 800 for a night shoot, and the next time I’m shooting during the day I forgot to set it back to 200. Noise at ISO 800 isn’t terrible, but as with all things could be improved. I’m lusting after: SB-600, Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 or Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8, Nikon 85mm f/1.8, Nikon 18-200mm VR, Tokina 100mm f/2.8 macro, Tamron 17-55mm f/2.8(not sure, but it’s fast and seems nice)
However, once I have the money, I’d love to get a Canon 5D, as well as a D200, and see which one I’d prefer to devote myself to. And FAR into the future… get the Leica M8, and a the Hasselblad H2.
Price was awsome, and it’s a bit better than the new D40 is only because it has an AF motor, which drives my 12-24mm and 50mm, but I do like the light weight of the D40. I like my Nikon over my friends Canon Digital Rebel, purely because mines black and less noticeable by people, and the buttons are more intuitively laid out on my Nikon, but once I got the hang of using hers, it wasn’t too bad.
I’m saving up for a Panasonic Lumix FX30 since it’s for me the perfect pocket camera. Has a wide-angle lense, optical image stabilization, small, and not terribly expensive. The Nikon S50(slim) is tempting, but doesn’t have a wide-angle, same goes for the Casio EX-770 (slim, comes in fashionable red), and the Canon’s aren’t as small as the Lumix, but the sensors are the same size for all of these. And on top of it all, it shoots marginally acceptable video like the rest of them.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
I use a Nikon D50 with a Sigma 18-50 and a Tamron 70-300.
It’s my first DSLR and I love it. Much value for your money. A ngeative point for me (after a half year using it) is the low burstrate of 2,5 fps, especially in the RAW-mode.
July 26th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Nikon D80
Tamron 18-200 mm
Nikkor f/1.8 50mm
Tokina 12-24 mm Super Wide
July 26th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Pentax k100D with the 18-55mm kit lens. My fist DSLR, upgrading from the superb Canon Powershot A95 P&S. Love the flexibility of a DSLR, miss the simplicity. Auto white balance sucks indoors. Barely accurate. Otherwise, top notch for the price :)
July 26th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
I’m using a Fujifilm Finepix S5600.
Bought it because it’s inexpensive. Didn’t need anything out of the ordinary at that time (about 8 moths ago), but I wanted a little more function than an ordinary point’n’shoot. Works great. Takes wonderful pictures once you know how to use it :D
Some problems with focusing in dark places without the AF assistant, and large noise amount in ISO 800 and 1600.
It does not have an anti-shake function so for large exposures I reccomend a tripod unless you can stay still for max 16secs.
Saves pics really fast on card as JPG, but it takes about 3secs to save a RAW, which kind of ruins the ability to capture a really nice pose or moment.
Otherwise battery consumption is pretty low even when using flash, good auto settings, even better manual settings :D.
July 26th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Canon Rebel XT/350D
Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Kit Lens
Sigma 70-300mm APO f/4 Macro(1:2)
Sigma EX 105mm Macro(1:1) f/2.8
The only real complaint I have with the 350D is the LCD screen size. It’s really small compared with cameras with 2.5in screens. Size and weight are good and price is affordable.
July 26th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
I do a lot of photography of small scale models. I specifically need high f-number and long exposure, and any of the current low-end DSLRs would do the job. After some tests by a friend with a 350D, and comparisons between the Nikon D70 and the EOS400, I plumped for the latter. I bought it late last year when the price hit the right note for my credit card ;o)
As funds permit, I’m adding lenses to the collection. As well as the kit 18-55 lens, I have an EF 28-105, and I got a Sigma 28-300 DG Macro yesterday, which has me very pleased indeed. Next up is a 10-20 wide angle, for the small scale stuff mentioned. The camera shop let me test both the Tamron and Sigma lenses yesterday, and I have to say the Sigma was way quicker with the AF.
The aim with the photography is to make the model look real, so lots of depth of field is essential, and a wide angle to try to match the perspectives you see in photos of the full size things. For extra close-ups, I use Cokin diopter “filters”.
Backup is a Minolta Dimage 7, which served me well for several years until the amateur DSLR scene was sufficiently matured.
July 26th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
I use a Fujifine pix S7000, been using it for nearly 4 years now and pretty satisfied by its image quality, i get almost a SLR type feature and was value for money. Only regret i have is, wish i had an image stabilizer and a higher zoom (12x or more).
Here are the brief specifications. :
6.3-Megapixel SuperCCD
6x optical plus 3.2x digital zoom
Aperture: F 2.8-F8
Shutter speed: 15 sec. – 1/10,000 sec.
For detailed specs, please check :
http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-S7000-Digital-Optical/dp/B00009VS6P
Havent tried an actual SLR, but will surely upgrade it with another Fuji in near future
July 26th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
I recently got a 30D, and based on lens recommendations from this site an EF24-105F4L. My combo is fairly limited but growing and overall a great start. Eventually I’d like to go full frame. But today I’m happy.
July 26th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
I have an Olympus e-300.
What I like about it.
The Colours are so much better then any of the other 4 digital cameras I had from various manufacturers(sony/canon/fuji/kodak).
the choice of lenses and flexibility of the 4/3 system, if Panasonic or one of the other 4/3 companies comes out with some super amazing dslr camera, my investment in lenses can follow me.
What could be improved, low light performance,
I look at the new olympus e-510, and 410 and sometimes find myself hoping something unfortunate happened to my e-300 so I had a valid reason for getting one of those beauties.
But I’ve had this camera for 3 or 4 years, and I can see myself being happy with it for another 3-4 years easily
Dave