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Talk me into staying with a DSLR

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BrianinKentucky

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Yes I can hear the groans from here. But I am strongly considering purchasing a Sony either HX9v or HX100v (maybe A35 but that is another story). I am just a hobbyist. I have a D70s with a kit lens, and 70-200, and 50/1.8. I do have a sb-600 (CLS is the best part of Nikon). But 90% of my photos are of my kids. These mirrorless cameras produce images that aren't great but are good enough for web use. Am I crazy to consider purchasing one of these?? I am not crazy about the reviews of the D5100 esp video and am to the point that any more lenses are going to get pricey?? Someone talk me into staying with the Nikon system?? (apples and oranges notwithstanding)
 
Well since you posted this in the Sony and nikon forum and have no 'history' I am gonna give you the benefit of the doubt... and since I cant see any of your photo history I am just gonna guess how you shoot the kids...

For me, as a single dad on vacation with my girls... I will often take the Sony out for the vacation snaps... or if on a long hike and the back pack is full of food water sunscreen and stuff...

But taking real photos of the girls is usually left to a wide open fast piece of glass...

Since you do not have a posting history here, I cant tell what type of Kid shots you like to take. Many of mine are indoors and the dlsr is gonna win here, especially with the high ISO and wonderful bounce flash of the Nikon...

--
"It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them."
Pierre Beaumarchais~~
 
Sorry Nikon folk, I honestly thought I was in the sony forum where the question was also asked...

--
"It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them."
Pierre Beaumarchais~~
 
Yeah, just registered tonight, most if not all are informal snaps. But about once every 6 months i try to take a portrait but kids wiggle and cry I swear I'll never do it again...then I start to think I could take a portrait ...then kids wiggle and cry and I swear I'll never do it again
 






These are 2 of my favorites of the last 6 months or so

The photo of the old man is my wife's Grandfather. It is the best photo I've ever taken. He died 1 month ago and the family used this picture at his funeral. I am just not sure I could have take this with any of the Sony cameras.
 
Well there is part of your answer... would you have got that shot with a point and shoot under those conditions?

For the kids in good light... the sony will be fun, throw any challenges at it and you will want to use the dslr

--
"It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them."
Pierre Beaumarchais~~
 
It's really very simple.... Kids move fast. DSLRs focus fast and take the picture when you want. When they grow up and are the stars in the school choir, you can get an 80-200 2.8 to take their picture on stage.
 
If you already have a camera that is working for you, what is the motivation to change?

For me, a DSLR is usually the best choice, because of a few very key features.

First, it is FAST. Even turned off, I can grab the camera, have it switched on as I bring it up to my eye, press shutter and have focus and the shot - all in less than a second.

Second, the low light performance is better than any small cameras I've used, though I have not tried the new mirrorless stuff.

If you just want a new camera, go for it. New cameras are almost always fun.

If you want/need a lighter camera, then staying with a DSLR may be a problem, though there are some that are a lot lighter than others.

If you want video, there are big differences between brands and models, and Nikon video in DSLR's isn't particularly good yet. (Get a video camera?)

--
Craig
http://www.cjcphoto.net
 
Keep your D70 and buy the compact too, that's what I did.

On a weekend away recently I used my D700 and a telephoto lens to take action shots and a pocket-size P300 for candid photography, macro's and as a general walking around camera.

Each has merits, so go with both.
 
BrianinKentucky said:
Yes I can hear the groans from here. But I am strongly considering purchasing a Sony either HX9v or HX100v (maybe A35 but that is another story). I am just a hobbyist. I have a D70s with a kit lens, and 70-200, and 50/1.8. I do have a sb-600 (CLS is the best part of Nikon). But 90% of my photos are of my kids. These mirrorless cameras produce images that aren't great but are good enough for web use. Am I crazy to consider purchasing one of these?? I am not crazy about the reviews of the D5100 esp video and am to the point that any more lenses are going to get pricey?? Someone talk me into staying with the Nikon system?? (apples and oranges notwithstanding)
Click to expand...
Why don't you just get a sony nex 5n? At least their not as heavy as their counter parts. Also their good enough for what you do and still retaining an image quality better than 4/3 or compact digicams.
 
'Their' also lacking in native glass that can take full advantage of the sensor (read: poor).
 
