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Date: 20 Jun 2007 10:50:37
From: Dennis Allen
Subject: $650 digital camera
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Hi. If you caught my last threads, I started out looking for a $200
digital camera. In the near future, to help out in my genealogy work.
Afterwards, I'd want to try some prime focus shots on my big 24" newt.
You convinced me to go dSLR. I can get the 8-megapixel Rebel XT at
circuitcity for $630, just the body for $530. Has anyone bought just
the body and found a better lens? Circuitcity also have the Pentax
K100D for $412 after rebates, has anyone tried it? Of course they have
the Nikon D40 and more cameras, but $650 is my absolute spending limit.
I just can't afford to go higher.
Question. The cheap point-and-shoot and super-zoom cameras all have
video capability. Can the dSLR cameras do video? If not, why not?
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Date: 20 Jun 2007 17:54:00
From: William Hamblen
Subject: Re: $650 digital camera
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On Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:50:37 -0400, "Dennis Allen"
<dennis@dennisallen.com > wrote:
>Hi. If you caught my last threads, I started out looking for a $200
>digital camera. In the near future, to help out in my genealogy work.
>Afterwards, I'd want to try some prime focus shots on my big 24" newt.
>
>You convinced me to go dSLR. I can get the 8-megapixel Rebel XT at
>circuitcity for $630, just the body for $530. Has anyone bought just
>the body and found a better lens? Circuitcity also have the Pentax
>K100D for $412 after rebates, has anyone tried it? Of course they have
>the Nikon D40 and more cameras, but $650 is my absolute spending limit.
>I just can't afford to go higher.
>
>Question. The cheap point-and-shoot and super-zoom cameras all have
>video capability. Can the dSLR cameras do video? If not, why not?
The Pentax K100D looks good. Pentax supposedly has tried to make the
digital equivalent of a K1000. You can get plenty of Pentax lenses
second hand at reasonable prices.
The DSLRs that I know about don't do video. They have shutters and
relfex mirrors just like 35 mm SLRs, which would keep them from doing
video, I think.
Bud
--
The night is just the shadow of the Earth.
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Date: 20 Jun 2007 23:52:00
From: Prolegomina
Subject: Re: $650 digital camera
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William Hamblen wrote:
>
> The DSLRs that I know about don't do video. They have shutters and
> relfex mirrors just like 35 mm SLRs, which would keep them from doing
> video, I think.
>
> Bud
>
One would think they would have a flip feature so one could focus
using a monitor? Most 35mm film cameras had that feature? It
seems such a simple thing given the overall complexity of cameras.
dslr friends of mine say you have to spend $2000+ to get that
feature in any camera? Thus I have steered clear to date and am
waiting.
Then one of my sons calls from Tucson for Fa's Day and announces "Dad here's
your tracking number ...... camera on the way and it will hook up to a
monitor, 8?? megapixel etc etc etc....". I say what?!
"No Dad its coming. We talked to guys in the clubs and at several
of the observatories on the mountain and they all recommended this
camera". And so I asked the cost. My sona ssures me he did not pay $2000+.
"So what is it?", I ask. He wont tell me. Im sitting
here laughing praying he knows what he's talking about and what
the camera must be. He swears its a dSLR and it has a monitore
cable for previewing and focusing .... and I havent the faintest idea
what it can be.
Puzzled and smiling.
Dad
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Date: 21 Jun 2007 20:25:52
From: starburst
Subject: Re: $650 digital camera
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> One would think they would have a flip feature so one could focus
> using a monitor? Most 35mm film cameras had that feature? It
> seems such a simple thing given the overall complexity of cameras.
>
> dslr friends of mine say you have to spend $2000+ to get that
> feature in any camera? Thus I have steered clear to date and am
> waiting.
>
You can sort of do this for astrophotography with the canon digital
rebel. There's a program I use called "DSLR Focus," which connects to
your camera with a cable, and analyzes star images to find the best
point of focus. It's not the easiest program to use, but with practice
it gives very good results.
Best of luck on your gift!
Chris
> Then one of my sons calls from Tucson for Fa's Day and announces "Dad here's
> your tracking number ...... camera on the way and it will hook up to a
> monitor, 8?? megapixel etc etc etc....". I say what?!
> "No Dad its coming. We talked to guys in the clubs and at several
> of the observatories on the mountain and they all recommended this
> camera". And so I asked the cost. My sona ssures me he did not pay $2000+.
> "So what is it?", I ask. He wont tell me. Im sitting
> here laughing praying he knows what he's talking about and what
> the camera must be. He swears its a dSLR and it has a monitore
> cable for previewing and focusing .... and I havent the faintest idea
> what it can be.
>
> Puzzled and smiling.
> Dad
>
>
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Date: 22 Jun 2007 00:16:30
From: Prolegamina
Subject: Re: $650 digital camera
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starburst wrote:
> > One would think they would have a flip feature so one could focus
> > using a monitor? Most 35mm film cameras had that feature? It
> > seems such a simple thing given the overall complexity of cameras.
