Advice someone who's willing to commit to photography as a hobby
 

May or may not be the best place to ask for such an advice, but in this industry there are a lot of photographers and people dealing with photographers so down to earth reply would be greatly appreciated.

I'd like to enter the world of digital photography, because I find it a fascinating hobby. Yes, you can already find zillions of perfect shots of people, insects, birds, nature etc, but still, the possibilities this hobby opens up to a perfectionist are huge. It's highly rewarding when it comes to self satisfaction. I've already perfected another hobby of mine (computer hardware and gadgetry) so it's time to expand lol.

I currently own a Sony R1 digital camera for more serious shots plus a sony T33 as a compact, bought the Sony R1 because it was a bridge between consumer digicams and Digital SLRs (it has a CMOS 10mp sensor, 1.6x, 14-75mm lens (24-120mm on a 35mm scale, live preview of the scene, 2" lcd etc.). I'm happy with this camera but I find it lacking when it comes to stuff I'm really into like night shots with low ISO settings and longer (bulb) exposures.

So, I'd really appreciate some advice. I'm currently looking at Canon cameras especially the following models:

- Canon 30D
- Canon 5D
- Canon 1Ds Mark II

Now, each is differently priced and for different tasks but I can afford all of them. But it's not just the body at play here it's the lens, so, total cost might end up being around $10k, which is kinda lot for a hobby.

So, if someone in this area can give me an advice of pros and cons of each camera and advice few good lens to go with it, I'd be grateful.

If you want to be artistic, go with something like this...

http://images.usatoday.com/life/gall...l/z_camera.jpg

However, if you're going to shoot porn (and you know you want to), then there is only one way to go...

http://museum.icp.org/museum/collect...gee/weegee.jpg

ADG Webmaster

LOL - Nice Post

How about the new Nikon? D200

lol, nice cameras.... priceless :1orglaugh

Main difference between 30d and 5d is the 5d is a full frame camera and becasue of this has a larger sensor and an extra 4mega pixels image size...

EOS 1Ds is another full frame camera with a whopping 16.7 megapixels resolution, and in the UK is 3 times the price of the 5D and 4 and a half times the price of the 30D. Photographers that I've spoken too, dont think the 1Ds is fast enough to be a good all round camera... sports photographers in particular wont touch it with a barge pole...... preferring the 1D Mk2N.

So if was me buying I would look at the 30d or the 5d, slighly favouring the 5d becasue of the higher resolution and full frame capability... other than that (and I may get shot down in flames over this) they're much of a muchness.....

For just web work though the 30d is an excellent camera.

You asked about lenses, and these are more important than what camera you decide to go with.... The creme dela creme are the canon 2.8 L lenses.... excellent image quality and they're very fast. For zoom's I'd go with 16-35 2.8L USM - for the 30d or 24-70 2.8 L USM for the 5d, plus the 70-200 2.8 l IS USM for both. If your going to do portraits then have a look at the EF85 1.2 L II USM to go with the 5d or a 50mm lens for the 30d.

Sigma have some good lens available at more reasonable prices.... but I tend to go for Canon as they are faster, quieter and hold secondhand values really well. Tamron have some good lens too.....

I dont know what you want to do with your new photography kit, but please dont forget to look at lighting!!!!!!!!! For flash, the Canon Speedlight 580EX is very good, although Metz warrents a good look now they are catching up with the auto functionality available. Also (and I'm looking at this option) the Quantum Q Flash T5D with a 2x2 Turbo battery looks to be the dogs bollocks... with the power and attachments available.

It sounds like your more or less wanting to go the Canon route... but if your starting from scratch and have to buy everything also look at what Nikon have to offer.

Hope this helps a little

Gawdi

great reply stag44! Just what I was looking for. Many thanks mate!

Your welcome

Love the D200, better then the Canons up to the Mark II. :thumbsup

Nikon isn't available where I live. I can order it then servicing, guarantee etc becomes a problem.