Gear discussion thread v. "I got some new gear and I got to post it here" - General

just gonna say, if you get a really (really) good and expensive camera to start out with, those times when you look back at your older work and feel disappointed in yourself will only feel worse because you'll feel like some sort of horrific ape man ignorantly using a microscope to bash nuts open, especially when you see others around you achieving what seems like superior results with simpler, cheaper and more limiting tools

Yeah get the Leica M with a 35 1.4 for sure. You'll have the sharpest sword in town mane ~

You may as well get an f/0.95 lens if you're getting the leica.

buy a rebel and blow the rest on weed

Leica doesn't get you autofocus though, something to keep in mind. The rangefinder mechanism in it is wonderful though (not sure about how magnification changes when you use tighter lenses) and it has live view. It's better than the M9 image quality-wise, but other than that it's not substantially different. I just wouldn't recommend plunging a bunch of money down on a camera if you aren't completely sure on sticking with it (though I don't know you very well so I can't say for certain how dedicated you are), the path of buying a Canon sounds better because you could use your dad's lenses and get a feel for what you like. The 1dx is a great body, though it is substantial in size.

[QUOTE=The Salmon;40967140]I'm pretty set on dropping some $ on a Contax G series camera. The G1 looks good enough, anyone here with experience/knowledge of the cameras got any opinions/advice? Is the G2 worth it?[/QUOTE] I still have a mint cond. Contax G1 green label, so it can use the newer lenses (21, 35) except for the zoom nobody wants anyway. It's sitting here doing nothing at all, so if you want to buy it off me, be my guest :wink: I have used it with the 45mm f/2 planar and 28mm f/2.8 biogon lenses but I traded those lenses for a ultrawide FD lens. The G1 is smaller and lighter than the G2. Also the focus on the G2 is supposed to be better/faster, but after trying a G2 I just went for a G1 because it wasn't a big difference anyway. I was amazed by the quality the planar 45mm gives, but the 28mm 2.8 biogon is a great lens too.

someone is selling a minolta 85mm 1.4 for $530 i want ;( but realistically i don't do many portraits and i should try the samyang first before i commit just the idea though of using it on film sounds so nice

Just got 5 rolls of Ektar 100 and Portra 400 each for my lil' ol' Rebel Ti. I want to use it as often as possible on my trip the 21-30th and I'm pretty darn excited to do some stuff with film.

[QUOTE=codenamecueball;40971633]buy a rebel and blow the rest on weed[/QUOTE] With that budget lets get some blow.

So I'm not experienced with photography too much. I spent a semester using a Canon AE-1 film camera and I enjoyed it, but I want something digital. Does anyone have any particular recommendations? I'm not sure what kind of camera I should be looking for. Is it alright to buy a used camera? Can my lenses for my AE-1 strap onto digital cameras? Does it have to be Canon also? I'm so lost. :(

yes used cameras (all my cameras have been used so far), but your AE-1 used FD mount lenses, which means you'll need to use an adaptor with glass in it (bad!!) or you can convert them (only works with some) or grind them down a bit (~2mm).

[QUOTE=Eltro102;41012599]yes used cameras (all my cameras have been used so far), but your AE-1 used FD mount lenses, which means you'll need to use an adaptor with glass in it (bad!!) or you can convert them (only works with some) or grind them down a bit (~2mm).[/QUOTE] So would you recommend to just buy a used lense with a used camera then? Since it would be easier for a beginner? Some sell just the body, others sell a pack. [editline]12th June 2013[/editline] On another note, I might upload some of my work from my film when I get home from visiting my family. I love black and white photography.

what are you looking for in a camera? are you sure you want a DSLR? buy a used body and buy a beginner lens (e.g. 50mm 1.8 II for ~£80) if you really want to go down the DSLR route

Mirrorless cameras can use FD lenses fine with an adapter. The only one I really use though is my 55mm 1.2, the other lenses I'm not a big fan of the focal lengths or aperture speeds on APS-C sensors

oh yeah i'd forgotten those existed too [editline]13th June 2013[/editline] newfangled magic technology

Anyone have any opinions of the Canon 35mm f/2? How much better is it than the 18-55mm kit lens? Also wondering if there is an fov difference between it and the kit, since it's advertised as wide angle.

Good lens, not a wide on APS-C (more of a 54mm equivalent on a film or Full frame camera), but a good normal lens.

