I AM LOST! What camera should i consider?

[gavinlg]

Just as an aside, doesn't depth of field depend upon lens focal length rather than sensor size? In other words, wouldn't the depth of field be the same as for the 35mm equivalent lens.

Basically, but because you're only utilizing a portion of the frame, the DOF is larger the smaller the sensor is.

 

[gavinlg]

The weight of the e-420 body is only around 380 grams. That 25mm pancake is something like 80g.
To add to that, the 14-42 kit lens is about the same size and weight as a canon 50 f1.4 prime, and is equal to or better in some areas than canons 17-40 f4L. Pretty amazing.

If you really want a fast lens for it, you could get the Panasonic Leica summilux 25 1.4.

 

[Chris101]

All DSLRs are portable, and they all do high iso. Nearly every one has f/1.4 lenses available for them, so you really have your pick. Try a bunch of them and see which one works best in your hands. We can't really tell that for you.

 

[BillBingham2]

O,

As you are into control, I would strongly recommend either a Nikon D200 or D300. Get a set of prime AI/AIs lenses to start with and you can stay within your budget even with the D300. My kit will be a 24/2.8 Nikkor or 28/2.8 AIS Nikkor that becomes either a 36 or a 42. Then a CV SLII 58/1.4 which becomes a FAST 85 and then I move up to a 180/2.8 ED Nikkor. I have a 105/2.5 Nikkor that becomes a 150ish that I might carry. I have a GR-D1 which is going to be my 28mm wider lens and backup camera. I think you will find the control of the old Nikkors much more to your liking than what you have on the Olympus or Canon. I have a 50/1.8 Nikkor I am going to put on the board here this weekend as the CV has replaced it. The 1.8 is much smaller and seems very sharp (only film to test with at this point).

While I would love a D300, the price is still way out of my league so I may just go with a D200 and perhaps move up with the D400 comes out. The double digit bodies do not give you the control you want. If you are not a slave to pixels you might look at an older single digit body.

Nikon has some great zooms, low cost zoom and a wealth of prime glass that does very well on the D200 and D300.

B2 (;->

 

[oliviero]

Thanks for all the suggestions!!!

Today I'll go the local store and I'll try several bodies and lens.
I'm trying to narrowing down to few options, here what's in the list so far:

Canon 5D
pros: Fullframe, well established brand, I already own the 17-40 and 70-200
cons: BIG, i have a 20d which i don't use very often as it not so portable, no pancakes

Pentax K20D or K200D
pros: pancake lens, Zeiss primes lens, relatively cheap
cons: zoom lens below average, no plan to eventually move to full frame,

Olympus 420
pros: Small, nice pancake lens, 12-60 zuiko is great
cons: 4/3, no fast primes except for the 25 summilux which is way to expensive

Nikon D60 D80
pros: good lens choice, not too big, well established brand
cons: no metering with manual focus lens

Zeiss IKON or Leica M6 or similar
pros: rangefinder, small, discreet
cons: not digital


I will be happy to get a nikon d60 or d80 but the fact that they don't meter with manual focus lens is really annoying. the d200 or d300 are quite bigger in comparison. I'm quite intrigued by pentax and olympus but for some reason i don't feel comfortable to commit to a niche brand. of course the Leica M8 will be the solution for all my problem but unfortunately is out of budget.


please share your opinions...
thanks again for all your help

 

[Colman]

What sort of photos do you want to take? Rather than trying to make the compromise between portability and quality in one camera, we have a D200, Ricoh R7, GR-D II and a a stable of film cameras. If we're travelling light we just don't bring the SLR, while if it's a photography trip it becomes centre of the packing. I find that the smaller Dxx's aren't enough smaller to bring with you if the D200 is too big. Anyway, you're packing giant SLR lenses so you're already doomed.

 

[Solinar]

Do yourself a favor. If you plan to use manual focus lenses on a APS-C sized DSLR, get a Katz-eye focus screen - Link to Katz Eye