DSLR questions : lenses, body ...

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/03/2003 12:00:04 AM · #1

I start to dream about a digital SLR ... like everybody I am reading/comparing d60/s2/s100.
I actually had some questions ....

Q1)In addition to the 1.3 or 1.6x factor to the focal range .. is there any change in the aperture ?
Not sure the question is relevant but if you have like a 1.8 50mm, do you get a 1.8 80mm ?

Q2)An other question is ,on my s30, when I am at 80mm equivalent, the aperture is 4. Does it mean that with a 1.8/50 becoming a 1.8/80, I would be able to take at 100ISO the shot I am taking at 400ISO on the s30(meaning I would get the same speed) ?

Q3) How nice/painfull is it to do manual focus on a digital slr ? Let's say if I can find a fast 1.4/50mm , used, that would not do the autofocus, is it something to consider ?

Q4) I do not have any lens right now, should I consider globally than, except the qualities I would like in the body, bying a canon or a nikon is roughly equivalent as they are both good in lenses, I guess same range of prices (not sure ?) ?

Q5) read the the D60 shutter lag is 1/10 s when the focus is done, is that correct ? I guess s2 and d100 would be the same. Would that mean that, if I am doing manual focusing and press the trigger, the shot would be done 1/10 s later ?

I read the forum, looks like John is thinking about the S2, is there people considering buying a digital SLR in a near/medium future ?

Lionel

PS : bunch of question uh ? (that does not count as an additional one ;-) )

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

01/03/2003 07:12:32 AM · #2

I'll be getting a Nikon D100 in the next 6 months to 1 year. My wife bought a Nikon F80 35mm, and I am buying the lenses. That way I'll be equiped when I get my DSLR. By the way, I think the S2 uses the Nikon body and lenses.

I'm going to wait as long as I can to see if the prices are going to drop. Maybe they'll just replace the existing DSLRs with bigger and better models. We'll see. I don't think I can wait for more than a year. Chances are I'll give in before summer holidays. That's how I got my G2.

Good luck in your shopping.

magnetic9999

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

01/03/2003 07:37:57 AM · #3

lionel

the only thing that changes as a result of the multiplier effect is the apparent focal length of the lens. not the aperature. not the shutter speed. basically it adds more zoom and makes less wide angle to any given lens.

manual focussing is dependent on a number of factors, not least of which is the sharpness of your eye. it's a lot easier on an slr than on a point and shoot, though. however, few people can focus manually as well as their autofocus systems when dof is critically narrow. your own mileage may vary.

Yes, the brands are roughly equivalent with some similar pricing. There are subtle differences however in noise at high iso, in camera processing, focus speed , things like this. Also the fuji costs a couple hundred more but has firewire built in (useful for transferring those 12 MP images) and has a different ccd technology that produces an image that resolves about the equivalent of 9 MP. i recommend reading the reviews at dpreview.com to get a handle on the specifics.

finally, your assumption about the shutter lag is correct. if you're focused in manual and u press shutter, boom - 1/10 sec later your picture is taken :)

kendall

Nikon D1X

01/03/2003 08:07:00 AM · #4

1/10th shutter lag for the D-100 ?...I didn't know it was that slow. I'm sure that the D-1 and D-1X & H are quite a bit faster than that. In fact just a tad slower than the F5. Maybe thats why the D-100 can only shoot 3 FPS, cause of the lag and the file size and the fact that is has almost no memory buffer

Message edited by author 2003-01-03 08:09:09.

01/03/2003 08:42:01 AM · #5

Kendall : I read 1/10s for the D60 actually. I think it's the exposure calculation and the 'awake time'. When multiple shots are involved it might be a little more as even with a buffer, you still need some processing even very little.

Mag : For sure the firewire connection is a big plus when you reach those size of pictures !!

