urgently need an advice from newbies and pro...

[arttitude13]

Yeah...that's rite... thanx for ur kind advice...really apreciate that. I'll study hard. Sometimes i even fall asleep with my dear little fren (H1) hehe.:bsmilie:

oh ya...btw,mind me askin....i'm still blur in these CS thingy. How cn i get my pics into the forum for ppl me gv comments? I tried but my pics seems to go nowhere...
I tink it has landed rubbish bin. Haaaaaaaa:sweatsm:

 

[arttitude13]

oh ya...btw,mind me askin....i'm still blur in these CS thingy. How cn i get my pics into the forum for ppl me gv comments? I tried but my pics seems to go nowhere...
I tink it has landed rubbish bin. Haaaaaaaa :angel:

 

[nikonrus]

sorilah...me a bit blur blur..
Mind if u elaborate pls...???:embrass:
Btw,i still nt sure if i shld juz stick to my H1 or do i really nid to get a DSLR. sigh!

About the term entire system, we mean the camera & included lens, extra lens, flash, tripod, filters, and the list goes on. And mind you, each single item you see cost quite a bit, the most expensive being the extra lens. Some professionals have got 10 lens or more and some of these lens cost many times more than the camera itself.

It's easy for you to say right now (because you don't own one) that you're not interested in going beyond the basic kit (camera body & lens), but after taking a few shows, you'll start wanting to be a little bit more creative and that's when the trouble starts. First a flash, then followed by 3 tripod (first one is cheap but breaks/wobbles, second one you double but after a while you think you need a ballhead or a panhead so you end up buy a manfrotto which cost you 1/3 what you paid for the 2nd hand camera) all because you want to capture the National Day fireworks. To take soft images for a friend's wedding, you buy a few filters, a reflector & a flash diffusor. But for the next project, you buy a wide angle lens that cost more than your tripod; but because the size of the lens not the same as your kit lens, you end up buying another set of filters.

Do you see where the story leads? This unfortunately isn't the end; it's actually just the begining. Cos after owning a few lens, you feel you've outgrown the D50, so you end up buying a D200 and then the cycle begins again, but just not as bad because you already have some stuff you can carry on using.

So there! I've given you your future (like many many others before you). And once you start to sum up all that you've spent, you'll realize that you could have actually bought a new HDB flat instead. hehehhe.

 

[arttitude13]

About the term entire system, we mean the camera & included lens, extra lens, flash, tripod, filters, and the list goes on. And mind you, each single item you see cost quite a bit, the most expensive being the extra lens. Some professionals have got 10 lens or more and some of these lens cost many times more than the camera itself.

It's easy for you to say right now (because you don't own one) that you're not interested in going beyond the basic kit (camera body & lens), but after taking a few shows, you'll start wanting to be a little bit more creative and that's when the trouble starts. First a flash, then followed by 3 tripod (first one is cheap but breaks/wobbles, second one you double but after a while you think you need a ballhead or a panhead so you end up buy a manfrotto which cost you 1/3 what you paid for the 2nd hand camera) all because you want to capture the National Day fireworks. To take soft images for a friend's wedding, you buy a few filters, a reflector & a flash diffusor. But for the next project, you buy a wide angle lens that cost more than your tripod; but because the size of the lens not the same as your kit lens, you end up buying another set of filters.

Do you see where the story leads? This unfortunately isn't the end; it's actually just the begining. Cos after owning a few lens, you feel you've outgrown the D50, so you end up buying a D200 and then the cycle begins again, but just not as bad because you already have some stuff you can carry on using.

So there! I've given you your future (like many many others before you). And once you start to sum up all that you've spent, you'll realize that you could have actually bought a new HDB flat instead. hehehhe.

alamak...that is really a looooong one. Okay,now i understand.
Eewww,that sounds really scarie ya:sweat:
well...after all the advice given frm all the generous n friendly members...i still hv myself to make that decision rite?
Make sure i make the rite decision then....if not i will ended up investing a total sum of wich i cn actually buy a condominiun.hehe:bsmilie:
Well...thnx a lot everyone. The long 6hrs chatting hv made me quater equip abt cameras and family.Make sure i dont ended up dreamin abt it also. That's scarie....:sweat:

 

[xxccxx]

My 2cents worth below.

