Digi SLR - help me choose (oh no not another of these threads)

[tigersaw]

Inspired by the digi SLR threads I've read, I took a look round the shops this morning. No deals out there at the moment that I can see.

I like the positive reviews both on this forum and on the net re the Nikon D40, and had a hold of one today. I also very much liked the 'feel' of the Olympus E400, which is a tad cheaper. The only other I've held is Canon EOS 350(?), which from memory felt quite a lump.

My main main most main desire is something thats ready to go in an instant. Turn on and click click click. No shutter lag, no focusing, just do it and worry about the shot later, since working at an airport many times a photo opportunity comes then dissappears within seconds.

I gues then what I want is a camera that when fired up, and correctly preset, will instantly be ready and with the lens set at infinity focus, or whatever I pre-set.

Maybe I dont need a SLR at all, there is an alternative? Any advice?

[wheelnut]

I went into the camera shop with your very question and added tell me why I need an SLR camera. Within about 20 minutes I was walking out with a Panasonic DMC TZ3 which is a compact in a metal case, auto everything, 10x zoom and 7.2 megapixels. It has a 3 '' screen and came with Scart Leads, USB cables and software for the PC.

If I sound like I know what Im talking about, I apologise, I took it to Donington and took 180 pictures and saved about 150 decent ones.

It does everything, has just won some award (TIPA 2007) and cost me £249

[tigersaw]

I went into the camera shop with your very question and added tell me why I need an SLR camera. Within about 20 minutes I was walking out with a Panasonic DMC TZ3 ...

How fast is it from turning on to taking the first picture? - ideally I'm looking for something thats ready instantly, and no shutter lag.

(Must admit to liking panasonic digi cameras, got a 12x zoom 3mpix one, its still fantastic 2 years later)

Edit - just read a few reviews, looks a bit slow in that department, though it has some redeeming features. 30fps 1280x720 video for instance...

[fizzwheel]

If I want to take quick pics, I use my D40 in "Auto" mode camera does everything all you have to do is point and click. There is a short manual aspect of twiddling the zoom ring on the lens to get what you want reasonably in focus.

The big benefit of the DSLR for me is that when you press the shutter button it takes the shot instantly, Its the one thing that narks me about my compact is the shutter lag.

[the_lone_wolf]

if all you want is fast pictures i'd recommend the Fuji f31fd, i bought it because of the short startup time. have just timed it, less than 3 seconds from pressing the on button to the shutter going and the first picture being taken, there is no shutter lag at all, i managed to capture the cannons going off at the palio in siena this year. has a big bright LCD screen, 6MP is enough for most applications and i'm very pleased with the results i've got so far, all the shots of my bikes on this forum were taken with this camera and downsized to 900x675 pixels

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Fujifilm/fuji_finepixf31fd.asp

[tigersaw]

Even 3 seconds might be a long time.. as an example, on pushback on a cold morning, you sometimes see a puff what looks like steam from the rear of the jet engine, and you know most prob its gonna ignite - its looks cool. You usually have a second or two warning, though I guess reaction time might be longer than that.

Question for the D40 folk - I read there is a sleep mode, where it can awaken and take a picture in less than a blink of an eye - this true?

In fact - do an experiment for me - turn it off on the desk, leave the lens cap off, and focus at infinity, (is that poss?) - now pick it up and turn it on and take a pic - dont even wait for the display or try and frame your shot, just grab and shoot.
How quick, and whats the pic like?

Lone wolf - some of your pics have been stunning, must admit

[Ed]

I have a Canon EOS400D. It will do everything you ask above - and more. The key is not shutter lag but having a fast memory card. The cheap ones just won't recycle quickly enough so you need a Sandisk Gold or better.

[rigor]

I have a Canon EOS400D. It will do everything you ask above - and more. The key is not shutter lag but having a fast memory card. The cheap ones just won't recycle quickly enough so you need a Sandisk Gold or better.


Agree with Ed, 400D is a great camera, and just tried a little experiment. Let the camera go into standy by then picked it up and took a shot. Instant, before the screen had even come on the pic had been taken. So should do what you want it to do.

[fizzwheel]

In fact - do an experiment for me - turn it off on the desk, leave the lens cap off, and focus at infinity, (is that poss?) - now pick it up and turn it on and take a pic - dont even wait for the display or try and frame your shot, just grab and shoot.
How quick, and whats the pic like?

Just tried I'm indoors so that pics not that interesting, but its definatly in focus and it even worked out it needed the flash and popped that up to. All in Auto mode. I didnt wait for the screen to come on I just pointed and shot.

