What am I losing if I go Coolpix A vs DSLR?

[reiki_]

Little background, young photographer, first camera was an Olympus DSLR, hated it, traded for Olympus OM2n with lenses, and since then had mju2, konica big mini and Oly XA2. Favorite pictures that I took came out of the XA2 so I really like working with a fixed focal length.

That said, Ive shot up to 50 rolls and processing is really expensive, the film is becoming so scarce so that route is no longer an option in the near future. Saw a used Coolpix A on the local classified for about 300 euros which is a real bargain and since then had been contemplating about buying it. My main gripe is that it is 28mm focal length. I'm not sure Ill get used to it, but hey , whats the alternative, a DSLR?
Can Coolpix A be used reliably for street? Is focusing good enough? Is it intuitive? Try to talk me out of it, thanks .

 

[lynnb]

Have you compared the Coolpix A with alternatives? For street you would want responsiveness and focus accuracy; possibly also a VF.

Why not consider an X100? Or a GR digital? Or even (at low cost) a Nikon V1? Focus on all of these is fast.

It sounds like you are focusing on the Coolpix because it is there and it's (according to you) cheap.

My advice is don't rush. First decide which camera best suits your needs, then buy. A cheap camera isn't cheap if you find you have to sell it at a loss after a short time. Better to get the best tool for the job, even if the initial outlay is more. In the long run, it will still be cheaper.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[MikeAUS]

SLR = big, heavy, loud, better AF and you have lens options.
Coolpix A = small, light, silent, slower AF and stuck at 28mm.

Coolpix A at a very good price would be a better option than GR or the X100. No one can tell you, you just have to try it and offload quickly if it doesn't do what you want. That's what I did with XE1, X100 and GR.

More Coolpix stuff here: http://www.seriouscompacts.com/showthread.php?t=19397

 

[Mark T]

Firstly, let me say, €300 buys a lot of film and development. Ignoring that, the Coolpix A is great. Unfortunately I lent it to visiting family and they lost it. I replaced it with the Ricoh GR, which is quite discounted. The Nikon gives better pictures but the Ricoh handles better. If you wish to take photos of strangers walking down the street, a dslr will be more flexible. However, the Coolpix is far more convenient to carry everywhere, which is why I went that way. Great camera.

 

[leicapixie]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143275

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143275

I use film and digital.
Neither is expensive, nor one cheap.
Processing one's own film, really easy.
Scanners are relatively inexpensive.
Digital requires backup drives, Photoshops esp.
for higher end digital cameras.
Why?

The Coolscan seems a really overpriced compact.
If one looks at images only on monitors,
very little differences between cameras and results..
My digital needs and Constant use camera a Canon PowerShot.
A DSLR responds way faster than my rig..
Yet i capture specific moments.
The "look" of film is special, not replicated by a "creative" Photoshop.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

That said, Ive shot up to 50 rolls and processing is really expensive, the film is becoming so scarce so that route is no longer an option in the near future.

Weird, where I'm 50 rolls is two, three bulk rolls of made in Europe film, with total cost around 100 CAD, which isn't close to Euro Developing is next to nothing.

People like Sony RX100 for street photography.

 

[jsrockit]

The Coolscan seems a really overpriced compact.
If one looks at images only on monitors,
very little differences between cameras and results..

Overpriced at full price, at $500, no chance.