sdsalyer

Well, for starters, the AE-1 uses the FD mount and is not a part of the EOS (EF mount) system, so you may have better luck in the Classic Camera or Canon FD forum. Being that the lens is a 3rd party, it could have a mount for any of the different systems, so you'd need to figure out which mount it is for before trying to find an adapter. Good luck. :)

Greetings, all. :)

 

I am at square one with the EOS system. I have an Elan 7 and will be purchasing

a dSLR (likely a used 20D) very soon. I have already picked up a 50mm f/1.8 II

for the Elan 7 and I am really enjoying using such a fast lens. I am looking to

the future though and pondering on a sort of "lens acquisition path", so to speak.

 

I have a PowerShot S3 IS but I will likely sell it once I have a dSLR. I

mention this because its 12x image stabilized zoom covers just about everything

except wide angle and it will be rough giving that up (though I have steeled

myself for it). I am seriously considering a zoom like the 28-135 USM IS to

compensate for losing the S3's versatility. Whatever dSLR I end up with will be

my only camera for a while most likely, but I don't want to be caught without

the "right lens" in the interim of building up a collection.

 

Despite all that, I really like prime lenses. It just makes sense to have a

lens which does one thing properly than attempt to do a dozen things half as

well (granted, that's a generalization). Ideally I'd eventually cover all the

bases with a nice wide angle (24mm?), a normal lens (I've already got the

50/1.8), a portrait/macro lens (100mm or so), and a telephoto (200mm+, maybe a

zoom) -- that's all speaking in full frame terms. It will be a long, long time

before I will fulfill all of those niches, though.

 

What really bugs me about this whole business, is the crop factor on dSLR's (and

the EF-S lenses, but I digress). As I mentioned, I have an Elan 7 and enjoy

shooting film as well, so it will just be annoying to swap the same lens from

one camera to another and have it change from 100mm to 160mm (though I'm sure

it's useful at the telephoto end from time to time). Eventually I'd like to

have a full frame camera like the 5D for this reason alone, but that will likely

be months or years down the road.

 

Well, enough rambling... I apologize for it. :) I suppose my question is:

should I buy an "all-around" zoom like the 28-135 USM IS (any other

suggestions?) for starters, or start working on the prime collection right away

(bear in mind it will be 1 lens at a time with months of saving pennies in

between)? I realize the "lens acquisition path" is very personal for each

individual, but I'd enjoy hearing the "route" others have taken as well.

 

Thank you :)

 

SDS

Ryan,

 

I have a PowerShot S3 and have had it for close to a year now. The S2, S3, and S5 are very, very similar. I will give you a few quick opinions on the S3:

 

If you want compact or lightweight, it is not -- it's maybe 1/2 or 2/3 as big and heavy as an SLR. Definitely not something you can stick in your pocket and forget about. It's not so heavy as to wear your arm out, though.

 

If you want versatile, it *sorta* is -- 12x zoom gives you something like 35-435mm range, which would take a bag full of expensive lenses on an SLR (or at least a couple of zooms). Very handy. Not the greatest for wide angle, though. The image stabilization is great to have and works quite well. You also have the exposure modes you'll find on SLR's: auto/program modes, priority modes, full manual mode -- good for learning the ropes.

 

If you want a good performer in very low/very bright light, it's not -- image quality really suffers at ISO 800, and that's as high as the S3 goes. ISO 400 isn't the best, either. Maximum aperture is decent at f/2.7-3.5, but the min aperture is only f/8.0. [e.g. I really struggled to get a low shutter speed for panning shots at a motorsports event earlier this year due to bright noontime sunlight, even at ISO 80.]

 

Other thoughts: the flip-out LCD, while only 1.8" in size, is very handy for composing odd shots, such as camera on the floor or above your head, or framing a self portrait. It uses AA batteries, and if you buy a decent rechargeable NiMH setup, you will be very pleased (and can still use standard AA's in a pinch). The EVF/LCD can be very helpful for checking your exposure (there's also a live view histogram), but it's just not the same as looking through the lens as you do with an SLR.

