I need a dSLR.
Attempting to shoot at Obon pointed out some of the limitations in my camera. I like my S3, but it just couldn't do what I wanted.
The big problem?
Well, the tightest it could crank the aperture down was F/8. Normally that wouldn't be a big problem, F/8 can provide plenty of depth-of-field. I didn't care about depth-of-field, though. I wanted to set a relatively long exposure time so I could get some blur on the hands and the bachi moving, but in the bright sunlight I was overexposing at anything less than 1/250.
Not gonna work.
Mind you, I would have probably still needed a good strong neutral density filter to do that, even with a dSLR. I can't even put a filter on the S3 without going out and buying an adapter.
So yeah, it's probably dSLR time.
Attempting to shoot at Obon pointed out some of the limitations in my camera. I like my S3, but it just couldn't do what I wanted.
The big problem?
Well, the tightest it could crank the aperture down was F/8. Normally that wouldn't be a big problem, F/8 can provide plenty of depth-of-field. I didn't care about depth-of-field, though. I wanted to set a relatively long exposure time so I could get some blur on the hands and the bachi moving, but in the bright sunlight I was overexposing at anything less than 1/250.
Not gonna work.
Mind you, I would have probably still needed a good strong neutral density filter to do that, even with a dSLR. I can't even put a filter on the S3 without going out and buying an adapter.
So yeah, it's probably dSLR time.
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bovil- Andrew Trembley
- The Bovine Illuminati
Comments
All the "low end" dSLRs are pretty damn amazing now. Budget $600 to $1000 and you are good to go. I am partial to Olympus (best point: built in IS with E520/E3) or Nikon myself, but really can't go wrong with any per se. Find one that fits your hands.
I'll probably stick with Canon; I'm well familiar with their menu structure, and the new Rebel XSi is very slick. I'll look at Olympus and Nikon too, though.
Also, if you're doing photos for rodeo, I'd be happy to help again if I survive Denvention.
Having said that, all of the prosumer cameras out there are pretty much on par with each other, whether it be Canon, Nikon, Olympus, or any of the others.
Lenses, however, are different.
Canon usually has a wider variety of lenses than Nikon (but that's normally a matter of opinion with some folks).
I think Nikon has some awesome flashes (SB-series rocks!), which I'll buy for off-camera stuff (ala strobist)
It's a matter of trying out the body to see what fits better in your hand and how intuitive the menu options are (ease of use of buttons, etc)
I've heard Canon uses say they like the intuitveness of the Nikon menus, but I digress.
If you want to play with my 5D, we can probably hook up with R and do a testing day.
And if you'd like, you can try out my Nikon D80 and see how you like the feel of it.
Diffraction was never an issue when I was shooting film (really fine-grain b/w and/or medium format). It is with small-sensor cameras (which is why my Superzoom doesn't go down below f/8).