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Canon D-60 for travel?

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scrane

scrane

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Hello

I would like some advice on choosing a camera for an upcoming trip to Rome, Tuscany, and Istanbul, Turkey. I primarily shoot church/ mosque interiors, art and architectural details, and architectural exteriors.

I now own a Sony 707 and it has served me well. What I like about this camera is: size, electronic view finder that I can rely on for fine tuning exposure, OK lowlight noise levels, fast 5x lens, and very close focus at wide angle settings. What I don't like is its tendency to over-blown colors and a harshness in the picture quality.

I am trying to talk myself into buying a D-60. What I like about the D-60 is the flexibility in lens selection, its low light capabilities, and that great picture quality that strikes me as silky or creamy.

My dilemma is whether this perceived improvement in picture quality is worth the added expense, bulk, and hastle of a camera with interchangable lenses. I am also wondering if lenses available for a reasonable price will be suitable for church and museum interiors hand held. ( I have had some success with braced exposures up to 1/2 sec at wide angles.)

I have an old Nikon in the closet with a half dozen lenses but the thing I really like about the Sony is I can pick it up and walk out the door and be able to take a wide variety of photos. So with a DSLR I would like to restrict myself to two lenses: a 20mm and a wide angle to short tele (28-?).I would like both lenses to be usable wide open and close focus (6") in either one would be great.

I would be interested in hearing people's lens recommendations and I would really like to see pictures that people have taken in large interiors and museums with the D-60 or D-30. Thanks for your help.
Sandy Crane
Boise, ID.
 
i came from using a Minolta D7i, and for me the choice was very easy. first, i like to print my picture (mostly 8x10), and cropping and still being able to print in that size makes the D60 an obvious choice.

on the noise subject, you won't even think about the sony once you see how well the D60 performs.
blown highlights are also a thing of the past for me.

for what you like to shoot, you will be maiking a great choice in buying the D60.
only problem after getting it is not to become an "L" lens junky........LOL
scrane said:
Hello
I would like some advice on choosing a camera for an upcoming trip
to Rome, Tuscany, and Istanbul, Turkey. I primarily shoot church/
mosque interiors, art and architectural details, and architectural
exteriors.
I now own a Sony 707 and it has served me well. What I like about
this camera is: size, electronic view finder that I can rely on for
fine tuning exposure, OK lowlight noise levels, fast 5x lens, and
very close focus at wide angle settings. What I don't like is its
tendency to over-blown colors and a harshness in the picture
quality.
I am trying to talk myself into buying a D-60. What I like about
the D-60 is the flexibility in lens selection, its low light
capabilities, and that great picture quality that strikes me as
silky or creamy.
My dilemma is whether this perceived improvement in picture quality
is worth the added expense, bulk, and hastle of a camera with
interchangable lenses. I am also wondering if lenses available for
a reasonable price will be suitable for church and museum interiors
hand held. ( I have had some success with braced exposures up to
1/2 sec at wide angles.)
I have an old Nikon in the closet with a half dozen lenses but the
thing I really like about the Sony is I can pick it up and walk out
the door and be able to take a wide variety of photos. So with a
DSLR I would like to restrict myself to two lenses: a 20mm and a
wide angle to short tele (28-?).I would like both lenses to be
usable wide open and close focus (6") in either one would be great.
I would be interested in hearing people's lens recommendations and
I would really like to see pictures that people have taken in large
interiors and museums with the D-60 or D-30. Thanks for your help.
Sandy Crane
Boise, ID.
Click to expand...
--
photography is my passion.
 
hawkeye said:
only problem after getting it is not to become an "L" lens
junky........LOL
Click to expand...
That's one of the things I'm woried about.
Sandy
 
Keep in mind that a 20mm on the D60 is effectually a 32mm lens. You have a 1.6 multiplier. It's also heavy with a flash and grip. Without those, it's not really that bulky. I love the camera, but I have also wondered about carrying it around my neck on a long trip. You can get very nice exposures at 400 with very little noise IMO.
 
Juli Valley wrote:
It's also heavy with a flash and grip.
Juli Valley said:
Without those, it's not really that bulky. I love the camera, but
I have also wondered about carrying it around my neck on a long
trip. You can get very nice exposures at 400 with very little
noise IMO.
Click to expand...
you certainly don't need a grip to use this camera.
i've had mine around my neck all day and never felt burdened.
using a good flash (Metz or canon) will add wieght to any camera.

