DSLR recomendation

[jrobie79]

I've been browsing some of the photo threads and I'm looking to buy a DSLR camera. I'm thinking used, because I just want something I can screw around with without spending a ton of cash.

I had previously borrowed a buddies Canon 40D and that seemed to fit the bill perfectly fine, and I was looking to pick one of those up for my purpose but figured I'd ask you guys. The only downside to that 40D was its size. I like to hike and backpack a lot so something smaller would be beneficial

**My bad, wrong forum. mods please move**

[dillon7]

I have a canon t2i and I absolutely love it. Plenty used ones for sale. The better option is to buy one refurbished from canon. Basically a brand new camera for a cheaper price.

[mrsleeve]

I will get back to this when I get to my computer

If small and compact is what your after then I really recommend the m4/3 format I get lambasted for it but I will elaborate more in this evening, I have a 40d I might consider selling as well

[Steven]

See this thread. There was a hugeeeee debate on cameras in it

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=283523

[3vilE30]

I shoot with a 60D with old Pentax glass. Honestly if your just going to mess around and stuff go with a mirrorless preferably the nex line of Sony cameras. I rarely use my camera now a days because its just to bulky for my needs and its not much bigger then the rebel series.

[Cabriolet]

i have a 60D, hate it. the t4i is the same, also meh. the t3i was better.
for low end i would have gone nikon if i had to do it again.

[Fusion]

^ Would you guys rcmd the 60D for product photography?
I'm looking for a pro-ish camera for mainly this use. Size or weight isn't really an issue since it'll mostly be on a tripod. I had a borrowed Nikon D3000, which wasn't bad, though I'd like something with a little more settings like more AF points, maybe higher ISO and stuff and easier manual settings than the D3000.

[mrsleeve]

^
with decent glass and little technique you should be fine.

OP it all depends on what you want, and what your priorities are if smaller, lighter, and less intrusive is what tops your list then Mirrorless is the way you want to go. Everyone has jumped on this band wagon in recent years and as far as I am concerned M4/3 has the best collection of glass in the segment. Yeah Nex series from Sony are decent bodies but there is little in the way of native glass for them. Besides the 16.3mp Sensors in the latests offerings in M4/3 form olympus are sony tech.

I shoot with both, there are places where you need the bigger sensors and better A/F tracking like in sports, kids, and other similar things.

Here I will let some pics make my argument for me, with out going into lots of specifics and specs, and sticking with the size argument for hiking and back packing.

My travel rig is a Olympus OMD-EM5 and 3 fast primes all in 17mm F1.8 45mm F1.8 and 75mm F1.8 With all the extras, filters and other shit it all fits in a crumpler "haven" medium sized, and tossed into my daily back pack. I have it with me 95% of the time.




17mm on left, 75mm mounted and 45mm on right all with CPL's on the front. (for 35mm Focal equivalent double the stated length)


This is cell phone pic of it next to my 40d's replacement a 6D with a 24-105 F4L and CPL on the front. The whole OMD kit weighs a tad bit more than just the glass on my 6d.


Now I dont normally travel with my canon outfit but I just picked that up for a killer deal while at work and have not been home to drop it off. I decided to jump to full frame for doing some more night landscapes and what not where the smaller sensor hinders my IQ.

if you look though the photo thread or though my flicker you will see that many of the shots I have up loaded were taken with my M4/3's outfit.

If you want compact and more budget minded new stuff, my suggestion is a Oly EP-5 a 45mm F1.8 17mm F2.8 and a zoom of your choice

[Exodus_2pt0]

I picked up a refurb Olympus E420 a couple years ago for cheap.

Small (much smaller than my sister in laws t3), cheap, and it is a dslr. It can take better photo's than I can setup at this point. I hike a lot as well in the summer and this is about as big as I'm willing to carry.

Just throwing it out there, I think I paid $250 for mine.

[mrsleeve]

^

the E series sensor is still the same size as the m4/3 sensor, just with a little bigger 4/3's lens mount. Its the the original senors in of this size and while many reviews place the colors as more vibrant and natural than its competitors from the time frame, I still think if your looking for a rig with a sensor this size you would be better off with trying to find E5xx or go with a more more modern M4/3's with the Sony sensor

[UpstateMike]

I have a Sony alpha 300. It's an older model. I bout it about 5 years ago when my daughter was born. I like it because the screen tilts both up and down. A good feature when you want to take a shot from the ground without laying in the dirt or when you want an overhead shot and you want to be able to see what you are shooting. The camera can be had on eBay for cheap money.

[3vilE30]

^ Would you guys rcmd the 60D for product photography?
I'm looking for a pro-ish camera for mainly this use. Size or weight isn't really an issue since it'll mostly be on a tripod. I had a borrowed Nikon D3000, which wasn't bad, though I'd like something with a little more settings like more AF points, maybe higher ISO and stuff and easier manual settings than the D3000.

Ehh for canon their semi-pro cameras are hit and miss best bang for your buck is anything off their rebel line ie t2i/3/4/5. You don't really need more af points for product photography since it'll be on the tripod most of the time. For iso performance the t4i is your best bet since its newer. I bought a 60d because I use it for alot of things its a great all around camera.

[Jorgen]

had a t2i loved it now I am on a Nikon D5100 nice camera as well. I my only complaint about the Nikon is that the feature layout isnt' what I am used to from my T2i. both are good base cameras.