Hi everyone, I can't decide which camera as I have lost touch with the camera world even though I was once an avid slr photographer many years ago (before dslr was invented).

Originally I had opted for Lumix LX5 becos I want something compact. LX5's built-in Leica lens' heritage and quality also attracted me. Furthermore, I like that it can zoom and autofocus while videoing. Unfortunately it not having any depth of field for still photography is a BIG minus for me since I like blurry portraits. BTW, I also like existing light photography over flash. I don't do sports photography much so ultra-fast shutter and fast multiple fps not important to me.

Hopefully you sifu's can give me your advice and suggestion saving me hours googling around.

Thanks a million!

Type of camera/lens/accesories :  DSLR + Lens Kit
Budget: RM2-3K
Your Location:  KL
Preferable brand :  Any major brand which has reasonably priced bright (fixed or zoom) portrait lenses.
Type of photography u want to do :  Portrait & Existing Light Photography
Any specific models in mind? :  Prefer a small body. Don't mind cheap body x better lens, just-discontinued or even used equipment.
Any specific features u want? :  (1) Preferably has a built-in viewfinder so that I can hold the camera by pressing against my face to steady it for existing light photography; (2) If can zoom and autofocus while taking HD video would be an added bonus to me.

This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 22 2010, 08:37 AM

Hi Sniper, thanks.
Any more suggestion fellow forumers? Pls keep them coming.
Any constructive suggestion is welcome.
Oh yah, one more thing - quoting the 35mm camera lens equivalent will be very much appreciated as I'm not familiar with dslr's focal length.

CoreDud, thank you thank you!

More suggestions plssssss...

This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 22 2010, 08:42 AM

Thanks a lot zstan. If not for you the A33/55 probably would have escaped my radar. Will definitely check them out. Hope I like how they look and feel.

Wow! even images at iso 12800 also boleh tahan! Then lower iso no need to say already loh hor. That's surely a strong point to me since I like existing light photography.

I didn't know that Sony has the best AF for vid recording. Good that you point it out to me.

I'm rather impressed with the autofocus speed shown in the videos. Are Canon/Nikon's much slower, anybody knows?

Wonder Sony's lenses are in the same league as Canon and Nikon already?

Thank you once again zstan.

This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 22 2010, 10:53 AM

Actually I had dabbled with most of the big names except Minolta (strange, don't know why). Sony and Panasonic cameras were not out yet. Cameras I owned are now antiques already. I also malu to tell you guys. Anyway, they were Canon AE1, Canon A1, Olympus OM2N, Pentax MX and lastly the Nikon FM which I coupled it a 28-200mm/f3.5 Tamron lens besides the standard lens it came with, if I remember correctly.

The last 20 years or so I had switched to compact cameras after tired of dragging heavy and bulky slr around. That's why at first I thought of getting the Pana LX5 as my next camera istead of DSLR, but alas no DOF susah lah.

What's the pros and cons of EVF, anyone?

Thanks once again, Sniper.

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Added on October 22, 2010, 11:20 amThanks mint87 for confirmming that Sony has the best AF so far.

Will the loss of 30% of the light affect the IQ?

Cheers!



This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 22 2010, 11:20 AM

Judging from what you explained, this EVF thing seems to be a good idea.

What do you mean by "conventional DSLR"? About the depth of field, why is it that with conventional DSLR you can only see DOF at f3.5 even if you are shooting at f1.4?

"...you can go read yourself la", I know but lazy ma that's why I asked you sifu's loh. Else have to spend 10's of hours browsing on the net, see liao.

Arigato zstan!

Thanks for the explanation on conventional dslr thing.

So need to ask you when they say a camera's video recording has AF do they mean that the camera will keep on refocusing whenever you point the camera on a different target/subject like when we video a person moving towards you? Sorry, I'm so behing time, guess I lau liao And how do you go about refocusing it manually? Is it troublesome?

Thanks in advance everybody.

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Added on October 22, 2010, 3:22 pmUnfortunately I sold every single one of them already when I switched to using compact cameras. Now regret. Even had a handheld German bellow foldable camera with Carl Zeiss lens but was stolen.

So now have to start from scratch. That's why have to decide which make carefully, don't want to keep switching make cos very costly. I only plan to have 3 lenses in totla - 24 (or 28)mm, 105 mm and a 28-135mm zoom (I'm talking about 35mm photography), as I'm no longer gila camera or photography (cos proven I don't have artistic talent even thought I have the technical knowhow ). Will go for the brightest lens if at all possible and then build up my set from there. That's why I do not mind even used or cheap body if it means I can have better quality lenses.






This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 22 2010, 03:22 PM

Since you said that for kid running around to forget about AF video, so switch to manual focusing? Then need to keep on focusing right? Not mah fun meh?

Wah, very bright Sigma lens you have there!

This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 22 2010, 03:56 PM

Yes of course I did. Was impressed with the speed of the autofocusing. Would have thought that big names like Canon and Nikon also the same. Surprised.

Think I'll like the EVF cos don't like holding camera away from body/face - it's not so steadly especially at shutter speeds longer than 0.5 second. Hate having to carry tripod or monopod.

Was checking the camera and lens prices just now and noticed that Canon bodies come in EOS and D series, correct? Can you guys tell me what are their differences? Thanks a lot.

I believe there will be less camera shakes cos no mirror movement as it is fixed. You all forgot to highlight that Variable Angle Xtra Fine LCD which I found very useful from past experience.

Just found out that Sony A33 can only shoot up to 11 minutes of video at 20 degrees Celsius with Image Stabilization turned on, due to sensor overheating issue. A55 worse, only 9 minutes. In our hot weather it'll be worse.

What a waste cos I've more or less decided on Sony SLT DSLR (provided it feel right when I go and check it out in the shop and not too bulky like I saw on the web). Now only need to see which model and package to go for. I may have to top up my budget by 1-2k if I go for A55. Hope my bank manager won't ask me to sleep on my own after my purchase.

Last but not least, thanks to all of you sifus for your guidance. Really appreciate it.
Mmm Koi Mmm Koi!!!

This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 22 2010, 06:49 PM

True, true. I agree. Phew!

The A55's EVF protrudes out so much wonder nice to use or not. Heard it has got this 'rainbow' ghosting issue.
And the PASM dial, so unconventional located. Don't know practical or not.
What do you guys think?

This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 22 2010, 10:48 PM

Now? Now is already 11:21pm where can I still find photographic shop opened leh?
Tomorrow too busy think Sunday I'll check it out in one of the major retail outlets in The Curve.
Keeping my fingers cross that I'll like it and that the A55 body plus one good and practical lens is within my reach.

THANKS!

For true portability = S95
For ability to zoom and autofocus when video recording = LX5
For prestige & resale value = LX5
Everything else, both about the same.

Just my two cents worth.

You may also like to refer to this easy-to-understand review.


BTW, I'm going for LX5 cos I need the video features above.

This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 26 2010, 10:04 PM

Anyone can let me know what is the difference between these two lenses (apart from the VC thing)?

This vs This

How come one has got blue ring around it?

Thank you.

This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 29 2010, 09:31 AM

Didn't know that there is such a thing in the market for smooth zooming.
Is it of any use?
Thanks for sharing.

This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 29 2010, 09:49 AM

To me blue ring looks out of place - downright ugly.
If in red or gold, then nice.

This post has been edited by sevenor: Oct 29 2010, 09:58 AM