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Which camera do you currently use?

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      railsymphony Train Controller

    Location: Over the rainbow
    My current weapons are a Sony A100 DSLR and a Sony HDR-CX130 DV camera. The lenses I have are a Sony 18-70 which came with the SLR, Minolta 35-100 and Tokina 100-300. The latter two lenses were used on my mother's old Minolta film SLR, and when my parents decided to go digital, Sony was the only real option for them because of the lens compatability.

    I'm now thinking about upgrading my SLR if the tax man is kind to me (and considering he owes me almost enough for a new camera from last year, it should be good!). Again for the lens compatibility, I'm probably likely to stick to Sony. I've been looking at the A57, possibly with the 18-55 and 75-200 twin lens kit. If I was entering the market fresh I'd almost certainly go with a Canon, but I want to be able to continue using the equipment I've got and mix it up occasionally.

    Anyway, any thoughts from any other Sony owners? or particularly anyone who has used Sony alongside other cameras Smile
    Posted: 30 May 2012 15:30

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      M636C Minister for Railways

    My current weapons are a Sony A100 DSLR and a Sony HDR-CX130 DV camera. The lenses I have are a Sony 18-70 which came with the SLR, Minolta 35-100 and Tokina 100-300. The latter two lenses were used on my mother's old Minolta film SLR, and when my parents decided to go digital, Sony was the only real option for them because of the lens compatability.

    I'm now thinking about upgrading my SLR if the tax man is kind to me (and considering he owes me almost enough for a new camera from last year, it should be good!). Again for the lens compatibility, I'm probably likely to stick to Sony. I've been looking at the A57, possibly with the 18-55 and 75-200 twin lens kit. If I was entering the market fresh I'd almost certainly go with a Canon, but I want to be able to continue using the equipment I've got and mix it up occasionally.

    Anyway, any thoughts from any other Sony owners? or particularly anyone who has used Sony alongside other cameras Smile
    "railsymphony"


    I had a Sony A100 which I used alongside Canon digital SLRs.

    In the case of the A100 I compared it with the Canon 400D which had the same resolution (10Mp).

    I went to a lot of trouble to take as nearly identical photos as possible with a range of lenses and I found that the A100 had inferior colour and a reduced dynamic range, at least using JPEGs out of the camera.

    I had managed to pick up a Tamron 28-200 XR series in a Sony mount second hand for $135 and the combination of that with the A100 gave me amazing flexibility and really sharp photos, the Sony couldn't cope in challenging light conditions compared to the 400D.

    So I bought a Tamron 18-250 for the 400D (for about $650) and gave the A100 and the four lenses to my cousin who was using Sony for her work as a professional photographer. The Tamron 28-200 is the usual lens on her full frame A900 now.

    My cousin now has an A55 which I've used occasionally but I'm not sure I like the electronic viewfinder but she likes it.

    I think some of the advantage the Canon had was due to using CMOS rather than CCD in the A100, and the later SLTs have CMOS now. One thing that had annoyed me about Canon was inconsistent auto white balance in daylight, which I overcame by using pre-selected white balance. Cloudy WB is a big help on dull days.

    However, the Sony, even the A57 is quite expensive and you could get a Canon 550D for less money.

    In case you can't guess, I'd recommend getting a Tamron 18-270 zoom with whatever body you end up with and, as a result your existing lenses would not be so important.

    M636C
    Posted: 05 Jun 2012 23:42
      VRfan Moderator

    Location: In front of my computer :-p
    I just upgraded to a Nikon D800 Mr. Green

    Took two months for the backorder to be filled so certainly a bit of a wait! Looking forward to trying it out on the weekend, but it's great to finally have a full size viewfinder again! 8)
    Posted: 24 Aug 2012 20:48
      nr1_r761_s300 Train Controller

    Location: Where ever the wild wind blows....
    I just upgraded to a Nikon D800 Mr. Green

    Took two months for the backorder to be filled so certainly a bit of a wait! Looking forward to trying it out on the weekend, but it's great to finally have a full size viewfinder again! 8)
    "VRfan"


    I saw it in action between Bendigo and Woodend...

    I was the kid standing next to you at Woodend! I was also at the pedestrian crossing just outside Golden Square!  Razz

    Back on topic... I have just acquired a Pentax K-x body, Sigma 18-200 OS II lens, and still have my old faithful Sony CX110E video camera!
    Posted: 12 Sep 2012 09:27
      Barrington Womble Photo Nazi

    Location: Banned
    Just got my G12 back after warranty repairs by Canon for a scratched lens. Certainly works a lot better now!

    A few months before I sent the camera away, I acquired a FA-DC588 filter adapter for the camera. This allows me to use 58mm filters, and extends and retracts with the lens barrel when zooming in or out. Basically I have a UV filter fitted to it at all times to help protect the lens, and also improve my photos. I have also acquired a polarising lens which I use on brighter days.