1) For the wedding, u better clarify with your fren whether a pro has been engaged. If yes, u are likely to be just a backup. If that's the case, then u no stress le!

2) DSLR definitely better, but like what everyone says, it's the man (or woman la, lest the gals out there stone me with their lenses! Dun mind though... :sweat: ) behind the camera that matters in photography. I tried taking wedding pics once at restaurant (low light) with my Coolpix8800 with SB600 (IMHO a very good prosumer set up), and end up the background very dark. This happens because P&S sensor not fast enough (because it's much smaller), and P&S aperture maximum only f/2.8. U can crank up the ISO with newer models, but noise will increase, end up need a lot of post processing. Conclusion: If u taking pics in well lit place, P&S will do the job as well.

3) If u get a DSLR just because of the wedding, u muz consider the learning curve. What if u not used to the camera and end up spending more time during the event playing with the settings? Then jia lat, all the important moments u miss!

4) If u do your homework properly when getting DSLR set up, and take an immunisation against the BBB (buy buy buy) virus, then u should be safe. Get the setup that will last u a long time. I bought D80 with 18-200mm VR and 50mm f/1.8, and this will certainly last me a long long time before the setup starts to limit my photos, not the other way round.

 

[lynxiger]

hi ! i'm currently using sony dcs-h1 for my pleasure in photography. I took many pics from potraits to sceneries. I love travelling and active in taking engagement pics. However would like to go further in taking wedding pics too. They said for wedding definitely u have to own a DSLR in order to get a good shot. I'm still deciding on the brand and model of camera that i shld get. Some recommended nikon D50 n D80. I totally hv no idea about any DSLR cameras.:embrass: So can anyone gimme some advice on which camera shld i get and perfect for me to take shots wen travelling and most importantly wedding...without having less fuss in upgrading softwares or blah blah blah.....;p
Can be use for long term too. Thanx.

Your P&S is a good camera with the 12x zoom, but I think will not be enough to take "quality" pics of weddings. I think you can go only ISO 400, which means in dark lights (indoors), you've slow sensors and will end up with mostly blurr images. Especially when people at wedding are always on the move. You'll lose precious moments.

So if you are serious about buying a DSLR and want a Nikon one, I would suggest get a D50 from Buy & Sell here at CS (if you don't mind a used one but still in gd condition). I think D50 is better noise control than the D70s one. If you're not on a budget, by all means get a D80 or even D200. But you mentioned under $1200.

For the lens, get 18-70mm kit lens for D70/s, a few of them flying around in B&S. So ~$700 for D50 and about $300 for 18-70mm. Then later, if you like more flash, get a SB-600.

Just my few cents.

 

[arttitude13]

hey...thnx for ur advice ya. Really appreciate that. Well...if i were to buy nw then my budget will be ard that range. But if i choose to get it later...then budget cn definitely go higher.hehe
Reason i wanna upgrade urgently is bcuz i really dun wanna disappoint my fren cuz she ask me a to do for her wedding. I actually kinda lost cuz i only own a H1 n even aft telling her...she still insist :nono:
But now....i'm still thinking la :think:
I really dun tink i'm gd enuf...only until i get myself some photography courses.
Nah....lemme tink k.

 

[arttitude13]

My 2cents worth below.

1) For the wedding, u better clarify with your fren whether a pro has been engaged. If yes, u are likely to be just a backup. If that's the case, then u no stress le!

2) DSLR definitely better, but like what everyone says, it's the man (or woman la, lest the gals out there stone me with their lenses! Dun mind though... :sweat: ) behind the camera that matters in photography. I tried taking wedding pics once at restaurant (low light) with my Coolpix8800 with SB600 (IMHO a very good prosumer set up), and end up the background very dark. This happens because P&S sensor not fast enough (because it's much smaller), and P&S aperture maximum only f/2.8. U can crank up the ISO with newer models, but noise will increase, end up need a lot of post processing. Conclusion: If u taking pics in well lit place, P&S will do the job as well.

