Digital Camera

[tct70]

Hi All,

I am spending more and more time recently creating photo montages. As this is the case I thought I'd ask what digital camera people are using or recommend.

I currently have a Konica Minolta Dimage Z20. This has 5.0 mega pixels, and a best quality file is 2048 x 1536 in .jpg format.

The resolution seems a touch low, especially as I need to prepare some images for sales hoarding soon which obviously will be quite large.

Although the business will purchase this equipment and not me personally I must be able to justify any expense, so can't just get the most expensive. The arguement being that I will not be using it day-in, day-out.

Any assistance would be much appreciated.

Trev

[sea2stars]

Photo montages?

Have you tried any of the free stitching programs?

PTAssembler for example.

[Neilg]

Canon 350d's/digital rebels are good for their price, and you can get some really nice lenses for them that you can hold onto after you upgrade the camera.

You'll probably get some mention of a nikon D70 in here too, but at the end of the day theyre pretty similar, so it depends which you prefer the feel of.

Also, stock lenses are rubbish and wide is awesome. Ive got a 10-22mm on mine and its very slick. Distortion can be an issue, but if youre in a situation where you need a 10mm lens thats probably not an issue.

[jow]

Recently got a canon d400, great bit of kit for the money.
the lens that came with it is crap, makes a good door stop though!!!
I picked up a 17-40 L series lens of the tinternet, nearly half the price Jessops wanted....

[dlparisi]

Cubicleganster and Jow: What's wrong with the stock lenses? Quality, zoom range, image?

[jow]

There poorly made, the focus is'nt very crisp and the glass is low quality.
But when you think you are only paying an extra £20 for the kit lens, you are better of buying just the camera body and a different lens.

[Neilg]

Well, theyre worth about £30 on their own, and probably cost around a fiver to make.
In short, pretty much everything on that list.

And weight too. I dont want a lens on my big important looking camera that weighs less than an empty packet of crisps, it doesnt feel right

[tct70]

Thanks all.................

Gonna price (and then beg) for a Canon, D400 if possible.

My next problem is the lense. Having read what you guys have said about the lense kits being Pony I need some advice. I will be using this camera for preparing shots for Montages, so not for close ups, landscapes, christmas parties etc. From the minefield out there, some of these lenses are twice the price of the camera.

Bottom line is I need to know what size (mm) I should be looking for as money will certainly be an issue.

Thanks in advance.

[Syclone1]

I cant realy give any advice on a lens but have a look at http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/ for lens reviews and there is also a great forum over at www.dpchallenge.com for more lens advice...

-dave

[Neilg]

Bottom line is I need to know what size (mm) I should be looking for as money will certainly be an issue.

Thanks in advance.

It really does vary on the shot - a cheap wide around 17-20mm, and a 50mm prime would tide you over until you need some range, when i'd step up to a 70-2/300.
Bear in mind this is a general setup for everything you might come to - you might know you'll never need anything wider than 40mm

As far as quality of glass goes, its all down to your budget. If youre not incredibly picky and with a sick attention to detail, you wont notice (well, care about) the difference between an L series and non-L for this kind of use.
Sigma do some alright copies of canon lenses for quite a bit less too.