I've heard pretty good things about the 35 f/2 IS though, and I've been wanting to rent one pretty badly.

IMO it's a bit much in price, there is a massive difference between the IS and non IS, for the price of the IS I would just get the sigma 35mm 1.4

I would as well except that I want it specifically for the IS, especially if I only plan to rent it. If I were looking at buying a glidecam in the future I'd opt for the Sigma hands down.

So the sigma 18-35mm f1.8 is going to be $800 Man I want that thing, probably would prefer the range of the 16-50 for most stuff but that would be a great lens that would fulfill a lot of my lens desires

Someone asked me to verify the type of camera this lens would go on. I am assuming it's a Pentax mount? Anything more specific, he wants to use it on a MFT, so if someone can find a converter that would be amazing. Thanks guys! [URL=http://imgur.com/OqqUiAB][IMG]http://i.imgur.com/OqqUiABl.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

It's Pentax, just any eBay generic (P)K mount to m4/3 would do, the cheaper the better because it's a metal tube. In terms of AF mounts Pentax lenses have the contacts and mounting dot on the mount itself, Nikon lenses have them by the glass facing out, canon EOS have a big throat with the contacts on plastic near the glass, and sony have a smaller throat with the contacts near the glass (either 5 or 8 pins)

Arr that be a pentax

[QUOTE=don818;41028752]Anyone have any opinions of the Canon 35mm f/2? How much better is it than the 18-55mm kit lens? Also wondering if there is an fov difference between it and the kit, since it's advertised as wide angle.[/QUOTE] It's okay. F/2 can be a blessing in some situations and it's good for portraits. It's very sharp once stopped down all the way and the colours and contrast are good. AF is fast and buzzy. In short it's a buzzy little lens that can work very well if you know what you're doing.

[QUOTE=Biscuit-Boy;41029895]I would as well except that I want it specifically for the IS, especially if I only plan to rent it. If I were looking at buying a glidecam in the future I'd opt for the Sigma hands down.[/QUOTE] why do you want is buy a tripod lel [editline]14th June 2013[/editline] okay even i can't be that stupid i'm sorry but is has a time and place i wouldn't call it essential for video that's all [editline]14th June 2013[/editline] use proper grip and tasty as fuck lenses (30 1.4 yeeeh)

Just found a Pentax P30t while cleaning out a closet. It had a 50mm connected to it. As far as I can tell, everything is working properly with it. So, now I'll have to buy a roll and see how shit all my pictures come out.

So, I have a few spare computers that would work fine for editing (Phenom X4 955, SLI 8800, 4gb of ram). I am thinking about selling my Main computer which is (water-cooled, i7, 5850+5870 Cfx, 4gb of ram, SSD raid, 1tb, blahblahblah) and picking up a Canon 17-40mm F/4L. My current setup camera-wise is a - T3i - 50mm f/1.8 I (Metal base, full focus ring, distance-viewer, and big AF/MF switch) - 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro (from 1987) I do not like using tele-photos, as they are not really my style. Do you guys think the 17-40 would compliment my setup, or not? I really need the wide angle for Automotive-esque shots, and the 40mm end would fall perfectly for what I need for portraits IMO. Any advice? I can show some of my work on here to get a better feel for what YOU think I might need?

[QUOTE=Awt2 x;41051779]So, I have a few spare computers that would work fine for editing (Phenom X4 955, SLI 8800, 4gb of ram). I am thinking about selling my Main computer which is (water-cooled, i7, 5850+5870 Cfx, 4gb of ram, SSD raid, 1tb, blahblahblah) and picking up a Canon 17-40mm F/4L. My current setup camera-wise is a - T3i - 50mm f/1.8 I (Metal base, full focus ring, distance-viewer, and big AF/MF switch) - 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro (from 1987) I do not like using tele-photos, as they are not really my style. Do you guys think the 17-40 would compliment my setup, or not? I really need the wide angle for Automotive-esque shots, and the 40mm end would fall perfectly for what I need for portraits IMO. Any advice? I can show some of my work on here to get a better feel for what YOU think I might need?[/QUOTE] I would keep your main computer and try to sell the spares.

The spares aren't mine. The spares are my fathers, and I would feel bad selling them. Although he would let me, I would rather sell something that is MINE and spend MY money, then ultimitly spend my dads money. He has already spend enough helping me put back together my car.