    Certainly makes a difference!
    Posted: 12 Sep 2012 11:25
      jibbonpoint Chief Commissioner

    Location: Shoalhaven
    I have a Pentax K10D That I purchased some years ago as a replacement for the Ricoh so I could use the existing lenses.

    Every lens produced by Pentax can still be used on the new units and I regularly pull out the Super Tak 50mm 1:1.4 which is fully manual.

    My favorite zoom is a Tamron 80-210 Adaptall2 model 103A. Really crisp shots and pretty fast at 1:3.8. This also fits the other brands with the right adapter.

    So long as you don't mind fully or manual focus only, you can get some great glass for a small outlay.
    Posted: 14 Nov 2012 08:25
      Carnot Minister for Railways

    Well I've taken the plunge and purchased a Pentax K-30 body which I can use with all my existing Pentax K-mount glass.  I just couldn't resist the recent drop in retail price at Ted's...

    Meanwhile my film cameras will NOT be retired.  (i.e. 35mm, Holga 120, and Super8 movie)
    Posted: 14 Nov 2012 09:51
      nr1_r761_s300 Train Controller

    Location: Where ever the wild wind blows....

    Well I've taken the plunge and purchased a Pentax K-30 body which I can use with all my existing Pentax K-mount glass. I just couldn't resist the recent drop in retail price at Ted's...

    Meanwhile my film cameras will NOT be retired. (i.e. 35mm, Holga 120, and Super8 movie)
    "Carnot"


    Hows it fairing? Im considering buying a K-30 body only and keeping my K-x as a back up..

    got any rail related samples I could have a squiz at?

    Darcy

    Posted: 26 Nov 2012 14:04
      Carnot Minister for Railways


    Well I've taken the plunge and purchased a Pentax K-30 body which I can use with all my existing Pentax K-mount glass. I just couldn't resist the recent drop in retail price at Ted's...

    Meanwhile my film cameras will NOT be retired. (i.e. 35mm, Holga 120, and Super8 movie)
    "Carnot"


    Hows it fairing? Im considering buying a K-30 body only and keeping my K-x as a back up..

    got any rail related samples I could have a squiz at?

    Darcy

    "nr1_r761_s300"


    Still very much getting a grip on the whole Digital camera caper.  Ergonomically the K-30 is brilliant, but I reckon digital makes you spend most of your time editing photos on your PC.  That needs some learning...  Anyway, a few shots (which all need a fair bit more photoshop work to be honest):








    Posted: 26 Nov 2012 22:38
      JasonScott Locomotive Fireman

    Location: Karratha, W.A

    I just picked up and EOS-M to add to my collection (5DMkII & 7D)

    What a fantastic little mirrorless camera!

    Handheld with my 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II!















    Posted: 27 Nov 2012 09:13

    Last edited by JasonScott on 27 Nov 2012 09:14; edited 2 times in total
      Carnot Minister for Railways

    For anyone with Canon lenses, the EOS-M would be great buy IMO.

    Incidentally, most of the photos I took above on my K-30 were through a plastic Sigma 28-70mm lens which in all honesty is carp...  
    Posted: 27 Nov 2012 10:12
      VRfan Moderator

    Location: In front of my computer :-p

    Still very much getting a grip on the whole Digital camera caper. Ergonomically the K-30 is brilliant, but I reckon digital makes you spend most of your time editing photos on your PC. That needs some learning... Anyway, a few shots (which all need a fair bit more photoshop work to be honest):
    "Carnot"


    I find I spend less time than when I had so scan photos. ie: I don't have to correct for dust or scratches and the colour is usually closer to what I want than a scanned file.

    I shoot in RAW so white balance is a 2 second fix compared to trying to correct colour balance for a scanned file.

    As I'm using a Nikon camera, I do most of my basic editing in Nikon Capture, but Adobe Camera RAW would be a similar process.

    1. I go through the photos quickly and make a cut of the good ones from the average ones to determine what I adjust for display purposes.

    2. For each of these, I then do the following basic adjustments:
    a) White balance
    b) Tone and Contrast settings
    c) Curves
    d) Straighten and Crop if necessary
    e) noise reduction if necessary.
    f) Output to JPEG

    3. I've then got some Macros in Photoshop to resize to 1024 wide or high as a batch job and get them ready for upload

    4. I then use the bulk upload tool from Flickr to put them in my gallery.

    At all steps along the way I never delete a file, so I can always go back to the RAW and then full size JPEGs if I need to.
    Posted: 27 Nov 2012 16:45
      YM-Mundrabilla Minister for Railways

    Location: Mundrabilla but I'd rather be in Narvik
    For anyone with Canon lenses, the EOS-M would be great buy IMO.

