So my camera owning history is mixed and includes Minota SLR of the 80’s, Pentax SLR for 110 cartridge film and Apple early digital quick time camera. I have found that Digital has taken over my photography world and until recently I’ve been using a philosophy of simple is best, its the moment that I value. However the last year or so I’ve been working at improving my photography and started to really get to grips with digital photography. I’m starting to realise that digital is much more than a film camera with an unlimited supply of film.
However to have a really good digital camera I seem to have to have all sorts of features I’m not interested in. In an Ideal world I’d have what amounts to a good 80’s SLR with a chip in it instead of film, screen on the back and very little in the way of ‘other features’
I do not want to have to learn my way through loads of different menu’s I want ‘old school’ controls with digital benefits. Thought I’d ask you good people what camera might meet my current dream specs?
1/ Great image quality
2/ Clear view finder
3/ Simple easy controls
4/ Probably SLR but I’m open to other ideas / systems
5/ Auto Focus that works and really easy to grab hold of manual focus when it doesn't.
6/ Good but fairly simple metering, to include spot meter.
7/ Through the lens flash metering/control.
8/ One easy to use control for Aperture
9/ One different easy to use control for Shutter Speed
10/ Easy setting of ISO and ISO range like I used to have with film 64 or less - 3200 or more unless somebody can explain to me why I would not want this.
11/ Reasonably fast lens for low light work
Probably 35mm equivalents to 28, 35, 50 85ish 200
Zooms might be OK?
Probably good if the 85 ish is also a macro lens
12/ Full manual control
13/ Aperture priority automatic option
14/ Shutter speed priority automatic option
15/ Depth of field preview button
What I’m not keen on is:
1/ Costing an absolute fortune?
2/ Loads of menus to navigate and learn my way through to use the thing.
3/ Get in the way ‘features’ that unnecessarily complicate using the camera.
So what do you think of my specification and what cameras come close?
I think it would be safe to say that a DSLR Nikon would suit. The controls on the Nikon I feel are a little more user friendly as it has more controls at your finger tips.
I'm using a Sony NEX which has great features (especially "Focus Peaking") when used with old manual lenses. Some of the Konica and Minolta lenses from the 80's are superb and available cheaply. Best of both worlds :)
I have a Nikon D90 and mostly use my 35mm & 50mm prime lenses. Might be a good fit for you. Super easy with easy controls and most everything you're looking for. How much is a fortune?
Alright, You might want to find a local camera shop for a hands on. Most cameras these days require some getting used to menus. Some more than others. Typically you need to spend more to get more exterior dials and buttons. Image quality is a multiple factor thing. First thing is the largest sensor you wish to pay for. Larger sensor = greater tonal range and generally higher usable ISO.
The more you spend, the greater the range of usable ISO.
Right now, the Canon Mark II is being sold at a decent discount as the Mark III is being released soon. Still not cheap, but one of the best DSLR's on the market.
Spot metering on the lower end cameras is generally a pretty big spot.
The lower end DSLRs from all the major companies are all good and produce excellent images. However, you do get more when you spend more. Whether it is worth it is up to you.
@lilbudhha@sdpace@pizzaboy@agima Thanks everybody. I need to look for the exterior controls and would guess it may be more expensive kit than I've been looking at.
For a 'cheaper option' samsungs compact dslrs are pretty good, and the ifunction feature on the lens brings a lot of dial stuff to the hand. I love my nx10 (old version) with a couple of the newer lenses).. more intuative and flexible than my 600d!! But you end up with samsung nx mount ??
Go to a camera store and see what feels good to you. The best camera in the world won't take good pictures if it's in your closet because it is too heavy/too small/too big etc. Personally, I don't want any of the current full frame cameras - too heavy for me. I'm sure that others would hate my favorite camera as being too small and they wouldn't mind dragging a full frame camera on a 6 mile hike, so it's very important to play with all the cameras you can.
I never worry about a camera having features that I'm never going to use, as long as it does have the ones I will use. I also found out that as long as I didn't have a camera set up for something way out of the ordinary, I could hand it to my other half, who only knows where the on-off switch and the shutter button is, and he'll take some quite amazing pictures when we're traveling (I keep a second camera as a back-up and for him to use). It sometimes amazes me how good the camera can be when left to its own devices.
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The question is how much do you want to spend
The more you spend, the greater the range of usable ISO.
Right now, the Canon Mark II is being sold at a decent discount as the Mark III is being released soon. Still not cheap, but one of the best DSLR's on the market.
Spot metering on the lower end cameras is generally a pretty big spot.
The lower end DSLRs from all the major companies are all good and produce excellent images. However, you do get more when you spend more. Whether it is worth it is up to you.
PS Other ideas still welcome
I never worry about a camera having features that I'm never going to use, as long as it does have the ones I will use. I also found out that as long as I didn't have a camera set up for something way out of the ordinary, I could hand it to my other half, who only knows where the on-off switch and the shutter button is, and he'll take some quite amazing pictures when we're traveling (I keep a second camera as a back-up and for him to use). It sometimes amazes me how good the camera can be when left to its own devices.
get to a local shop have a look!
but dont buy there! buy online. will save you
the features you are after would be available to most SLR's in the canon or Nikkon range.
The canon 1000d would be a great starting point.
Dont get your self tooo hung up on megapixels.. remember they are only usefull IMO if your going to be printing BIIG posters.