UberFish

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro

01/03/2003 09:08:43 AM · #6

Im about to order an S2, chosen for the AA batteries, low noise at ISO1600, remote release, price. It really looks like there is not much difference between the D60 D100 and S2, and you will have to decide based on your specific requirements (Cannon's FPS for sports, Nikon's price) . The SD9 dropped out of the running very quickly (ISO400!) although Foveon looks like a good bet in the future.

As for lenses, Its looking like a Tamron 90mm macro and 28-300 zoom, keeping costs down a bit.

There also doesnt appear to be any big announcements in the pipeline, so its not like I'll buy one and find a better model on the shelves next week.

bushfrenzy

Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro

01/03/2003 09:36:29 AM · #7

Uberfish...let me know how that tamron 90 macro is. I'm renting the Nikon 105 macro this weekend to test out. If you can find a used 50mm 1.8, about 100 bucks, i'd suggest it. Sharpest lense i have right now, light and compact!!!!

Lionelm...as for your questions, most were answered. There is no change in aperature with the multiplier. and the multiplier is only really a factor on the low end (16mm, 20mm, wide angle zooms, etc.). I rarely use manual focus with my S1. Autofocus is very good for me (and I use it at weddings, aka dim lit reception halls). Shutterlag for the S1 is probably about 1/10. But anticipating the action (sports and weddings) helps negate this.

I would recommend the S1. I haven't used the S2, but i ordered one in july for a september wedding i was doing. Unfortunately, it wasn't going to arrive in time so i cancelled it. This is actually turning out for the better because i plan on buying a Nikon 80-200 2.8, which is an awesome lens!!!

Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR

01/03/2003 10:47:40 AM · #8

Ubberfish : I did not check the ISO thing but if the s2 goes to 1600 that's a good point. Even with noise.
Do you guys think that going to 800ISO is the same as 400ISO, underexpose bu one stop and adjust in photoshop ? If yes that might help some people in some difficult cases.
The AA battery is a good point for me as well.
Lionel

Yomi

Nikon D850

01/03/2003 10:59:06 AM · #9

The noise in the Nikon at high ISO's is really good. This was taken at 1600 ISO -

I thought about the S2 when I was looking at DSLR's but the AA batteries are what turned me off. I didn't want to have to keep changing them and I didn't know how long they lasted. I new the battery in the Nikon lasted forever. That was just a small thing though. Mine was also price. But I think everything turned out great for me.

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100 VI

01/03/2003 11:14:21 AM · #10

Originally posted by UberFish:

There also doesnt appear to be any big announcements in the pipeline, so its not like I'll buy one and find a better model on the shelves next week.

A full frame (35mm) Nikon is expected. Pentax is supposed to announce an APS-sized CCD (with a 35mm's lens connection) in the fist six months of this year. And rumors are very strong that there will be more new stuff at lower prices (the Oly/Kodak/Fuji 4/3 systems).
Check these links:

Pentax D-SLR next year - official

Olympus and Kodak confirm 'Four Thirds System'

Morgan

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/03/2003 11:20:58 AM · #11

Originally posted by Jubei Kibagami:

The noise in the Nikon at high ISO's is really good. This was taken at 1600 ISO -

I thought about the S2 when I was looking at DSLR's but the AA batteries are what turned me off. I didn't want to have to keep changing them and I didn't know how long they lasted. I new the battery in the Nikon lasted forever. That was just a small thing though. Mine was also price. But I think everything turned out great for me.

The battery for the Nikon D1x lasts forever. I purchased two spare batteries to go with the two primary batteries that came with the cameras. I have yet to need to switch one out in the field. They just work so well. I would not make the decision on the AA battery issue alone.

They are all fine products and I expect that you will be exultant with whichever make and model that you purchase. Nikon just upgraded my cameras with new firmware and new buffer memory (a small fee for the RAM), which extends the productâ��s functionality and life cycle. I am very pleased with their after-sales service too. The shutter latency question is not an issue for me. I have never noticed any delay like I do with my Nikon 5700. It may be because of the huge buffer memory.