 

 

It is a terrific camera and I've made a lot of photographs I'm very proud of with the S3. However, I am already about to sacrifice my S3 for a dSLR and perhaps pick up a compact for toting around in a pocket when the SLR bag looks too heavy. Perhaps if you are even interested in SLR, you should go that route, unless money is the deciding factor (but do consider the future -- you will buy SLR lenses and accessories and new bodies for the rest of your photographic life). SLR-like cameras are a suitable substitute if you can't afford a true SLR anytime in the near future. Good luck with your decision. :)

Alright... crisis averted. I just came back from the camera shop. The lady there tried some regular alkaline AA's in the grip and got the same results I did. I suggested we try the CR123A's without the grip to see what happens and behold... everything worked great. I have tried the CR123A's in the grip as well, and everything seems fine that way, too. There must be some sort of problem in the grip causing it to not get power properly to the camera with AA size batteries -- perhaps in the mechanism that flips back forth to allow for the battery type.

 

Anyhow.. thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions. I may piddle around with the grip some more to see if I can get AA's working, but I am satisfied with how things have turned out regardless. The CR123A's were expensive, but they last a long time I hear. :)

 

Thanks again!

 

SDS

Hello everyone. :)

 

I just bought an Elan 7 with BP-300 battery grip on eBay. I put a 50mm f/1.8 II

lens on, loaded 4 rechargeable AA batteries in the grip, and turned it on to see

if everything was working.

 

Well.. it wasn't exactly. It seems to autofocus fine and fire the shutter.

Pressing the buttons and moving the dials seem to change things up. But, the

problem is the LCD on the top of the body as well as in the viewfinder just

don't display anything properly (though the AF points seem to work). You can't

tell what any of the settings are, so the camera is rendered pretty much useless

(maybe auto mode + crossed fingers would do something).

 

My thoughts are either A.) the camera is just broken, or B.) the batteries are

the issue. I know it says not to use lithium AA's, but these are rechargeable

NiMH batteries (which other sources say should be fine). I don't have any

CR123A's handy to try them out and see if the results are different. The only

thing I can figure is this: printed in the battery compartment of the B-300 is

"LR6 1.5V" -- the batteries I'm using are 2500mAh Energizer NiMH batteries (they

work wonderfully in my PowerShot S3); but on the side of the batteries it reads

"1.2V NiMH HR6". I'm not sure what the difference is in HR6 and LR6, but the

voltage is obviously slightly different.

 

So... are the batteries the likely culprit, or should I contact the seller about

a refund? If it is the batteries, could any permanent damage have been done to

the LCD, etc. by using the wrong voltage?

 

If anyone has any help, I'd love to hear some suggestions (I do plan on visiting

the camera store tomorrow to see if they will pop some CR123A's in and test it

out). The seller has a 14 day return policy, so at worst I'm out a few bucks on

shipping (and a broken heart... *sniffle*).

 

Thanks,

SDS

Not sure if eBay is a trustworthy source, but I've seen several listings saying they have them in stock (and also several selling as "pre-order only"). That is rather surprising, though... I thought the press release said late September.

The film camera market is great if you are buying... nearly unlimited selection and low, low prices. And people *are* buying film cameras. There's just so many being "sacrificed" to feed the digital monster, that they lose a lot of value in such ready availability. So of course, it's terrible if you're selling and paid retail prices when film cameras were new.

 

I am struggling to even afford a digital SLR, so I looked to film cameras to feed my photography urgings while I save up. I've bought two Minolta SRT's for around the $30 mark, and picked up 4 different Rokkor lenses in the deals -- I will be hanging on to these mechanical marvels for astrophotography if nothing else.

 

I just recently bought a more modern Elan 7 for $60 with a battery grip for more "realistic" film shooting while still being able to share lenses with a Canon dSLR in the future.

 

I would, as others suggested, just hang on to that EOS 3, or whatever other film cameras you have. Sometimes it's just fun to shoot film. And the "old" SLR's from the 70's are perfect learning tools to loan out to your friends and family who are interested -- and are just plain satisfying to use yourself from time to time.

