Dad wants an SLR, but what to get him?

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Originally Posted by Jay

Doh... already been posted. I'll get my coat

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You could always try new appalling puns?
http://www.fmft.net/archives/slr3/slr%203.jpg

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Originally Posted by Singh400

Steve I'd be interested to know what you got him (if anything)? Been wanting to get started in the SLR side of things for ages.

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> excellent package to get you into SLR :) > http://forums.hexus.net/classifieds-...ml#post1881386

Are you upgrading Bobster?

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Originally Posted by YorkieBen

Are you upgrading Bobster?

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yup ISO3200 isnt cutting it for me any more at some of the places i take photographs...

What's the replacement then? 500D? Or are you spalshing the cash on the 7D?

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Originally Posted by YorkieBen

What's the replacement then? 500D? Or are you splashing the cash on the 7D?

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i would never take a step back with a camera body, after the 300D the x00D bodies became so small..

my hand vs a 20D battery grip
http://www.pbase.com/bob_hall/image/120015017.jpg

i've looked at the pro's and con's of owning a 7D vs a 50D, i rarely take a sequence of photographs that would warrant 8fps - the difference in print size between 15.1 and 18 Mpix is negligible. focusing? i can't comment, i find the 20D to be up to the job focusing wise.

onboard off camera light control is nice, but i already do that anyway.

if i was a tech geek, then sure having the latest and greatest would be a huge advantage when showing off.. but i think my photographs do my showing off..

so why am i upgrading? low light shooting, i find that ISO3200 isn't enough any more, the lighting technicians around this area seem to want to light their acts with as little light as they can, and i'm always walking in to situations were i have my ISO cranked to the max and only getting 1/30 of a second..

What are you looking to buy if iso3200 is not enough?

The 50D is capable of ISO 12800.

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Originally Posted by DannyM

The 50D is capable of ISO 12800.

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Extended, yes. From what I understand, that's no different to increasing the photo's exposure in post processing. It's not a "true" ISO6400 or 12800.

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Originally Posted by kalniel

You can either go for a compact that has full controls to get used to the idea of being in control, or you can go for an interchangeable lens camera that has compact-like operation.

The former is much cheaper, but you still are limited by compact sensor restrictions, ie poor low light performance etc. I'm out of date with recommendations in that area without doing some research - at the time I was in that stage cameras like the canon A series were a good option.

The latter is more expensive, but the quality of the output is very good. Look at either mirror-less cameras like the olympus pen, panasonic GF1 etc. or DSLRs with good dedicated live-view options, like the entry level Sony alphas.

If you can get used to the idea of looking through a viewfinder then all DSLRS have very good auto modes, so don't worry too much about getting a bridge camera and instead get to a shop to handle different makes/models and see which you get on with best.

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Thanks for the info!

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Originally Posted by brammers

The EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens) cameras are looking pretty sweet now - they've all got nice big sensors. You do lose the viewfinder, but they're still serious cameras. The tech is very new though (or rather this particular arrangement of the tech is) so maybe wait a bit if you can? Most of the manufacturers still haven't released their first rounds.

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is they any that are available at the moment so I can check out some of its reviews?

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Originally Posted by KidChameleon

Extended, yes. From what I understand, that's no different to increasing the photo's exposure in post processing. It's not a "true" ISO6400 or 12800.

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the top ISO of the 20D is 1600.. Extended is 3200.. The in camera pushing is easier and more efficient than doing it post..

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Originally Posted by ma10

is they any that are available at the moment so I can check out some of its reviews?

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I believe Samsung have a camera?

The Samsung NX isn't out yet, I'd like to have a look at the autofocus speed on these new EVILs to see how much it lags compared to that of a dslr

A comparison of the 7D, 50D and D300s for high ISO here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos7d/page15.asp

the 7D appears to be superior to the 50D. The 50D's standard top ISO before 'extending' is 3200 rather than the 7D's which is def noticable. The D300s seems to be at least equal at high iso of the canon (I find the D300's high iso noise slightly more aesthetically pleasing) but the especially considering the 7D's very high resolution (for crop sensors).

Surprised that the 7D doesn't have an AF illuminator, then again neither does the 50D.

Might be worth waiting a short while to see if canon release a 60D which would probably lead to the 50D's price to fall (then again that's the continual game with electronics :) )

Panasonic GF1

very light and compact with pancake lens

I think it's gonna be the Panasonic GF1. Just got to be careful I don't try to keep it for myself :P

Thanks for the help guys!