> >
> > dslr friends of mine say you have to spend $2000+ to get that
> > feature in any camera? Thus I have steered clear to date and am
> > waiting.
> >
>
> You can sort of do this for astrophotography with the canon digital
> rebel. There's a program I use called "DSLR Focus," which connects to
> your camera with a cable, and analyzes star images to find the best
> point of focus. It's not the easiest program to use, but with practice
> it gives very good results.
>
> Best of luck on your gift!
>
> Chris
>
> > Then one of my sons calls from Tucson for Fa's Day and announces "Dad here's
> > your tracking number ...... camera on the way and it will hook up to a
> > monitor, 8?? megapixel etc etc etc....". I say what?!
> > "No Dad its coming. We talked to guys in the clubs and at several
> > of the observatories on the mountain and they all recommended this
> > camera". And so I asked the cost. My sona ssures me he did not pay $2000+.
> > "So what is it?", I ask. He wont tell me. Im sitting
> > here laughing praying he knows what he's talking about and what
> > the camera must be. He swears its a dSLR and it has a monitore
> > cable for previewing and focusing .... and I havent the faintest idea
> > what it can be.
> >
> > Puzzled and smiling.
> > Dad
> >
> >
I will look for this program DSLR Focus. It might come in handy
in any event. I wish the camera would get here! laughing ... thanks.
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Date: 21 Jun 2007 05:22:45
From: Wolfbane
Subject: Re: $650 digital camera
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> One would think they would have a flip feature so one could focus
> using a monitor? Most 35mm film cameras had that feature? It
> seems such a simple thing given the overall complexity of cameras.
>
> dslr friends of mine say you have to spend $2000+ to get that
> feature in any camera? Thus I have steered clear to date and am
> waiting.
>
> Then one of my sons calls from Tucson for Fa's Day and announces "Dad
> here's
> your tracking number ...... camera on the way and it will hook up to a
> monitor, 8?? megapixel etc etc etc....". I say what?!
> "No Dad its coming. We talked to guys in the clubs and at several
> of the observatories on the mountain and they all recommended this
> camera". And so I asked the cost. My sona ssures me he did not pay $2000+.
> "So what is it?", I ask. He wont tell me. Im sitting
> here laughing praying he knows what he's talking about and what
> the camera must be. He swears its a dSLR and it has a monitore
> cable for previewing and focusing .... and I havent the faintest idea
> what it can be.
>
> Puzzled and smiling.
> Dad
>
Sounds like the Canon 20Da dslr designed for astronomy use, quite the
fathers day gift :0)
Rob.
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Date: 22 Jun 2007 00:14:50
From: Prolegamina
Subject: Re: $650 digital camera
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Wolfbane wrote:
> > One would think they would have a flip feature so one could focus
> > using a monitor? Most 35mm film cameras had that feature? It
> > seems such a simple thing given the overall complexity of cameras.
> >
> > dslr friends of mine say you have to spend $2000+ to get that
> > feature in any camera? Thus I have steered clear to date and am
> > waiting.
> >
> > Then one of my sons calls from Tucson for Fa's Day and announces "Dad
> > here's
> > your tracking number ...... camera on the way and it will hook up to a
> > monitor, 8?? megapixel etc etc etc....". I say what?!
> > "No Dad its coming. We talked to guys in the clubs and at several
> > of the observatories on the mountain and they all recommended this
> > camera". And so I asked the cost. My sona ssures me he did not pay $2000+.
> > "So what is it?", I ask. He wont tell me. Im sitting
> > here laughing praying he knows what he's talking about and what
> > the camera must be. He swears its a dSLR and it has a monitore
> > cable for previewing and focusing .... and I havent the faintest idea
> > what it can be.
> >
> > Puzzled and smiling.
> > Dad
> >
>
> Sounds like the Canon 20Da dslr designed for astronomy use, quite the
> fathers day gift :0)
>
> Rob.
I dont think so. Something far cheaper.
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Date: 20 Jun 2007 22:30:19
From: Dennis Allen
Subject: Re: $650 digital camera
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I went ahead and ordered the Rebel XT (body only) from amazon.com, $500
shipped...Dennis
"William Hamblen" <wrhamblen@comcast.net > wrote in message
news:5ebj739vf8j8spte13pgi3fvd4b200ns1s@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:50:37 -0400, "Dennis Allen"
> <dennis@dennisallen.com> wrote:
>
>>Hi. If you caught my last threads, I started out looking for a $200
>>digital camera. In the near future, to help out in my genealogy work.
>>Afterwards, I'd want to try some prime focus shots on my big 24" newt.
>>
>>You convinced me to go dSLR. I can get the 8-megapixel Rebel XT at
>>circuitcity for $630, just the body for $530. Has anyone bought just
>>the body and found a better lens? Circuitcity also have the Pentax
>>K100D for $412 after rebates, has anyone tried it? Of course they
>>have
>>the Nikon D40 and more cameras, but $650 is my absolute spending
>>limit.
