lcimages
07-12-2007, 03:37 PM
I've read through many threads on here over the last couple of hours but most of the threads I found that answered some of my questions were fairly old (2005). Since new cameras have come out since then I thought I'd just ask for help. Thanks in advance to all who offer their thoughts.
Background: I'd say 90% of the stuff I've been doing since 2001 has been live concert shots - mostly local bands in small dark clubs with little light. I've been using a Fuji E550 for the past several years and love it. I set it on ISO 800 with no flash and have gotten shots that I am really happy with.
So why, if I'm so happy with it, am I changing? Two reasons. 1 - The LCD on my Fuji went out last weekend and I'm finding I may be better off buying a new camera than having the LCD repaired. 2 - I have been asked to do some photos on a more professional level recently and I need a more professional looking camera. Even though I have taken better pictures with my E550 than some people I know who spent thousands on their equipment, if I show up with a P&S camera to a photo shoot people will think I'm crazy. So basically I'm thinking low end dSLR or "SLR like" in terms of looks
I do plan on eventually getting a mid-high end professional camera someday but I can't wait on that. I need something now.
So here's what I want / need in a camera. (and I know I won't get all that I want/need for my budget but I want as much as I can).
Budget
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
Preferably $800 or less - I could maybe go up to $1000. I don't have a lot to spend on this right now so I am not opposed to buying used if it means I can get more of what I want for less.
* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?[/Ii]
Small to medium size. I pretty much carry my camera everywhere so I don't want anything too big/heavy to carry around.
[I]Features
How many megapixels will suffice for you?
Min 8
* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
I like, & often need, to zoom. More is better
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
9-10.
Do you care for manual controls?
YES! I prefer manual controls
General Usage
* What will you generally use the camera for?
Concerts, big & small venues/clubs, low-light / stage lighting - Preferably no flash.
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
Good question. Personally no but some of the people I will be photographing might. Big prints being like 11x16 poster size stuff
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Yes
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
Yes
Miscellaneou
Are there particular brands you like or hate?
In general I have always worked with Nikon, Canon & Fuji.
I have a Nikon film camera that I love. I had one of the P&S's and I hated it.
Same with Canon. (the noise level at ISO 800 on the Canon digital I have right now is insane!)
Are there particular models you already have in mind?
Ones I've been looking at are
Canon XTi
Fuji S6000fd
Fuji F-10
I've looked at so many prices over the past few days I have no idea if they are even in my range - but I believe I have seen at least 2 of the 3 in my range either new or used.
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
Hotshoe & Wide angle would be nice.
Background: I'd say 90% of the stuff I've been doing since 2001 has been live concert shots - mostly local bands in small dark clubs with little light. I've been using a Fuji E550 for the past several years and love it. I set it on ISO 800 with no flash and have gotten shots that I am really happy with.
So why, if I'm so happy with it, am I changing? Two reasons. 1 - The LCD on my Fuji went out last weekend and I'm finding I may be better off buying a new camera than having the LCD repaired. 2 - I have been asked to do some photos on a more professional level recently and I need a more professional looking camera. Even though I have taken better pictures with my E550 than some people I know who spent thousands on their equipment, if I show up with a P&S camera to a photo shoot people will think I'm crazy. So basically I'm thinking low end dSLR or "SLR like" in terms of looks
I do plan on eventually getting a mid-high end professional camera someday but I can't wait on that. I need something now.
So here's what I want / need in a camera. (and I know I won't get all that I want/need for my budget but I want as much as I can).
Budget
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
Preferably $800 or less - I could maybe go up to $1000. I don't have a lot to spend on this right now so I am not opposed to buying used if it means I can get more of what I want for less.
* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?[/Ii]
Small to medium size. I pretty much carry my camera everywhere so I don't want anything too big/heavy to carry around.
[I]Features
How many megapixels will suffice for you?
Min 8
* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
I like, & often need, to zoom. More is better
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
9-10.
Do you care for manual controls?
YES! I prefer manual controls
General Usage
* What will you generally use the camera for?
Concerts, big & small venues/clubs, low-light / stage lighting - Preferably no flash.
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
Good question. Personally no but some of the people I will be photographing might. Big prints being like 11x16 poster size stuff
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Yes
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
Yes
Miscellaneou
Are there particular brands you like or hate?
In general I have always worked with Nikon, Canon & Fuji.
I have a Nikon film camera that I love. I had one of the P&S's and I hated it.
Same with Canon. (the noise level at ISO 800 on the Canon digital I have right now is insane!)
Are there particular models you already have in mind?
Ones I've been looking at are
Canon XTi
Fuji S6000fd
Fuji F-10
I've looked at so many prices over the past few days I have no idea if they are even in my range - but I believe I have seen at least 2 of the 3 in my range either new or used.
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
Hotshoe & Wide angle would be nice.