ssal

I don't think anyone who plans to be serious about photography should touch this "hybrid" cameras. There are a few of them out there and I had read up on them in Outdoor Photographers.

There main claim is that it is a lot smaller and lighter than the regular DSLR because they all do away with the mirror. But they still have lens interchangeability because they usually put out three different zoom.

OK, let examine this fallacy of lightness first. The basic camera is lighter, but, if you're going to purchase other lenses, the only thing that is lighter is the camera body. When all the lenses and accessories add together, the percentage of saving will be very minimal. Unlike a compact P&S you still need a camera bag.

Now, let's look at what you will sacrify when you don't have the mirror. You will rely on the screen for your viewing and composition. All LCD or LED screens, no matter how good they make it, do not perform well under bright sunlight. That's why all the professionals still rely on their viewfinder. Some of the higher end model like Nikon D3 have live-view, but I bet you had never seen a professional normally use the live-view for their shooting. When you try to use the viewfinder in the hybrid, you'll notice that you're actually looking at a mini TV screen inside the viewfinder. If you're trying to see sharpness and depth of field with it, you will be greatly handicapped.

Then the lenses, your other major investment, are all specialized to that body. If you want to upgrade one day, most probably you will, you will have to replace all your lenses. But if you choose some DSLR like Nikon, Canon or Alpha, you can upgrade the body while keeping your lenses and accessories for the new body.

Again, I am talking if you're serious.

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ssal

Mox,

I would imagine it is conflicting to have the D3s and have the D300 as a second camera. Having a DX and FX together makes lens choice very difficult.

I used to shoot two cameras, the F5 and the N90s in the film days. One for negative and the other Velvia. It was a no brainer when it came to lenses.

But with DX and FX difference, it is not that straight forward anymore.

I would think another D3 (if $ is not an issue), or a D700 would be my choice.

What you think?

ssal

Norman,

Thanks for looking my work.

I am no prof, just someone who has a lot of passion with photography.

Moxfactor,

Thank you for sharing your thought with your camera choice. Look forward to your postings from Hangzhou.

I find having two cameras with the same perspective ratio easier. If I went for two cameras, I would properly get an used D3. It is about US$2,400 on eBay. That would cut down my need of changing lenses.

But I really don't look forward to dangling two cameras (very heavy ones too) on my neck or shoulder. I guess I am no longer a spring chick with lots of gunho anymore.

If I go for a major trip and need to have a spare, I would probably buy an used one for the trip, then I will resell it after. I think Nikon put a lot of effort in the professional series like the single number series cameras and it hardly fails. Thank God.

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ssal

Moxfactor,

You won't hear me complaining about camera weight neither. No, not from a guy who, in the past 15 years, shot F5, D1x and then the D3. I accept that weight goes with a good camera and there is no two way about it.

I only don't want to have two of them simultaneously.

The 35-70mm f/2.8D is my normal stable lens. I shoot handheld most of the time with it. But when I use my 80-200mm f/2.8D, or sometimes with the 2x teleconverter, I use monopod and tripod. In some condition, I even lock the mirror to minimize movement by the mirror bounce. Long lens is too susceptible to take a chance.

It will be nice that we are rich enough to have a caddy, a camera caddy who will follow me around with a small rolling cart of camera bodies mounted with various lenses. My dream!

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ssal

Norman,

P&S camera suits most people who want to do snap shots. Depending on how serious you are with photography. If you're serious enough, you will appreciate the various functions and utilities that a P&S do not offer. You'd mentioned the manual control issues. How about something as simple as depth of field? That's the the main reason I bought the D3. DofF, not megapixel.

If you're are thinking of buying a new camera like a Nikon or Canon, there is almost no advantage of buying it from another country because N & C maintain standard pricing. I have no problem buying used equipment from eBay because I always checked out the buyer's reputation first. eBay also allow me the option of trading equipment I no long need.

I'm not familiar with dealers in Hong Kong but I didn't find their price attractive at all when compared to very reputable sellers in New York (like B&H).

ssal

Mox,

It is one of those local knowledge. For someone from the outside (although I spent the first 20 years of my life there), we don't know any better and as you said, some of the dealers can come across as very fast talkers.

The D3s is now selling around US$5,400 in New York from authorized dealers like B&H and Cameta, both highly reputable Nikon dealers. If you're courageous, there are some gray market resellers in Brooklyn advertising it for around $3,999.99 but I don't want to deal with them just like I have a problem dealing with the tourist traps in TST and Mongkok.

But if you're buying it new, I think 10% is not too attractive for anyone to buy from the other side of the world.

eBay is a great place to buy used equipment. The US economy is down in the dump. A lot of used equipment are selling at very low prices. I recently picked up a very good quality Nikon 20mm f/2.8D for US220. I also picked up a 2x Kenko teleconverter for only $28. I am very happy with my purchases.

I also sold my used D100, D1x and some of the lenses that fell out of my favor on eBay. It helped me recoup some of my money instead of just having them rot away in the closet.

ssal

Mox,

With FedEx and UPS Worldwide, or even the good old Post Office Air Service, there is no need to fly around the world to buy anything anymore. That's why we in New York are eating Kiwi from New Zealand, or Hong Kong connoisseurs are ordering lobsters from Australia, or Maine.

Unless the price differential is large enough, I still don't think it is worth the while because of warranty issue. USA Nikon would not repair any non-USA models (they can tell by the serial number). You also cannot get the firmware update, at least not from their site. With digital, i.e. electronic, there is always something that can go wrong. That's why I don't even want to bother with those unscrupulous sellers from Brooklyn. They sell gray market Nikon/Canon. They strip the battery and charger out of the package. They high pressure you into buying lenses and other junk accessories. Then they give you a "third party" warranty servicer, to whom I am afraid to send my $5,000 camera. The same holds true for lenses too. There are a lot of electronics inside a lens these days.

Those are major consideration when you make a good size investment. Of course, if I am buying a throw away P&S for a couple of hundred dollars, I would not hesitate at all buying from whoever sells it cheaper.

Mox, I am sure those photobugs-wanna-be are eyeing your D3s with green. After all, all wannas know that the D3s is the undisputed king of camera. Just don't stick a Sigma lens on it though (LOL).

You know, this thread is turning into a very intellectual discussion that we don't often see in this board. Very good. Very good indeed.

Now, let's see you Hangzhou pictures. It is a place I want to go. My son and daughter in law just visited Huang Shan this week. It was rainy all three days they were there. When we visited there 11 years ago, it was rainy too and the guard told us that it rains 250 days of the year up there. But as we left the last day, the weather opened up and I was able to snap a few shots. One of them was enlarged and hangs in my living room.

I want to go back there and Guilin with my digital. Well, only if this stupid economy turns around and I feel comfortable of walking away. Well, well well . . .

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ssal

Mox,

Make sure you don't have any pictures that you don't want the world to see before you turn it in to a computer tech. Remember Edison Chen? LOL.

Look forward to seeing you Hangzhou pictures. Isn't Hangzhou the Venice of the Orient?