Looking for digi SLR

Hi Crew,

Well my camera has finally bitten the dust (lucky for you guys coz it was flat glass out from tantas yesterday) and I'm going to be looking at getting a new one with my tax return in the coming weeks.

Has anyone bought a SLR lately they are happy with, got it cheap, reputable internet seller etc etc? I don't know heaps about cameras, but I guess the shutter speed will be pretty important to obtain as many photos as possible in a short time span. I will also be looking at telescopic zoom as well to capture those far away jumping shots. I was thinking of a Canon 30 or 40d or something similar, but thought I'd put it out there to see what you guys thought or if you had any information which could assist me.

Cheers,

Adam

____________________________________________________________________________

Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance


Colin Hay's picture

Posts: 10407

Date Joined: 23/10/07

Adam I recently bought a Canon EOS 400D

Thu, 2008-09-04 10:04

It was a two lens package for around $900. I couldn't be happier with it.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

____________________________________________________________________________

Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/

Posts: 9358

Date Joined: 21/02/08

My partner has the old

Thu, 2008-09-04 10:34

My partner has the old minolta and they have a really good image stabilisation and its in the camera, not the lense. Thats a big deal because it means you only have to pay for it once. You can't buy them anymore though.

Well you can, but they're now call the Sony A200/A300! The difference bwteen the a200 and a300 is the 300 has a preview on the back CCD (most DSLRs don't have that). The RRP on them is as follows; A200 w/18-70mm $899, w/18-70mm & 75-300mm $999 or A300 w/18-70mm $999, or w/18-70mm & 55-200mm $1149

____________________________________________________________________________

Adam Gallash's picture

Posts: 15647

Date Joined: 29/11/05

ok

Thu, 2008-09-04 10:53

Ok, being a camera noobie.  What lenses are best for different circumstances?  I will be doing lots of action jump shots etc and will need up to 50-70m capability/clarity.

____________________________________________________________________________

Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance

zen's picture

Posts: 102

Date Joined: 01/03/08

CANNON 400D

Thu, 2008-09-04 11:53

CANNON 400D WITH TAMMRON 18-200 LENS AND FILTER ALL YOU WILL NEED

Three Lions's picture

Posts: 152

Date Joined: 15/08/07

Choice Mag.

Thu, 2008-09-04 12:34

Adam dont know if you are with choice mag or know someone who is but next month they are reviewing a heap of SLR's. I have the 350d which is the model before the 400d, fantastic camera but only buy the body. The lenses that come standard are not that flash, Tamron make a good lense (i have the 28/75) and the photos are far better. Remember the crop ratios with the 400d being 1.6, so what ever lense you buy the focal distance is multiplied buy this (28/75 is realy 45/120). Zen's choice of lense would be spot on for what you need, with the filter being polerized. Hope this helps.

tailor marc's picture

Posts: 2979

Date Joined: 27/09/06

Go Canon

Thu, 2008-09-04 12:53

Go Canon 40d,400d,450d!!

Cant go wrong. Here are some pics i just did with my 400d..

30+ sec exposure FTW!!!

____________________________________________________________________________

My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/

 

 

tailor marc's picture

Posts: 2979

Date Joined: 27/09/06

(No subject)

Thu, 2008-09-04 12:53

____________________________________________________________________________

My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/

 

 

tailor marc's picture

Posts: 2979

Date Joined: 27/09/06

(No subject)

Thu, 2008-09-04 13:00

____________________________________________________________________________

My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/

 

 

Colin Hay's picture

Posts: 10407

Date Joined: 23/10/07

Great stuff Marc

Thu, 2008-09-04 13:38

Professional quality work there mate.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

____________________________________________________________________________

Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/

harro's picture

Posts: 1959

Date Joined: 07/02/08

very first

Thu, 2008-09-04 13:48

the fist pic is awesome, love the reflections

____________________________________________________________________________

 :::: Bass Hunter ::::

PilbaraBrad's picture

Posts: 3628

Date Joined: 16/05/07

yeah i got a 450D Awesome

Thu, 2008-09-04 16:40

yeah i got a 450D
Awesome bit of gear

thebear's picture

Posts: 246

Date Joined: 09/06/07

Bulb photography and tripod

Thu, 2008-09-04 16:53

Bulb photography and tripod Marc ye?
Nice shots Whats ya F stop set at or auto?

