Machines that capture Airliners

Exactly my thinking Ren-and they do become outmoded very quickly.
Guess I’ll just have to keep dropping coins in my jam jar for a bit longer!

Are there issues with dust when you change lenses?. Not a big deal with my film SLR but I gather it can cause problems with digi’s.

Yes but the sensor can be cleaned, either by yourself or at a camera shop for a nominal fee.

The ‘prime’ consideration with an SLR, digital or otherwise is that it offers you a complete and flexible package for most photographic needs and also for most photographers skill levels, from novice to seasoned pro.

Yes it can be pricey at the entry level, but once you have the right lenses, you can still take them to your next mount. With a fixed lens system you can do little more than chuck the whole thing in the bin once it becomes either outmoded, broken or both.

Are there issues with dust when you change lenses?. Not a big deal with my film SLR but I gather it can cause problems with digi’s.

The main problem that people can get is dust on the sensor. Personally, I haven’t had any problems with this myself so I’m not sure what the answer is if it does happen. Someone else may know the ways around it?

Are there issues with dust when you change lenses?. Not a big deal with my film SLR but I gather it can cause problems with digi’s.

Given the choice, would the seasoned experts on this thread always advise an SLR? Apart from interchangeability of lenses, what are the advantages? I’d welcome advice.

I’d say one main thing about DSLR’s, is that there is hardly a limit to how much zoom you can get. It’s fairly standard to get 500mm lenses, which with the DSLR sensor actually equates to 800mm (500 x 1.6)! Other digital cameras do not come anywhere near this, even 12x optical zoom is only about 435mm.

DSLR’s also give you much more control. Other digital cameras often process the photos to some degree themselves (contrasting, sharpenign etc) whereas the DSLR pretty much leaves the image exactly how it looked through the lense. This also makes it a bit easier in challenging conditions, such a low lighting. I was taking photos at STN the other day, and at one point we had quite a thick cloud cover. If you raised the ISO on a normal camera, the grain would increase quite dramatically. Whereas with the 350D, I could raise the ISO and still get virtually no grain, producing a sharp image like the one attatched.

Despite this, there are still a number of digital cameras out there that do meet very high standards, and these should not be overlooked (especially if you have a relatively small budget). 12x optical zoom is enough zoom for most situations, and most new cameras on the market have things such a noise reduction built into them, which can still produce very fine shots.

I was almost on the point of buying a Fuji S7000 compact last week, but after looking at a digital camera magazine, decided to hang off for a bit. It seems SLR’s are coming down in price and the image resolution is going up all the time. I’m now considering waiting until next year to see whats affordable then.
Given the choice, would the seasoned experts on this thread always advise an SLR? Apart from interchangeability of lenses, what are the advantages? I’d welcome advice.

Thank very much guys 🙂

I was gonna go for the Z3 for sure…….but now I might have to go over budget and by a DSLR!

DME

DME

I should say that if you can afford it the DSLR route is probably the route to go. The money you spend on a Z3 you could use as deposit on a DSLR as Ren suggests.

My main reason for NOT going the DSLR route isn’t really cost related, though it is a factor. The main influence on my decision is that due to my disability I need a camera I can use one handed, that way the other hand is free for….

a) Propping myself up on a crutch.

b) Preventing my face hitting the floor when I fall (which can be pretty often.)

c) Holding onto my plastic lager pot at the pub at Manchester Airport when some inconsiderate pilot decides to use perhaps a little more power than is necessary when passing. (Ren and Selsport can vouch for this following their incidents with flying Guinness at the first ever Forum Meet.)

I think your decision is made for you really. Wannabe Pilot’s photos were good with his Minolta, even better with the 350D.

Regards,

kev35

I’d still try and take the DSLR route if possible ?

Why not do what I did DME when I bought my Canon 10D. Cobble together as much as you can up front (£400 in my case) and take a 12 month bank loan for the rest? As long as you’re working/salaried you hardly notice the repayments. 😀

Yes. I like the anti shake. I noticed a difference yesterday when the wind was blowing me all over the place, and on saturday to be honest when I was shivering in the rain. I like the camera and I am sure far better results can be obtained with this equipment.

