Best SLR?

[nessvegas 0]

I want to move away from point and shoot digital cameras. Any of the folks here on the site have a recomendation for digital SLRs. My boyos are both athletes and always on the move and action shots are impossible with my point and shoots. Thanks!

_________________________________________
I married the right one......it just took me 2 times!

[SarahC07 0]

SLR = Single Lens Reflector?

That's all I have to contribute.

[Zenister 0]

you will get much more helpful responses in the Camera and Video forum just south of this one on your screen...

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[cdubs 0]

I am a professional photographer. SLR= Single Lens Reflex. I am assuming you are speaking of a digital SLR since no one wants to use film anymore (which I think is ridiculous). Go with a Nikon. They are very user friendly. I have been shooting with them for years. The Nikon D50 seems to be a fave amoung amateurs. Let me know if you have anymore questions!

[Squeak 17]

Quote

SLR = Single Lens Reflector R E F L E X?

That's all I have to contribute.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[pilotdave 0]

If you want the best, I hope you have a LOT of money to spend.
Look at the Canon Rebel XT, XTi, or the new XSi (which will come out soon). Can't go wrong with any of em.

Dave

[PhreeZone 20]

Nikon.. blashaphy! Go Canon then start saving up for some of that oh so sweet L glass. I took the plunge and got a low end L lens (still was $600) and I'm having a hard time going back. Regualr glass is great on a Canon but the L is just a different level on most the lenses.

Look in the Photo section here for some skydiving oriented info or look at sites like http://www.fredmiranda.com/ for lots of non-skydiving related info.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[sdctlc 0]

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Enjoy, I have been happy with mine for skydiving shots and ground stuff..

Scott C.

"He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!"

[DSE 5]

Nikon? Bite thy tongue.
Canon. Go Canon all the way.
BTW, this is coming from a guy that has at least 50k tied up in Nikkor glass in the film industry.
Canon.

[Squeak 17]

Quote

Nikon? Bite thy tongue.
Canon. Go Canon all the way.
BTW, this is coming from a guy that has at least 50k tied up in Nikkor glass in the film industry.
Canon.

OK Dough I am a BIG Canon fan, BUT
you want to give me a VALID reason why you would slight Nikon.
In my opinion (based on 20+ years amateur photography, therfore based on next to nothing) and having used both Canon and Nikon (aswell as Pentax).
The Canon and Nikon argument is akin to the Coke Pepsi arguent, i.e. it's a matter of preference and taste

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[DSE 5]

I slight Nikon predominantly out of their lack of customer service, and their lack of dedication to their customers.
However, the difference between Canon and Nikon at the higher end is very negligible (other than Nikon is a bigger pain in the ass for skydiving photography).
Each has their fan boys, and no, it's not the same as Coke or Pepsi. Pepsi sucks.

At the end of the day, they're not all that different. Nikon is slightly better in low light, but they don't build their own image sensors, so I understand the "why." Their images at the high end is weak compared to Canon. Canon is much better in higher end native resolutions, but they build their own sensors. And they're damn good at it, both APSC and full-frame.
Nikon has slightly less expensive lenses, and a far smaller selection of lenses. We use Nikkor glass on the various 35mm film adaptors, primarily because no one makes a 35mm adaptor for Canon glass. Otherwise, I'd be all over it.
Bear in mind, I'm talking about DSLR vs film cams...and in that game, Canon is also significantly further ahead than anyone. You'll find that by a very wide margin, Canon is the far more used digital option in the world of professional photography. Just like there are a few skydiving videographers that use camcorders that aren't Sony, there is a population of photographers that use high-end digital that isn't Canon.
And all that said, it's an opinion from someone who makes their living creating images with a camera, but it's still just an opinion.

[skysmurf2 0]

Any one have opinions on the Nikon D80... I've got my eye on it but this would be my first digital SLR (so prob. is a bit more camera than I absolutely need). Have been using a Nikon F60 for years (as a complete amateur) and I love it.

