[big K]

hi,

i know, this was discussed before, but i thought i ask for your suggestions again - as there might be some new development.

i am looking for a digital SLR camera (i guess it is going to be Canon or Nikon - which one is ahead right now?) for multi purposes.
being able to take shots for HDRI panos is a must.
(our third child was born last week - so taking cute baby shots is a must, too )
as i have an old Canon SLR camera and some lenses (not too fancy stuff) this could be a little advantage in the Canon direction
is there anything very important which should be considered, like options the camera should have or any features one would need for the HDRI shots for example ?

any experiences and suggestions very much apprectiated !
cheers
michael

[Leonardo]

D-90 ... and please send it my way to test it out first!!!
why take pics when you can do videos and take pics
http://vimeo.com/D90



How much are you planning to spend?
If you're looking for a used camera... the S2-Pro (based on the Nikon N80 body) it's amazing on skin tones... perfect for portraits and everything else.

If money is not an issue, you could always get a Hasselblad (any model would do just fine)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5 ... amera.html

[big K]

thanks for the reply leonardo !

the nikon looks very good as does the canon eos 5D mark II that jeff posted. those might be in range for my budget - the hasselblad definitely not

i don´t know if i like the film option (the problems are not the film you get - but the sound is normally very bad then and you are left with a nice film with terrible sound - i think it is better to use a camcorder for moving pictures) have to check the nikon´s sound quality though.

[Leonardo]

thanks for the reply leonardo !
i don´t know if i like the film option (the problems are not the film you get - but the sound is normally very bad then and you are left with a nice film with terrible sound - i think it is better to use a camcorder for moving pictures) have to check the nikon´s sound quality though.

I wonder the same about the audio...

Anyway, if you haven't done it already... go to a store and try the cameras bring your own flash-card so you can save the pictures and look at them at home

Maybe a lower-end nikon or canon will good enough for you and you can save the money for better lenses. If you want to do 360 hdri you're a gonna need a fisheye lens (be ready to spend $600 plus, just for the lens)

don't forget to try the fuji S5-pro or whatever is the latest that they have out.... They are also incredible!

[polynurb]

i am also thinking about getting my first SLR soon.. I looked at the D90:

the D90 records in mono only, and the autofocus is not available when in movie mode ( i also wonder about how good the motion-jpeg encoding is )

...still a very interesting camera for it's price.

[ludenhud]

D300

[Mattia Sullini]

Well,actually it depends a lot from your budget.
If it's going to be your first DSLR, why not to get an excellent entry level as the Sony A200? Pay 500$ and go back home with a new camera with an all-porpuse 18-70 (not that good, indeed...)

Otherwise if you have no budget and have to build from scratch your lenses set i would go for the two big, Canon or Nikon.

For what the HDRI is concerned the only thing you need is the auto-bracketing (almost all the DSLR have this function), and a tripod.

I would just keep in mind that if you are not a Pro, you won't need the advanced funcions nor notice the superior quality of the most expensive cameras...if you have money to spend, spare it for high quality lenses, instead!

[Leonardo]

D300

I tested one yesterday ... not a bad little camera, I shoot like 300 pics with it. I really like the larger lcd

[big K]

thanks for all your input.

still not sure which way to go.
decisions, decisions ....

[Leonardo]

thanks for all your input.

still not sure which way to go.
decisions, decisions ....

I'll quote myself

Anyway, if you haven't done it already... go to a store and try the cameras bring your own flash-card so you can save the pictures and look at them at home

Only correction is that the d90 uses sd instead of a flash card ... I'm not keeping up with technology

Anyway, most of the time I use nikon (d100, then d70, then d80, and this weekend d90 at the store and d300 for the photo shoot), so when I go and try to use our 20D (canon) I get all confused... Try both cameras and see with one one you find to be the most user friendly. Probably if I had used canons all my life, I'll probably be all confused when using the nikon

The case is that any of those brands will make you happy

[bbuxton]

Note that the consumer end Nikon DSLRs do not auto-bracket. Important if you are intending to shoot hdr.

Fuji DSLRs take Nikon lenses & give more for your money at the lower price points.

This site may help....
http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/index.html

BB

[big K]

thanks for the info with the auto-bracket.

and i was just starting to tend towards the nikon ....

[big K]

BB,
could you have a look at this page:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon ... 6/D90.html

it´s about the D90 and there is an entry about
exposure bracketing : yes - 2 or 3 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1 or 2 EV

is this auto-bracketing and if yes, is it sufficient for HDRI

[bbuxton]

If you have the budget for the D90 why not look at the D300 or s/h D200?
Unless you really need the movie functions the D300/200 is a much better bet.

[-Adrian]

Without having used it, simply through word of mouth, i tend to agree with bbuxton. The D300 has outstanding ratings everywhere.