Snapshuter
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To begin with, I'm not a die hard amatuer or semi-pro photographer and never will be. I've always wanted a high quality camera but wanted no part of lugging a camera bag with 15Lbs of lenses around. So, Sony always seemed to have the answer. I bought the F717, then the F818, and finally a year ago I bought an R1. I still have all three. Anyway, the R1 seemed like the ultimate fixed lens camera. Plenty wide for indoor shots but enough tele for most of my needs. And with 10MP resolution, you can always trade some resolution for a little more zoom in photoshop.
Anyway, I was really happy with the R1 until it comes to getting shots of my kids playing soccer, basketball, etc. The 3 shot buffer became a hindrance. Enter the promise of an SLR with unlimited buffer capacity. Well, I went out and bought a Nikon D80 with the Nikkor 18-200 lens figuring I'd have a one lens SLR solution. Best of both worlds. Only one lens to tote around but all the speed and buffer depth of an SLR.
Well, so far I'm not sold on the whole SLR concept. All the reviews say that an SLR will focus much faster than the R1. Not really. I've used both in well lit and low light situations and I don't find the R1 noticeably slower. As for the limited buffer, hmmm yes but......the D80 is slower, much slower. Maybe it's the mechanical shutter but I'm disappointed. The R1 can capture 3 shots while the D80 is getting the first image. Of course, then you're done for 6-8 seconds while the D80 will click on, albeit slowly.
I don't see much difference in the images either.
Here's my impression after a week.
R1 Pros
Great lens with a useful range
Better build quality than the Nikon, switches, etc just feel better
Very good ergonomics, comfortable to hold
Live preview
Pivoting viewfinder allows shooting from angles SLR can't match
No noisy, jarring shutter & mirror
Cost, I bought mine for $900 last July
A bit smaller and lighter than the D80
R1 Cons
Limited Buffer, 3 shots
Internal viewfinder just can't match optical system of SLR
D80 Pros
Nikkor 18-200 lens as good as the R1 with more range and VR
Unlimited buffer
Great optical viewfinder makes focusing much easier
Great control layout and menus
Great in-camera processing like D-lighting
Snob factor
D80 Cons
Bigger & heavier
Slower shot to shot time in continuous shooting
Can only use it while held up to your eye. No more waist/overhead shots
Twice the cost (with lens) of an R1
Switchgear,clickwheels and knobs don't feel as nice as the R1
For twice the money, I'm sort of disappointed I bought into the SLR hype. The D80 is very nice but it doesn't significantly help continuous shooting or deliver noticeably better images. The one thing I really love so far is the optical viewfinder.
Anyway, my intention was to sell the F717, F818, and the R1 after making the upgrade. Now I'm thinking I need to hold onto the R1.
Has anyone else made the move to an SLR? Did you hang onto your R1? Why? Why not?
Anyway, I was really happy with the R1 until it comes to getting shots of my kids playing soccer, basketball, etc. The 3 shot buffer became a hindrance. Enter the promise of an SLR with unlimited buffer capacity. Well, I went out and bought a Nikon D80 with the Nikkor 18-200 lens figuring I'd have a one lens SLR solution. Best of both worlds. Only one lens to tote around but all the speed and buffer depth of an SLR.
Well, so far I'm not sold on the whole SLR concept. All the reviews say that an SLR will focus much faster than the R1. Not really. I've used both in well lit and low light situations and I don't find the R1 noticeably slower. As for the limited buffer, hmmm yes but......the D80 is slower, much slower. Maybe it's the mechanical shutter but I'm disappointed. The R1 can capture 3 shots while the D80 is getting the first image. Of course, then you're done for 6-8 seconds while the D80 will click on, albeit slowly.
I don't see much difference in the images either.
Here's my impression after a week.
R1 Pros
Great lens with a useful range
Better build quality than the Nikon, switches, etc just feel better
Very good ergonomics, comfortable to hold
Live preview
Pivoting viewfinder allows shooting from angles SLR can't match
No noisy, jarring shutter & mirror
Cost, I bought mine for $900 last July
A bit smaller and lighter than the D80
R1 Cons
Limited Buffer, 3 shots
Internal viewfinder just can't match optical system of SLR
D80 Pros
Nikkor 18-200 lens as good as the R1 with more range and VR
Unlimited buffer
Great optical viewfinder makes focusing much easier
Great control layout and menus
Great in-camera processing like D-lighting
Snob factor
D80 Cons
Bigger & heavier
Slower shot to shot time in continuous shooting
Can only use it while held up to your eye. No more waist/overhead shots
Twice the cost (with lens) of an R1
Switchgear,clickwheels and knobs don't feel as nice as the R1
For twice the money, I'm sort of disappointed I bought into the SLR hype. The D80 is very nice but it doesn't significantly help continuous shooting or deliver noticeably better images. The one thing I really love so far is the optical viewfinder.
Anyway, my intention was to sell the F717, F818, and the R1 after making the upgrade. Now I'm thinking I need to hold onto the R1.
Has anyone else made the move to an SLR? Did you hang onto your R1? Why? Why not?
