Looking for a good DSLR camera

[compuwar]

I see, but you don't have to use Sony lenses if you don't want to. Other than that, the best Sony lenses are made by Zeiss. Are you trying to tell me that Zeiss lenses are junk?

Actually, I'm pretty sure Sony's Zeiss lenses are designed and licensed, not actually made by Zeiss.

Paul

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Actually, I'm pretty sure Sony's Zeiss lenses are designed and licensed, not actually made by Zeiss.

Paul

May be true, but I see a lot of conflicting articles. For example:
http://www.sony-mea.com/microsite/d...l?HPID=carlZeissLensMicrosite:DSLR:Thumbnails

Or this one from Zeiss (pdf):
http://lenses.zeiss.com/content/dam...center/product_brochures/touit_leaflet_en.pdf

http://www.imaging-resource.com/new...-review-superbly-sharp-lens-full-frame-a7r-a7

 

[dollystereo]

I wanted to throw my humble input in here too. I bought my first dlsr last July and I'm obsessed. There are tons of great options out there right now. Some are right for where you're at today and some are more applicable for you down the road. I think now is an excellent time to get into photography as the cameras + lenses are being upgraded quite nicely. Some lenses that are 20+ years old are just now seeing upgrades.

Most people are super passionate about HOW they take pictures and the gear they used. It's incredibly personal and because of that we're all very attached to the tech that made it possible. So take everyones advice with a grain of salt. Mine included. Except on the lenses. Better lenses will give you better results on every camera.

Here's the route I went. Not saying you need to do the same, but thought I'd share my experience and purchase choices. I found I love shooting only prime lenses. This means my lens is only one focal length. I like the limitations on having to "zoom with my feet." I've found it pushes me to learn faster and be more creative with what I'm trying to shoot. So, here's the gear that I purchased in purchase order and the prices I got it all for. Everything was new.

Gear:
Canon SL1 - $750 (I love the smaller size and it's really lightweight. I can take it anywhere and not feel "burdened" by bringing my dslr. The size may be completely wrong for you, but it fits nicely in my hands. Currently $500 on amazon body only)

Canon 50mm 1.8 - $125 (The ever popular Nifty Fifty. Excellent lens that can be used in a variety of shoots.)

Canon 35mm f2 USM IS - $550 (LOVE this bad boy. Amazing all around prime. Ridiculously sharp and perfect focal length on the crop sensor.)

Canon 85mm 1.8 - $320 (THE portrait king unless you're looking at L glass at 4x the cost.)

Accessaries:
Lightroom 5 - $150 (if you're a student it's cheaper)
Bag - $50
SD cards - $30
Extra battery - $40

Total: $2015

I really want to focus on portraits, but as I've been filling my portfolio I've been shooting all over the place. Portraits, street photography (REALLY love this), musicians and landscapes. Check out my site for some examples if you want. My logo is absolutely terrible and I'm working on fixing that. But otherwise take a look at what I was able to do with a $2000 budget. http://www.thirdprincephotography.com

Best of luck to you and welcome to the obsession!

one little suggestion, instead of the 35mm f/2, get the 28mm f/1.8 that uses the same filters as the others 1.8. Is a better lenses, and lighter.

 

[compuwar]

May be true, but I see a lot of conflicting articles.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Zeiss_AG#ZA_lenses

ZA lenses are designed and manufactured by Sony in Japan, while Zeiss will ensure that certain design and quality parameters defined in a collaboration of Sony and Zeiss are met. The lenses fit the Sony Alpha/Konica Minolta/Minolta A mount. They are fully dedicated autofocus lenses with eight electrical contacts, ROM-IC, and distance encoder ('(D)-function' to support ADI flash).

That jives with what I recall from when the A-mount lenses were first released.

Also, Zeiss no longer manufactures many of their own lenses:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Zeiss_AG#Z-series_manual-focus_SLR_lenses

Zeiss produces optically identical manual-focus lenses for multiple SLR lens mounts under the ZE, ZF, ZK, and ZS lines, manufactured in Japan by Cosina to Zeiss specifications.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Zeiss_AG#ZM_lenses

Some lenses are manufactured in Germany by Zeiss, some in Japan by Cosina.

I know Yashica/Contax used to also manufacture for them under license.

I think the only way you used to be able to ensure you were getting that good German glass in a small-format lens was to go with something made my Schneider-Kreuznach, but I'm not sure that's even accurate after the Century acquisition.

Paul