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GenrXr

I am trying to buy an entry level high end camera to take wide angle landscape photos. My budget was 1500.00 but after researching on the web it just keeps raising in price. grrrr But I am a total newbie to photography and possibly making a mistake in what to purchase.

The current set-up I was thinking of is Canon eos 20d body with a EF17-40/4L wide angle lens, along with a tripod, picture snap cable, 1gig memory card, case and filter set.

This is adding up.

Would appreciate any suggestions from knowedgable people.

The important thing is to be able to take really good wide angle landscape photos and I would like for the lens I buy to be very good. The camera itself isnt as important as I would most likely upgrade the camera body as technology improves.

If any admins disapprove of this post np's here if you yank it. Smile

This searching for a camera is really difficult.
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LewWaters · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:58 am Post subject:

Well, Geedunk is sort of for off the subject stuff Wink

I'm using a Sony DSC-S75 Camera with zoom lens and a 3.3 mega pixel lens, amongst the highest at the time I got it a few years ago. It suits most everything I do just fine, including some landscapes and wildlife pics.

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SBD · Admiral Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 1022

I B Squidly · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 6:43 am Post subject:

genxr:

You're on the right track with a camera that can use Canon EF lens (or Nikkor). Several 14 mega pixel cameras hit the market this year that offer the full use of those lens designed for 35mm, especially wide angle lenses. They're still in the $3-8k range but coming down.

I don't recommend zoom lenses. You spend too much time fiddling with composition and they're slower. Canon makes a nice 20mm/2.8 with no distortion and the fixed focal length will train your eye. It's pricier but worth it.

A u/v filter is all you need. More memory is good. A solid, heavy tripod like an old Bogen is the only thing to spend money on. Don't be afraid to shop 'used' from established dealers or Amazon 5stars.

....anyway, that's what this old Photographers Mate has to say.
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GenrXr · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 7:22 am Post subject:

Thanks for yall's input.

Lew,
Thats a surprisingly good picture for a 3 mega pixel camera. I figure it is because you shot it with a good lens.

SBD,
I was thinking of maybe going the rebel XT route, but that ef-s 18-55mm they like to put with the camera is supposedly of poor quality. Although that other lens you pointed out is a very high quality lens and the package would be quite a bit cheaper then the Eos 20d I have been looking at.

I B,
My sister agrees with you on the tripod, she is an amateur photographer and we spoke tonight and she told me the two most important things were the feel for the camera and the tripod. I was like, huh? She told me some of her best shots taken were with disposables and not to worry so much about doodads if I am buying a good camera. She was relating horror stories about cameras tipping over due to crappy tripods, but she knows nothing about digital photography so she didn't want to offer advice on digitals.

The 20mm/2.8 fixed focal length lens your talking about. Is it good for landscape shots? Doesn't that 2.8 number have to be larger say like 4 or 5? As I said I dont know much, but do like the idea of using a fixed focal length lens. Oh one other thing you don't think I need all the fancy filters? Just a UV one?

Thanks everyone and would appreciate any more suggestions.
_________________
"An activist is the person who cleans up the water, not the one claiming its dirty."
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Founder of Conservative Philosophy

SBD · Admiral Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 1022

Check the daily deals at http://www.gotapex.com for good pricing deals.

I use a Canon Power Shot S400 Digital ELPH with 4.0 Mega Pixels and 3x Zoom. It takes some pretty good pictures for my needs.

SBD

note: Image resized. Please limit image widths to 600 pixels. Thanks/me#1

BuffaloJack · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 11:47 am Post subject:

GenrXr
Take your $1500 budget, go out to one of the electronics stores or discount houses and spend $200 of the money on the best camera that fits the $200 limit. Take the $200 camera out and experiment with it and find out everything you don't like, do like and wish you had available. After a week or 2 of puttering you will have a better idea what you want, what is available and what you can afford. Now go and shoot the whole budget on a camera that satisfies you. You can always put your $200 test unit on eBay.
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MrJapan · PO1 Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Posts: 465 Location: Chiba, Japan

If I still had my Canon A1 I would give it to you to practice with.. but it is so outdated by today's standards, I doubt it would help much >.<
Wink

GoophyDog · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 4:48 pm Post subject:

SBD's got it but I lean toward the pre XT version, the Canon Rebel. Same lenses and because its being discontinued you can pick up the body for a song (<$450), giving you a far greater leeway budget wise for the lens. Since you mentioned landscapes, speed shots are not critical so the normal Rebel would suit your needs well.

One recommendation I find myself giving more and more often is to not turn your nose up on "refurbished" equipment. There are several reputable companies offering these and the savings are simply phenominal!
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Uisguex Jack · Rear Admiral Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 613

Here's the best of the best in this regard:

Hasselblad xpan

The links I have for them are too long, but look it up on ebay, they have about three for sale at a good price.

LewWaters · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:03 am Post subject:

What I like about my Sony is that I spent just under $500 3 years ago Laughing

I'm not real deep into photography and do mainly snap shots, with a little dabbling into wildlife and nature scenes, nothing real serious.

As for the lens, it's a Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar.

As I tell people, buying a camera all depends on what you want out of it.
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wonhyo · Seaman Apprentice Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 85

You can go to CNET.com and look under camera and look at many cameras,how they tested, best place to buy. Cnet has helped me many times comparing cell phones, computers, stereos. My daughter who is in college course for photography, got an Canon Rebel, its compact and her pictures have turned out better than the photographers at the last wedding.