I have an old trusty canon T70 SLR FILuM Camera and the 350d digi (Still learning to use the 350d)
.

______________________________________
IF IT BLEEDS,.........WE CAN KILL IT.

____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________
I JUST LOVE THE SMELL OF NAPALM IN THE MORNING
MEMBER FFC BLOCK 212
CPBA MEMBER

tailor marc's picture

Posts: 2979

Date Joined: 27/09/06

Cheers guys, The bear : No

Thu, 2008-09-04 17:46

Cheers guys,

The bear : No bulb just long exposure on 800iso and 5 stop.

Set on tungsted whitebalance

____________________________________________________________________________

My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/

 

 

Adam Gallash's picture

Posts: 15647

Date Joined: 29/11/05

Tammron

Thu, 2008-09-04 18:57

Is the Tammron after market? What did you pay for your camera Marc and did you get it off the net?

Anyone bought any of the net?

____________________________________________________________________________

Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance

Andy Mac's picture

Posts: 4778

Date Joined: 03/02/06

I bought mine off the net

Thu, 2008-09-04 21:44

Panasonic Fz18
More a bridge to a full SLR. Takes some pretty good pics though.
I'll see if I can find the site again and send you a link. They were very good, but I might need Alfred to interpret my warranty card as it was in chinese or something out of Hong Kong.

Cheers

Andy Mac

____________________________________________________________________________

Cheers

Andy Mac (Fishwrecked Reeltime Editor & Forum Moderator)

Youngest member of the Fishwrecked Old Farts Club

alfred's picture

Posts: 3097

Date Joined: 12/01/07

Oohhhh!  You're stuffed

Fri, 2008-09-05 06:45

Oohhhh!  You're stuffed now! Can't read anything with characters! LOL!

 

 

1985 Boston Whaler Outrage 18 Johnson 140hp 4stroke

PilbaraBrad's picture

Posts: 3628

Date Joined: 16/05/07

Tamron is a lense company

Thu, 2008-09-04 21:52

Tamron is a lense company ads, pretty good one at that. I have a tamron 15-75 for my old SLR
bloody expensive but worth it

thebear's picture

Posts: 246

Date Joined: 09/06/07

Nice shootin Marco none the

Thu, 2008-09-04 23:28

Nice shootin Marco none the less


______________________________________
IF IT BLEEDS,.........WE CAN KILL IT.

____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________
I JUST LOVE THE SMELL OF NAPALM IN THE MORNING
MEMBER FFC BLOCK 212
CPBA MEMBER

tailor marc's picture

Posts: 2979

Date Joined: 27/09/06

Adam, i bought mine second

Fri, 2008-09-05 08:24

Adam,

i bought mine second hand with a special backpack and extra lenses but latley i have been getting all my equipment through a mate who has just started a biusness and doing mint prices.

Pm me you email and i will sent you a broucher and his mobile number.

He does 450d,400d , nikon etc and all lenses cheap!

____________________________________________________________________________

My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/

 

 

Adam Gallash's picture

Posts: 15647

Date Joined: 29/11/05

too easy

Fri, 2008-09-05 08:58

PM sent Marc.  Sounds good.

