are lens interchangeable between film and DSLR

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#528863 4-Oct-2011 09:49

timmmay: I know virtually nothing about Pentax. I suspect the only reason they're still in business is because people are willing to spend $1000+ on a digital body to let them use their old $200 lenses.

No, it's because they make bloody good cameras with similar features to the "big 2", generally for less money and smaller and lighter, which is what a lot of people want.

Chainsaw

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#528866 4-Oct-2011 09:52

Disrespective:
Chainsaw: It's the only DSLR maker to have such great backwards compatibility.
I think you'll find that you've not looked at Nikon very hard... I could buy any lens they have pretty much ever made and it will work on my D300. Some features won't work on lower end bodies but they will work. That's one of the big reasons why I went into the Nikon camera camp over the alternatives. I had some older glass in the family that I wanted to use as I was starting out.

Funny! I own Nikon!

Tried using old AF lenses on a D3000? Doesn't work. D3100, D5000, D5100, D60 - doesn't work. That' not backwards compatibility. Pentax does it better.

Chainsaw

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#528870 4-Oct-2011 10:00

silverbirch: I guess I'm very much a lower end user :-) Another friend has a Nikon and her images are always superior to mine - so I'm happy to consider what's best for me in terms of what I do :-), but also don't want to "sell myself short", and be disappointed. I do realise how difficult it is to advise someone like me, in this situation, so i appreciate your time everyone.

Any DSLR produces great pictures, any brand. Find one that that fits your hand and that you think you would like to use. No use getting one that you can't be bothered taking with you. If you go into a shop to try them, naturally the sales people will steer you to Canon or Nikon, that's what they sell most and are comfortable with, but try others too if you dare.

If your images aren't as good as others, then chances are it's not the camera's fault.

Jaxson

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#528918 4-Oct-2011 11:13

I think you always have to be careful about marketing hype.
A big final image is great if you need to crop lots or you need to print billboards regularly etc.

However a big crap photo is still a big crap photo, and I think image quality should be the target. Much like the discussions around a TV where a lot of features, like 'it doesn't weigh much', don't really influence how good the TV is at displaying images.

I'm not up with Pentax's latest offerings but, much like Cyril mentioned above, about 5 years ago it worked out quite well heading down this route. At the time they featured image stabilisation in the camera base itself, meaning your older lenses instantly benefitted from this.
This sort of thing

These days though there are some really good smarts in newer cameras, so as Timmay mentions, you'd have to really work out what camera would suit you best, rather than compromise based on a few lenses you already have.

Jaxson

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#528927 4-Oct-2011 11:20

silverbirch:

Also had difficulty resizing - so used Flickr

There is a 'power tool' thingy for windows that does this very easily for you.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/windows-xp

The XP version of this is here under the Power Toys heading, called image resizer. Very nice and easy way to do this to common email/web sizes.

Dynamike

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#528943 4-Oct-2011 11:42

Chainsaw: If your images aren't as good as others, then chances are it's not the camera's fault.

So true. Buying a Nikon doesn't make someone a better photographer. And ironically, Nikon currently use Sony sensors in their consumer SLR's anyway.

I've bought some excellent Minolta lenses via Trade Me for very little cost ( $30 for a mint 35-105mm for example ). So obtaining lenses doesn't have to be expensive... unless you only want to buy "New".

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timmmay

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#528958 4-Oct-2011 11:55

Pro grade lenses can be really expensive. The 70-200 F2.8 VR II is about $3200, the 24-70 F2.8 is about $2500. Both are excellent lenses - great focus accuracy and speed, sharp, flare resistant. Not everyone needs that kind of performance though. I do.

A quick read of some reviews suggests Pentax makes good consumer/enthusiast grade cameras that are excellent value. I don't know a pro who uses them though - most use Canon, though Nikon are gaining market share.

floydbloke

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#528959 4-Oct-2011 11:55

Dynamike:
I've bought some excellent Minolta lenses via Trade Me for very little cost ( $30 for a mint 35-105mm for example ). So obtaining lenses doesn't have to be expensive... unless you only want to buy "New".

