Responses
Marc Wood, 1/30/2006, 9:23:34 AM
If you're really set on using your Minolta lenses, there might be a digital SLR for you in the future, but who knows how long you'll have to wait. Konica-Minolta announced recently that they are leaving the camera and film business altogether and selling their technology to Sony, who claim that they are going to produce digital SLRs under their name that are compatible with the existing Minolta MD lens mount. Since the acquisition just took place, I wouldn't hold your breath.
Unfortunately, there is no way right now to use your Minolta lenses with a digital SLR. There may be an adapter somewhere you can purchase to switch the lens to a Nikon or Canon-compatible mount--check with B&H Photo & Video or some other large photo equipment supplier--but it would most likely only support manual focus. That might be worthwhile for the long-range lens.
If you buy a Nikon or Canon SLR, you do have other choices for lens manufacturers--Tamron, Sigma, etc., which make quality equipment at reasonable prices. But those lenses are brand-specific as well. They make separate lenses for each manufacturer's lens mount.
Robin Kearney, 1/30/2006, 10:58:39 AM
Thanks, Marc - do you have a brand recommendation, or is it just a matter of preference and cost?
Marc Wood, 1/30/2006, 11:41:00 AM
I don't want to make recommendations, but you can save money by ordering online and by buying third-party lenses and accessories (if you're willing to make a small tradeoff in quality). Here's a site that reviews all kinds of digital cameras, including SLRs:
http://www.dcresource.com/
Erik Haugsby, 1/31/2006, 4:29:23 PM
I have a Canon EOS 20D, and have for almost 1.5 years. Biased, yes, but I would not buy any SLR that wasn't Canon branded. Great "L" series lenses, albiet expensive they are worth everything; their controls are more intuitive than anything Nikon has, though Pentax can run with the 350D on the controls side, the click-wheel that Canon has on the back of all their Elan, 1-Series, and 20/5/30? D cameras is a godsend for quick aperature+ settings.
The one complaint that I have with Canon is the ridiclous prices of their under-powered and under-spec'ed flashes. Nikon has them soundly beat there.
Additionally, Nikon users have the option of using all (well, not all. pretty close, though) of Nikon's MF lenses dating back to the 60's. Also, the F range (namely the F, F2, and F4) of bodies are some of the best MF SLR bodies made. Ohwell.
If I had the chance to go back with the $2,000 I spent on my 20D&accessories (memory card, kit lens, bag, Manfrotto Tripod), I definitly would go to a reputable camera shop and buy a used Leica (preferably a M2, maybe M4) with a 35 'cron and 90 'cron, all for about the same price. Granted, Leica isn't digital, but they've got Canon beat for most everything else (not counting zoom lenses).
My few thoughts.
If anything, buy used. Make sure the stuff still works, but used sure saves you lots of money; only problem is that Canon EF *L lenses have really high resale values. Ohwell. Good for you, later.
Lenses I'd Buy: (in decreasing order of priority)
<u>Canon</u>
50mm f/1.8
100mm f/2
17-40mm f/4L
70-200 f/4L
35mm f/2.8
300mm f/2.8L IS
Nobody can go wrong with the 50, especially at ~$80 new. If you have a digital, however, you might be more inclined to the 35mm, considering the 1.6x crop factor all but the 1D-series have. The 100 is insane for indoor basketball, especially on my 20D; where else can you have a 160mm f/2 thats <6 in. long?!
The 300 is quintissential Canon sporting optics. Costs a buttload, but preforms like nothing else out of Japan.
<u>Leica</u>
35mm f/2 Summicron
90mm f/2 Summicron
50mm f/2 Summicron
75mm f/1.4 Summilux
The 50 'cron is legendary glass, flawless. The 35 is a must have for anything journalist-type; the 90 is great for indoor sports. The 75 is mostly $3.5K of superfulous German glass, but it sure does preform.
I'm not quite sure about exact Nikon optics, though their (expensive) 70-200mm f/2.8 VR is superlative.
Robin Kearney, 2/1/2006, 7:06:27 AM
Wow!
Thanks for all the information to consider!!
km, 2/1/2006, 9:03:20 PM
I love my Canon, both film and digital, but Nikon is great too.
I don't think you can go wrong with either buy.
good luck and good shooting.
Sarah, 2/5/2006, 1:45:00 PM
I teach photojournalism (all digital) and we use only Canon cameras, both SLRs and a few Power Shot and Pro 1 models. I have found Canon to be the easiest for students and convenient in terms of buying accessories and handling any necessary repairs as well. I love the digital Rebels for a good, affordable camera. Of course the Canon EOS 20D is fabulous and also very kid-friendly. Even buying just one for your program is worthwhile.
As someone else mentioned in this discussion, it's great to shop for lenses rather than tying yourself to Canon. Tamron and Sigma lenses are both compatible and much less expensive.
Shop online for the best deals, but if you have Fry's Electronics or CostCo in your area, those are worth visiting too. I got digital Rebels at both places for several hundred dollars less than I found online. It's worth it to by last year's model to save money.
Mitch Ziegler, 2/21/2006, 10:08:13 AM
We have been using digital SLRs since the Nikon D1. We only use Nikon because we have invested so much in lenses.
If we were starting over, we would be with Canon. Both brands will do the job well.
General advice: buy the best lenses. This means f2.8, usually L series. The most difficult thing to shoot in scholastic journalism is night football or gym sports (events on stages too). To do this you need good lenses.
The other consideration is the camera--go with the best you can afford. With Canon, at least a 20D, although the 1DMk2 is the best for sports--fast focus.
With Nikon, look at the D-200, D2Hs, or D2X.
You are going to gag at the prices, but for us the investment has been completely worth it.
Rod Machen, 3/6/2006, 11:16:26 PM
On the budget end of things, I went with a used DSLR. You can get these at reputable places like bhphotovideo.com, keh.com, adorama.com. I got a first generation model for $400. I went with Canon simply because I found a photographer who donated some lenses. I personally shoot with Nikon and the D50 would be a little more than $500, and used ones will start showing up soon.
For lenses, I'd say a 50mm f/1.8 is the way to go with all of the brands. Then with the crop factor, something that goes up to 200mm should be enough for the long end.
