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Camera Buying help

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J-Wallz
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 54
I used to work with film alot in high school having access to a darkroom whenever i wanted but now im in college and no darkroom so i want to get a digital camera but i just dont know where to start looking so im hoping newschoolers will help me out

im looking at either new or used digital SLR camera


Budget:
my budget is from about 400-700 i can acsess more just what i want to spend on it.

Experience:
i took several photography classes but those invoved almost all film. i used a canon A-1 for all my film photography it was pretty basic but got me some sweet photos. i have very little experience with a dslr but i know photography basics.
here is a pic of my wall with some of my favorite prints.
Click for larger image

Gear:
i have very little gear currently i have a tripod and a few older camra lenses and memory cards

purpose:
i mainly want a camera that will give me a little bit of everything. i plan to use it to photograph skiing but other scenes and i love to play with lighting like any other photographer. as seen in the photo i have pics of nature to people and skiing. also a video feature would be nice for some primative filming of skiing.

Shooting Style:
when taking pictures i love to get up close to the action so macro features would be nice. i also like to use tripods and long exposures for blurs and other effects

computer:
if relevant i have a hp laptop 6gb ram, 2.6ghz centrino 2, nvidia graphics, 500gb hd. use it for some gaming and has tons of space. i use photo shop cs2 currently for some editing

Features i would like:
sequence modes
panorama modes
full manual zoom and focus options
video capability


thanks for any help advice i just have no idea where to start looking for this. please dont be like "buy this camera!!! it r teh greatest!!! zomg" if u recomend me a camera give me a reason why so i can compare it

if theres anything i forgot let me know
+k to helpful replies






Sep 20 2010 12:11AM
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.jr
Posts: 5313 - Karma: 356
your older lenses, what mount? any lenses of value?
Sep 20 2010 12:59AM
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J-Wallz
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 54
i dont remember exactly the back at my parents house
Sep 20 2010 9:42PM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
well the a-1 is an fd mount, so unfortunately that glass is next to useless. you can get it adapted but the adapters have to have glass in them to allow for infinity focus, and that glass is almost never as good as the glass in your lens.


but if you want video, you pretty much have to go canon. sorry to all the nikon lovers, they have sick still only cameras, but they are seriously lagging when it comes to video.

however canons cheapest vdslr is still well outside your price range.
Sep 20 2010 10:55PM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
I can only vouch for my D90. But, I love it. Don't do any serious video but it's nice to have.  I have a 17-70mm sigma I use that has macro. Its a good all around lens. Nothing great though.

Get Lightroom for your computer. ($99 for students!)

D90's will be cheap due to the D7000 release. But if you have Canon lenses then you would probably want to go that direction.

I heard they're selling used for $550, and that's amazing in my book. But shop around. That's my 2cents on my D90.
Sep 20 2010 10:58PM
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canterbury
Posts: 2382 - Karma: 55
I'll attest to this. My experience with adapting FD to EOS was one of disappointment, the adapter that I bought from B@H didn't fit the lens properly . Keep the old glass for your slr, but don't bother trying to use it on digital (at least canon anyways)
Sep 20 2010 11:13PM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
i dont think you can adapt fd to anything else really, because of an incredibly close Focal Flange Distance. other lenses are easily adaptable to canons ef mount because they are all further from the film/sensor. unfortunately, the FD mount is actually closer than even the EF mount, so you cant focus to infinity without extra glass.
Sep 20 2010 11:19PM
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J-Wallz
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 54
bump
Sep 22 2010 12:07PM
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haay
Posts: 209 - Karma: 13
i have a nikon d3000 with the new nikkor af-s dx vr 55-300 lens and the stock 18-55. i also have a precision design fisheye attachment and its all anyone would ever need haha, i love it. i would def recommend this set up to anyone.
Sep 25 2010 4:23PM
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haay
Posts: 209 - Karma: 13
however, im pretty stoked about the d7000 release so ill prob pick that up soon
Sep 25 2010 4:24PM
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SWAG.
Posts: 242 - Karma: 25
i recommend a t2i because t2i photos almost look as good as 7d photos and its great for the value.
Sep 28 2010 9:16PM
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50in07
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 1,471
I own a T2i and I love it but if he is going to film school it probly isn't the best idea.
Sep 28 2010 9:20PM
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