DLSR Lens Choices

[Rinty]

The "basic lens" on my D40 is a Nikkor 18-55, so that's what I would take:

But these days I find I'm mostly using my wife's point and shoot Lumix SZ3, which is simply amazing.

She took this shot in the Shaba Reserve in Kenya, a few months ago:

 

[rocketman]

If there was a P&S that gave me some control, similar to the Canon A series, that worked well at high ISO I'd be all over it. But high ISO performance goes with a larger sensor. Otherwise I'd likely have nothing more than the A610 that lives in my tank bag.

Or not. I like camera toys almost as much as I like motorcycle toys.

There are a few starting to come out that have the larger sensors, the Pen EP-1 four-thirds and another I was reading about but can't remember the name off hand. Small(er) (almost) pocket size, light 11-13 oz that have many of the features of the larger "full size" or APS-C DSLR's that do well in low light, have interchangable lens, etc. but they are not cheap. I expect (hope) we will be seeing more in the four-thirds format, if the current ones sell well and continue to get good reviews. As to just how small cameras with an APS-C sized or better sensor will ever go, who knows. Like you say at some point you have make certain trade offs or go with more than one. I lost count with my last purchase how many I own.
Now I'm looking at a nice rugged waterproof P&S with totally enclosed lens. I think that would be more convenient than getting a case for any of the ones I have since that just adds bulk to it. CasioÔÇÖs got one coming out soon, the EX-G1 that has some nice features like programmable shot sequences, that would be kool for motoring, mount it and have take a shot every 30 seconds or every few minutes, no worries about it raining or shocks from the road, then make a flash ÔÇ£film from the sequence. I just wish they wouldnÔÇÖt always go for the 12 MP range, 8-10MP for that size sensor would be just fine and reduce the high ISO problem somewhat. Oh well. Always a new temptation just around the next web site or camera store!

RM

 

[tommcgee]

Another decision entirely

I've decided to move away from DSLR for now. At some point I may revisit, but I've already sold one DSLR camera and the other is being returned to Amazon. My 70-200mm Canon L lens will sell today on eBay and there will be one more lens to sell after that, a Canon EF 28-135mm.

Instead of DSLR, I bought a "hi-zoom" Sony DSC-HX1 and I love it. It's small and chunky and will replace the Sony DSC-H50 I've been carrying in the tank bag.

I just wanted to share some of my decision making process here, without beating a dead horse.

This is a simple test and I can make an argument for why the Canon L picture is better, just as I can make an argument for the clarity of the Sony HX1. I can also show you some great shots from the H50.

The three pictures here are taken at full zoom from about 20 feet away. The subject is a refrigerator magnet. They are all cropped and unprocessed, except the Canon L which was converted from RAW.

Song DSC-H50 (cost $375)

Canon T1i with Canon L 70-200mm F4 lens (cost $1800)

Sony HX1 (cost $500)

 

[dancogan]

Nice choice, Tom. I've often thought about that type of camera but didn't make the move. Now I'm starting to drool over some of the new rangefinders, like the Panasonic GF1.