Alaska Chat II (reviews, features, price)

[Redhawk]

WOW Barkly can't wait to see some pics with that bad boy!

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by Rance

50 x 500? They make those? Does it have VR? Thats gotta cost some coin!

Sigma - Lenses

I found mine on B&H Photo for $999.

B&H Photo Video | Digital Cameras, Camcorders

[Barkingowl]

I think this should be your next one Rance.
Sigma - Lenses

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by HighlandLady

Now Canon has the Rebel XSi - which would be divine but I still think the XTi is great. When I begin selling more photos then I will look into their higher end DSLR's.

Some photographers are into using the technology as an end to itself, and for them a camera with more options is better; while for others it is not technology for technology's sake and all those extra options are genuinely an artistic impediment!

The same thing happens with camera size, where some people are significantly influenced by either a small or a large camera, and they definitely need one that fits their particular fetish! And the ergonomics of where the buttons are placed, which direction the knobs turn, etc etc are also meaningful to some (in opposite ways) or of no significance at all to others!

Engineers and geeks tend to care less about size and knob placement, but drool over camera options. Artists are more often the opposite. Artistic engineers are really hard to please!

For those reasons it is really hard to determine just whose advice is "right" for any given person when it comes to choosing a DSLR camera today. I use Nikon equipment, and have very specific reasons for doing so. But I doubt that my reasons are valid for most other people.

For those reasons I would encourage anyone thinking of getting their feet wet to do a lot of research, including finding a way to actually use (for a few hours, not for just 30 seconds) more than one of the type of camera they can afford. Ideally, sit down with someone (other than a salesman) who is familiar with the camera and get at least a little education.

That said, anyone interested in techie gadgets, such as old lenses, teleconverters, doing photomacrography, using flash either creatively or absolutely automatic, or who likes low light photography... should consider Nikon. A person who wants to point and shoot (without flash) and wants to buy just a modern set of good lenses (without getting into either old "cult" lenses or modern miracles that cost $5000 or more), and doesn't want to think about ever using a "manual" mode for anything (flash, focus, or exposure)... should consider Canon.

And a person who doesn't know which of those fits them, needs to find out before spending a lot of money!

[MissingAll4Seasons]

Excellent advice Floyd. As with any other hobby & form of artistic expression, find out (cheaply) what your goals are and what equipment works best for you and what you want to acheive. In my case, a lot depends on the actual size of the camera body because my hands are on the small side. I've found a few cameras that were "perfect" for my needs and goals that were just too big for me to use properly. ::sigh:: I have the same problem with handguns

[Barkingowl]

THanks for the advice Floyd but I prefer to go on the untraveled path.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by Barkingowl

THanks for the advice Floyd but I prefer to go on the untraveled path.

I'm not sure what you mean. Can you expand on what "the untraveled path" is for you?

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by Floyd_Davidson

I'm not sure what you mean. Can you expand on what "the untraveled path" is for you?

I don't care for Nikon or Canon. I've gone to Olympus.

[HighlandLady]

Originally Posted by Floyd_Davidson

Some photographers are into using the technology as an end to itself, and for them a camera with more options is better; while for others it is not technology for technology's sake and all those extra options are genuinely an artistic impediment!

The same thing happens with camera size, where some people are significantly influenced by either a small or a large camera, and they definitely need one that fits their particular fetish! And the ergonomics of where the buttons are placed, which direction the knobs turn, etc etc are also meaningful to some (in opposite ways) or of no significance at all to others!

Engineers and geeks tend to care less about size and knob placement, but drool over camera options. Artists are more often the opposite. Artistic engineers are really hard to please!

For those reasons it is really hard to determine just whose advice is "right" for any given person when it comes to choosing a DSLR camera today. I use Nikon equipment, and have very specific reasons for doing so. But I doubt that my reasons are valid for most other people.

For those reasons I would encourage anyone thinking of getting their feet wet to do a lot of research, including finding a way to actually use (for a few hours, not for just 30 seconds) more than one of the type of camera they can afford. Ideally, sit down with someone (other than a salesman) who is familiar with the camera and get at least a little education.

That said, anyone interested in techie gadgets, such as old lenses, teleconverters, doing photomacrography, using flash either creatively or absolutely automatic, or who likes low light photography... should consider Nikon. A person who wants to point and shoot (without flash) and wants to buy just a modern set of good lenses (without getting into either old "cult" lenses or modern miracles that cost $5000 or more), and doesn't want to think about ever using a "manual" mode for anything (flash, focus, or exposure)... should consider Canon.

And a person who doesn't know which of those fits them, needs to find out before spending a lot of money!

Good advice and exactly what I did before purchasing my first digital - and just to let you know, Floyd, I only use the manual mode even on the Canon

[warptman]

Bethel, Alaska (Airport)
Updated: 10:53 AM AKDT on June 14, 2008
Partly Cloudy
57 °F / 14 °C
Partly Cloudy
Humidity: 67%
Dew Point: 46 °F / 8 °C
Wind: 8 mph / 13 km/h / 3.6 m/s from the West
Pressure: 30.30 in / 1026 hPa (Steady)
Visibility: 10.0 miles / 16.1 kilometers
UV: 4 out of 16
Clouds:
Few 9000 ft / 2743 m
(Above Ground Level)

Yay...."mostly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 50s to mid 60s"