--
photography is my passion.
 
Thanks for your reply.

In the places where I like to take pictures a flash is usually out of the question and a tripod will get you a gentle tap on the shoulder and a shake of the head from any caretaker.

By the way, my normal camera bag is an old olive green US army gas mask bag that's light, compact, and hopefully too ugly to steal.
Sandy.
Juli Valley said:
Keep in mind that a 20mm on the D60 is effectually a 32mm lens.
You have a 1.6 multiplier. It's also heavy with a flash and grip.
Without those, it's not really that bulky. I love the camera, but
I have also wondered about carrying it around my neck on a long
trip. You can get very nice exposures at 400 with very little
noise IMO.
Click to expand...
 
scrane said:
By the way, my normal camera bag is an old olive green US army gas
mask bag that's light, compact, and hopefully too ugly to steal.
Sandy.
Click to expand...
Yeah, you're going to have to change that idea. Myabe 3 or 4 of those olive drab bags hanging from your waist might do it from now on! LOL.

As I've mentioned above:

"The Canon LSL" - L Starter Lenses:
16 -35 L
24 - 70 L
70 - 200 L IS

Also,

IMHO, ONE of your main objectives for your Euro Travel gig is to make photogrraphs...so don't relagate your images to snap status in your pre-planning. Do it right, take your time, or just collect brochures at each of your stops.

Ask around (here + ) about the locations you're planning to visit and how wide a lens you might need...maybe a wider prime should be part of the plan.

D60?..you'd better plan to marry PhotoShop. No way around it. The D60 implies you are going to be come the Digital Darkroom Expert. (You'll prob really enjoy it).

BTW...

You'll love the D60's images. Consider this, how many negative comments have you actually read about the D60? !

--Moe Onesandzeroes
 
Not everyone can afford such a special set of lenses. This retired school teacher can't for sure. Maybe someday I can get L glass for my most used zoom.
 
Hi Sandy,

I went to Europe last June and carried my D30, 20mm 50mm 70-200F4 mindstor, charger all day without any problem. For my next trip I will buy the 16-35 and the 24-70. The 70-200 is fine but was my less used. I bought a Lowepro bag that is fixed around the waist and I found it so helpful, because your arms are free and there is no weight on the back because it is just supported by the hips. I climbed a lot of stairs in some old churches and it was just fine.
Have a nice trip and you won't regret

Nicole
 
I will say that the D60 + zoom will be bigger and heavier to carry around. But the image quality will blow you away. My previous camera is the Nikon coolpix 995. It's convenient for snapshots. But at higher ISOs the noise is ugly!

In darkened interiors I think you will really benefit from using the D60. Dramatically improved image quality with darker tones. I believe you get a brighter picture with the Sony, so you'll have to expect less exagerated colors.

Get the 16-35 L lens and a 50mm to start. That won't weigh you down too much. And while traveling, never leave the camera bag anywhere for a second!
scrane said:
Hello
I would like some advice on choosing a camera for an upcoming trip
to Rome, Tuscany, and Istanbul, Turkey. I primarily shoot church/
mosque interiors, art and architectural details, and architectural
exteriors.
I now own a Sony 707 and it has served me well. What I like about
this camera is: size, electronic view finder that I can rely on for
fine tuning exposure, OK lowlight noise levels, fast 5x lens, and
very close focus at wide angle settings. What I don't like is its
tendency to over-blown colors and a harshness in the picture
quality.
Click to expand...
 
Hiya,

I did Istanbul with the wife last month so I hope this advice helps!

Firstly, I had an EOS 30 at the time, only now do I have a D60 but, I would say that the D60 would be perfect. The ability to review your pictures inside those mosques would have been a Godsend to me at the time! You are not going to be able to use a tripod in those places obviously so a fast lens will help. I used a 28-80 f2.8 mostly indoors.

Don't worry too much about whether you can get a wide enough wide angle as the places are so big you are never going to get everything in anyway!!!

I would recommend the Basilica Cistern, Sulimaniye Mosque, Rustem Pasha Mosque, The Blue Mosque and Haghia Sophia if you are short of time. Topkapi Palace if you like intricate tilework, it is amazing but for that only.

If you want to see my efforts go to:

http://www.athousandwords.org.uk

I would give my right arm to go back, the place is amazing, the people are fantastic and the food is wonderful. Oh, and watch out for the carpet sellers!

Enjoy it above all.
 
