Caitlin
I'm looking for a digital SLR camera. Preferably not too expensive. Does anyone have suggestions?
Answer
Two cameras come to mind when you ask for a DSLR that's not too expensive. Here you go:
~~~~~~~~~~
Nikon D40
The Nikon D40 is a great little camera, very easy to use and quite reasonably priced. It has a few "consumer friendly" totally automatic modes that make it very easy to use, but still offers total photographic control when you are ready to take charge. It will get you in the Nikon family which is a great place to be. If you buy accessories and lenses, you will be able to use everything on any Nikon that you might upgrade to later on.
Check out Nikon's "Picturetown" promotion, where they handed out 200 D40's in Georgetown, SC. http://www.stunningnikon.com/picturetown/
Here are a few reviews, in case you have not read them yet. Be sure to note that they are several pages long and some of the reviews also have some sample images that you can look at.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/nikon_d40.html
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3756/camera-test-nikon-d40.html
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/d40-recommendations.htm
I hate to see people slam the camera because it can't autofocus with older Nikon lenses. It is true that there is a "slight problem" with older Nikon lenses not autofocusing on the D40, but if you do not own a bag full of older lenses, it is not going to be a problem. It is barely a problem anyhow. If you check www.nikonusa.com for "AF-S" lenses, which are ALL 100% compatible with the D40, you will find 23 lenses, including 7 "VR" (vibration Reduction) lenses and one true macro lens with "VR". There are another 25-plus lenses in the current catalog that provide all functions except autofocus as well as many (possibly dozens) "out of print" lenses that will work just as well. In addition, although these lens will not autofocus, most of them will still give focus confirmation. From the D40 manual: "If the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 of faster, the viewfinder focus indicator can be used to confirm whether the portion of the subject in the selected focus area is in focus. After positioning the subject in the active focus area, press the shutter release button halfway and rotate the lens focusing ring until the in-focus indicator is displayed."
The D40 only has 3 autofocus zones arranged horizontally at the center, 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. This might be considered a limitation, but realistically, most people will find this perfectly adequate, especially if you are moving up from a point and shoot with only a center zone.
You can get the D40 with the 18-55 kit lens at B&H Photo available through Yahoo! Shopping or at 1-800-622-4987) for $550 (May 2007) and this is with TWO Lexar 1 GB cards. You can get the same kit with one Lexar Platinum (higher speed) card for $560. Or - get the D40 with 18-135 lens and 1 GB Lexar card for $760.
~~~~~~~~~~
Pentax K100D - Cheapest Decent SLR
The cheapest DSLR that is worth owning is probably the Pentax K100D, and this is coming from a Nikon fan. This is a decent camera.
You can click on individual user comments on this page:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinions.asp?prodkey=pentax_k100d
You can read the dpreview.com "Highly Recommended" review here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk100d/
You can also read this review of the K100D here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/k100d.html
I used to recommend the Pentax K110D as the best entry level dSLR, but I do not see it for sale at B&H Photo or Adorama. The entry level seems to now be the K100D. The only difference between these two cameras is that the K100D includes "shake reduction," which adds some expense to the camera.
Adorama has the K100D with the 18-55 lens for $489.95, after a $50 rebate. The rebate ends on July 31, 2007. You will still need a memory card and I would suggest at least the 1 GB Sandisk Ultra II SD card, which costs about $30. You can get the 2 GB for $35, so it would be silly not to go for the 2 GB card.
As of this writing (5-9-07), B&H is NOT showing the $50 rebate on the K100D with the 18-55 lens, but they ARE showing it for the body alone. Since this is a Pentax manufacturer's rebate, I would speculate that this is an error on the web site. If you prefer buying from B&H, you can call them at 1-800-622-4987 to inquire about this matter.
If you want "higher" quality and want to spend double the money, get back to me............and I'll tell you about the Nikon D80.
~~~~~~~~~~
Two cameras come to mind when you ask for a DSLR that's not too expensive. Here you go:
~~~~~~~~~~
Nikon D40
The Nikon D40 is a great little camera, very easy to use and quite reasonably priced. It has a few "consumer friendly" totally automatic modes that make it very easy to use, but still offers total photographic control when you are ready to take charge. It will get you in the Nikon family which is a great place to be. If you buy accessories and lenses, you will be able to use everything on any Nikon that you might upgrade to later on.
Check out Nikon's "Picturetown" promotion, where they handed out 200 D40's in Georgetown, SC. http://www.stunningnikon.com/picturetown/
Here are a few reviews, in case you have not read them yet. Be sure to note that they are several pages long and some of the reviews also have some sample images that you can look at.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/nikon_d40.html
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3756/camera-test-nikon-d40.html
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/d40-recommendations.htm
I hate to see people slam the camera because it can't autofocus with older Nikon lenses. It is true that there is a "slight problem" with older Nikon lenses not autofocusing on the D40, but if you do not own a bag full of older lenses, it is not going to be a problem. It is barely a problem anyhow. If you check www.nikonusa.com for "AF-S" lenses, which are ALL 100% compatible with the D40, you will find 23 lenses, including 7 "VR" (vibration Reduction) lenses and one true macro lens with "VR". There are another 25-plus lenses in the current catalog that provide all functions except autofocus as well as many (possibly dozens) "out of print" lenses that will work just as well. In addition, although these lens will not autofocus, most of them will still give focus confirmation. From the D40 manual: "If the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 of faster, the viewfinder focus indicator can be used to confirm whether the portion of the subject in the selected focus area is in focus. After positioning the subject in the active focus area, press the shutter release button halfway and rotate the lens focusing ring until the in-focus indicator is displayed."