____________________________________________________________________________

Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance

Goatch's picture

Posts: 1011

Date Joined: 03/07/07

Just to throw a spanner

Fri, 2008-09-05 10:59

in the works I recently bought a Nikon D80 with a Nikkor 18-200 VR lense for around $2000 and couldn't be happier with the results
A couple of shots from last weekends burnout comp in Tom Price

And a shot of Fern Pool in Karijini National Park

Does a one legged duck swim in an eliptic circle

____________________________________________________________________________

Just one more cast , honest !!!  

tailor marc's picture

Posts: 2979

Date Joined: 27/09/06

Great pics!!!! Oh i cant

Fri, 2008-09-05 12:05

Great pics!!!!

Oh i cant wait for the motorplex burnouts now i have my new camera! Oh the smell of burning rubber!

____________________________________________________________________________

My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/

 

 

Colin Hay's picture

Posts: 10407

Date Joined: 23/10/07

Nice pics Goatch, especially the pool shot

Fri, 2008-09-05 12:42

I have a Nikon SLR with a Tameron lens. They make great cameras.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

____________________________________________________________________________

Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/

Dreamweaver's picture

Posts: 4688

Date Joined: 01/12/07

Crikey Col!

Fri, 2008-09-05 12:45

Ive got a cannon.......

post

post

post

I've got a Nikon....

Ya bloody money bags LOL!

 

Great photos Marc and Steve !! (that pool shot is awesome!)

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

 

____________________________________________________________________________

Soon to be de "dreamweaver" ed!

Colin Hay's picture

Posts: 10407

Date Joined: 23/10/07

Lol Colin

Mon, 2008-09-08 12:19

Got to thank the tax man for that.
(Colin 1 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

____________________________________________________________________________

Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/

kaney68's picture

Posts: 401

Date Joined: 29/07/08

DSLR's and Lenses

Fri, 2008-09-05 19:17

Hi Adam,

 

Many good DSLR's out in the market place at the moment.

As many of the other guys have mentioned the 450D and 40D Canon's are popular and good value money. Also look at the new 50D.

For lens choice I'd be looking at either the Canon 100-400 US$1450 or Canon 28-300 US$2400 - guess it depends on the budget !

Both lenses are "L" versions. (Canon's top level pro lenses) - You get what you pay for !

Personally I wouldn't buy a body outside of AUS due to warranty issues, but would not have a problem with lenses from the US, Hong Kong etc..

For good reviews on gear check out www.dpreview.com

 

Another suggestion... whilst not an underwater housing, seriously consider purchasing an Aquatech shield for your camera. Will help keep the salt spray off both the body and lens !   www.aquatech.com.au  

They also manufacture quality underwater housings if your keen.

 

cheers,

Paul

 

Fish today.....work tomorrow !

Adam Gallash's picture

Posts: 15647

Date Joined: 29/11/05

Thanks Paul

Mon, 2008-09-08 10:59

Some great info there mate and good point re-warranty.  I am looking at teh 450d or 1000d which seem to be good models.  I think the 40d is a bit out of my price range when adding in the lenses, ahh well.

Some good food for thought there,

Cheers guys! 

____________________________________________________________________________

Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance

Tony Halliday's picture

Posts: 2500

Date Joined: 14/06/07

Go Nikon,

Mon, 2008-09-08 16:36

I had a D70 Nikon, best camera I have ever used.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond60/

Now the new D60 can be got for a song at Cameraland in Muuray Street mall on north side. They have a two lens kit at great prices, go in and bargin and fight for the best price mate.

go to http://www.dpreview.com/

for specs and write ups, best camera site for digitals on the planet!!!!

Full-time piscatorial-idiot, in The Vines. "It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC) Greek poet.
Supporter of Meals on Reels

____________________________________________________________________________

Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~

 It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it

"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)

"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)

HuggyB's picture

Posts: 2515

Date Joined: 03/08/08

Sony Alpha 200

Fri, 2008-09-12 16:54

This is what I will be getting in the coming months. The advantage over the cheaper canon and nikons is that the IR/VR is inbuilt into the camera, so if you buy lenses, you dont need to buy expensive IS/VR lenses - effectively you pay for IS/VR once rather than every time you buy a lense.

