Photo System Choice

[SimonTALM]

Whenever someone asks what camera should I buy my stock answer is always to suggest they look at the system rather than the camera and to consider where they might go in their photographic future and then research how they might get there remembering that SLR bodies are essentially time limited to 2-4 years by the technology where as lenses and external flash are much longer lasting.

This sounds easy to those of us who have been in the game for a while but I realised that it might actually be quite difficult for someone without much photography experience. So I thought I would try and produce a summary of the main systems to give an idea of what an ideal (i.e. something to aim for) serious enthusast / semi-pro kit in each would consist of.

My aim was to, as far as possible, create similar kits in all the systems consisting of:

• A Semi Pro SLR Body; one with a good shooting speed ~5 fps and with some degree of weather sealing
• A lens range from 18-200 using the best glass available i.e. Fast Zooms with fixed apertures throughout the range and a zoom range of about 3 and stabilisation on the longer lengths.
• A dedicated low light standard lens e.g. 50mm f1.4
• A dedicated Fast Prime Macro e.g. 100mm f2.8
• Battery Grip & Spare Battery
• Dedicated Flash (best available)

Where possible I kept to the manufactures own brand for accessories and lenses. I also wanted to ensure that the lenses were suitable for Full Frame (FF) cameras as that is where the majority of OEMs are heading. Where a manufacturer did not produce a lens to the critera I set up I tried to identify if Sigma produced a suitable alternatve before dropping a requirement.

I have also priced up each kit from Warehouse Express at today's (03/11/07) prices (without any cashback offers) to give an indication of how much each system would cost.

So without further introduction here is a single A3 sized PDF file of the 5 main SLR systems

• Nikon
• Canon
• Sony
• Pentax (lenses apply to the Samsung as well)
• Olympus

Please let me know if I have any wrong information or you think I should add any points.

P.S. this is in Mind Mapping style; I find that you can get alot of complex information down quickly in this format and most people can read it quite easily.

 

[RobertP]

First thoughts are that that must have taken quite a bit of work to produce! and that it could be off putting for a new DSLR wannabe. You show what might be considered 'final' kits where you might end up after some upgrades.... and you don't need all that to get started. Obvious to a lot of us but some might think they have to spend £4k + to get into DSLR.

Interesting how similar the prices are. Not sure it really is at the right level for someone asking 'what camera should I buy?' - unless it is to guide them where their system choice might logically progress to.

 

[theMusicMan]

I tend to agree with Robert that this isn't really aimed at newbies to DS:R's, but having said that - this is a fantastic piece of research and is superbly presented Simon and you well deserve to be congratulated.

Now... what would make this an even better resource, is if you were to prepare similar documents and information for low level or entry level kit.

Kudos to you though for taking the time to prepare this.

 

[dakid]

This is a superb bit of work. Thank you. I'm kinda of a newbie, in that I don't have any DSLR at all, but I'm not a newbie to photography (having owned a couple of film SLRs before), and I am also well paid with a good disposable income, so I have the luxury of being able to start at the "prosumer" level. For that purpose, this PDF is invaluable. Thank you!

 

[SimonTALM]

unless it is to guide them where their system choice might logically progress to.

That was my inital aim, but your other comments are noted.

Now... what would make this an even better resource, is if you were to prepare similar documents and information for low level or entry level kit.

Thanka to this feedback this is exactly what I'll go away and do - I'll update this to:

1) Make clear that what I have done so far is what might be considered the "end game".
2) Identify possible paths to get there.

Thank you!

Not a problem.

P.S. I said Mind Mapping was quick this only took about 2hrs to produce - most of that was researching the prices - fortunately I had a 2nd PC to look the data.

 

[theMusicMan]

Superb Simon... kudos to you sir. If I can help - shout!