[Konig]

My dad is looking at EOS-5D to start off with this hobby but unsure of where to get it. Is akihabara the cheapest price to get the camera on this planet??

I was wondering if its better for him to enroll in classes but he insist on reading books himself.

 

[Konig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samgotit /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's what I have. I love it. I have a couple of photos here: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=482 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=474 http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=474 Those were all shot with Canon's cheapest lens: 50mm f1.8 (with extension tubes) What do yo want to do? For all the info you could ever want check here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

AWesome PICS! u mean it can still get better than this?

 

[Samgotit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD1032 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Eh, I really wouldn't go for the 400D. Like Nikon's new D40, it actually eliminates the status LCD in favor of having a bigger main LCD. It's a little awkward (I use my status LCD ALL THE TIME), and set up more like a Point and Shoot than most previous DSLR's.

The status is huge on the XTi because of the bigger LCD; it's one of the reason why I bought it. I can see the advantage for some of a dedicated status, but I didn't care for it relative to the larger XTi all-in-one LCD.

This is one good reason why the op may want to try to handle them both.

 

[fureshi]

when i was looking for a digital slr about half year ago, i was considering the canon 350d and the nikon d70. what made it really difficult to choose at that time was the fact that i have an old canon eos 650, which i had a few lenses. like you, i also thought that i could use my old lenses with the 350d and almost went with canon.

in the end, i chose the nikon d50 mainly because it took sd cards instead of cf and i didn't want to have to put more money into buying memory. i believe that the 400d also takes sd. whichever camera you choose you won't go wrong with since it really is the nut behind the viewfinder that's the limiting factor. i love my d50 but i'm sure that if i had gotten the 350d or 400d, i'd love it also. besides, it was nice to try a different brand than canon. there's enough users of either brand that finding a used lens for cheap won't be that hard.

 

[Mrvile]

Oh, well, if it's now a photo-posting party I'll invite myself...

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...Cans/580-3.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...s/501done3.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...s/IMG_8496.jpg
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...s/IMG_8275.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...opperstare.jpg

Those were taken with the humble Rebel XT and some quality glass/lighting.

Honestly, the better the lenses and lighting, the better the photo will be. The camera body has almost nothing to do with the end result. As a former comercial photographer, 3lusiv3, you should know this.

 

[Mrvile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fureshi /img/forum/go_quote.gif i believe that the 400d also takes sd.

Actually I'm pretty sure the 400D still takes CF.

 

[archosman]

I find that the viewfinder on my XT is a little small. Go somewhere where you can do a hands on...

 

[Mrvile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by archosman /img/forum/go_quote.gif I find that the viewfinder on my XT is a little small. Go somewhere where you can do a hands on...

That's the one complaint I have about my XT (also applies to the XTi). Even with the Olympus viewfinder magnifier installed, I still find the viewfinder to be a bit on the shab side compared to the huge viewwindow of my friend's old, old nikkormat.

 

[majid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's the one complaint I have about my XT (also applies to the XTi). Even with the Olympus viewfinder magnifier installed, I still find the viewfinder to be a bit on the shab side compared to the huge viewwindow of my friend's old, old nikkormat.

That's the main reason I upgraded from my Rebel XT to a 5D with the recent rebate offer. It still can't match my father's Nikon F3. however.

 

[majid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konig /img/forum/go_quote.gif My dad is looking at EOS-5D to start off with this hobby but unsure of where to get it. Is akihabara the cheapest price to get the camera on this planet?

Actually US prices (e.g. B&H) are often cheaper than Akihabara prices, the big draw about Akihabara is they have gear impossible to find anywhere else. You need to go to Hong-Kong or Singapore for the best prices. Search eBay for HK sellers, but remember, you will need support. Canon USA is not as vicious as Mamiya, but they will probably not honor an international warranty and charge him for repairs.

 

[vo328]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif Actually I'm pretty sure the 400D still takes CF.

Yep, the XTi takes CF cards. I just one of these cameras and it's pretty awesome. It's my first digital SLR and I'm happy with it so far. I do think the grip is a bit small, but the camera is quite lightweight and the pictures are soooo sharp! I am coming to this camera after using a Canon G1 for 7 years. Quite a change... having to get myself familiar with all of the capabilities.

I would love to have gone with a magnesium alloy bodied camera, but given the price point and feature set of this camera, it was an easy decision. Plus, I have a history and comfort level with the brand. My G1 was bulletproof and i'm hoping for a nice long history with the XTi.

 

[dj_mocok]

5D is too expensive. 400XT is too small (if you have large hands). If I were to go Canon I'd probably get 30D. But heard that they might have new camera coming soon? 40D or something?

 

[Konig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by majid /img/forum/go_quote.gif Actually US prices (e.g. B&H) are often cheaper than Akihabara prices, the big draw about Akihabara is they have gear impossible to find anywhere else. You need to go to Hong-Kong or Singapore for the best prices. Search eBay for HK sellers, but remember, you will need support. Canon USA is not as vicious as Mamiya, but they will probably not honor an international warranty and charge him for repairs.

thanks for the info. I find that akihabara is still cheaper than singapore (my country) and B&H if u know the right shop. However, what piqued my curiosity are hasselblad cameras. Do they have some kind of capability to see through dressing rooms and womans garments to justify their selling price?

 

[jmmtn4aj]

If the 400D is anything like the 300D, it uses a system of mirrors to reflect the image going through the lens up into the viewfinder. Purportedly this is a less efficient method of delivering an image as compared to using a glass prism. More light is lost through the mirror method, and as a result the image that appears in the viewfinder is darker than what is actually on the sensor.

I too find that the viewfinder on my 300D is too small for comfortable usage =\

 

[jjcha]

I've owned the 300D and upgraded to a 400D.

One of the pains of the 1.6x focal crop cameras is just trying to get a good normal prime. You'll end up using your 28mm as your "normal" lens, and your 50mm will be like an 85mm. I don't know how happy you are with your 28mm lens - I have a current production 28mm f/1.8 and it's optical quality is okay so far, but I can't help but wish they made a higher quality version of this lens. A full frame camera and the 50mm f/1.2 L seems so luxurious to me.

Don't forget to factor in that you're going to want a buy another wide angle lens because of the focal crop, since you want travel photos and landscapes.

A large, clear viewfinder is clearly one of the major advantages of a 5D or a 1D. I think the viewfinders on the 30D and the Nikons are certainly better than on the 300D/350D/400D, but still don't match up to one of the larger Canons. You can actually see what you're shooting and tell whether it's focused or not. On the other cameras, you're just eyeballing it and hoping the autofocus is working for you.

Personally, I would think if I were a good photographer with 35mm film experience, I would want a full frame camera (for the focal lengths and the viewfinder) like the 5D. Having said that, I'm not, and I love the small size of the 350/400D. I don't think I'd be getting a larger camera for a while.

Best regards,

-Jason