    Incidentally, most of the photos I took above on my K-30 were through a plastic Sigma 28-70mm lens which in all honesty is carp...
    "Carnot"


    I have (had) a Sigma 18-200 on my K5 which was also crap (the lens that is) - the camera is brilliant.

    I have gone back to the Pentax 18-55 lens that came with my K100 5 or  6 years ago.
    Posted: 27 Nov 2012 18:32
      MetroFan Station Master

    Location: Banned
    I use my Nikon D3100 with a 300 mm lens and some times a 55mm lens plus my Nikon SB900 Flash. great Photo's
    Posted: 20 Dec 2012 21:22
      nathanmurphy5 Station Master

    Location: Blue Mountains
    I currently use a Fujifilm point and shoot Crying or Very sad, however looking at buying a 60D with EF-S 17-85mm later this year.
    Posted: 08 Feb 2013 18:34
      Exqr Locomotive Driver

    Location: Gympie Q.
    Hi Guys. Just joined this site a few days ago and still finding my way around. I have a Fuji IS Pro DSLR, a Nikon D80 that's been got at so I can use it for Infra Red stuff. My video gear consists of all Sony gear. Latest acquisition is a HVR-Z1U and two older vidcams, a DCR-TRV330E and a TCR-TRV530E. the 330Ewas purchased in 2001, the 530 E recently, so haven't used that one.
    I got the HVR to do train videos. So far I've done one test a few days back at Harvey's Siding. Southbound Tilt Train and then the Northbound Sunlander. I hope to get some coal train stuff this weekend somewhere around Rosewood and plan a trip to Mt Larcom when weather permits.
    Posted: 01 Mar 2013 10:51
      Watson374 Chief Commissioner

    Location: Fully reclined at the pointy end.
    Samsung Galaxy S II, with Instagram.
    Posted: 01 Mar 2013 12:55
      BM3801 Lobster

    Location: Go Hard or Go Home!
    Recently took possession of a EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM for my Canon 60D on the advice of some friends. Havnt had the chance to really have a go with it with trains yet (done some landscape stuff so far) but Steamfest is coming up!
    Posted: 20 Mar 2013 19:27
      Faceless Locomotive Fireman

    Location:
    Sony NEX 5. Its a great street shooter and discreet. Bonus is the flip up view finder. Love clicking from the hip!
    It maybe a compact DSLR but it still has all the features of the big guns. In saying that it aint no Hasselblad or Leica.
    Posted: 13 Apr 2013 00:45
      nathanmurphy5 Station Master

    Location: Blue Mountains
    I've now got a Canon 40D with Canon 50mm f1.8 II and Canon 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 II USM. Need to get some L glass!
    Posted: 27 Apr 2013 17:26
      Spletsie Chief Commissioner

    Still using my Canon 500D. I've given it a real workout over the last two years: as well as shots of trains, scenery, etc., I've also taken tens of thousands of images of documents for historical research, but the Canon is still going strong.
    Posted: 30 Apr 2013 20:11
      Scooter_Guy Chief Train Controller

    Location: Adelaide, SA. Suburb: Redwood Park
    These past 2 weeks, I've lost my faithful 2-year old Sony DSC-HX5V somewhere 'tween Munno Para & Elizabeth stations!Crying or Very sad
    All I have now is the its charger & flexible tripod!
    So at the moment, I'm using my mum's camera (a Canon IXUS 220HS), which is a little superior!Smile
    I hope I somehow get an identical replacement if possible...
    Posted: 10 Jul 2013 21:29
      GrahamH Chief Commissioner

    Location: At a terminal on the www.
    I've been given an Olympus E-410 with a 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 lens. No rail photos yet. Much better colour and viewfinder than the Canon PS a1200.

    If anyone has a micro 4/3 tele zoom or tele  prime not in use you may care to PM me a price.
    Posted: 31 Aug 2013 14:32
      locojoe67 Assistant Commissioner

    Location: Gen X purgatory/urban Joh-land
    Hey Graham,

    I am contemplating an m43 camera. Current dslr is fine, but size and weight count against it. Whilst it takes nice pics, its a pain to travel with.

    Be interested to hear feedback on your new camera in due course.
    Posted: 02 Sep 2013 06:18
      BL2 Chief Train Controller

    The Olympus E410 is a 4/3 format....not a micro 4/3, I picked up a new 40-150 zoom for $75.00 just over a year ago, the 40-150 (80-300 in 35mm terms) is the other kit lens that were sold with E series cameras, and like all zuiko lenses they are very good!
    In fact there is one on Ebay now in Melbourne for $80 +$15 post.
    Posted: 04 Sep 2013 19:20

    Last edited by BL2 on 04 Sep 2013 19:28; edited 1 time in total

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