Hesitating getting D50 after prosumer compact

A year ago I got a prosumer compact (Olympus C7000 Zoom ) and it's been a love affair (aww), but last week disaster struck: I lost it on holiday. To get over the shock I'm getting a new camera as quickly as possible.

After lots of research, a dSLR seems like mana from heaven, specifically the gorgeous D50. But I have doubts:

• From comments here it seems you need post-processing near systematically (I like to get it right on the spot)
• Sharpness is not necessarily better than a prosumer
• I'm worried that image quality will only be better in extreme conditions (when you've need big dynamic range, or need 400+ ISA), so most pictures will be much the same as a prosumer
• That you get a lot of added size and weight, and the very real risks of dust on the sensor.

In a nutshell, I'm worried that the D50 will perform quicker and be great fun, but that the images won't be significantly better for most shots.

I've become a photo hobbyist, I take pictures constantly, I'm happy to tweak lots to get the right image on the spot, but is there really going to be a huge imageing difference with a prosumer?

Grateful for any feedback! This is going to impact my photography life for the next few years!

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Digitalis

I´d recommend a fixed lens design (Sony R1 or 828). This is what prosumer cameras are for: Ease of use, nice pics right out of the camera, no more hassle with dust or »lens lust«...

Cheers

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Equipment in Profile

Moving from a prosumer to a D50, the first thing I noticed was how low the noise was in comparison

And how much I ended up spending on lenses

If you want the bext possible images a DSLR is the way to go, but you still will have to post process a bit to get the most out of your camera. After switching to a DSLR from a P&S I could never pick up a P&S again.
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First off I think you will notice a bigger difference in image quality than you think.

There is a lot more to DSLR's than just image quality, instant start up, fast focus, better continuous shooting modes, more user options (aperture, shutter speed, etc), ability to use better flashes, RAW image support, generally more robust construction and then of course lenses - the ability to select lenses to specifically suit your style of photography from a one size does all 18-200 ypre lens through to dedicated portrait, macro, wide angle or telephoto lenses.

When you buy a DSLR you start and adventure, an adventure that can last the rest of your life. To me a P&S camera is simply something that is used when required but does not have the passion or pleasure of using a DSLR.

Dimples said:

• From comments here it seems you need post-processing near

systematically (I like to get it right on the spot)

Click to expand...

No more than you would on a pro-consumer. It's just post-processing with NEF files is a lot more rewarding than post-processing jpg's, hence the prevalance of post-processing. The D50 produces excellent out of camera pictures, if configured to do so. In fact it's probably the best SLR bar none at this.

Dimples said:

• Sharpness is not necessarily better than a prosumer

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In excellent light; agreed. In less than ideal light, I think the D50 has a definate edge.

Dimples said:

• I'm worried that image quality will only be better in extreme

conditions (when you've need big dynamic range, or need 400+ ISA),
so most pictures will be much the same as a prosumer

Click to expand...

There is some truth in this. One of the main reasons I got a D50 was because of the excellent clean high ISO peformance. If it were not for this I would probably have stuck with a compact.

Dimples said:

• That you get a lot of added size and weight, and the very real

risks of dust on the sensor.

Click to expand...

You do get more size and weight, but believe me it just feels so much better shooting with a DSLR than a compact, and that was not something I was expecting at all. Obviously carrying around is the hassle.

Regarding the dust issue; even the kit lens is far superior to the lens on your previous camera and any 'compact-like' camera. If you are not interested in very extreme lighting conditions, just get 1 lens and keep it on.

I purchased my D50 (body only) with the 18-70mm lens ( that comes with the D70 ). This is an absolutely brilliant lens; slightly faster at telephoto than the kit lens and very very sharp throught the focal range, and at all f-stops. It's also very cheap for the performance, and Canon doesn't have anything with that performance near that price. Check out the review on http://www.slrgear.com for this lens; they do a proper evalution of sharpness, vignetting etc at all combinations of focal length and aperture.
I paid £355 for the body, and £190 for the lens, totalling £545.

Dimples said:

Grateful for any feedback! This is going to impact my photography
life for the next few years!

Click to expand...

Well mate if it's gonna be the next couple of years, than I'd say go for it.

If you are worried about dust consider the Sony R1. It has a very good lens with longer reach and higher resolution sensor. The disadvantage is that instead of having excellent iso 1600 performance you get very poor iso 1600 and above performance. Ok if print small. The other thing is shot to shot performance ( which is just so liberating on the D50 ) is not too good especially if shooting in RAW ( takes 9 seconds to process and flush a RAW file to high speed card from the internal buffer ).

The difference , in image quality, between a top of the line pro-sumer and a low end DSLR is minimal. What you can get from the DSLR is more speed, control of camera functions, options, accessories, and interchangable lenses.

