WHY?!? Why am i thinking i need an SLR, and thinking of going 35mm?

OK. This might sound stupid.

I have a sony dsc F717, and I use it quite a bit. I like the camera. I have
owned it since last April, and so I am going on a year with it.

When I bought it, I thought "good, now I wont have to buy anything else for
some time", but now I am starting to feel as though it is really not doing
the job for me I would like.
I have thought of this rationally, there are a few features that I can
simply love about the camera, such as its awesome macro capabilities, and
nice zeiss lens (whether it is just the coating or not, its a nice lens).

But there are a few things that I don't like, one of them being the lack of
a changeable lens, a fixed 5x zoom, and a relatively tame "wide" angle zoom
out.

Added to that, I still am paying this sucker off. I got it before the price
started to plummet, and I owe about 80% on it still.

I don't really know if I would benefit very much from moving to the digital
rebel right now. That isn't to say that I am not interested in DSLR, quite
the opposite, I very much AM interested in it, but for now I feel for some
reason like I would do well to explore SLR in general, and that puzzles me.
I mean, there are all the added costs of developing, scanning (I don't have
a good scanner, I would get photo cd's made), and buying film.
I don't want to give up on digital, just to carry both camera's when I go
out, and use both of them for different things.

I know that when I do go DSLR, I will go canon. It is a personal preference
that I have formed.
As such, I have been looking at getting myself a decent used canon which
takes EF mount lenses (so I can use the lenses on whatever DSLR I get in the
next few years).

WHAT ARE GOOD OPTIONS FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME?
I was looking at the EOS Kiss, until I found out it was just a variation on
the rebel, which as I understand it is a crippled camera for consumers.
What about the late 1980's type cameras? The EOS-850 for instance?

I don't want to spend much more than $200 Canadian for a used camera, but as
I understand it, a good camera from the late 1980s that takes current lens
technology will do me as well as a brand new ELAN 7 will, yes?

What do you think. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

A friend of mine recently picked up a good deal on a secondhand EOS 50E. I
see quite a few EOS 50 and EOS 10s for sale in the "used equipment" section
of the photography shops I'm familliar with, and you could do a lot worse
than either of those.

 

Be wary of older EOS-mount lenses, canon, sigma or other 3rd party.
They may not work on newer EOS cameras (and DSLRs) without
being "rechipped." Basically a firmware upgrade. I have
some sigma and canon lenses from the 1990s that worked
on the elan II and 7, but not on a D60 or 10D. I don't
know what fee canon (sigma, etc) charges for the upgrade.

To answer your other questions, get a used elan, even elan I or II
are great cameras. Try to get only IS lenses. You'll likely
be glad you did and save money in the long run because you won't
be keep upgrading. So buy the best lens you can afford as a
good lens will last a long time, unlike camera bodies.

Roger
Photos, digital info at:
http://www.clarkvision.com

 

It seems, that needs aside, you really WANT a film SLR camera. Yes, you
get changeable lenses, at considerable expense, and through the lens
viewing (which you ALREADY have on the F717). But if what you want it a
film SLR, go for it! You might want to keep the digital also.

 

From: "Roger N. Clark (change username to rnclark)"

Which Canon EOS lenses do not work on newer Canon EOS
bodies, digital or film? Last time I checked all old Canon EOS
lenses still work perfectly on the newest cameras.
Exception being the new 18-55 sold with the digital Rebel is
not backwards compatible to any film bodies.
Sigma lenses are the ones to watch out for...

 

I was looking at the EOS Kiss, until I found out it was just a variation on

The newest Rebel cameras are hardly crippled.They have about
the most features of about any low priced camera made in the history
of photography. Other brands are right up there too..

Keep your digital and supplement it with a Canon Rebel Ti for
$200 and sounds like you need a wide angle lens too...so
budget for a 28,24,20, etc also.
An old 850 body is far behind the newest technology and autofocus
is horribly slow compared to todays models..
By now an 850 will probably need new shutter bumpers as they are
failing now in the old EOS bodies and cost at least $100 to repair.

 

Why do you feel limited with a Sony 717. It is one helluva camera.
What would you do with the Film SLR that you can't do with the 717?
Of course, if you just WANT a film SLR, Hell! Just get one. You don't have to
justify the logic to yourself or anyone else.
If it will make you happy and give you pleasure, get one and have fun playing
with it. That's what life is all about.
Bob Williams

 

The EOS 850 is just as crippled in that it lacks a Quick Control Dial
(thumb wheel on the back of the camera) to change the aperture. Same
with the EOS 600 series. So, in that respect you'd be better off
spending the extra money on a new Rebel.

Depends on if you do much in manual mode. This is where the QCD
really shines. Without the QCD you need to press a button behind the
lens mount and turn the exposure dial to change the aperture. Turning
only the exposure dial will change the shutter speed in manual mode.

If you shoot in Program and Priority modes most of the time any EOS
will be fine. If you use manual mode even semi-frequently get one
with a QCD.

Michael

 

Subject: WHY?!? Why am i thinking i need an SLR, and thinking of going 35mm?

Canon EOS 10s
Canon EOS 600 (called the EOS 630 in the U.S.)
Canon EOS Elan
Canon EOS Elan II(e)
Canon A2(e) (EOS 5 outside the U.S.)