 

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08010701sonydslra200.asp

 

RRP $999 for the camera and two lense kit, but they can be had for $800 online or even cheaper for a single lense kit.

 

They are effectively a re-badged Konica Minotla if you have any hesitations regarding buying a "Sony".

____________________________________________________________________________

                    The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........

Posts: 9358

Date Joined: 21/02/08

Another thing about em is

Fri, 2008-09-12 18:20

Another thing about em is you can get a really nice, cheap fisheye for em.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

Adam Gallash's picture

Posts: 15647

Date Joined: 29/11/05

Cheers huggy

Fri, 2008-09-12 17:01

Theres some more food for thought.

I was thinking of going the canon 50d with 15.1 megapixels and getting the 75-300mm along with a polarising lens.

Still doing lots of reading though, almost need a degree to understand some of the stuff! 

____________________________________________________________________________

Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance

kaney68's picture

Posts: 401

Date Joined: 29/07/08

Would be a good move

Fri, 2008-09-12 19:38

Would be a good move Adam.

Don't forget the 70-300 might be too tight in the back of the boat if shooting someone holding a fish.

Would also need to look at something like a 16-35 or 24-70.

If you want to go ultra wide, you could look at the Canon 15mm fisheye..

Great little lens and costs under $400 from B&H Photo Video in the US..

IS or VR lenses are great to have, but (not sure about the Nikon lenses) the Canon's IS servos tend to fail. And by that I'm refering to the top of the range "L" series lenses.

I have had 3 lenses, each with IS and all units lock up the camera and display error messages.. I now simply just leave the IS turned off, unless it's a must have shot that requires it.

 

cheers,

Paul

 

Fish today.....work tomorrow !

HuggyB's picture

Posts: 2515

Date Joined: 03/08/08

Adam - dont be sucked in by pixel counts

Fri, 2008-09-12 19:14

Anything above 10 is purely for marketing - you wont notice any appreciable difference unless you are going to be printing off A0/A1 size posters.

____________________________________________________________________________

                    The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........

kaney68's picture

Posts: 401

Date Joined: 29/07/08

That's not entirely

Fri, 2008-09-12 19:43

That's not entirely correct...

Also depends on the sensor size !

As a 10mp point and squirt will not give the same image size and quality as a full frame DSLR 10mp..or a DSLR with 1.3 or 1.6 ratio !!

 

Fish today.....work tomorrow !

HuggyB's picture

Posts: 2515

Date Joined: 03/08/08

Thats a given

Fri, 2008-09-12 20:03

but we are discussing DSLR's, not P&S cameras.....

____________________________________________________________________________

                    The Terrorist - coming to a fishing spot near you.........

Three Lions's picture

Posts: 152

Date Joined: 15/08/07

Adam

Fri, 2008-09-12 20:23

With a crop ratio of 1.6 the 75-300 lense might be to long for in the boat shots.

nickyau2's picture

Posts: 225

Date Joined: 11/05/06

50D

Sat, 2008-09-13 16:40

hey adam i've got a 40D .. had it for about 4 months.. very good camera.. much nicer to use than the 450D and better quality pics at high iso (though u probably wont have to use that much for fishing shots given most are in good light conditions)

50D will be a serious piece of kit when its released onthe market next month (unless its out in Aus already.. not here in the UK). for a first camera i wouldn't justify almost twice the price compared to the 40D.. the 40D will get u some very nice pics

get yourself a standard zoom and telephoto for fishing pics i've got the ef-s 17-55 f2.8 and its a magnificent lens (eventhough its not an L series) and looking to get the 70-200 f2.8 IS which is a beast and $$$ but maynot be long enough for what u want... the 100-400 L series would be a good investment for long range stuff...esp for billies

40D is great with 6.5 frames/sec... takes awesome action photos

get a good quality circular polariser too

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________

Here fishy fishy....