Switching to digital SLR

quote:

The D700 seems to be pretty good, but then it appears to only have the smaller sensor?

Slightly academic to this thread however perhaps worth noting that the D700 is full frame and the D300 uses the smaller sensor.

With digital slr's you do need to decide if you wish to retain a normal 35mm perspective or not. If you are okay without, then I am sure the 450D would be fine to get you started and much more. The physical size of the camera body is very important and I fully support previous posters who suggest you try them in a shop.

Peter

quote:

Originally posted by JamieWednesday:
Yeah, as at the start of my post, I want to keep my lens and change the body...so sticking with Canon and I'll see how I get on...OK so 28mm becomes 43, we'll see if that's a bug, if so I've got a functional WA lens too somewhere which went into the loft when I got this one as I just didn't use it.

Which is why i suggested the 5D as it'll make the best use of your existing lens which you say you intend to keep anyway. 5D now, then add some L lenses later (if you really need the build quality and larger apertures of these). You know it makes sense.

I added a D-SLR Nikon D80 to my AE-1 kit last year. The addage of go for the best lenses is fine for film SLR's, but with digital it is all about the sensor as well as the lens.
The 5D is great as it will allow a lot of experimenting prior to the next big jump as sensor technology moves on.

Sorry I hijacked your thread Jamie...

I can see the logic of going for a cheaper camera with a more expensive lens. Think I'll take a trip to a camera shop on Monday for a look-see & handling test. That Canon 5D Mk II looks a bit of a beast & the 450D would be a considerable step up from my 300D, but it might be a bit small in my mitts.

Thanks for all the help & advice guys!

Jamie - you will have no problem with the 1.6 crop factor IMHO. In fact I have preferred it when I was using it on my 20D.

I have the 28-200 lens you mention and it was a super lens for me. However, once you move to L glass, then there is no going back and I have not used the 28-200 in some years.

If you want a good general purpose, walk around L glass then I recommend the Canon 24-105L.

To Huw's earlier point, some of the compacts coming out are really good. I have the Panasonic Lumix LX3. It is so good and takes such superb images with it's fast lens, that my Canon 1DMk3 has not been touched since I bought it.

Having looked a bit more at the Canon 5D mkII, remarkably it's about the same weight as my old Canon. BUT, it doesn't have a built-in flash...

Given it's very fast ISO setting, is that a problem? I don't really want to lug about a flashgun all the time.

quote:

Given it's very fast ISO setting, is that a problem? I don't really want to lug about a flashgun all the time.

In just the same way as very fast film gets more grainy so the sensor images do. However 800 ASA is fine as long as you frame what you want rather than assuming you can crop the image significantly later. That coupled with Image Stabilizer has always been good enough for me. Flash 'fill' for studio quality is best done with a flash gun anyway.

regards
geoff

quote:

Originally posted by tonym:
Having looked a bit more at the Canon 5D mkII, remarkably it's about the same weight as my old Canon. BUT, it doesn't have a built-in flash...

Given it's very fast ISO setting, is that a problem? I don't really want to lug about a flashgun all the time.

Tony,
unless you have a significant investment in Canon glass, you may find the Nikon D700 or 3 a better option for available light. Have not seen much from the new Canon 5D but I found the high ISO images from the v.1 a bit plasticky. Please note I'm not looking to start a Nikon vs. Canon war, all my SLR glass is Canon L, but I prefer film these days and for that I am in the thrall of the little red dot.
Huw

quote:

Originally posted by tonym:
Having looked a bit more at the Canon 5D mkII, remarkably it's about the same weight as my old Canon. BUT, it doesn't have a built-in flash...

Given it's very fast ISO setting, is that a problem? I don't really want to lug about a flashgun all the time.

Tony - high ISO performance on the top Canons is first class. I have not used a flash gun at all on my camera. I never bother taking it out. ISO 1600 is good and ISO 3200 even takes pretty good photos that can be blown up to a good size with limited noise.

Thanks all - practicality wise there's just no way I'm going to spend near a couple of grand on a new body and £6-700 on a new lens - A 450D at £380 less a hundred squids worth of vouchers seems a good bet.

Jamie

I have a DSLR which has amazing IQ but as Lontano says, I wouldnt be without my compact (a Panny LX2) either.

Both are invaluable in their own way.

Julian