Response from the camera was pretty instant, certainly quicker than the shutter delay on my compact. I reckon probably .25 of a second, you'd definatly not miss those "I wish I had my camera moments" IMHO. Its difficult to time the response as its that fast.

HTH

[Biker_Billy]

remember you have to take the lens cap off:) must add a second or 2

[tigersaw]

remember you have to take the lens cap off:) must add a second or 2

It'd already be off, just sitting on the desk.
Lens caps for transport only. From my old SLR days, I remember you can get your lens pretty dusty without it mattering. In fact things used to grow inside them without making any difference to the picture.

[Biker_Billy]

It'd already be off, just sitting on the desk.
Lens caps for transport only. From my old SLR days, I remember you can get your lens pretty dusty without it mattering. In fact things used to grow inside them without making any difference to the picture.

I know, was kidding, I use a 350D, hate the lag my compact has...

[Warren]

nikon D40 is pretty quick,
you can leave it on, and it goes into sleep mode, and takes a picture quicker than you can imagine.

but get a hi speed memory card, that will really make the difference inbetween taking shot after shot.

[tigersaw]

nikon D40 is pretty quick,
you can leave it on, and it goes into sleep mode, and takes a picture quicker than you can imagine.

but get a hi speed memory card, that will really make the difference inbetween taking shot after shot.


Its looking like thats the favourite, but will keep an open mind.
Its a bugger its now back to full price, though I could go get the D40X for the same price if I could be bothered with the 150 mile round trip and the time to go to Gatwick duty free

[wheelnut]

You see. I told you I didnt know what I was talking about but I have learnt a lot today.

Until I get this Panasonic sussed it will do me for now

[Jdubya]

I agree with Ed and Rigor on the Canon 400D. As with most new cameras they have a sleep mode which is handy for those quick pictures. The other option is to look at "bridge" cameras...similar spec to the dslr but smaller in size and not as many lens options but they can be good value for money. Pixmania is a good source to look at to compare prices and cameras

HTH

J

[tigersaw]

Well I went to Jessops this afternoon and had a play. It was a straight 2 horse race between the 400D and the 40X, both suited my requirements exactly. Finally plummed for the 40X, Jessops reckoned the kit lens to be a tad better, (and I wont ever be changing lenses), and it takes SD memory which I already have plenty of. Prices were the same taking into account the canon cashback.
Battery on charge, now getting impatient.

[Ed]

Glad you got yourself sorted. But you can't use any old SD memory, you really must buy a fast card, it makes a huge difference. You will get impatient else, and blame the camera. A memory upgrade is worth the spend IMHO.

[tigersaw]

Glad you got yourself sorted. But you can't use any old SD memory, you really must buy a fast card, it makes a huge difference. You will get impatient else, and blame the camera. A memory upgrade is worth the spend IMHO.


Ta - what looks to be best is sandisk 2gb expert III for £16 delivered from play.com

4Gb is more than twice the price, so 2x2Gb if nescessary.

Been playing around using an old 1GB sandisk, had no probs as yet.

Thanks for all the advice and comments within this thread from everyone

[Warren]

wicked,
the D40 really is a great camera, just a shame you missed out on the nikon cash back offer really.

[tigersaw]

wicked,
the D40 really is a great camera, just a shame you missed out on the nikon cash back offer really.

Too flippin right! One of the reasons I went for the 40x and not the 40, was that I would be miffed paying £65 more for it than a couple of weeks ago!

Trouble is, there will be a cashback on the 40x next week, just you see.

[Beenz]

Glad you got yourself sorted. But you can't use any old SD memory, you really must buy a fast card, it makes a huge difference. You will get impatient else, and blame the camera. A memory upgrade is worth the spend IMHO.

...err please correct me if I'm wrong but surely this only matters if shooting continous shots for a while. Even sports panning shots you might get two maybe three frames done before the subject has gone past. Mirror blackout reduces the benefit of a shed full of frames cos you'll not be able to see the subject with an SLR. I would guess few people want to shoot more than one frame per second in anyway in RAW mode.

Anyway good choice the D40X (or D40 for that matter) IMHO, I've been using Nikon kit for many years and have been very pleased with both the hardware and the customer service. The Canon offerings are also very good.

[Amanda M]

Excellent choice. I have a D40 and love it :D Did you get the 55-200mm lens with it too?

[tigersaw]

Excellent choice. I have a D40 and love it :D Did you get the 55-200mm lens with it too?

No - Though I may well have an old Nikon zoom lens somewhere that will fit, allbeit manual focus