The ability to have a wide variety of lenses and accessories is only a plus if you actually expect to be purchasing those accessories, or purchasing lenses that will give you things not available on the pro-sumers. If you don't expect to purchasing various accessories and a collection of lenses, and focusing speed or shutter delay are not major concerns to you, then the DSLR will probably not deliver much more, for you, than will some of the excellent pro-sumers available today.

So, critically look at what the DSLR will give you, that the pro-sumer will not, and decide if the expense of lenses and other add-ons, will give you a significant difference in you photo taking experience. The difference in image quality between a D50 and a top of the line pro-sumer is negligible; so, do not make that the basis of your decision.

Cliff

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http://www.pbase.com/cliffb

I'm very pleased with my D50. I had a Fuji camera before. The only 2 major problems with an DSLR camera is dust. That drives me crazy. Send the camera back to Nikon with no results whats so ever. Still stuck with a lot of dust. Second problem is the white balance. Outside photo's are oke but a take a lot of photo's of people wearing black. Using the SB600 external flash most black fabrics turns out to be dark brown. With my old cheap fuji I never had problems like that. But if it conserns sharpness than the D50 wins.

i switched to D50 with the 18/55 kit lens, after owning two Sonys and Panasonic FZ 20.

The reason i switched was because of noise even at low ISO. Now i'm able to shoot at 400 iso all the time, without worrying and go even at 800-1600 and have usable photos.

From photo quality, i don't find much difference from my Panasonic FZ20.

Definitely you need to pp your D50 photos, no matter what they say. Especially with USM.

The funny is, now that i have used D50, i can't go back to a compact.

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Costas

You may want the FZ20, or a similar camera, if you'd like to stay with a point & shoot. I went from that to my D50 and my only regret is that I didn't get the D50 in the first place. I got 8 good months from the Lumix though, and some good shots. My photo editing skills are cr@p, and I do as little as I can get away with. I probably spend less than 30 seconds per photo adjusting the sharpness, lighting, darkness, etc. It's not a big deal. I like to crop and adjust my photos a little, rather than just take the SD card in to the processor. Good luck with whatever you decide.



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She never mentions the word addiction..........
in certain company.........

Not too long ago, I was faced with the same decision. I had a Canon G2 and was very pleased with everything but the zoom range. I bought a Nikon 8800 with a 8 to 1 zoom range and thought I was in hog heaven - - - that is until I kept losing shot after shot because of the miserable processing speed of this otherwise fine camera. It was so disconcerting having the finder black out for a second or two after each shot and not being able to take the next shot for what seemed like a week, that I got rid of the camera in less than 30 days - bought a DSLR and never looked back.

I have always been a JPEG shooter, I do not use any of the Photodhop programs and I too, try to get the shot "right" with a minimum of PP. I recently dumped my Pentax DSLR in favor of the D50, 18-70 & 55-200 and while I am somewhat concerned about sensor dust, all the information on this forum and other reviews, has convinced me that I've made the right choice FOR ME, particularly given the D50's ability to produce fine JPEG images right out of the camera, something that was less than wonderful with the Pentax.

I will stay with the 2 lens situation until and unless it proves to be a hassle for me and then I'll probably bite the bullet and get the 18-200VR. In any event, I also plan to get the 50mm f1.8

Do what is comfortable for you and try not to be imtimidated by some of the "absolutist" comments you read in this or other forums. With photography as with other pursuits, people tend to become passionate in their beliefs and sometimes come on pretty strong when giving advice.

That said, this passion is what makes photography such a rewarding and fulfilling lifelong hobby. Good Luck

dickg

The most important thing is to think about what you are likely to want to do with your camera, and ultimately how much money you are prepared to spend. Also how much time and effort you want to put in learning about photography. With something like a D50 (my husband has one) you can just 'point and shoot' but for me I have really enjoyed the (sometimes frustrating!) learning process. Once bought the prosumer is complete apart from some accessories that you can add, you can keep ging with an SLR for ever!

I went from a small compact to a D70, I also now have an FZ20. As others have pointed out, a good prosumer will give you good photos with minimal amounts of kit to carry around. I use the FZ20 if I am walking and just want to be sure I have a camera with me, or if I really can't be bothered to carry the weight and bulk of the DSLR.

Where the DSLR really scores is in anything like macro work or long telephoto with quality, but bear in mind you need to spend more money on lenses. I would find just having a prosumer very frustrating when doing macro photography and in fact this was one of the main reasons for upgrading for me.

Another important thing to consider is how much use and enjoyment you are likely to get from whatever you buy. Do you like experimenting and being able to control what you do? A DSLR will give you much more of this than a Prosumer. If you like something easy and are never likely to want to change things get a prosumer.

