Camera Gear

[FuzzyB]

I'm on the hunt for either a new DSLR body and/or a high end point and shoot. I'd like to hear what equipment everyone here likes. What works, what doesn't. Combinations that shine.

Years ago, I was traveling to a lot of interesting places, took a bunch of photography classes, and had a nice collection of lenses. After a malfunctioning shutter proved unfixable after a few tries, I sold off the body I was using at the time (Canon 40D). Frustrated with the experience, I sold off the lenses and planned to switch brands. That was shortly before my daughter was born and I had a new camera on order in anticipation of my first child. Due to unforseen complications, she arrived early and the new camera wasn't set to arrive until weeks after she was born. With little time to spare, I ordered a quick fix to have a new body arrive in time. Long story short, that is how I ended up with the Canon Rebel T3i. I had always used Canon gear, so it was familiar. It was intended as a quick fix, but somehow I never got around to finding a more long-term solution.

Now with two young kinds and a house with horrendously bad lighting, I've been on the hunt for a new camera. The T3i is perfectly acceptable when the lighting is good, but anything above ISO 400 is too noisy. I've been looking at the Canon 6D and 7DII as possible replacements, as well as the 5DIII. I've also read some great reviews for some point and shoots that take excellent low light shots. I've been leaning towards the 6D for its full frame sensor, but the 7DII's autofocus system seems much more advanced. With the kids constantly moving, the better AF is a bonus, but the low light conditions I typically shoot in make the full frame attractive. The 5DIII combines the full frame sensor and excellent AF, but is most certainly overkill for my needs. I have never taken the time to learn to use an external flash properly, so many of my issues could probably be solved by mastering that skill first.

I'm curious what everyone here uses and why. Asking questions like this on camera forums is like asking which $1000 watch is the best on WUS, so I thought it would be nice to get a discussion going here.

[CanadianStraps]

I started a similar thread some months ago, but you obviously have more knowledge than I did/do. I ended up with Nikon, doesn't sound like you will with your Canon history. I've also added dedicated lenses for different situations and I'm not getting to shabby at using them.

Anyway, my input would be of little value, but there is lots of excellent photography knowledge that frequents this joint, so I'm sure you'll be well served.

Good luck,

[Henry Krinkle]

I probably can't give much advice. I use a pretty old Olympus DSLR, which is currently having repairs done, and a waterproof point and shoot with an internal lens. I quite like the point and shoot, the Olympus TG-3, but it is not without it's drawbacks. The latest version of it shoots in RAW, finally, but the internal lens means the telephoto is pretty short. It's a great holiday camera though.

[Seriously]

I've also added dedicated lenses for different situations and I'm not getting to shabby at using them.

Anyway, my input would be of little value, but there is lots of excellent photography knowledge that frequents this joint, so I'm sure you'll be well served.

Good luck,

This , but Panasonic GX7 (Micro 4/3 system) + a handful of lenses ... lens mount system is shared with Olympus , so gives you plenty of choice.

I love it and am (hopefully) getting better at it... some days you pick up some great shots , some days no luck ... ~That's photography I suppose.

[gnuyork]

I have several cameras (mostly film) but as far as DSLRs, I have a couple canons - the ancient 1DmkII and the less ancient 5D mkII. I recently gave the 1D to my dad to mess around with, and the 5D only gets used if I need to take low light shots (usually my WURW pics). I also have a few point and shoots, most notably the Leica X1 and my latest purchase (even then was almost a couple years ago) was a Sigma DP2 Merrill camera. That's my very last camera I need to buy for a long while. I've never seen anything better from a file quality standpoint, and that includes $80k pro digital backs. The downside is the camera is pretty horrendous in low light, is slow, clunky and needs to use slow clunky proprietary software to process the raw files.... but when done, pixel peeping is pure joy.

In summary, only the 5DmkII and the Sigma are really used by me these days. Occasionally I'll have the need for the X1, but not often. The sigma spoils it for the rest.