Agreed, it's about looking/being in the right place at the right time. For instance [boast on] at a real auction (as opposed to online) I picked up a Dynax 5000 with the legendary beercan and a baby beercan (Minolta users will know what I'm talking about), both in very good condition, for $45. As a bonus, that boxlot also contained some odd audio microphones that I sold on TradeMe for $22 [/boast off]

Ebay can also be a great source and the Dyxum website forum has an active trading thread. Tends to be cheaper than buying used in NZ, even with freight and a tumbling NZ$.

Sometimes I use big words I don't always fully understand in an effort to make myself sound more photosynthesis.

Disrespective

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#528964 4-Oct-2011 12:01

Chainsaw: Tried using old AF lenses on a D3000? Doesn't work. D3100, D5000, D5100, D60 - doesn't work. That' not backwards compatibility. Pentax does it better.

I think we're getting pretty far from the OP. But incidentally that is because the D3000 doesn't have an AF motor in the body which is required to use older lenses with AF. As such, any older lens will work on the camera, but not in AF mode. The F mount bayonet has not changed, it is the camera's that have.

I have a friend with a Pentax DSLR that he has used for the last 6 or so years and he loves it. Nikon is just the brand I know, and hence why I mention it more than the others. I can and do recommend to anyone in the market that they go and play with every brand they can.

I like oranges, but my girlfriend likes mandarins. They're pretty much the same, and analogous to camera brands. Pick what you like, they're all cameras, and take great pictures in the hands of someone capable.

Most of all, enjoy the hobby for what it is.

timmmay

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#528967 4-Oct-2011 12:06

Also, remember that if you go pro (at anything), it's no longer a fun hobby, it's a job. A fun job, but still a job that requires hard work.

silverbirch

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#529630 5-Oct-2011 15:42

Well I've been out looking today, and so far the Canon 600D feels right for me, probably with either 18 - 135 lens, or 25 - 200. My friends 60D with the 18 - 135 lens takes great shots but feels very heavy for me. I looked at some Nikon also and they were fine, but the chap at the specialist store is a Canon user, and the store tends to sell more of those.

Thanks for all the ideas and information.

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timmmay

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#529637 5-Oct-2011 15:47

Canon do have more market share, and hence more users, but that's not the best reason to go with them. I originally went with Canon years ago, because the tutor at the photography basics class I took used Canon. I regret that now. Salesmen will often direct you to whatever brand gives them the biggest commission too.

Go into the store, take some photos with each camera with similar lenses on your own memory card, then look at the photos on your PC. That way you can more easily evaluate sharpness, color, contrast, focus, etc.

How the camera feels in your hand is important, as is ease of use. I used Canon for so long I find them easier, but Nikon's good once you get used to it.

I'm not saying Canon's the wrong choice, just that you should decide for yourself, not based on what a salesman says :)

silverbirch

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#529643 5-Oct-2011 15:53

Yes - I hear what you're saying. The Canon 600D felt really right in my hands, but U have arranged to go back to Harvey Norman and try the Nikon when they charge the batteries. All the batteries were flat there, so couldn't try the functions. But probably won't buy from there as their kits have two lens and to begin with I only want the one lens. From what I have read and been told, some of the lens in the kits made for the likes of Harvey Norman etc are of lesser quality.

will my Panasonic card fit in the Canon and Nikon? I'll try - forget I have my friend's camera here.

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timmmay

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#529649 5-Oct-2011 15:57

Cameras tend to use CompactFlash or SD cards. If it fits, it'll work.

Kit lenses are fine for most people, but if you want to get the most from your camera you'll want a better lens. An 18-55 F2.8 (or 17-50, etc) is a good range for most people. A big aperture (small F number) lets you get your subject in focus but the background blurred.

KennyM

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#529699 5-Oct-2011 17:01

Ive got a Canon 600D and I'm loving it!

Had it about 2 months now and have taken more photos then i did in the 2years that I had my previous camera.

Tho one thing I would say is to get a zoom lense. This does of course depend what your going to be taking pictures of, but I only had a 18-55 with my last camera, now ive got that and a 55 - 250. I take the camera to so many more places. For instance going to watch the work touch team tonight....id never even bother attempting a picture on the 18-55 lense because I have to be so far back.

I only mention this because getting the twin lense kit worked out a lot cheaper in the long run then getting a single lense kit then buying the bigger lense at a latter date.

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