Hope you get yourself sorted soon - Spring is just around the corner.....

they all have their purposes and uses
for low light the d50 can't be beat imo
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Thanks
Randy

http://randyr.smugmug.com/

Please don't do it

I'm very grateful for everyone who'se taken the time to write up their thoughts. It's been very useful (and gratifying!).

I think after all of this the only real issue will be the bulk, as I like to have a camera with me in all sorts of circumstances. Maybe I will finally invest in a cheap P&S for parties and nights out!

After all the feedback I am even more tempted by the D50, possibly with the 18-70 lens rather than the kit lens. Once it's on I'm not going to be taking it off in a hurry!

As people have pointed out current top P&S feature PASM and produce extremely good pictures in the right circumstances, and if anyone has further comments or advice on the change to dSLR or what to expect from the D50 I'm more than happy to lap it up.

Thanks again,

Greg

I struggle with the same question. There is something to consider re: fixed lens vs. interchangeable. You can invest in a good lens and keep it a long time (I see posts from people who say they have lenses that are 10 years + old). The cameras themselves make leaps and bounds in improvement each year (although I think for a while it will be more steps than leaps) and become old technology very quickly.

Every time you upgrade a fixed lens P&S camera, you buy a new lens. So in essence, unless you walk away from taking pictures for ever after the next P&S you purchase dies or you never want another camera again for the rest of your life, you still have the cost of multiple lenses with fixed lens cameras. You just can't afford to do it as often and you can't use the old lens with the new camera. In many cases as far as lens improvement, you just keep buying variations of the same lens over and over again.

With a DSLR you can by a few really good lenses that you can hold on to for a long time without them fast becoming obsolete as technology marches on — you don't have to buy them all at once, and it gives someone something to get you for birthdays and holidays to come ;-) After you get a good set of lenses (that might only be 2 or 3 if you don't get the lens bug) you can put your money into improved bodies more often if you so desire because you'll only be buying the body.

The D50...
Why it's better than a point and shoot? Here's what I've found...

• turns on instantly, very responsive, no more lost opportunities
• hardly ever blows hilites
• forgiving under less than ideal lighting
• NO shutter delay when taking a picture, autofocus is fast
• SLR design accepts many different lenses
• 2,000 shots per battery charge - 400 using flash
• 6.1 mp, much larger individual pixel size - cleaner pics, less noise
• ability to shoot in low light without flash, high ISO
• program and manual modes to control soft backgrounds, etc.
• most settings are via buttons - so you don't have to go through the menu ALL the time

The last thing I used my Coolpix 4500 for was taking pictures while skiing (on mountain). A pocketable camera is nice to have in that case...

bh

Brad Waldera wrote:
:

Brad Waldera said:

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Brad, you picked a good camera, but can't pick fruit for cr@p - lol. Don't tell me you wanted bruises on the banana for contrast.
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Stan ;o()



I'll misquote Donald Rumsfeld when I say,
'You go take pictures with the glass you've got.'

You may be misunderstanding the need to post process DSLR images:

DSLR's are purposely designed with LESS processing of the image in camera. This lets the user determine what image processing parameters, such as sharpening, they want to apply. This does not mean that DSLR's have lower image quality; in fact, it's just the opposite. Once you get used to quick basic tweaks in PP you'll

I owned an Olympus C-4040, still own a Canon S400 Elph, Panasonic FZ5, and a Fuji F11. The Nikon D50 blows them all away on image quality. All my little cams are very good examples of fixed lens P and S cams but there is no substitute for the bigger glass and sensor of a DSLR in achieving sharp images with acceptable dynamic range. Additionally, the D50 is a joy to handle and operate while the P and S's suffer from compromised control layouts, marginal or no optical viewfinders, and less than ideal ergonomics.

I'll always have 1 Point and Shoot to keep in my pocket but the D50, or any other DSLR, is a much higher performing tool, and more enjoyable to use as well.

Same for me. I have an S2 which is a pretty good PS camera. The 12X zoom and image stabilization are great. However, I was limited to shooting at ISO 200 or less because of the noise. I missed too many shots because of the slow lens and low ISO. I bought a D50 primarly for the low noise at higher ISO and because I have several Nikon AF lenses from my film days. Anyway I am very pleased so far with the D50.

I was on the other side of the fence a month ago - Just couldn't see the attraction of hassling with lens swapping, no movies, no live histo, no tilt LCD etc. It was the relative level of noise I'd seen in prosumer samples that drove me to making the leap with a D50.

But now I know why it's so often said that you never go back once you move to SLR. Of course I still need movies and a 'take anywhere' occasionally so I use a Fuji F11 to take care of that side of things...