[justin146]

I have seen some beautiful pictures lately from the newer low end SLR cameras. I am wondering how my 300d will stack up against newer cameras like the Rebel XS and D3000. It seems like the D3000 is missing some of the features my 300d has, so I am mainly looking at the Rebel XS, XTi, or XSi.

One of the reasons I started looking at a new camera is because I want an 18-55 IS lens. I hate to invest money in one since all the newer cameras come with one. The only autofocus lens I have is an EF 28-80. I also have 50mm and 100mm prime lenses; these are Nikon lenses, but I have an adapter for them. So if I could go with a Nikon camera and not give up any of my lenses (except for the 28-80)

I also have a Pentax 35mm SLR with some lenses (35-105 and 50mm prime), so I was looking at the Pentax K-X. I like everything about this camera except for the fact that it takes AA batteries. I like the fact that the image stabilizer is in the camera, not the lens. It does 720p video and it takes all Pentax lenses.

My camera seems to sell for $250-$300 with lens and accessories. So should I drop $100 on a lens (eBay), or sell it and order a Rebel XS from Newegg for $500?

Here are some picture examples from the 300d:





IMG_4750.jpg picture by justinb3325 - Photobucket

[maxgst]

dayum! those are crazy good quality pics

[XectriK]

Those are really good quality pictures. Are you going to be able to see a difference between the two cameras? And you do need to do something about the lense... it puts "photomatrix" in random spots on your pictures.

[justin146]

A few more pictures. Anyone have any advice?

[Triple A]

I would suggest sticking with your current camera and investing in better lenses. Having a better camera won't necessarily help you take better pictures. Learn how to use the different settings on your 300D and your photography skills will improve.

[JohnC]

Since half your lenses are already Nikon, I'd get a D7000. It's sick!

D7000 from Nikon

I shoot with a D300 and if you search my name in the photo a day thread, you will find some of the pics made with that older body to compare by.

[Emay]

The above from Triple is good sound advice, I have a nasty habit of upgrading to latest technology, nature of the world we live in and it gets expensive.

For about the same outlay of 500 bucks you could dive into a low shutter count higher end used camera. Something like a 40d in the canon line.

With the new releases already rolled, I would go lens now and a higher end used camera body next year right around the August-Semptember time frame.

[justin146]

Well, I sold my 300d on CL and upgraded to a Nikon D80. It came with an 18-70 lens. I also bought a 28mm prime. I am very excited. I bid $1 on some armor for it and won. I also bought a battery grip with two spare batteries and a wired shutter release. So now I have the following:

Nikon D80
28mm f/2.8 Prime
50mm f/1.8 Prime
100mm f/2.8 Prime
18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-S DX
70-210mm f/3.5 Vivitar Macro

Now I need a larger camera bag. I may even take one of my old Pelican cases and order new foam or dividers for it and make a camera case.

[JohnC]

I used to have a D80, they're pretty good as long as you can shoot everything at low ISO's.

[JohnC]

Make sure you'e up to date...

D80 A/ B 1.11 firmware upgrade

[Emay]

Originally Posted by justin146 Well, I sold my 300d on CL and upgraded to a Nikon D80. It came with an 18-70 lens. I also bought a 28mm prime. I am very excited. I bid $1 on some armor for it and won. I also bought a battery grip with two spare batteries and a wired shutter release. So now I have the following: Nikon D80 28mm f/2.8 Prime 50mm f/1.8 Prime 100mm f/2.8 Prime 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-S DX 70-210mm f/3.5 Vivitar Macro Now I need a larger camera bag. I may even take one of my old Pelican cases and order new foam or dividers for it and make a camera case.

No need to carry all of that gear all the time. I have a sling pack that allows me to carry 3 good size lenses the body gripped, my flash, and a pouch left open for small accessories (tripod foot, wireless trigger, etc). That said I can get my 24-70 on body + gripped, 70-200mm L, and 10-22mm superwide and that covers all lengths from 10 to 200. If I need a little reach I can drag in the 1.4 extender.

Here's the thing, lugging the gear around gets old after you do it for a while. You will also find that 50% of what you bring doesn't come out at all. You'll get smart and bring what you know fits that days situational shooting in the future simply by repetition.

I'd use the pelican for an at home storage case and vacation/flight case. Then get a mid sized walk around bag that is comfortable - especially when hot.

I'll do a little tutorial on my tenba sling bag. Give you an idea of what I mean with some visual stimulation to boot.

[slikirish]

Give me the dirt on the first pic you posted. Appears to be a multi exposure shot. How many exposures did u use, did u use a tripod, ect?

[justin146]

Originally Posted by slikirish Give me the dirt on the first pic you posted. Appears to be a multi exposure shot. How many exposures did u use, did u use a tripod, ect?

