sean_matheny

<p>Thanks for all the input, folks. I stumbled upon a 1ds2 in excellent condition with just a few thousand on the shutter, and I'm really happy with the decision. The old saying "everyone wants perfection, but nobody wants to pay for it" certainly applies, and I appreciate the comments urging me to the newer bodies for concerns of risk and technological improvements. I just had to draw the line somewhere. We really are spoilt for choice with so many amazing models to choose from. <br> What mitigates some of the risk in going with the Canon is what others have said; I have more trust and expectation that the Canon system will be there for me in a couple years in very a similar form, compared to Sony. At this point, whether right or wrong in my decision, I'm looking forward to putting the computer away, pulling the camera out, and getting out to some beautiful places. Thanks again everyone.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the input, everyone. In the end, for better or for worse, I found a great deal on a 1DSII in top condition with just a few thousand clicks on the shutter. The a850/900 is a stellar camera, and a deal at what they're trading at now. It was a really tough choice, made up in part by a circumstantial great deal on the Canon. Truly, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.</p>

<p>(Obviously that's the Sony 28-75 f2.8 SAM above, not 74mm) <br> I really like Nikon gear too, but from what I've found, they were so late to the FF game that there's no FF bodies right now <$1000, and spending ~$1200 on a D700 to take a good step down in resolution doesn't sound good to me. Correct me if I'm wrong here, and I'm not trying to incite violence in the streets. :) </p>

<p>Thanks for the input. it does all boil down to lenses, I know. I've got the money to get a nice, newer FF body from the start. But for the money spent, I'm not happy with the benefits. Even more important, I want to start off with at least one piece of top quality glass, and not tell myself that I'll just live with the aftermarket bull plop lens just "for the time being", because we all know how that works out. <br /> I'm a real wide-angle guy, so right out of the gate (if I go with Canon) I'm looking at getting 17-40mm f4 L, and maybe a nifty-fifty to at least have a fast prime. Or, start with the 24-105 f4 L (ad 50mm 1.8) and save up for maybe a Zeiss wide prime (18mm or 21mm). <br /> If I go Sony, I've got some nice options, but they don't feel as solid. I was thinking of getting a Minolta 28-135 walk around temporarily (or the Sony SAL 28-74 SAM, but I'm not impressed with the reviews). At the same time, get a nice wide zoom, like the Sigma 12-24mm or 15-30mm, both which I've heard nice things about for the price. And immediately start squirreling away for the ubiquitous and expensive 24-70mm Sony CZ.<br /> I'm just afraid I won't want to save up for nice glass with the Sony, because in the back of my mind I it will eat at me that I won't ever be able to upgrade to a newer Sony body, and have a OVF.<br /> To those recommending the 5D; maybe I will give that another look. I love robust builds and it's hard to judge when you can't hold it in your hand. I was looking at keeping the body under $1k so that I could get some really nice glass to start, and the 5DII is 50% more than this (roughly) right now. Again, thanks for the comments-- they're helping relieve the mental constipation, if you can excuse the metaphor.</p>

<p>Thanks for the input, Dave. Parv, Please forgive me if this breaks etiquette-- I posted this in the Canon forums, and did this only to get input from both camps. I should have mentioned this. <br> I'm sure that OVF is the future for most cameras, but I'm just not excited about the switch at this point. Maybe in five or ten year's time the quality will have advanced to the point that the visual difference is transparent (and the batteries can keep up too). I've always enjoyed nature and wildlife photography precisely because it was a little escape from technology. Spending time looking through the VF at something beautiful was half the satisfaction. The current EVFs available spoil this a little for me. <br> I love the benefits of digital, but I miss the quality of components with film, OVF included. I wasn't happy the first time I got a plastic lens with focus by wire. It just cheapened the art artform a little for me. We're starting to see some quality build return in the mirror-less world (Olympus OM-D, Fuji, and A7, etc.), but for a used SLR body in my price range, a body made from metal with good notchy controls is hard to find. Horses for courses, though.</p>

<p>Hey folks! I'm looking to upgrade to FF. My minor in college (so many years ago) was printmaking. Although I've had a few DSLRs since the film days, I've struggled to find anything in my budget that could compare with the build, VF, and DOF of the Canon F1 and medium format gear I cut my teeth on. I'm also starting from scratch, system-wise. I'm into absolutely minimum ISO landscape work. <br> I've got it narrowed down to two bodies: Canon 1DSII and Sony A850/A900. I've done a lot of research into each of these, and I completely realize that these are apples and oranges. However, such is being a flexible amateur with a limited budget. I don't live anywhere near a proper camera store, so I can't try out beforehand.<br> I'm old school and not a gizmo guy at all, so i will not really miss live view, a nice LCD, etc. However, in-body IS and the sensor dust removal system could be very beneficial. Weight and size aren't an issue-- I've always had older, robust cameras and consider that a feature. The extra MP on the Sony are a bonus and certainly not needed for my uses. I have looked at the 5DII, but it's about 40% over my budget currently, has too much plastic for my taste, and the AF seems average for it's price. <br> If I go Canon and invest in good L glass, I know that I can upgrade the body in a couple years. Is there a good chance that there won't be another Sony FF DSLR with an OVF?<br> Has anyone out there had much experience with these two? Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated. And please feel free to correct anything you think I've got wrong. Thanks again. </p>

<p>I'm looking to upgrade to FF. My minor in college (so many years ago) was printmaking. Although I've had a few DSLRs since the film days, I've struggled to find anything in my budget that could compare with the build, VF, and DOF of the F1 and MF stuff I cut my teeth on. I'm also starting from scratch, system-wise. I'm into absolutely minimum ISO, available light landscape stuff.<br> Considering an absolute max of US$1000 for the body, I've got it narrowed down to two bodies: Canon 1DSII and Sony A850/A900. I've done a lot of research into each of these, and I completely realize that these are apples and oranges to an extent. However, such is being flexible with a limited budget. The 5DII does not interest me; I can't put my finger on it, but to pay a third more $$ and get what I've read is an average AF, and more plastic on the body doesn't appeal. Maybe I'm wrong on that, but I can't get one for <$1000 anyways.<br> I'm in a location where I can't test these out in person, unfortunately.<br> I love the build of the 1Ds, and the weight/size doesn't scare me (I really like sturdiness). Canon glass is more familiar, and used L seems cheaper than Sony CZ. I'm old school, and do not really care about gizmo tech at all... so the LCD and lack of live view (etc) isn't an issue. I don't need the extra resolution of the Sony, but it never hurts either. I'm worried that Canon will cut loose the 1DSII soon, and not being able to get a shutter replaced easily, worries me.<br> The Sony has solid build and has some very practical useful tech, like the in-body IS and sensor cleaner. It's also 5 years newer and has nicer trimmings. However, I'm not thrilled with the lens selection or price, and the Minolta/Sony/CZ range seems all-or-nothing. And will Sony even be making a mirrored camera in a few years? With the Canon I know I can invest in good glass and upgrade the body in a couple years.<br> Sorry for the long and choppy post. Any advice, or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again. </p>