Advice needed for buying a new digital camera

*f6cvalkyrie* · 14-01-2009, 3:25 PM

Hi,

a few days ago, I gave away my beloved Panasonic Lumix FZ30 to my wife

.
She needed an upgrade, and so now, I need an upgrade. And your advice.

I have been looking around, both on Internet and in shops here in Belgium, but I can't make up my mind. Let me explain

What I have been looking at is this :

Nikon D700 (Full Frame, thus expensive lenses, is that right ?)
Nikon D300 (DX, camera and lenses much cheaper, excellent notes on reviews)
Panasonic Lumix FZ50 or FZ28

The use will be most for family pictures, although I try to take the "better" (more inspired) ones. Furthermore, wildlife, architecture, ... the usual stuff.

I would be very happy if the camera would also be able to record full HD (1080p) clips, that I could playback on my PS50A756. Do the Nikons record movies ??

Or should I be searching for a full HD video camera that will also take highres pictures ????

And, I still own some "old" Nikon lenses (excellent stuff like a the 50/1.4 or the 28-45/4.5 or the 105/2.5) These do not have autofocus, so could I use them at all ??

Are there other cameras that I should include in my search ??

Where should I be heading to

???

TIA for your advice !
Rafael

mark1000 · 14-01-2009, 5:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f6cvalkyrie

Hi,

a few days ago, I gave away my beloved Panasonic Lumix FZ30 to my wife

.
She needed an upgrade, and so now, I need an upgrade. And your advice.

I have been looking around, both on Internet and in shops here in Belgium, but I can't make up my mind. Let me explain

What I have been looking at is this :

Nikon D700 (Full Frame, thus expensive lenses, is that right ?)
Nikon D300 (DX, camera and lenses much cheaper, excellent notes on reviews)
Panasonic Lumix FZ50 or FZ28

The use will be most for family pictures, although I try to take the "better" (more inspired) ones. Furthermore, wildlife, architecture, ... the usual stuff.

I would be very happy if the camera would also be able to record full HD (1080p) clips, that I could playback on my PS50A756. Do the Nikons record movies ??

Or should I be searching for a full HD video camera that will also take highres pictures ????

And, I still own some "old" Nikon lenses (excellent stuff like a the 50/1.4 or the 28-45/4.5 or the 105/2.5) These do not have autofocus, so could I use them at all ??

Are there other cameras that I should include in my search ??

Where should I be heading to

???

TIA for your advice !
Rafael

Don't know how quickly you need your new camera, but Panasonic are bringing out a G1 with HD video in the near future with a 14-140mm kit lens which would be a nice upgrade from your FZ30.

Mark.

*f6cvalkyrie* · 14-01-2009, 7:16 PM

Thank you, Mark, for your input

According to this review, this camera is both original and extremely well performing

Digital Camera Resource Page Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

Does anybody know when the model with movie mode will be out ??

Have a nice evening,
Rafael

*f6cvalkyrie* · 15-01-2009, 3:52 PM

Hi,

I've been reading a lot about this G1, and I am convinced that it will fit my needs (except for the movie mode, unfortunately).

So tomorrow I'm heading towards Arras in France (only approx 160 km from where I live) to buy this camera together with the telezoom. Price tag will be 868 Euro. The camera and the extra lens are available in the shop, so the WE will be used to make lots of pictures

Unless somebody here comes up with a lot of negative info ....
Or an even better price ....

Let me know if there is something !!!

C U
Rafael

*f6cvalkyrie* · 17-01-2009, 1:34 PM

Hi !

the camera is in house, but the weather here is so s....y that it will stay in house over the weekend.

So, you'll have to wait for my comments and some pics untill the weather clears out

C U,
Rafael

mark1000 · 17-01-2009, 2:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f6cvalkyrie

Hi !

the camera is in house, but the weather here is so s....y that it will stay in house over the weekend.

So, you'll have to wait for my comments and some pics untill the weather clears out

C U,
Rafael

Hi Rafael, welcome to the G1 owners club, i'm surprised you went for the G1 without the video mode that you expressed your interest in, but even so you have IMO made a great purchase, the kit lens is superb and with the great EVF live view mode WYSIWYG.

Looking forward to your input, we owners of the G1 are a rare breed in this forum, although there are many other users out there, you just have to look for them

Mark.

*f6cvalkyrie* · 17-01-2009, 3:49 PM

You're right, Marc, my model does not have the video mode yet, but I did not have a camera anymore ! And I will use the time to get used to the G1 and then, I'm sure, someone in the family will need another upgrade, and so will I after that .....

Thanks for your advice, Marc, I'm really enjoying playing with the little thing !

Any idea why so few people look at this camera ? I think they are very good value for your pounds, euros or roubles ...

