Personal computing discussed
Moderators: renee, Dposcorp, SpotTheCat
sluggo wrote:I use DPReview for good evaluations of gear and recommendations.
JustAnEngineer wrote:If you want to use any of the older Nikon AF lens designs with screw-drive focus (many of which are still being produced), you'll have to spend enough to get at least a D90 camera or else give up auto focusing. If you want to be able to meter and shoot in aperture priority with late-1970s AI-S manual-focus lenses, Nikon requires that you buy at least a D300s camera, which is rather expensive for someone just starting out in the photography hobby. The situation is simpler with Canon, where all of the 60+ million Canon EF lenses produced since 1986 are fully-functional (including auto focus, auto aperture and metering) with even the least expensive Canon EOS DSLR. Sony α cameras are fully-functional with Sony lenses and with the old Minolta Maxxum auto-focus lenses.
JustAnEngineer wrote:The Sears TLS (1960s) that the OP mentioned used M42 screw-mount, which is why I addressed compatibility with those lenses.
Voldenuit wrote:Excellent point. Start with a new (or used) digital camera with new (or used) lenses that are fully-functional with the camera that you choose.I think it is a bit backwards to choose a digital system based on a few cheap legacy lenses.
Fastfreak39 wrote:You guys pretty much confirmed my suspicion that we would end up wanting a DSLR. We cant quite afford it at the moment but probably this Spring we will pick up a beginner camera that you recommended....Are Voldenuit's recommendations for a DSLR the group consensus?
Captain Ned wrote:That old lens would perform just as well on a Nikon D300s or D700 DSLR as it ever did on the N2000 35mm film SLR.The sad part is that the best piece of glass I own, a Nikon AI-S 28-85 f3.5/4.5, will likely never again take a picture.
Fastfreak39 wrote:There's little danger in buying used or refurbished equipment from the big suppliers like B&H Photo Video, Adorama or KEH.Should we buy new or is it generally safe to buy used?
Voldenuit wrote:On the other hand, Canon is faffing about with ridiculous megapixel counts and falling behind in low light performance compared to Sony (and Nikon and Pentax cameras with Sony sensors), and many of their EF lenses (over a dozen) have been hanging around for 20+ years and direly in need of updating in the digital age. I voice these criticisms as a Canon owner who uses his m43 gear more than his Canon gear (!) these days.
The OP is a new entrant into photography and is unlikely to have any legacy lenses, or to care about mounting 40-year old lenses on his new DSLR, assuming he does follow the general advice in this thread and goes digital.
SPOOFE wrote:Well, you can get another Sony and that way you guys can trade off lenses. That'll be cheaper in the long haul; but since I have no idea how Sony's DSLRs or lenses are, I can't comment on the quality you'd get.
Fastfreak39 wrote:Anyways, my point is that I would like to get my own DSLR now. I've realized that I don't need/want as much "camera" as we may have gotten with the Sony although it is considered entry level. Pretty much I would like a camera with a better viewfinder and 2 control wheels if possible. Obviously it'll have to be a used camera since I want to be cheap. What are your guy's thoughts and concerns?
Fastfreak39 wrote:How do you guys feel about used prosumer models like the 30D? Or the nikon and pentax equivalent? I'm not a fan of the higher level Sonys. None have the dual control dials besides the discontinued A700?
SPOOFE wrote:Well, you can get another Sony and that way you guys can trade off lenses. That'll be cheaper in the long haul; but since I have no idea how Sony's DSLRs or lenses are, I can't comment on the quality you'd get.