I still use a couple film cameras as well - a 4x5 field camera, and a Leica M6 for street style shooting when I'm in a film mood, which seems to be less these days, but only due to laziness. In a perfect world I would give up all the computer stuff and shoot only film and set my darkroom up properly and make darkroom prints....but really, a lot of effort...one of these days...

[FuzzyB]

Thanks for the posts so far! It's interesting to learn what works well for others.

I have toyed with the idea of switching systems. When my last Canon was struggling, I had made the decision to switch to a micro 4/3 setup. The size and versatility of the micro 4/3 cameras is certainly appealing.

I should also add that although my wife likes taking pictures, she is more hesitant to pick up the DSLR, and when she does, it goes into full auto mode. That is one of the reasons why I'm thinking of adding a good quality point and shoot. Having a great camera is worthless if it just sits there because it's too big.

My main goal with either camera type is something that takes excellent quality pictures. For the point and shoot route, I've been looked at fixed length lenses. If I need the length, I'd rather use the DSLR.

My frustration with the T3i lies mainly with its low light sensitivity. It gets too noisy, too fast.

[FuzzyB]

I have several cameras (mostly film) but as far as DSLRs, I have a couple canons - the ancient 1DmkII and the less ancient 5D mkII. I recently gave the 1D to my dad to mess around with, and the 5D only gets used if I need to take low light shots (usually my WURW pics). I also have a few point and shoots, most notably the Leica X1 and my latest purchase (even then was almost a couple years ago) was a Sigma DP2 Merrill camera. That's my very last camera I need to buy for a long while. I've never seen anything better from a file quality standpoint, and that includes $80k pro digital backs. The downside is the camera is pretty horrendous in low light, is slow, clunky and needs to use slow clunky proprietary software to process the raw files.... but when done, pixel peeping is pure joy.

the Sigma sounds like something I'd have a lot of fun with. Other than the kids, I enjoy shooting outdoors at slow moving objects like trees and buildings. I read up again on the sensor last night and it is quite an interesting design.

Something like the Sigma is really what I'm looking for though. I want one that is more focused in its purpose rather than a general all-rounder that is flexible but does not excel at any one thing.

[Seriously]

the Sigma sounds like something I'd have a lot of fun with. Other than the kids, I enjoy shooting outdoors at slow moving objects like trees and buildings. I read up again on the sensor last night and it is quite an interesting design.

Something like the Sigma is really what I'm looking for though. I want one that is more focused in its purpose rather than a general all-rounder that is flexible but does not excel at any one thing.

I went looking at it a couple of months ago too based on GNuyork's suggestion - There's three versions , all with different lenses, so just pick the one that suits your proposed main area.

DP1 Merrill 19(28)mm F2.8
DP2 Merrill 30(45)mm F2.8
DP3 Merrill 50(75)mm F2.8

They seem to offer the DP2 and 3 near me for ~£300, but the DL1 is nearly £800

[FuzzyB]

I went looking at it a couple of months ago too based on GNuyork's suggestion - There's three versions , all with different lenses, so just pick the one that suits your proposed main area.

DP1 Merrill 19(28)mm F2.8
DP2 Merrill 30(45)mm F2.8
DP3 Merrill 50(75)mm F2.8

They seem to offer the DP2 and 3 near me for ~£300, but the DL1 is nearly £800

I read a review of it last night from a guy who liked it so much he had all three versions of it. That might be a excessive but considering they are about the price of a decent lens or even less, it may actually make some sense.

It looks like there are some decent deals to be had for it over here, too.

I may be tempted to find a cheap one to play around with. The people that understand its limitations and capabilities adore it. The only negative reviews I have found are from those that expect it to perform like a typical camera.

[FuzzyB]

This , but Panasonic GX7 (Micro 4/3 system) + a handful of lenses ... lens mount system is shared with Olympus , so gives you plenty of choice.

I love it and am (hopefully) getting better at it... some days you pick up some great shots , some days no luck ... ~That's photography I suppose.

What kinds of lenses do you have for your Panasonic? I have a ~8 year old Panasonic point and shoot that I really like and a slightly younger waterproof Panasonic.