Amy Marchand
(K=15) - Comment Date 2/24/2005
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I'm also willing to sell or trade my Monolta Htsi. It was my first camera and I've gotten lots of beautiful images with it. This can apply as colateral to the above question or to trade up in the 35mm realm where I'm still most comfortable.
Thanks
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CorrieLynn Jacobsen
(K=9882) - Comment Date 2/25/2005
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I looked at your portfolio, very nice! I know you were saying that you'd like to go digital, im just curious as to what your reasoning behind this is. A really low end digital camera may not be as impressive as a low end film slr. Have you considered buying a new LENSE for your slr? And maybe even some lighting? That may give you the results you were looking for.
I use film only, because i like the dark room.
For me to get a new digital camera that did the same things that my film slrs do(nikon and pentax) i would be breaking the bank.
But im still able to scan my negatives with a negative scanner so that they can be posted here online and made "digital", and i can manipulate them with photoshop if i like.
I spent about 200 dollars on a negative scanner, much cheaper than a new digital camera. I also dont get prints developed anymore.
I take my negatives in, have them developed(I develope my black and white negs, but i dont like doing color) then i take them home and scan them. Once i see the best images, then i get ONLY those printed.
I have saved so much money by doing this, especially with kids. They move, close their eyes, or decide that they dont want their picture taken right as you release the shutter, and then end up wasting money on prints. So this way im able to still get the benefits of a digital camera without spending SO much. Sure, in several years, when costs come down even more, i MIGHT get one for weddings etc.
But im finding that most of the weddings i do now, my clients ask me to use film!
(ive rented the digital slrs in the past for weddings)
Now i scan the negatives, and im able to still give them their images on cd.
What kind of slr do you have? And what lenses do you have currently? Im curious...even a really low end slr can make the most magical images.
My first camera, a ricoh kr5(very low end) is still one of my favorite cameras. I still use it frequently, because i love the basic no nonsense approach. It makes you think harder about the images you are going to take, and they turn out better when you do it yourself than when you rely on the cameras "auto" features.
:)
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Amy Marchand
(K=15) - Comment Date 2/25/2005
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I have a Monolta Htsi with the lens it came with and an Oddessey 30-300 mm with micro capabilities. I also have the standard five filters I use on that lens.
I really don't want to go the digital route but because of what you mentioned earlier about children blinking and closing their eyes I felt it might be a better alternative.
What I really want is a Nikon F5 (yes I know the F6 is now avaliable but both are out of my range), but I don't have any money for that kind of camera at all.
As for lighting, I've been making due with a few sheets, window lighting and lamps with sheets over them to give a soft look. I want to create a home studio so I can make some extra cash. I'm in Medical school right now so Photography will probably never be my main source of income but I'm a person who can't do second best. If I take a picture, I want it to capture the moment. Plus the extra income is really helpful and I like meeting new people.
So I guess could you or anyone tell me what might be a better camera to upgrade to on a limited budget.
Thanks
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sean slavin
(K=3488) - Comment Date 2/25/2005
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Amy,
I'm in agreement with Corrie. Why the need for digital? I would take that money and upgrade your current camera.
I too am a film only person. There really hasn't been any compelling reason for me to switch. Cost is a huge factor for me but I also would rather be out shooting or in the darkroom than sitting in front of Photoshop for days editing a shoot.
Here's a few things to consider with digital. Will you be shooting enough to make back the cost of the camera plus the depreciation? Are you ok with the fact that within 12 months or so the camera will be outdated? Do you have the time to develop a workflow for the digital process?
Don't get me wrong, digital has its place but so does film. Take a long look at all the reasons and don't just buy because you think you need to.
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CorrieLynn Jacobsen
(K=9882) - Comment Date 2/25/2005
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I actually recently sold my f5 because i was given some really nice lenses for pentax(8 different great lenses) And they didnt fit the nikon. So i sold it and bought a pentax mz s, (kinda pricey but really nice). I also have the mz3 and my old ricoh.
What if you sold your minolta and lenses, and bought a lower end nikon and a good versitile lense?
(like a portrait lense) with a close focusing feild? This way, when you finally do get the nikon of your dreams, your new lenses will still fit and you wont have to start all over again.
Curious, what is the mount on the minolta slr? My ricoh happens to be a k mount, which is the same as my pentax lenses, so my lenses work with both cameras.
I just wonder if the lenses you have would fit on a nikon, even with an adapter.(if they arnt automatic lenses than youd have to use the camera manually) A lower end nikon (with auto features) are still pretty nice, and if you bought only the body it wouldnt cost too much. Check your classifieds, ebay etc for a used nikon.
Or even wait on the new camera and spring for a film scanner.
You also dont really need a lot of fancy lighting to get really good pictures if you have some natural lighting. You can buy reasonably priced strobes and umbrellas on ebay as well.
I know it seems so slow and painful at first(and expensive!) when youre just starting to get all the equipment. But in the meantime enjoy your little girl, take lots of pictures, and over time you'll find what works best for you. When you least expect it you'll find deals at yard sales, and classified adds.
Good luck!!
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Luke Luther
(K=14693) - Comment Date 3/5/2005
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Amy, I have been in that same digital quandry. The HTsi is a great camera. I think that you simply need to try some new Minolta compatible lenses to go with it. I would suggest the 28-85mm zoom and the 135mm prime lens. These should help you as the 135mm is relatively fast f/2.8 and the zoom is variable but faster than the lens you have with your camera now.
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Cheryl Ogle
(K=24494) - Comment Date 3/7/2005
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Amy, I would suggest keeping your camera until you can afford a new (warranty reasons) digital camera. I've been through 3 digitals until I got my Canon Digital Rebel SLR. Since you are used to SLR - you will want the digital version too. The easy use ones will not suite you for what you are used to - trust me. I would suggest a new camera because you don't know what you're getting used and who you're buying it from. If you get it new then you have the manufacturers warranty to fall back on if something goes wrong - electronics are so unpredictable as it is. Save up for the camera you really want so you don't have to kick yourself every time you open the paper. Some shops offer a payment plan - check around where you live to see if that's an option for you. I wish you luck.
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Richard Dakin
(K=12915) - Comment Date 3/7/2005
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Hi Amy. I agree with the general theme here, there really is no reason to buy a cheap digital, unless all you want is a pocket point and shoot. You will learn much more about photography with the camera you already have, and when you can afford a DSLR you will find the transition relatively easy. I had a Nikon Coolpix 4300, a very good camera in it's own right, but my F80 (film camera) taught me more about photography. These skills are now directly applicable to my D70.
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Amy Marchand
(K=15) - Comment Date 3/7/2005
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I really appreciate all the help. I'll stay with my Minolta right now until I can afford a DSLR or even a better film SLR. I have always loved the F series from Nikon. My mother in law has a F1 that she inherited from her father last year when he passed away. She's let me use it several times and I love the challenge it gives me. I know the newer Fs are auto and manual but they're really the standard in my opinion. I think I'll hold out for one of them first, really get my feet wet in the photography world, then when I'm more comfortable with myself as a photographer, move on to digital.
Again, thanks for all the help. My inlaws also thank everyone. They've been reading and learning too!
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Peter Daniel
(K=33866) - Comment Date 4/6/2005
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I your still looking, here are a few suggestions...
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=DX7630-R&cat=CAM
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=DX6490-R&cat=CAM
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=43861100-DT&cat=CAM
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