Moe,

Uh oh. This is what I'm afraid of. Not only am I not rich, I'm not strong enough to carry a lot of stuff around. :)

As Juli mentioned, the 20mm will give me 32mm equiv which is fine with me. This will alow me some low light shots which I can crop if needed, and say, a 24-70 will give me a pretty good range for general shooting. I really don't seem to use anything longer very much. The more lenses I have the more time I spend juggling them and the less time I have to wonder at the wonders.

I have no illusions about my photographic abilities. I'm an amateur, and taking pictures is just a part of my travel experience. I think the thing that got me out of 35mm cameras were those half dozen lenses that I would swap obsessively.

I have all my digital photos drift up randomly on my screensaver whenever my keyboard gets bored. After a while the good ones get a little worse and the bad ones get a little better. (or deleted!)

Anyways, I know what you're saying about quality equipment to cover a broad range of focal lengths. To tell you the truth, I don't know if I can afford one zoom L lens after spending $2K on a camera. But I certainly appreciate your recommendations. Maybe just that 24-70...
Sandy
Moe Onesandzeroes said:
scrane said:
By the way, my normal camera bag is an old olive green US army gas
mask bag that's light, compact, and hopefully too ugly to steal.
Sandy.
Click to expand...
Yeah, you're going to have to change that idea. Myabe 3 or 4 of
those olive drab bags hanging from your waist might do it from now
on! LOL.

As I've mentioned above:

"The Canon LSL" - L Starter Lenses:
16 -35 L
24 - 70 L
70 - 200 L IS
Click to expand...
 
Keiron

This next time will be my fourth trip to Istanbul over the last thirty years. The place has a magical quality. It is terribly exotic but accessible. And tacky. And glorious. And bizarre. And the bazaar!

How did you like the sharpness on the 28-80. This is the Canon IS, is that right? Looking at your pictures makes me all the more anxious to go.

Digital cameras are great aren't they? If you have the patience you can get exactly the picture you want.
Sandy
Keiron O'Mahoney said:
Hiya,

I did Istanbul with the wife last month so I hope this advice helps!

Firstly, I had an EOS 30 at the time, only now do I have a D60 but,
I would say that the D60 would be perfect. The ability to review
your pictures inside those mosques would have been a Godsend to me
at the time! You are not going to be able to use a tripod in those
places obviously so a fast lens will help. I used a 28-80 f2.8
mostly indoors.

Don't worry too much about whether you can get a wide enough wide
angle as the places are so big you are never going to get
everything in anyway!!!

I would recommend the Basilica Cistern, Sulimaniye Mosque, Rustem
Pasha Mosque, The Blue Mosque and Haghia Sophia if you are short of
time. Topkapi Palace if you like intricate tilework, it is amazing
but for that only.

If you want to see my efforts go to:

http://www.athousandwords.org.uk

I would give my right arm to go back, the place is amazing, the
people are fantastic and the food is wonderful. Oh, and watch out
for the carpet sellers!

Enjoy it above all.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for your comments. I remember my fourth grade teacher who loved to travel and loved to tell us about the wonders of the world.
Sandy
Juli Valley said:
Not everyone can afford such a special set of lenses. This retired
school teacher can't for sure. Maybe someday I can get L glass for
my most used zoom.
Click to expand...
 
Nicole,

You sound like my kind of traveler. Which 20mm did you have? How did you like it? Do you have any pictures posted?
Sandy
Nicole said:
Hi Sandy,

I went to Europe last June and carried my D30, 20mm 50mm 70-200F4
mindstor, charger all day without any problem.
Click to expand...
 
I think the 16-35 would be beyond my reach, but it is a very very comprehensive range for a wide angle to normal in a DSLR. The thing that impresses me about the D-60 is its natural sharpness and smooth tones.
Sandy.
dachshund1 said:
In darkened interiors I think you will really benefit from using
the D60. Dramatically improved image quality with darker tones. I
believe you get a brighter picture with the Sony, so you'll have to
expect less exagerated colors.
Get the 16-35 L lens and a 50mm to start. That won't weigh you down
too much. And while traveling, never leave the camera bag anywhere
for a second!
Click to expand...
 
I taught mostly high school, and in earlier years, I would force my captive audiences to sit through my slides of my grand tour of western Europe that I made when I was 22. After a few years, it was obvious my captive audiences were not so thrilled or tolerant. I always tried to encourage them to see some of the world beyond their provincial neighborhood.
 
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