what kind of digital camera do you use?

[jshields]

one of my favorite things about stormtrack is seeing some of the images of storms i cannot witness in person. some of the images are absolutely amazing, and the camera it seems really makes the image. my camera is pretty simple, its a canon powershot sd500. its actually my wifes and was pretty expensive, so it takes pretty good pictures, but it doesn't have the ability to take wide angle pics, etc. so what kind of digital cameras/lenses do you guys use? i want to get a new camera, but probably will have to wait til this season is over, but i'm curious if most of the people here have cameras that cost thousands of dollars? i wouldn't be in the market for something that expensive.

 

[Skip Talbot]

I use a $160 6mp Sony Advanced Point and Shoot. I'm not sure about the model but it retailed for about $300-400. I got it after the model was discontinued, however, and applied a coupon so it was heavily discounted. The camera has a larger lense than the smaller point and shoots and a lot more manual control like the ability to do 30 second exposures (nice for shooting lightning after dark). Its no DSLR, but it can crank out a decent image, especially after its been run through Photoshop.

 

[Steve Worthington]

I use a Sony HVR-HD-1000N for Video and my photo shots.
I also have a Panasonic PV-SD 4090 for photo Shots as well

The photo`s I post are low quality on Purpose ( Don't want to give away good images) but I can get some high quality shots with my equipment. I brake em down with a program to make em grainy.

 

[Eric Flescher]

cameras I have used

For astronomy, travel and stormchasing

(1) I used Minolta regular cameras for years and mamiya sekor to shoot eclipses, travel etc
(2) went digital and used a kodak 290 which at that time was a top of line camera (show the great comet McNaught 2007)
(3) More top of the line Minolta digital with a 10x (equivalent to 130 mm lens) but it stopped working before the seeing the comet in (2)
(4) have used Canon rebel XT but in a rainstorm out of Tucson in the mountains a year ago and no longer works (just got the sad news

So I am looking to either get another Canon XT, a XTi or XSi or one of the other Canon numbers etc which confuse me to no end.

Anyone have thoughts on which might be a good one to get used (soon for stormchasing and my trip to China in July) ?

How about those megapixels and resolution? how can the Xsi be 12 megapixel but only 10 resolution?

 

[Olivier Staiger]

I think the lens is way more important than the camera. Some of my lenses I've had for years but the camera I change often.

current camera : Canon EOS 450D (XSi ) , 12 MP.
with these Lenses:
super-wide zoom Canon EF-S 10-22mm ( resulting in 16-35mm equiv. ), my only zoom.
all other lenses are prime :
EF 50/1.4
EF 85/1.8
EF 200/2.8 L
and for solar eclipses, a Sigma 400/5.6 http://www.eclipsephotos.net
next dream lens : Canon EF 135/2 L

( I used to own a Canon EF 200/1.8 L and a 400/2.8 L .... but later sold them when I needed money to travel ... they were too heavy anyway to carry around ... )


also, since last summer, I play with a
Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1
for 6MP photos up to 60 fps !
and also for video ( VGA, HD and FHD !), with highspeed slow-motion


and, last but not least, my little Nokia N95 smartphone does a rather good job with its prime Carl Zeiss lens,
photos 5MP and lots of setting adjustments,
video VGA 30 fps near-DVD quality, with a nice slow shutter mode for low light , and pretty good sound.

 

[jshields]

yeah i think i am definitely going to get something that allows me to play with the lenses. there have been enough times where i have been nice and close to a sup, and not able to get the "whole picture". i found myself cussing wishing i had a nice wide angle lens. also my camera only allows up to 15 secs of exposure and the f-stop is set, so i can't change that at all either to help with my lightning pics

 

[Kevin Cramer]

For astronomy, travel and stormchasing

(1) I used Minolta regular cameras for years and mamiya sekor to shoot eclipses, travel etc
(2) went digital and used a kodak 290 which at that time was a top of line camera (show the great comet McNaught 2007)
(3) More top of the line Minolta digital with a 10x (equivalent to 130 mm lens) but it stopped working before the seeing the comet in (2)
(4) have used Canon rebel XT but in a rainstorm out of Tucson in the mountains a year ago and no longer works (just got the sad news

So I am looking to either get another Canon XT, a XTi or XSi or one of the other Canon numbers etc which confuse me to no end.

Anyone have thoughts on which might be a good one to get used (soon for stormchasing and my trip to China in July) ?

How about those megapixels and resolution? how can the Xsi be 12 megapixel but only 10 resolution?