C U soon,
Rafael

mark1000 · 17-01-2009, 4:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f6cvalkyrie

You're right, Marc, my model does not have the video mode yet, but I did not have a camera anymore ! And I will use the time to get used to the G1 and then, I'm sure, someone in the family will need another upgrade, and so will I after that .....

Thanks for your advice, Marc, I'm really enjoying playing with the little thing !

Any idea why so few people look at this camera ? I think they are very good value for your pounds, euros or roubles ...

C U soon,
Rafael

Some ( most ) guys in this forum are set in there ways regarding camera equipment, if it doesn't have SLR in the description then it don't merritt consideration, the Panasonic G1 is a new breed of live view interchangeable lens camera's and you just entered a new territory in camera design, welcome to the ride.

Mark.

*f6cvalkyrie* · 17-01-2009, 4:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark1000

you just entered a new territory in camera design, welcome to the ride.

Mark.

Thanks to you, Mark, thanks to you

I just came across this adaptor on amazon.com

5.

Nikon F - Olympus 4/3 Adapter for E-520, E-420, E3,E-510,E-410,E-400... Panasonic Lumix G1, DMC-L10,
1 Used & new from $29.95

Would that mean, that for ridiculous 29.95 $, I will be able to use my "old" Nikon lenses on the G1 ? That would really be a bargain !

C U
Rafael

mark1000 · 17-01-2009, 4:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f6cvalkyrie

Thanks to you, Mark, thanks to you

I just came across this adaptor on amazon.com

5.

Nikon F - Olympus 4/3 Adapter for E-520, E-420, E3,E-510,E-410,E-400... Panasonic Lumix G1, DMC-L10,
1 Used & new from $29.95

Would that mean, that for ridiculous 29.95 $, I will be able to use my "old" Nikon lenses on the G1 ? That would really be a bargain !

C U
Rafael

Hi Rafael, i have just started a G1 owners photo thread, its just for fun, i hope you will join in and help support the G1.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/photo...ml#post8623762

Mark.

jomike · 17-01-2009, 5:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f6cvalkyrie

Thanks to you, Mark, thanks to you

I just came across this adaptor on amazon.com

5.

Nikon F - Olympus 4/3 Adapter for E-520, E-420, E3,E-510,E-410,E-400... Panasonic Lumix G1, DMC-L10,
1 Used & new from $29.95

Would that mean, that for ridiculous 29.95 $, I will be able to use my "old" Nikon lenses on the G1 ? That would really be a bargain !

C U
Rafael

Doesn't the G1 use micro 4/3 mount and don't you need an adapter to mount normal 4/3 lenses? In that case you will need to get another adapter to mount this adapter to use your Nikon lenses. The Nikon lenses will only work in full manual, no metering and no AF.

Reading your original post, I can't help but think that a Nikon D90 would have fitted your needs exactly. It has HD video (although only 720p, and manual focus only) and your existing Nikon lenses would mount, autofocus and meter if they are AF-D lenses.

The G1 is a very good camera, no doubt, but for your particular needs it seems a bit of a strange choice IMHO, particularly as you seem to be keen to use your old Nikon lenses.

Lewis201 · 17-01-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jomike

Doesn't the G1 use micro 4/3 mount and don't you need an adapter to mount normal 4/3 lenses? In that case you will need to get another adapter to mount this adapter to use your Nikon lenses. The Nikon lenses will only work in full manual, no metering and no AF.

Reading your original post, I can't help but think that a Nikon D90 would have fitted your needs exactly. It has HD video (although only 720p, and manual focus only) and your existing Nikon lenses would mount, autofocus and meter if they are AF-D lenses.

The G1 is a very good camera, no doubt, but for your particular needs it seems a bit of a strange choice IMHO, particularly as you seem to be keen to use your old Nikon lenses.

I have to agree with this to be honest.

You started out with a shortlist ranging from a £200 compact to a £1600 SLR body Then you had two requirement, that you'd like video-capabilities and to be able to use your old Nikon lenses - neither of which you got.

If it were me I think I'd have got a few more opinions on what to buy before taking the plunge.

*f6cvalkyrie* · 16-07-2009, 6:12 AM

Hi,

I was searching for an old message I posted (wasn't on this forum, as it came out in the end), but still, it's so funny to read these old messages again.

All I can say, is that I am now a very happy G1 user, that I use my legacy Nikkor glass more than I ever did before, that I even bought two "new old" Nikkor lenses for the G1 (Micro55/2.8 and Reflex 500/8), that I use it on the Nikon bellows, and even on my "old" SINAR. Not to mention that I shoot with vintage c-mount lenses.

So, if you are looking for a new camera, and own some old glass you would like to be able to use further (Nikon, Canon, Leica, Zeiss, ....even Hasselblad, you name it, µ4/3 adapts it), than DO have a look at this relatively new 4/3 sensor technology. You won't regret it !

Have fun,
Rafael