Opinions on Digital SLR Cameras

[Eggie]

Does anybody have experience with the Canon Digital Rebel XT?

We just ordered one from Circuit City and now the lady from Ritz has me freaked out because she swears I won't be happy with the results when I shoot action photos from the boat. She swears by the Minolta Maxuum because the image stabilization is built into the camera not the lens.

Any opinions ? Thanks ....

[skiinxs]

RE: Opinions on Digital SLR Cameras

Do you have Canon lenses already? If so I would go with the camera you have ordered.

I am not familiar with the Minolta, it is not really very widely used.

I just sold my Nikon D100 that I had for three years and bought the new Nikon D200. Canon and Nikon both make great DSLR’s. There is a lot of brand loyalty to each (sounds familiar doesn’t it). The VR lenses (vibration reduction) are far superior to any in-camera electronic image stabilization (video cameras use electronic stabilation). The VR lenses contain computers and actually move lens elements to compensate for vibration. This lets you shoot around 3 stops slower and still hand-hold. What this means to you is that if you are shooting at 400mm, instead of having to use at least a 1/400 shutter speed, you can shoot at around 1/50th of a second and expect most of the pics to be sharp. Since a tripod doesn’t help you in a moving boat, hand holding the camera is your only real option. (Tracker mounts induce boat vibration)

I have a Nikon 80-400 VR which works great for skiing. Nikon just released a new 18-200 VR lens that will be even better for shooting from the boat. I am not as familiar with Canon lenses, but they also make some excellent Vibration Reduction lenses. If you want to see some photos that I shot with my D100, you can see them at http://www.printroom.com/pro/skiinxs If you have any other questions feel free to email me at skiinxs at prodigy.net (replace the “at” with an “@”).
Dave

[G-man]

RE: Opinions on Digital SLR Cameras

I'm waiting on a Nikon D200, just sold a Fuji S-2. I guess I'm old school and don't have any image stabilzation lenses but they are nice. You get what you pay for and in 6 months it's worth half. I have heard good thing about the Canons and use to shoot with them long before auto focus.

[sperbet]

RE: Opinions on Digital SLR Cameras

I really know nothing about cameras, but am a regular on WW. Pretty much everyone that posts really high quality images uses either the Canon Rebel XT, and 10 or 20D. Not sure if that means much to you, but if everyone over there is using them for action shooting I think you should be fine. I'm also considering buying the same camera you just ordered.

[M3Fan]

RE: Opinions on Digital SLR Cameras

You'll be very happy with the XT. It will be fun to learn how to use it and "grow into it". You will be shooting high shutter speeds anyway to freeze action- vibration reduction, or IS in canon lenses, is not really an issue shooting on the boat for action. I would reccommend a telephoto lens. There is a great starter tele lens made by Canon that will be fine for the boat- EF 75-300MM. Should cost about 200 bucks max. That, plus the kit lens, will cover most situations nicely. I'd reccommend the following settings for shooting from the boat:
1. Drive mode: Continuous
2. Probably ISO 200-400 depending on sunlight
3. Av mode with low apature number, as low as possible. (this will force high shutter speeds to compensate for exposure by the camera)
4. Use only the central focus point (set it to be the only active focal point)

Good IS lenses can start at around 500.00- I'd hold off on one for now. Just use what you have, with perhaps a cheaper telephoto lens, for the moment. You should be able to get some great shots with that setup.
The camera has a built in sport-mode but I find the constant AF action sometimes focuses on the rope or other features instead of the skier.

With DSLR's I'd only go with Nikon or Canon.

[Mikeski]

RE: Opinions on Digital SLR Cameras

I have the Nikon D50, a 18-70mm (from the D70's), and an old 70-200mm autofocus lens. I was raised with Nikon cameras so I stuck with Nikon for the lenses and familair control/feel. I am quite happy with the D50, a co-worker just picked one up from Costco, and another co-worker has a D100 so I also have a decent Nikon support group. One of my friends has the digital rebel and another has the 20D. They are all great cameras but I am all thumbs with the Canon control layout so the Nikon works best for me.

Ignore the lady from Ritz.

My next lens will be the 18-200VR lens, probably a birthday present to myself next month.

[skiinxs]

RE: Opinions on Digital SLR Cameras

If you have a boat that has a lot of side spray or huge roostertail (most wakeboard boats) you may have much better results using manual focus when shooting from the boat. If you sit close to the rope attachment point (behind pylon or below tower) the focus point for skiers and boarders will stay pretty constant. You won't have to wait for the autofocus to lock on or get out of focus pics because it locked on the sidespray, roostertail, or rope. for skiing pics I find that my best shots are from the bank, not the boat.
Dave

[Luke]

RE: Opinions on Digital SLR Cameras

I’d recommend staying with Canon or Nikon. Can’t go wrong with either. You should be happy with your XT, very nice camera for the price.

The IS doesn’t really matter for shooting action water shots as you’ll want your shutter speeds set high enough that IS won’t matter. IS is to reduce blurring from hand shake; it does nothing to help stabilize a moving object. IS will allow you to shoot slower shutter speeds and still get a sharp picture.

If you think you want IS, Canon has a good line up of them that will fit the XT. What lens and features you want really depends on what type of shooting you will be doing and the typical conditions you will be shooting in.

[Eggie]

RE: Opinions on Digital SLR Cameras

thanks everyone for your responses. We got the camera and bought the cheap canon 75-300mm lens. $160 rebate on camera that was on sale @ CC for $899 plus 10% of purchase price back in CC dollars. not bad now to figure out how to use the thing...

thanks again

[M3Fan]

That lens will be just fine for ski pics. Great value. Here's a quick shot from last summer using the same setup- but with the 300D instead of the 350 (don't mind the crappy skier):

[M3Fan]

Another

[skinautique]

looks like a nice picture and a nice place to ski. where are you skiing at?

[east tx skier]

My mom has the digital rebel and takes excellent pictures with it. Images from the boat she took on one of her visits turned out extremely well.

I have the Minolta Maxxum 5D and have been extremely pleased with the images I've gotten so far. I got it after the boat was put away so the from the o-seat shots have not been taken yet. But the image stabilization in the body is a great feature. Another deciding factor for me was the fact that I could use my minolta lenses from my Maxxum 9 35mm SLR.

In the end, both are great cameras in my experience. I am very satisfied with my Minolta. Hope Sony doesn't discontinue everything K-M.

[97sport]

M3fan, looks like your running a little late. Just joken, nice action pic.