I own the XSi and I love it, however, I have used all kinds of Canon cameras. The only upside the XSi has to the XTi is a few edge features that you may or may not use, but the big one that is really there is the 14-bit images (due to the DIGIC III processor) and the extra resolution (that really won't shine because of lens optics, unless you have an L series lens...). A few other benefits are the signal to noise ratio is a tiny bit better, and the kit lens is image stabilized. I dont know what you mean with the 12/10 thing, because my XSi is defiantly 12MP

Really though, all the Digital Rebel cameras are excellent. If you are planning on really putting a beating on your camera, just get the XT or XTi as they are less expensive, and you probablly won't miss many of the features of the XSi.

I used DPreview as a great online resource that specializes in digital camera reviews which might be worth checking out. (If the mods dont like this being here then I am sorry and I'll remove it.)

 

[Bryan Stokes]

My camera bag consists of the following:

Canon 40D (x2)
EF-S 10-22
EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS
EF 24-105 4L
EF 50 1.4
EF 100 2.8 Macro
EF 70-200 2.8L IS
For support, I use a Gitzo 3541 tripod w/ a Markins M20 ballhead.

Now-a-days, there is a wide-array of camera equipment and technology available that will suit any consumer. When you think about it, it's flat out amazing what a good point-n-shoot can capture. And for those that want the ultimate in creativity, there's a lot to choose from on the SLR side of the house. It's a good time to be in photography, and it's only going to get better!

Bryan

 

[Brett Roberts]

Canon EOS 450D (XSi)

Lenses:
Canon 10-22
Canon 70-200 f/4L
Sigma 17-70 (never gets used anymore since its image quality pales in comparison to the others... still need to replace it with a 17-40L or 24-70L if my budget ever permits)

 

[Karla Dorman]

Would you believe ...

... a little Kodak EasyShare, 8.2 mp. Cost me $99.00, the card, $15.00. Can't afford the big guns, but oh, I'm dreaming ... *sigh*

 

[Bryan Stokes]

... still need to replace it with a 17-40L or 24-70L if my budget ever permits

Brett,

You may want to consider Canon's 17-55 2.8 IS. It's definitively better than the 17-40L and the extra focal length will complement your 70-200. Since getting the 17-55, I've literally shelved my 24-105 L. And the 2.8 aperture and IS comes in handy when shooting in low light (which is often the case in storm photography).

Bryan

 

[Jason Boggs]

Canon Xti body
Canon 17-85 lens

 

[Drew.Gardonia]

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi 10.1 megapixel
70-300mm F/4.5 kit lens
28-80mm F/4.5 kit lens
Canon EF 50mm lens (Nifty Fifty)
fisheye wide angle attachment.

 

[Scott Bell]

I have the Sony alpha A100. It's way better than I am at this point

Lenses
Sony 75-300/F 4.5-5.6
Sony 18-70/F3.5-5.6

Image stabilization is built into the camera body with these.

 

[Olivier Staiger]

if you are limited on budget, don't waste money on expensive camera and a cheap kit lens. It is better to spend money on the better lens and get a cheaper camera. I would rather have a Canon 350 or 400 with the great EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS USM lens, than put the money on a 40D or 50D but all I have left is a little cash for the cheapest kit lens.

I would prefer a 450D with 50/1.4 lens over a 50D with the cheap zoom lens supplied in the 450D kit

one other little detail between XT, XTi, XSi etc : some of them take the larger compact flash cards, while some other use the smaller SD cards. Now, since I have an ASUS Eee PC netbook 1000h which comes with built-in SD card reader, the choice is obvious. The 450D uses SD cards and thus I can read and transfer the images without having to play with USB cables, just take out the card and slide it into the netbook. Another advantage of portability .

I advocate prime lenses because :

-they are often cheaper
-they are often faster ( better in low light, low f/stop number)
-they are often sharper
-when you buy a zoom you will often use it mostly at one end of the zoom
-the zoom lens is often heavier, bigger, and more costly
-if you want a good zoom lens quality then it is not cheap at all.
-dust : when using a zoom microdust is pumped in and out



check out
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/best_canon_eos_lenses.html

with a few exceptions, the best lenses are prime lenses, and some of them are very affordable : 50/1.4 , 85/1.8 , 100/2

and even in the high-end L series they can be found at a reasonable cost : 135 f/2 L , 200 f/2.8 L . ( check out Adorama or B&H used lens sales for bargains).

today, one of the best cameras from Canon are the 5D and 50D. But camera competition changes frequently. A good lens will last decades.

in the past 5 years I went from 300D to 350D and now to 450D. Three cameras in 5 years ! But my oldest lens, the 50/1.4 , is 13 years old ! Good lenses stay for decades.

Today, if I had to buy a new camera and money was no issue, I would not get the 500D, nor the 5D MkII. I would get the 50D. And the 135 f/2 L ....