Quote: "I am hopeful for the best, but I wonder if film enthusiasm is spreading to the younger generation (as opposed to old codgers like me). Does anyone have evidence of this?" /quote

 

I'm 25 years old and I haven't been interested in photography very long. About a year or so. When I got the itch, though, it bit me hard. I did a lot of reading and a lot of research on digital cameras, and ended up buying a Canon Powershot S3 IS. It's a great "prosumer" digital camera, but it wasn't long until I was ready for something more versatile like an SLR.

 

I started looking at the prices on new dSLR's and I was certain I would not be owning one of those anytime in the near future. So I read and researched some more, and somewhere along the line, got the idea in my head that I liked "old" film cameras.

 

I started searching the forums here on Photo.net and various other sources, looking for information on old cameras and read tales of people finding very rare or very expensive equipment at flea markets, pawn shops, yard sales, and the like and stealing them away for a song. Quite a romantic idea, so I set about searching such places, looking under rocks for a gem.

 

After several months of hunting, I've found it's not quite so easy to write your own "Look what I found for $10!!" story, but the hunt itself can still be very entertaining. I can't tell you how exciting it feels to catch a glimpse of black leatherette and chrome in the corner of your eye after rummaging through worthless junk all day. Even if the camera doesn't work or is in poor shape, it still gives you a little hope that eventually you may find something terrific. :)

 

To date, I've found quite a few cameras, but no real gems -- though, I still keep looking. My best purchase has been of a Minolta SRT-201 with 3 Rokkor lenses, a flash, and a bag on eBay. Not quite as exciting as finding one in a pile of junk, but for $32, I think it was worth it.

 

Anyhow... I've definitely got the photography bug, and film cameras is a large part of that. I am still looking to buy a digital SLR, but my film camera collection will likely put the electronic gizmos to shame. There's just something wonderful about turning those dials and rings to set your exposure and focus (slow as it is), lining up the needles in the viewfinder, winding that film advance level, and hearing that resounding click when you fire the shutter. No computer chip calculated the focus or exposure for you... you set it up yourself and nothing can degrade that.

 

What saddens me, though, is the world doesn't seem to agree (at least for now). My local camera store won't even touch old film SLRs for repair. They barely even sell film and don't have anything to do with medium format (though they will special order and send off for processing).

 

However, I do think film will be (or currently is) making a comeback, much as vinyl records, as someone else mentioned, have done. I watch a LOT of auctions on eBay and am surprised at how much some of these old cameras and non-current lenses sell for. I think the prices will only go up, rather than down. So, I agree... now, more than ever, is the best time for a classic camera and film photography. =)

My Canon S3 will record video in several different color modes, including B&W. I am not familiar with the GX100, but with the S3, I just set the color mode before hitting the video record button.

 

If you can't figure it out, there's bound to be some sort of video editing software than would convert to B&W, though I couldn't name one offhand.

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. :) However I think we've gone a bit off topic here. My main concern was whether or not it would be recommended to buy an older/used higher-end dSLR for around the same price as a brand new entry-level dSLR. Are things so much different today than they were 3-4 years ago (megapixels aside) to warrant buying a new basic model over an older model with more advanced features/controls? What are the chances of a used model falling to pieces on me?

 

My ideal SLR would have low noise at high ISO settings, shutter speeds from "bulb" to 1/4000 or faster, seperate dials for shutter and aperature, and a mirror lockup. Basically one that's intuitive and comfortable to use and versatile enough to do most anything from sports to landscapes and portraits to star trails. Brand isn't that big of an issue, as I would imagine each is as capable as the other within reason.

 

As for lenses, I think I'd like a nice wide angle 24mm or wider, around a 100mm portrait/macro lens, and a zoom up to 200 or 300mm. I would be happy starting out with one of those trusty 50mm f/1.8 that everyone talks about, though.

 

I've never used an SLR before, so maybe I'm looking for the wrong things. I don't want to be one of those guys who's hung up over the equipment specifications instead of just taking photos -- however I do feel like I need an SLR to do some of the things I'd like to try.