The first two may have problems w/ the shutter brake pads deteriorating which
is about a $100 (U.S.) fix/repair. I believe both the 600/630, the 10s and the
A2 (or A2e w/ eye control focus) all have 5 f.p.s. morordrives. The 600/630 has
a metal chasis outer frame and is the only one w/o a built-in flash, though its
built like a brick. The a2 variations have been known to have problems w/ their
command dials spinning/being unable to lock into an exposure mode detent (ie.
like aperture priority)? though Ihave heard that either Canon? and/or Canon
authorized? dealers may be able to fix this problem once it does/if it does
break. The Elans add a silent belt drive for their motors w/ their motordrives
running about 2 1/2 frames per second. The Elan IIe has eye control in which by
looking at an AF sensor you can direct the camera where to focus just w/ your
eyes (requires you to calibrate the camera to your particular eyes though) and
also has flash exposure lock for great flash exposure w/ the subject off center
against a bright or dark background. You'll have to do some checking on prices
and features here as they are too numerous to mention. All are great cameras
capable of excellent pictures. Got to photozone.de (right URL?) or to
www.camerareview.com or www.photographyreview.com (you may have to click on a
link on the web page that says "include older cameras" or the like) for some
user comments. KEH (in the state of Georgia in the U.S.) is known for their
great condiotion used gear at a reasonable price (I believe I have heard their
lower rating of "bargain" is equivalent to other people'sstores higher rating
of excellent, I believe). Also do searches on google for these cameras under
this newsgroups archives to find out more opinions.

Hope this helps.

 

Agree with this recommendation. I have 2 EOS 10 bodies and think they
still stand comparison with today's mid-range EOS models. My daughter
also had a 50E for several years, also a fine camera.

BTW (to original poster) it is a bit excessive to cross post to so many
groups. FU set to r.p.e.35mm.

 

Agreed; the official Canon position is that every Canon EF lens ever
made will work on all the EOS bodies (the EF-S 18-55 is a notable - and
in my view regrettable - exception, which is why it is not described as
"EF" of course). My own experience, involving my 5 (and my daughter's 3)
EOS bodies, of 7 different varieties, including a 10D, and a lot of
lenses, is that this is absolutely true.

So, Roger N. Clark, perhaps you could give us chapter and verse - we are
all willing to be proved wrong if you have some interesting facts to put
forward, but I suspect you simply got carried away after hearing stories
about Sigma (not Canon) EF mount lenses.

The Sigma problem is of course well-documented; the solution is simple,
don't buy Sigma lenses unless you want to risk it being useless at some
future date.

 

My advice is that you first evaluate your priorities, and get your
lifestyle into better shape.

You need to get out of debt, before you purchase unnecessary camera
gear.

Let's see now...
You write that during the past ten months you were able to pay only
20% of the US$708 (Sony Cybershot DSC-F717 camera) cost, and yet you
now want to buy a US$899 camera (Canon EOS 300D Digital Rebel).

You already have experienced the dramatic depreciation that comes
hand-in-hand with digital photography. You might still owe more to
the bank (at 18%-20% compound interest?) than what your depreciated
F717 attracts on the used market.

The charge card bank might profit from your purchases, but digital
photography just might lead towards your financial ruination.

Of course, the others posting to this forum are nothing other than
enablers of your addictive behavior. <grin>

One of the first rules about being a gearhead addict is to be able to
afford what it costs to play in the photography sandbox.
___________________
___________________

 

Don't be so quick to write of the Canon Rebel Ti (aka 300V).

If I were you I'd first ask what you are using the camera for. If its
landscapes and portraits then it really is worth thinking of going
digital because you can't beat them for this kind of photography. If
its wildlife/sports/action then you aren't going to get anything that
will fulfil your needs at any price less than the budget of a small
nation, and a film camera will be good (only?) choice.

I've owned the 300V for a year now (my first camera) and have been
delighted with it. Bear in mine that the real investment is in the
lenses/tripod not the camera. If its going to get bashed about in the
field, and in six months time you going to be wanting more features,
then by a cheap body and run it into the ground - then in a couple of
years buy a camera worthy of your skills.

I've no regrets buying the canon 300V. It gives me all the feautres I
need to experiment with and the lens collection I've amassed I'll use
when I get my next EOS.

Rachel

 

In short: Stop obsessing over the camera's supposed shortcomings. The
specific equipment DOESN'T MATTER! Worry instead about composing and
taking good pictures.

Heed his warning!

Whatever you do, DO NOT visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CanonFD/messages
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NikonMF/messages
or any other groupd of 'enabling' nutcases.

Heh...

If you MUST buy 35mm film equipment, start with a cheap, primitive,
manual everything camera. Who cares if the equipment is 'obsolete,' it
is dirt cheap and takes fantastic pictures. Besides saving a ton of
money, I think the 'primitive' mindset will do you some good. Play with
it for a few months, THEN decide if you still feel the need to drop a
sh*tload on the latest and greatest automagic offering. If you decide
you don't like the old camera, you can sell it for what you paid.

Canon, Nikon, Oly, etc. all produced a wide variety of sturdy,
functional equipment. Message boards like the two mentioned above are a
good source of info for older equipment. I recenty found an excellent
AE-1P with a nearly-new 28mm Canon FD lens for $120 at the local camera
shop. (Using the old clunker is strangely satisfying; I've actually
left my wizz-bang T90 at home a time or two.) If you're willing to
brave ebay, even better deals can be found.

Remember, it's not the camera that takes the picture.

-Greg