breezy
08-05-2008, 02:21 PM
Budget
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? $600-$800 for DSLR and one kit lens
Size, weight matters a lot to me--
* DSLR- Nikon D60 or Canon 1000D size
Features
How many megapixels will suffice for you? 10mp
* What optical zoom will you need? 3x initially
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10) very (8)
Do you care for manual controls? yes
General Usage
* What will you generally use the camera for? travel (outdoor shots), museum visits, photography class (studio light) assignments
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? 8x10 inches (infrequently)
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? Not a lot, but some.
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? no
Miscellaneous
Are there particular brands you like or hate? Like Nikon and Canon because of sensor size.
Are there particular models you already have in mind? Canon 1000D, 450D, Nikon 60D
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? -- Image stabilization
==> I have Panasonic DMC-F27 and really like using it. Looking to move to DSLR. Have done some HDR work, use exposure bracketing. Would use Photoshop for PP of Raw images.
Canon 450D- concerned about AF issues.
Canon 1000D- I don't understand what the implications are of this AF design- 7point AF 350D system, wih 450D predictive algorithm...
"The 1000D / XS sports the 7-point AF system of the earlier 350D / XT, compared to the 9-point system of the 400D / XTi and 450D / XSi. Canon says it does however use the latest AF algorithm developed for the 450D / XSi and the predictive speed is the same as the 400D / XTi and 450D / XSi."- cameralabs.com
"The XS/1000D autofocus system is not designed to deliver the extra accuracy needed for the narrow depth of field that a fast lens can deliver. There were many autofocus complaints about the XT/350D which used this same AF sensor, especially when used with the 50mm f/1.8. This AF sensor works quite satisfactorily with consumer-grade zooms of f/3.5 or slower, which is what most XS/1000D users will have."- DPReview forum.
I'm probably in the "consumer-grade" level, so does this mean that I should not have to worry about AF problems?
As to Nikon D60- only 3 focus points, no Live View, no exposure bracketing. (I like to take multiple shots on tripod, such as fireworks- so could make use of LiveView for this?)
* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? $600-$800 for DSLR and one kit lens
Size, weight matters a lot to me--
* DSLR- Nikon D60 or Canon 1000D size
Features
How many megapixels will suffice for you? 10mp
* What optical zoom will you need? 3x initially
* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10) very (8)
Do you care for manual controls? yes
General Usage
* What will you generally use the camera for? travel (outdoor shots), museum visits, photography class (studio light) assignments
* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? 8x10 inches (infrequently)
Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? Not a lot, but some.
Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? no
Miscellaneous
Are there particular brands you like or hate? Like Nikon and Canon because of sensor size.
Are there particular models you already have in mind? Canon 1000D, 450D, Nikon 60D
(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? -- Image stabilization
==> I have Panasonic DMC-F27 and really like using it. Looking to move to DSLR. Have done some HDR work, use exposure bracketing. Would use Photoshop for PP of Raw images.
Canon 450D- concerned about AF issues.
Canon 1000D- I don't understand what the implications are of this AF design- 7point AF 350D system, wih 450D predictive algorithm...
"The 1000D / XS sports the 7-point AF system of the earlier 350D / XT, compared to the 9-point system of the 400D / XTi and 450D / XSi. Canon says it does however use the latest AF algorithm developed for the 450D / XSi and the predictive speed is the same as the 400D / XTi and 450D / XSi."- cameralabs.com
"The XS/1000D autofocus system is not designed to deliver the extra accuracy needed for the narrow depth of field that a fast lens can deliver. There were many autofocus complaints about the XT/350D which used this same AF sensor, especially when used with the 50mm f/1.8. This AF sensor works quite satisfactorily with consumer-grade zooms of f/3.5 or slower, which is what most XS/1000D users will have."- DPReview forum.
I'm probably in the "consumer-grade" level, so does this mean that I should not have to worry about AF problems?
As to Nikon D60- only 3 focus points, no Live View, no exposure bracketing. (I like to take multiple shots on tripod, such as fireworks- so could make use of LiveView for this?)