It was 5 shots from a tripod. I think I took 7 shots and experimented with using different combinations to get the results I wanted from Photomatrix. I think the sky portion was at something like f/18 at 100iso, 1/4000 shutter.

[slikirish]

Thanks for the info.

[Emay]

Justin, here's a bit about the tenba sling bag. Can be had in two sizes, small and medium- quite universal, carries all my necessities and then some, and frankly is the best bag I've owned hands down. I have two other bags, but this one is my work horse. You'll see why below.

Before I go into this bag, let me explain my statement about owning other bags. There are times when you're headed into the unknown or simply require more gear based on what you know your headed into. I have a large location bag for things like that which holds two bodies and enough glass to fund two or three motor builds. I also have Tamrac backpack that can fit all my gear, so I can take it with me on airplanes and not worry about it coming up missing at baggage claim.

So on to the Tenba sling. I praise this bag because I don't ever have to set it down. You undo 1 quick clip on the hip strap and the bag can be rotated to your midsection from your back for access to the main compartment. Interior is fully customizable, and it's spacious for how compact it is. All zippers have water repelling zipper overlays.

First four shots are a walk around the exterior:

Tripod straps on side panel


Cell phone pouch on the over shoulder main sling strap


Main access panel side with zippered memory card pocket


Front, an additional pouch that is more than a pouch. I use it for spare thumb drives, cleaning equipment, memory cards, pens, and business cards. The paracord is good for strapping in a light jacket or sweatshirt if needed. Use your imagination with that.


This is the paracord pouch opened up. See how it's recessed a bit, so it's deeper than it appears and holds lots of odds and ends.


This top compartment is shoulder level when on your back, it's good for any number of things. I generally haul my chargers, tripod feet, extra t-shirt on hot days etc. The rain pouch actually is for downpours and is essentially a water proof condom for the bag covers the entire exterior as a wrap right up to your back.


Next two shots are of the main pouch accessible when swung to your midsection for access. The compartment actually faces upward at about waste level and as you can see provides easy access to the camera and lens. With creativity you can get the lenses in with their hoods on as I have done. That is my 580ex at the top left corner of the bag.



The void in the center here is where I house my camera, LCD facing up and I always leave my 24-70 monutec with the hood inverted. I also leave the grip on there for the long days, it's taught, but it fits. The flaps on left and right of center section cradle the outer edges of the front side of the camera protecting it from the equipment in adjacent slots.


Here's what all fits in this main compartment - this is the impressive meat and potatoes part, all of this comes in and out of that opening pictured above. Neatly tucks in the four compartments barely seen to the left and right of the main center section:


Now that's a lot of gear even for a seasoned photog to haul around let alone hobbyists. Like I mentioned though, my focal range is covered from 10mm all the way to 280mm. That's a great range and not much will get away from me there.

Hope this helps some of you. The bag goes for anywhere from 90.00 to 110.00 at any given time. Calumet has this medium bag for 99.00 I believe currently. I've been through 10 bags over the last 4 years looking for "the one". This one stopped all those unnecessary purchases.

[justin146]

Originally Posted by Emay Justin, here's a bit about the tenba sling bag. Can be had in two sizes, small and medium- quite universal, carries all my necessities and then some, and frankly is the best bag I've owned hands down. I have two other bags, but this one is my work horse. You'll see why below.

Thanks for the info. I will definitely check it out. The main problem I have found with the bags I looked at locally was that there wasnt enough room for my body with the grip attached. I dont want to have to remove the grip constantly.

I have always liked photography, but really just got into it. I have already sold some prints I had framed. I am mainly getting into night photography. I have a night shoot scheduled for a friends car when the weather clears. I never plan to do it full time though; I am already a busy bee in the wonderful world of wireless. I plan to do enough to support my camera equipment fund though.

Since I am doing actual photography work, I feel I need a backup body- which means I need even more room bag-wise. I bought another 300d body as a backup (because I found it super cheap). I know its not ideal because of the lens conflict, but I do still have the adapter to mount the Nikon lenses on it. If things keep going like they are, I will probably buy a D90 body (or its replacement) in the future and keep the d80 as a backup.

[Lefty]

I kinda have the same set up Erin. I have a Tamrac 3385 Aero. Love the thing to death. Weatherproof and very comfortable to wear. I also LOVE the side/quick access.



Here's a shot of how the quick/side access works...

[Blutooth]

Holy shit Erin..... You should have made it a Power Point! LOL

Nice job!

[Emay]

Right - would have been faster for sure..

[justin146]

I went back and forth with the idea of of a backpack. I decided I wanted a little more protection than that, so I ended up buying a Pelican 1510 with the padded dividers. It wasnt much more than the backpacks, and I will use it in combination with my old Nikon bag.