>>I just can't afford to go higher.
>>
>>Question. The cheap point-and-shoot and super-zoom cameras all have
>>video capability. Can the dSLR cameras do video? If not, why not?
>
> The Pentax K100D looks good. Pentax supposedly has tried to make the
> digital equivalent of a K1000. You can get plenty of Pentax lenses
> second hand at reasonable prices.
>
> The DSLRs that I know about don't do video. They have shutters and
> relfex mirrors just like 35 mm SLRs, which would keep them from doing
> video, I think.
>
> Bud
> --
> The night is just the shadow of the Earth.
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Date: 21 Jun 2007 08:17:10
From: Stan Jensen
Subject: Re: $650 digital camera
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Personally, you should have went with the XTi, but that's just me.
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Date: 20 Jun 2007 11:06:51
From: Joe S.
Subject: Re: $650 digital camera
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"Dennis Allen" <dennis@dennisallen.com > wrote in message
news:a6qdnXSv4Nkyo-TbnZ2dnUVZ_sOknZ2d@pghconnect.com...
> Hi. If you caught my last threads, I started out looking for a $200
> digital camera. In the near future, to help out in my genealogy work.
> Afterwards, I'd want to try some prime focus shots on my big 24" newt.
>
> You convinced me to go dSLR. I can get the 8-megapixel Rebel XT at
> circuitcity for $630, just the body for $530. Has anyone bought just the
> body and found a better lens? Circuitcity also have the Pentax K100D for
> $412 after rebates, has anyone tried it? Of course they have the Nikon
> D40 and more cameras, but $650 is my absolute spending limit. I just can't
> afford to go higher.
>
> Question. The cheap point-and-shoot and super-zoom cameras all have video
> capability. Can the dSLR cameras do video? If not, why not?
I bought the Rebel XT black body only -- HOWEVER -- I already had two Canon
EOS film cameras (Rebel G and EOS 630) and a boatload of lenses for the film
cameras. The EOS lenses from the film cameras work perfectly well on the
digital although the size of the image is a bit different -- that is, the
digital image is almost square while the 35mm image is rectangular -- or
something like that. The difference is so little that it's not important
for most photography -- so -- if you can find Canon EOS lenses, get one of
those instead of the lenses for the digital camera.
I have not used the Rebel XT digital for astrophotography but have used it
for everything else and I am VERY pleased with it.
The body does not come with a memory card so you'll need to purchase a
compact flash card, or whatever it is. I got a 1GB card for around $35.00
and it holds over 500 images. I purchased an extra battery but have never
had to use it.
So -- when you get the Rebel XT DSLR, remember to add on the cost of:
-- compact flash card
-- at least one lens
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Date: 20 Jun 2007 08:08:48
From: laura halliday
Subject: Re: $650 digital camera
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On Jun 20, 7:50 am, "Dennis Allen" <den...@dennisallen.com > wrote:
> Hi. If you caught my last threads, I started out looking for a $200
> digital camera. In the near future, to help out in my genealogy work.
> Afterwards, I'd want to try some prime focus shots on my big 24" newt.
>
> You convinced me to go dSLR. I can get the 8-megapixel Rebel XT at
> circuitcity for $630, just the body for $530. Has anyone bought just
> the body and found a better lens? Circuitcity also have the Pentax
> K100D for $412 after rebates, has anyone tried it? Of course they have
> the Nikon D40 and more cameras, but $650 is my absolute spending limit.
> I just can't afford to go higher.
The enormous number of Canon DSLRs used in astrophotography
should tell you something. I use a Digital Rebel myself...
All Canon EOS lenses will fit. With adapters, lots of other lenses
will fit too. For terrestrial pictures I prefer Pentax M42 lenses,
but for astrophotography I prefer Nikon F lenses. If you want
to use a Nikon adapter get a good one; cheap ones aren't as
rigid, and you may need extra support for the lens. I've heard
good things about many of the newer third-party lenses from
folks like Sigma, and have seen some excellent pictures
taken with them, but have no experience with them myself.
> Question. The cheap point-and-shoot and super-zoom cameras all have
> video capability. Can the dSLR cameras do video? If not, why not?
No. Among other things, they can't transfer that much data
off the CCD fast enough.
Laura Halliday VE7LDH "Que les nuages soient notre
Grid: CN89mg pied a terre..."
ICBM: 49 16.05 N 122 56.92 W - Hospital/Shafte
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Date: 20 Jun 2007 15:04:26
From: Chris L Peterson
Subject: Re: $650 digital camera
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On Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:50:37 -0400, "Dennis Allen"
<dennis@dennisallen.com > wrote:
>Question. The cheap point-and-shoot and super-zoom cameras all have
>video capability. Can the dSLR cameras do video? If not, why not?
Generally not. Neither can they do real time previews on their LCDs.
That's because, like any SLR design, there is a mirror in front of the
sensor when they aren't exposing, and they all use mechanical shutters
just like film cameras.
_________________________________________________
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
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