I see your dilemma. What are your views on a compact camera (ie pocketable)?. I ask as I have young children also and love my dslr to bits - BUT its cumbersome. Its great for eg being in the park, kids on swings shooting at hip level, getting natural shots (take enough and you get some real beauties) - not so good at parties or just being out and about.

Getting a 'pocket compact' will enable to to get photos where you would not have imagined taking your dslr. There is very little crossover of functions - meaning your dslr (which gives you most versatility and quality) will not be compromised by a half way house and yet you can carry something very attractive to just getting out and snapping.

I was on this forum a few weeks ago, looking at the p300 and s95 (Sony Hx9V also great). Having got the S95 last week, its great (as are the others) and I have taken so many pictures of the kids - just good fun without the fumble!

Sorry to wade in with an alternative consideration. The mirrorless cameras are certainly attractive - but I see them as a compromise - neither one nor the other. I'd say have the quality and the convenience - keep your dslr and enjoy

Kind regards

Dil
 
Keep in mind that a lot of kids don't like to pose for photos. Besides, posed pictures are not always the best. They would rather play. When they are running around, acting like kids, you need a camera with fast and accurate autofocus. Make sure that the camera you use to take photos is up to task. Compactness is useless if the autofocus sucks, or if there is a terrible shutter delay that could ruin the candid shot of kids playing.
BrianinKentucky said:
Yes I can hear the groans from here. But I am strongly considering purchasing a Sony either HX9v or HX100v (maybe A35 but that is another story). I am just a hobbyist. I have a D70s with a kit lens, and 70-200, and 50/1.8. I do have a sb-600 (CLS is the best part of Nikon). But 90% of my photos are of my kids. These mirrorless cameras produce images that aren't great but are good enough for web use. Am I crazy to consider purchasing one of these?? I am not crazy about the reviews of the D5100 esp video and am to the point that any more lenses are going to get pricey?? Someone talk me into staying with the Nikon system?? (apples and oranges notwithstanding)
Click to expand...
 
Just compare the Sony HX100v in the DPR "compare vs." part of any review against say the Sony a35 (only a55 in the database for comparison) you are considering. And since Sony's higher ISO noise reduction seems to be heavy handed by default, compare the a55 RAW against the Sony HX100v that only has JPG and you'll see it blows the hx100v away at ISO 1600.

For JPG, it would see the a55 is about 4 stops better, ISO, than the hx100v, i.e. hx100v ISO 800 is about a55 ISO 12800. Go look and compare it for yourself though.
 
Keep your DSLR and buy a mirrorless as a complementary camera. There are some bargain prices recently of older models.
That's what I did. You will have both apples and oranges.
 
BrianinKentucky said:
Yes I can hear the groans from here. But I am strongly considering purchasing a Sony either HX9v or HX100v (maybe A35 but that is another story). I am just a hobbyist. I have a D70s with a kit lens, and 70-200, and 50/1.8. I do have a sb-600 (CLS is the best part of Nikon). But 90% of my photos are of my kids. These mirrorless cameras produce images that aren't great but are good enough for web use. Am I crazy to consider purchasing one of these?? I am not crazy about the reviews of the D5100 esp video and am to the point that any more lenses are going to get pricey?? Someone talk me into staying with the Nikon system?? (apples and oranges notwithstanding)
Click to expand...
your shots are not possible without a real DSLR. And, you already have pretty much all the glass you need.

If you like to have something lite to carry, okay... If you like taking great pictures, upgrade your body, or not... more megapixels are not all they are cracked up to be, unless you are going to be blowing up huge or cropping little bits out of images and blowing up those sections.

The glass on the other hand make a huge difference.

--
Yucel
Glamour Photographer
 
If your a hobbyist and don't have to worry about your output do it. I'm a retiring pro and have just picked up a GF2 with a 14mm lens, it's great. When I finally stop having to please others, in 11 months time, all my big stuff will go.
david
 
I vote for supplementing your DSLR with a compact. The Nikon P7100 might be an option. Points in it's favor - user interface will be familiar (and this is by design--Nikon wants DLSR owners to own this as their pocket camera), you can still use your flash with it, and it has an optical viewfinder. It's brand new so there aren't many real world reviews for it. Seems like an improvement on the P7000 model. One drawback is the burst rate is pretty slow, so it might not the best choice for youth sports, etc...

--
Brian
 
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