The D40 only has 3 autofocus zones arranged horizontally at the center, 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. This might be considered a limitation, but realistically, most people will find this perfectly adequate, especially if you are moving up from a point and shoot with only a center zone.
You can get the D40 with the 18-55 kit lens at B&H Photo available through Yahoo! Shopping or at 1-800-622-4987) for $550 (May 2007) and this is with TWO Lexar 1 GB cards. You can get the same kit with one Lexar Platinum (higher speed) card for $560. Or - get the D40 with 18-135 lens and 1 GB Lexar card for $760.
~~~~~~~~~~
Pentax K100D - Cheapest Decent SLR
The cheapest DSLR that is worth owning is probably the Pentax K100D, and this is coming from a Nikon fan. This is a decent camera.
You can click on individual user comments on this page:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinions.asp?prodkey=pentax_k100d
You can read the dpreview.com "Highly Recommended" review here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk100d/
You can also read this review of the K100D here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/k100d.html
I used to recommend the Pentax K110D as the best entry level dSLR, but I do not see it for sale at B&H Photo or Adorama. The entry level seems to now be the K100D. The only difference between these two cameras is that the K100D includes "shake reduction," which adds some expense to the camera.
Adorama has the K100D with the 18-55 lens for $489.95, after a $50 rebate. The rebate ends on July 31, 2007. You will still need a memory card and I would suggest at least the 1 GB Sandisk Ultra II SD card, which costs about $30. You can get the 2 GB for $35, so it would be silly not to go for the 2 GB card.
As of this writing (5-9-07), B&H is NOT showing the $50 rebate on the K100D with the 18-55 lens, but they ARE showing it for the body alone. Since this is a Pentax manufacturer's rebate, I would speculate that this is an error on the web site. If you prefer buying from B&H, you can call them at 1-800-622-4987 to inquire about this matter.
If you want "higher" quality and want to spend double the money, get back to me............and I'll tell you about the Nikon D80.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ways to manually adjust aperture on lens while taking video with Nikon DSLR Camera?
Morgan
Is there a way (or multiple ways) to adjust the aperture using a Nikon DSLR camera while taking video? I have a D7000 and a wide assortment of lenses. Many old lenses I realize have adjustable aperture rings on the lens itself which seems to be a feature incompatible with newer cameras [unless f-stop is set to 22] and lacking from newer lenses (note: I am completely unaware of any adapters that offer a means of making this option compatible.)
I know there are some specific 3rd party lenses out there that have aperture rings on them so you can adjust your depth of field range/brightness while taking video but am at a loss of how to find them.
Any hints, suggestions, techniques, links, companies, lens models etc... would be greatly helpful.
{Incase it wasn't clear, my main objective is to find a way to broaden/narrow my depth of field while taking video using an adjustable aperture ring on the camera's lens}
Thank you all in advance for any input : )
Answer
When shooting video, the only control of the exposure are the following
* adjust the lens aperture
* adjust the ISO of the camera
* add or subtract light from the scene
If you want to decrease the depth of field by opening the lens, you will have to reduce the sensitivity of the sensor or add an ND filter to the lens. Usually it is very difficult to reduce the actual amount of light in a specific scene
If you want to increase the depth of field, you need to close the lens aperture down until you have just the right amount of depth of field. With less light reaching the sensor, you will either have to up the ISO of the sensor or add more light to the scene.
Whether you use an actual aperture ring or control the depth of field using the camera control, really does not matter much.
You are now beginning to see just one of the drawback of trying to use a dSLR camera with a video "
feature" can be vexing.
What you may want to read before you start spending a lot of money on accessories to make your fine D7000 into a usable video camera. These problems will be encountered no matter what dSLR you use
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/camcorders/cam-cam.shtml
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/techniques/3_years_later_dslr_video_one_mans_perspective.shtml
When shooting video, the only control of the exposure are the following
* adjust the lens aperture
* adjust the ISO of the camera
* add or subtract light from the scene
If you want to decrease the depth of field by opening the lens, you will have to reduce the sensitivity of the sensor or add an ND filter to the lens. Usually it is very difficult to reduce the actual amount of light in a specific scene
If you want to increase the depth of field, you need to close the lens aperture down until you have just the right amount of depth of field. With less light reaching the sensor, you will either have to up the ISO of the sensor or add more light to the scene.
Whether you use an actual aperture ring or control the depth of field using the camera control, really does not matter much.
You are now beginning to see just one of the drawback of trying to use a dSLR camera with a video "
feature" can be vexing.
What you may want to read before you start spending a lot of money on accessories to make your fine D7000 into a usable video camera. These problems will be encountered no matter what dSLR you use
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/camcorders/cam-cam.shtml
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/techniques/3_years_later_dslr_video_one_mans_perspective.shtml
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment