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Thread ID: 74601	2006-11-28 20:35:00	Looking for digital camera answers..Please help.	robyfurman (11542)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
502786	2006-11-28 20:35:00	Hi everyone, I want to buy a new digital camera for a professional photographer ( yes I am trying to grow up). I have a lot of stuff for the minolta but can not seem to find out if the digital camera made by minolta will still use the lens I have...anyways... I was wondering if anyone could point me to the best semi-pro digital camera..at least 8 mp and I need to have a sync plug for my lights. I was told to come here because when it comes to technology this is the place to come..even when its a camera. Thanks for all the help, Rob Furman	robyfurman (11542)
502787	2006-11-28 21:06:00	Hi, you could help by saying what Minolta you are referring to. This forum might be a more likely place to find out if it is still useful forums.dpreview.com bearing in mind that Sony has taken over the camera division of Konica Minolta.	PaulD (232)
502788	2006-11-28 21:11:00	www.consumer.org.nz Trevor :)	Trev (427)
502789	2006-11-28 21:16:00	What equip do you have and what desire or type of photog styles you wanna get into? How much you wanna spend? Basically I think for a new comer best to go with Canon or Nikon has you have expensive gears all catered and consumer priced gears. Minolta has somewhat restricted things, I think they have one digital SLR but that is bought by Sony, ie, the Sony Alpha dSLR and takes Minolta lenses and also Sony and Zeiss. When you talk about sync port? You mean you wanna get into studio portraiture so you can plug in say the studio flashes. Not sure on the Canon but the Nikon you will need the D200 or higher. You can work around it by buying a hotshoe attachment and then plug the studios onto that but the thing is if the studio lights are stronger it can zap your camera, there are things to regulate the voltage but they are generally more hassle than its worth. Another angle of approach is to attach a wireless trigger on your hotshoe and you an trigger the studio lights via wireless. Edit. If you have lenses and stuff off Minolta, I go to Sony website and look at their manuals an spec sheets. Have a look at dpreview.com and look at the Minolta reviews as well and the Sony.	Nomad (952)
502790	2006-11-28 21:26:00	I wouldn't recommend the Sony Alpha for a professional, even if you've got Minolta lenses for it. It's a entry-level DSLR and not suitable for pro work. 1] How much money are you looking to spend 2] What kind of photography is it for (studio work, sports etc) as this influences features. Nikon and Canon are your bets bets for a semi-pro DSLR. But again, it depends on what you really need and how much you're willing to spend.	Biggles (121)
502791	2006-11-28 21:49:00	Welcome to PressF1 robyfurman :D Olympus digital camera seem to be good :)	stu161204 (123)
502792	2006-11-29 15:20:00	Thank you all so much for your help. let me give more detail. I want to shoot portraits and outdoor modeling. I have been doing this with a maxxum 7 from minolta with simple lights synced into the camera. I can do ti wireless though..never tried that and not sure what to buy to make it happen. I am looking to spend around 1000 for a good body and lens. I have a quantaray 70-300 lens that I love but not sure if it would fit a digital camera or even work on a digital camera. I also have a power zoom PZ-1 flash that again i dont know if it will work with a purchased digital camera. The more help the better .... Thanks Rob:thumbs:	robyfurman (11542)
502793	2006-11-29 18:49:00	I am looking to spend around 1000 for a good body and lens. I suspect you should declare what country you live in just so we don't jump to conclusions. New Zealand Dollars don't go far enough :D	PaulD (232)
502794	2006-11-29 19:46:00	Second that. Of you're talking NZ dollars then $1000 for body and lens is not a semi-pro cmaera at all. You really should go to dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com/) and check out their reviews of the Sony Alpha, Nikon D80 and D200, and Canon 30D. I think what you want will be found among these but your $1000 price point (assuming that's $US) may be too low for what you really want.	Biggles (121)
502795	2006-11-29 22:14:00	You won't get that in here or any "entry" SLR for that price apart from a film SLR . Lens not included . How I see it: Continue to shoot film . If digital . Since you have stuff compatible with Minolta is get that Sony dSLR and use your present lenses and the flash . The flash may not be compatible on the newer even Minolta type cameras . You should be able to use them in manual modes thou but for studio lights that is not bad as studio lights are mainly manual anyway . By the way how you gonna lit up lights outside or what light source you gonna use? 2 options, external wireless flash that is expensive or use kind of onsite studio lights with portable power unit . For other brands a Canon 350D or a Nikon D40 that is coming out soon are the cheapest ways or get 2nd hand . For portraits you do need studio lights and or external flash or multiple . You also need a fast lens so you can knock the back into blur such as a 50mm f . 1 . 8 lens or a 80mm or a 135mm etc . , the longer the lens it looks flatter for portraits more pleasing . A fast zoom will be around $1500US alone, a non zoom can be around $100US the 50mm or the 135 more like up to 600-700US for that (1) lens alone . Flashes for the latest camera if you are using flashes that is is like $300US for one that is not the top model one . Camera body alone with kit lens $500US the Nikon, a bit more for the Canon 350D, The Nikon is 6MP and the Canon is 8MP . Buying in NZ add approx up to 20% . Given portraits is not fast action it is do able with entry level equipment but less ergonomically designed . A semi pro camera is really a Canon 30D, 5D or Nikon D200, those are around $1500US or over excluding a lens .	Nomad (952)
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