Question for the phtographers out there

[Jean Struweg]

Hi Gents

I have been asked for advice by a friend who wants to take up photography, specifically wildlife. Budget is not a major limiting factor, but let's say he will be happy to spend up to around R40k and he does not mind buying second hand.

My kit predates 2010 and my setup has not changed in over ten years, so I am a bit out of touch with what's happening out there.

Given this my advice might also be out of date, but I was thinking a good option would be to get a second hand mid range SLR body (Canon 7d maybe) and pair it with a 100-400mm Canon to start with for wildlife.This should suit his budget.if I se what these options go for on Outdoorphoto's classifieds.

I am excluding mirrorless, because I know very little about them. Not sure if full frame might be a better option in the long run?

Am I missing something like the size of memory cards / wifi enabled cameras, or if it has become mandatory to also include post processing software (and hardware?)

What do the gurus say? What would you recommend? 

Thanks in advance

Jean

[james...@gmail.com]

Hi Jean,

 

I am not a photography but took some friends and family to Camera Tek in Strijdom Park and Greg, partner, was very knowledgeable and helpful. They also rent equipment which may be an option to try different models. Obviously depends on where he stays

 

Kind regards

James

--
--
DO YOU WANT TO UNSUBSCRIBE ? Then send a blank email to:
overland-foru...@googlegroups.com
 
4x4's and other stuff for sale:
http://www.overland.co.za/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=2
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "overland-forum" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to overland-foru...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/overland-forum/CAJ45zORZJmPUKQfuVJPgz0DJGWZCb9JXyhnWOkBiud%2BWvH6pPw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Merwe Erasmus]

I think a 7d and a 100-400 lens is a good combo, both should be the mark ii versions.  The 7 d is still good enough for keen amateurs, but it is now a bit dated and technology, especially in the mirrorless field has progressed rapidly in the last few years.

The 7d takes a CF card. I know that one can buy a SD card with WiFi capabilities, not sure if you can get the same on a CF card.

The big improvement in new cameras post the 7d has been in auto focus and in low light conditions. The new Canon R6 and R5 has an animal eye tracking feature, once you, well not you, the camera does the work, lock on the eye of the subject, it stays there and your images are and remain in focus. The mirrorless R6 retails for just over R 40 000 and is compatible with an adaptor with all the older canon lenses.

My suggestion is also to visit one of the big photographic retailers for guidance.

I use Canon, so my advice and experience is limited to Canon,  but the other brands like Nikon and Sony also produce high quality and in certain aspects better gear.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/overland-forum/009001d7ad6f%24b9c5c4c0%242d514e40%24%40gmail.com.

[Fanie du Plessis]

From my side if I had to buy from scratch it would be a Nikon D 500 and the Nikon 200-500 zoom.

The D500 is arguably the best cropped sensor DSLR from the pre mirror less era ito ISO capabilities as well as frame rate. 

The 200-500 zoom has a brilliant VR system and is optically very sharp. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/overland-forum/CAHQ8Gor1KwxHDc7qYoWO21cs5ZTMsrFdL-VWcUfqmobxFQfWEg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Jean Struweg]

Thanks for the inputs Gents

@Merwe - if the 7D is getting dated I don't even want to think how far behind I am with my 40D 😯

Cheers

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/overland-forum/CALA%2By048Sb-Ub-Cx-KU3vf_YQ%3DJ-sJP449j5xsNub2Wx7QwGrQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[grahambowring2]

Without going into too much detail what are the main advantages of mirrorless vs a traditional digital SLR?

Graham Bowring

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/overland-forum/CAJ45zORjUxzqB7cYQYPrJfMvDS88u0dD-Rm2NMEJy81%3DygMpJg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Fanie du Plessis]

Easier to manual focus lenses, and you see the photo more like it is captured in your little TV screen in the view finder, plus some info.

Me, I like the old school glass prism, cannot really see me spending money on a cell phone in a big box 🤣

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/overland-forum/61483578.1c69fb81.d55b0.cee0%40mx.google.com.

[Hannes Thirion]

Jean,

I will make my recommendations on my experience.  So take it as my opinion.

I will not buy a camera second hand, a lens, yes if well looked after.  The camera houses the sensor and sensor technology is developing so fast that it is a waste of good money to buy a secondhand camera.  

Canon stopped development of EF (DSLR) lenses, they now work on RF (mirrorless) lenses only. BUT EF lenses work great on R cameras with EF-RF adaptor.  

The Canon 7D Mk II is discontinued.  We are waiting to see if they will replace it with a cropped sensor mirrorless camera.  If you look at a cropped sensor DSLR look at the 90D.  

The Canon 100-400 EF Mk II lens auto focus even with a 2x converter on the R5 and R6.

I do landscape photography and changing lenses in the veld meen dust on the sensor.  With the R-cameras, since there is no mirror there is a shutter that closes the lens opening when removing the lens.  This will help a lot to keep dust from the sensor.  I am new to mirrorless and need to test this in the veld.  

My recommendation to your friend would be to go for the Canon R camera, EF-RF adaptor, 100-400 EF Mk II lens.  

You say:  'I am excluding mirrorless, because I know very little about them. Not sure if full frame might be a better option in the long run?'

My opinion, yes.  Chances are very good that cropped sensor may be discontinued.  

To me, you cannot make your wide angle lenses wider on a cropped sensor, but you can crop your telephoto images on a full frame camera.  

This is my advice, feel free to ask.

Regards,

Hannes Thirion

[Mike Slater]

After 40 years of taking great pics, but let down by limitations of (cheaper) cameras I finally broke down and bought a Sony a (alpha) 7 III a few months ago.  Absolutely brilliant camera.  Used it in falling snow on the Drakensberg and it performed flawlessly.

Also grab the special here:  https://www.outdoorphoto.co.za/sony-alpha-a7-iii-mirrorless-digital-camera-with-fe-28-70mm-oss-lens?

"Alla fin del gioco tanto va nel sacco il Re quanto la pedina."

Best wishes
 
Mike Slater

Join me in amazing Mozambique: 
http://www.mozguide.com/index.php/about/about/custom-trips-and-tours

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/overland-forum/CA%2BzknQ_Ne-7KEASbh70D08inx6fZhfJDs3%2BCK7jZLNADE44L3w%40mail.gmail.com.

[Jean Struweg]

Thanks for all the responses chaps, some food for thought.

Cheers

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/overland-forum/CAOaU3wjOag06nChtEY%3D21bir7WfwUqiRYnqCekqpp%2BX1%3Dn8sBQ%40mail.gmail.com.