[cdubs 0]

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Any one have opinions on the Nikon D80... I've got my eye on it but this would be my first digital SLR (so prob. is a bit more camera than I absolutely need). Have been using a Nikon F60 for years (as a complete amateur) and I love it.

One of the cameras I own is the D80. I love it.

Now, I can't believe I have stumbled upon the Canon, alternate universe here! I must say, and this is the honest truth, in my many years of being a professional photographer, I have never met so many canon users. But I *do* have to admit, I don't skydive (seriously considering it) so I haven't shot while jumping.

One more thing I have to admit, it *is* much like the Pepsi, Coke debate. I will say that someone above mentioned that Nikon's customer service sucks. I find it quite opposite. I have met a number of those folks and have found that they go over and above anything that they really needed to do. I am a member of Nikon Professional Services and am quite happy with going with Nikon.
lol good luck

[DSE 5]

I am a member of Nikon Professional Services and am quite happy with going with Nikon.

Most folks around can't qualify for Nikon Professional Services. The *majority* of folks around here don't have 5K to drop on a single lens.
Additionally, on the general whole, which cameras are popular at the moment are very much regional.
That said, in Skydiving there are three very big names, and then a lot of lesser names. The three big (none of them sponsored) shoot canon.
In our neck of the woods, there is one Nikon support store, and they suck. They have one large client (LDS church) and if you're not part of that organization's media corps, you get treated like shit.
Canopies are regional too....

[mnealtx 0]

Another issue is how the different cameras handle noise. Right now, Canon handles noise better than the Nikons, but I'm told that Nikon's top-line camera is much better than their other choices in that regard.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[jtval 0]

Quote

Nikon.. blashaphy!

Did you mean B.l.a.s.p.h.e.m.y?

Quote

I slight Nikon predominantly out of their lack of customer service, and their lack of dedication to their customers.
However, the difference between Canon and Nikon at the higher end is very negligible (other than Nikon is a bigger pain in the ass for skydiving photography).
Each has their fan boys, and no, it's not the same as Coke or Pepsi. Pepsi sucks.

At the end of the day, they're not all that different. Nikon is slightly better in low light, but they don't build their own image sensors, so I understand the "why." Their images at the high end is weak compared to Canon. Canon is much better in higher end native resolutions, but they build their own sensors. And they're damn good at it, both APSC and full-frame.
Nikon has slightly less expensive lenses, and a far smaller selection of lenses. We use Nikkor glass on the various 35mm film adaptors, primarily because no one makes a 35mm adaptor for Canon glass. Otherwise, I'd be all over it.
Bear in mind, I'm talking about DSLR vs film cams...and in that game, Canon is also significantly further ahead than anyone. You'll find that by a very wide margin, Canon is the far more used digital option in the world of professional photography. Just like there are a few skydiving videographers that use camcorders that aren't Sony, there is a population of photographers that use high-end digital that isn't Canon.
And all that said, it's an opinion from someone who makes their living creating images with a camera, but it's still just an opinion.

While I usually look to you and your posts to be informative and generally non biased I have to call bullshit here. I used to agree with you but after pause in being a consumer of their company I find the Pepsi does not suck. In fact, My girlfriend got me hooked on it and I actually sometimes crave it. WTF, over?

My photos

My Videos

[Zenister 0]

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I find the Pepsi does not suck. In fact, My girlfriend got me hooked on it and I actually sometimes crave it. WTF, over?

that is just the extra sugar (and the influence of the GF) talking to you JT..

as far as camera's the other key thing to remember for skydiving vs ground photography is you are pretty much 'stuck' with what you have in skydiving.. ie you cant change settings on 'the fly' (in freefall). So the camera that gives the best consistent performance at a single setting wins over one with a 1000 fancy features you cant access till you are on the ground.

that and the ability to accept 'easy user mods' for activation will place one camera higher than another.. Canon very much appears to have the features that best support the specific demands of the skydiving photographer.. but that doesnt mean that Nikon is 'lesser quality' (Coke v Pepsi.. comes down to taste and what you use it for... Rum and Pepsi anyone?? yuuuck) simply that it isnt as user friendly for the skydiving application.

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.