3) If u get a DSLR just because of the wedding, u muz consider the learning curve. What if u not used to the camera and end up spending more time during the event playing with the settings? Then jia lat, all the important moments u miss!

4) If u do your homework properly when getting DSLR set up, and take an immunisation against the BBB (buy buy buy) virus, then u should be safe. Get the setup that will last u a long time. I bought D80 with 18-200mm VR and 50mm f/1.8, and this will certainly last me a long long time before the setup starts to limit my photos, not the other way round.

hey...thnx a lot for ur advice. Ya...me actually tot of D80 also. They say it's like a mini D200 rite? Well...but i really hv to :think: n :think: n :think: before i buy that DSLR thingy.
I dun wan to buy just for the sake of my fren wedding. Well,not trying to be selfish...but i hv to tink abt myself too. I also dont want to ended up,running the show on her wedding with my DSLR CAMERA n then ended up nt getting any satisfaction frm it. Then.....it will be the most suitable time for me to jump down (frm my bed la...) hehe :bsmilie:

 

[arttitude13]

Your P&S is a good camera with the 12x zoom, but I think will not be enough to take "quality" pics of weddings. I think you can go only ISO 400, which means in dark lights (indoors), you've slow sensors and will end up with mostly blurr images. Especially when people at wedding are always on the move. You'll lose precious moments.

So if you are serious about buying a DSLR and want a Nikon one, I would suggest get a D50 from Buy & Sell here at CS (if you don't mind a used one but still in gd condition). I think D50 is better noise control than the D70s one. If you're not on a budget, by all means get a D80 or even D200. But you mentioned under $1200.

For the lens, get 18-70mm kit lens for D70/s, a few of them flying around in B&S. So ~$700 for D50 and about $300 for 18-70mm. Then later, if you like more flash, get a SB-600.

Just my few cents.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hey...thnx for ur advice ya. Really appreciate that. Well...if i were to buy nw then my budget will be ard that range. But if i choose to get it later...then budget cn definitely go higher.hehe
Reason i wanna upgrade urgently is bcuz i really dun wanna disappoint my fren cuz she ask me a to do for her wedding. I actually kinda lost cuz i only own a H1 n even aft telling her...she still insist
But now....i'm still thinking la
I really dun tink i'm gd enuf...only until i get myself some photography courses.
Nah....lemme tink k.
__________________

 

[xxccxx]

I really dun tink i'm gd enuf...only until i get myself some photography courses.
(

No need. The best courses are free! Just shoot and shoot and shoot and keep doing that!

 

[arttitude13]

No need. The best courses are free! Just shoot and shoot and shoot and keep doing that!

Wow!!! :bigeyes: that's great man.....i really like u. thnx bro

 

[nikonrus]

If your fren's wedding is like within a week or so, it's a bit too late to upgrade now.
With new camera & lens (esp dslr), you need to relearn how to do things which will take some time. Unless you're willing/able to take a lot of time out to learn the new camera, I suggest you stick with your current for the next project.
Don't forget that you'll probably end up needing to buy some extra stuff like flash (very least), a decent tripod and maybe some filters.

 

[calebk]

I'm a little confused. You told your friend, who asked you to shoot at the wedding, that you own a Sony H1. She said :nono: What does this mean?

 

[lsisaxon]

My 2cents worth below.

1) For the wedding, u better clarify with your fren whether a pro has been engaged. If yes, u are likely to be just a backup. If that's the case, then u no stress le!

2) DSLR definitely better, but like what everyone says, it's the man (or woman la, lest the gals out there stone me with their lenses! Dun mind though... :sweat: ) behind the camera that matters in photography. I tried taking wedding pics once at restaurant (low light) with my Coolpix8800 with SB600 (IMHO a very good prosumer set up), and end up the background very dark. This happens because P&S sensor not fast enough (because it's much smaller), and P&S aperture maximum only f/2.8. U can crank up the ISO with newer models, but noise will increase, end up need a lot of post processing. Conclusion: If u taking pics in well lit place, P&S will do the job as well.