I suppose it just needs a lot more practice.

BTW, Z2 is no longer in production though there are still many on sale. The 12x zoom is good. I paid £250 on the high street for mine. Probably cheaper via the net but I wanted to have a good look at the camera first.

Regards,

kev35

Regards,

kev35

Kev do you find the ANTI-SHAKE any good?

Essentially the Z2 and Z3 are similar, the Z3 has ANTI-SHAKE and 2x more optical zoom. About £50 quid difference though.

dme

Thanks very much Kev, I’ll have a look.

Have you tried it in low light yet? Some reviews say it’s not too good?

dme

The two current BHX threads contain photos using a Minolta Dimage Z3. They’re not the best because it’s only my first and second times using the camera but I like it and no doubt will improve. In my case, any problem with the photographs shows the failings of the photographer rather than the camera.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

kev35

Click on my jetphotos.net link below. For a large majority of those photos, I was using the Z10 which is a cheaper version of the Z3. Only 8x zoom vs 12x, and only 3MP vs 4MP. That gives you an idea of what it might be capable of.

If you can find a DSLR body for an apropriate price, then I’d recommend this lense here http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=98415 Although do a search around, you might find it somewhere else.

Excellent, those pics look great and if I can shoot like that I’d be more than happy!

dme

The Z3 looks ok, but is it any good in foul weather? and for an extra £200 I could have the DSLR with lense. Oh this is confusing!!

dme

Click on my jetphotos.net link below. For a large majority of those photos, I was using the Z10 which is a cheaper version of the Z3. Only 8x zoom vs 12x, and only 3MP vs 4MP. That gives you an idea of what it might be capable of.

If you can find a DSLR body for an apropriate price, then I’d recommend this lense here http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=98415 Although do a search around, you might find it somewhere else.

The Z3 looks ok, but is it any good in foul weather? and for an extra £200 I could have the DSLR with lense. Oh this is confusing!!

dme

Hi DME,

Sorry I can’t personally help you, but I think £300 is probably pushing it a bit for a DSLR set-up. For a decent lense (to make it worth having a DSLR) you can get something like I’m using, the Canon 75-300mm USM which is gonna cost you atleast £100 (£120 new). The you’ll need something like an 18-55mm for normal photos (75mm is too much in some situations, you need a small lense too). You can pick them up for around £50 second hand. That then leaves you just over £100 for a camera (if you stick to your £300 mark) which I feel is quite unlikely. But you never know, someone may be interested in the part exchange with the GPS!

If you can’t find a way to get the DSLR set-up, I recommend one of the Minolta range. Something like the Minolta Z3 (http://www.internetcamerasdirect.co.uk/minolta-dimage-z3-digital-camera-deals.htm) has a large zoom which is enough for most situations, and the camera in general has a very good spec. It’s also good to get started on. The features on a DSLR can take a lot of getting used to if you haven’t had much manual control over a camera before.

Good luck!

Thanks very much for the pointers.

I was willing to spend £300 on the camera with upto a 55mm lense and pay extra for the larger lense.

Someone has offered me a 300D with 55mm lense for £325, but she wants me to pay direct and I’m a bit dubious if I’d ever see the camera 🙁

dme

Hi DME,

Sorry I can’t personally help you, but I think £300 is probably pushing it a bit for a DSLR set-up. For a decent lense (to make it worth having a DSLR) you can get something like I’m using, the Canon 75-300mm USM which is gonna cost you atleast £100 (£120 new). The you’ll need something like an 18-55mm for normal photos (75mm is too much in some situations, you need a small lense too). You can pick them up for around £50 second hand. That then leaves you just over £100 for a camera (if you stick to your £300 mark) which I feel is quite unlikely. But you never know, someone may be interested in the part exchange with the GPS!

If you can’t find a way to get the DSLR set-up, I recommend one of the Minolta range. Something like the Minolta Z3 (http://www.internetcamerasdirect.co.uk/minolta-dimage-z3-digital-camera-deals.htm) has a large zoom which is enough for most situations, and the camera in general has a very good spec. It’s also good to get started on. The features on a DSLR can take a lot of getting used to if you haven’t had much manual control over a camera before.

Good luck!