 

I agree the S3 and FZ50 seem very similar. I'm not really interested in buying another prosumer camera. If anything, I'd imagine the S3 and a dSLR would overlap enough that I'd end up "trading down" with the S3 to a more compact p&s -- one I wouldn't be so concerned about leaving in a hot car or banging around in a pocket (I lug the S3 around in a nice padded bag). :)

Thanks for the responses, all. :)

 

I have read a lot of stuff on the Canon vs Nikon debate, but I suppose reading isn't as good as experiencing. I don't really have any friends that are into photography, much less own a dSLR, so my only real option is to go out to a camera store and play around with what they have in stock until I'm shooed off with a broom. Ultimately, though, I'd imagine it would take months or years of use in system to really decide if it's "right" for me, and by then it'd be far too late to switch teams.

 

As I mentioned, I am very interested in 35mm film SLR's and even medium format cameras as well -- especially older ones. I have been scouring flea markets and the like over the summer, looking for some deals, but so far I've not really found anything in good working condition, and in most cases it would probably cost more to repair one than to buy a working one on eBay. :(

 

I've also considered a "modern" AF film SLR's like the Canon Elan 7 (which is what I'd need if I planned on sharing lenses with a dSLR -- I think most Nikons lenses will work across the board, though), but there's just something appealing to me about the older, mechanical, manual cameras. If I found an Elan 7 in a pawn shop, I'd still buy it, though. :)

 

Thanks again for all the replies, everyone. :)

P.S. The Canon has manual focus, but it's done with buttons. Zoom is done with a ring around the shutter button. Sorry if that was confusing.

Several months back I bought a Canon Powershot S3 IS. I mainly bought it

because it seemed like the best bang for the buck: auto modes for starting out;

priority and full manual modes for learning the ropes of exposure; a huge

optical zoom range and image stabilization; and mostly, I was just growing tired

of all those occasions when I said to myself, "Geeze, I wish I had a camera

right now!"

 

I love the S3 and it's a terrific camera. I've taken several thousand photos

with it in just a few short months and I will likely hang on to it for a good

while longer, shoot a few thousand more. However... now that I've been smitten

with the photography bug, I really feel the need to move to a dSLR (and I'm also

very interested in older film SLR's and medium format cameras, even Holgas, but

I digress). I want those higher/less noisy ISO speeds, "bulb" shutter mode, RAW

format, and my choice of lenses. Things the S3 just can't do.

 

Now here's the problem... I don't have $2,000 to go blow on a brand new 5D. I

don't even have $1,000 to blow on a 30D. If anything, I'd be lucky to scrape

together enough coin to buy a Rebel XT/i or D40/x. I have been watching eBay

auctions on "older" dSLR's like the Canon 300D, 10D, and D70 on the Nikon side,

each of which would be a bit cheaper than a brand new model, but they are also

~3 years old, which is next to "ancient" when it comes to technology. I'm also

impatient to get my hands on one, so that doesn't help matters. ;)

 

I'm leaning towards Canon, but I am not opposed to Nikon. I haven't really

considered other brands at all, but I'd imagine sticking to one of the two

giants would be best in the long run.

 

I suppose my question would go like this (multiple choice!):

 

1. Buy an "old" dSLR like the 10D or D70, save a few bucks, maybe pick up a few

extras in the deal, and maybe even buy a lens or two to go with it.

 

2. Save a little longer and buy a brand new Rebel XT/i or D40/x and suffer with

the kit lens for a while.

 

3. Sacrifice the S3 to feed an SLR. (I don't like this option) :(

 

4. Keep the S3, don't buy an SLR, and be glad to have a camera at all.

 

What would you do?

You might like the Fuji S9600/9100. It's not very compact and has an EVF , but it has a manual focus ring on the lens and the zoom is done by a ring on the lens also. It can record in RAW or JPEG, but no TIFF.

 

I considered buying this one myself, but ended up opting for the Canon Powershot S3 IS, which is at least $100 cheaper. These are both "SLR-like", superzoom, prosumer cameras, and not very compact, so perhaps not what you're looking for. Just thought I would throw that Fuji out there since you mentioned a focus ring.