3) If u get a DSLR just because of the wedding, u muz consider the learning curve. What if u not used to the camera and end up spending more time during the event playing with the settings? Then jia lat, all the important moments u miss!

4) If u do your homework properly when getting DSLR set up, and take an immunisation against the BBB (buy buy buy) virus, then u should be safe. Get the setup that will last u a long time. I bought D80 with 18-200mm VR and 50mm f/1.8, and this will certainly last me a long long time before the setup starts to limit my photos, not the other way round.

The main advantage of the DSLR would be shutter lag. The shot will be fired almost immediately when you press the shutter release. For the digital point and shoot, when you press the shutter, you won't know when it decides to fire. For an event like wedding, it doesn't make sense to tell the bride and groom to 'do it again' because you missed the shot..

 

[nikonrus]

I'm a little confused. You told your friend, who asked you to shoot at the wedding, that you own a Sony H1. She said :nono: What does this mean?

You confused coz u didn't read properly. Attitude told her friend she using a Sony H1 only, but her friend still insist that she carry on to be the photographer. The :nono: means she not allowed to say no.

 

[Yatlapball]

Very worrying. Just for the fun of it, I don't think it's going to hurt shooting with the H1. But it certainly isn't going to be able to deliver the products, especially if this is going to be a chinese dinner with your dim lighting and all that. Wide apertures, high ISO and/or a good flash unit (depending on your style) is the way to go. Unless your friend is holding the dinner in a floodlit arena. Heh.

But ultimately... if your friend insists... How close is this friend? Will a wedge be driven into your friendship should the final product not be satisfactory? This is something very important to consider if you value this friendship.

 

[calebk]

Precisely. The complications of shooting for a friend, unpaid...

 

[nikonrus]

Very worrying. Just for the fun of it, I don't think it's going to hurt shooting with the H1. But it certainly isn't going to be able to deliver the products, especially if this is going to be a chinese dinner with your dim lighting and all that. Wide apertures, high ISO and/or a good flash unit (depending on your style) is the way to go. Unless your friend is holding the dinner in a floodlit arena. Heh.

But ultimately... if your friend insists... How close is this friend? Will a wedge be driven into your friendship should the final product not be satisfactory? This is something very important to consider if you value this friendship.

A little OT here, but this is my from my personal experience.
Non photographers have a preprogrammed mindset that anyone who uses a good camera is automatically a good wedding photograher. I kept trying to explain this to people who asked me to shoot their wedding but a few still insisted on me being their wedding photographer. And worst problem was during that period, I was so bloody broke I couldn't even afford a wide angle.

 

[arttitude13]

[QUOTE=calebk;2900890]Precisely. The complications of shooting for a friend, unpaid...[/QUOTE]

Wow...it seems a hot topic ya.... Well,thnx for everyones trouble to go thru with me abt taking wedding pic and nt necessary having to buy a DSLR. I always understand that in order to get a gd pic..it always hv to start with a gd photographer n then comes the camera. But wat makes me sound so desperate is because ,my gerlfren (malay) wants me to be her major photographer on that special day and i will be PAID !
I find it hard to accept her offer cuz i know that i'm nt that pro enuf to do it n dun even hv a gd camera.Yup...i may hv dun engagements...but wedding is a no joke thingy. I honestly tink that it's nt rite for me to get a new camera juz for her wedding. My greatest fear is...wat if they dun like it???? If i want to be blunt...i cn just agree to it n take the money. But ..hey! i'm nt that kind of person.:nono: Juz imagine if ur wedding pic turns out to be bad......that's ugly man.....:;(

 

[arttitude13]

If your fren's wedding is like within a week or so, it's a bit too late to upgrade now.
With new camera & lens (esp dslr), you need to relearn how to do things which will take some time. Unless you're willing/able to take a lot of time out to learn the new camera, I suggest you stick with your current for the next project.
Don't forget that you'll probably end up needing to buy some extra stuff like flash (very least), a decent tripod and maybe some filters.

its on 7/7/2007...that's like 3mths left.