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  • #1

    Camera Experts - help please!!

    Hi,

    I already have an outstanding video camera but I'm also looking for a good quality camera primarily for taking stills from an aerial platform for my commercial aerial business.

    I'd love to have a Canon 5D - but they are mega expensive and pretty heavy. I've been doing a fair bit of research and the one that comes very highly recommended and will not be an issue (weight or size) for my Hex is the Canon 550d and a EF-S 17-55 lens. (loadsamoney.....ooh)

    My problem is that I am a novice when it comes to cameras - so please be gentle with me!

    My questions are:

    - Do any of you have such a combination and do you think its OK
    - Can anyone comment on the suitability of either using the 550d or should I go for the 650d (several places suggest the the 550 is actually better, but that the 650d has better gizmos including better auto focus in video mode)
    - Anyone wanting to part with their 550d or 650d for sensible money?

    Cheers,
    Simon


    BNUC-S certified
    ---Guinness World Record Pilot 2011 & 2012---
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  • #2
    I would advice against Canons. There was a time when their CMOS sensor produced best picture quality in DSLRs but this time has long gone, and they have been overtaken by other companies (in picture quality in non-professional cameras). I understand you do not have Canon lens and that is another thing on your expenses list. What is it exactly you will be taking pictures of, and when? Outdoors during the day? Indoors during day? Night with a flash? Night with a tripod? Why do you consider 5D so desirable - is it large sensor, resolution, picture quality or something else?

    I have Pentax K5 and can recommend their cameras, as long as you do not need large choice of reporter-class-expensive lenses. The picture quality is very good, so is the choice of features and price. Check out K30 with kit lens 18-55 , it is actually one of better kit lenses out there. Pentax is especially good at picture quality and at fixed focal lenses, but their lineup of zoom lenses is less than impressive.

    Also Nikons are not to be sneered at.

    If you like smaller, check Panasonic four thirds system, e.g. GF5 or GH3 , or older GF3.

    Now, I do not want to bash Canons and these are quite decent cameras, I'm just saying that the fact that they are among most popular, does not mean that they are the best (just like Aligns). They might be perfect for your needs, but so might something else.
    Trex 450 DFC with AR7200BX and several small E-flite Blades

    proud wearer of one EGS sigpic

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    • #3
      Don't discount Sony's DSL's, I have had one for a few years now and have had some great shots from it, check out this site for some great reviews and info

      [url=http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews/]Digital Camera Reviews, Canon Cameras, Nikon Cameras, DSLR and SLR Cameras[/url]
      -I don't crash, I just land with enthusiasm.

      A couple of 600n's with stuff on them that makes them fly..
      A 550 fbl with even more stuff on it to make it fly
      And a Mars 470 which needs stuff putting on it to make it fly

      And a DX8 too

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      • #4
        HI, You are going to get very personal opinions that may not be subjective. I personally love the canon and i have the 650d its such a user friendly camera and although very similar to the 550 it has some really nice additional features like better video autofocus, far superior focus ability, it has a flip out touch screen and shoots faster 5fps v 3.7fps.
        It can also take multiple photo exposures and kind of merges them to create the best quality picture.
        There are loads of pros n cons and my advice would be to buy as much as you can in the budget you have ( if you can afford the 650d then do so)
        Flip side is you may get a very good used 550d that does a good job.
        i love the touch screen on the 650
        What ever you decide i advise you just read some reviews on both.
        Good luck :)
        1x EGS, TREX 450 PRO DFC & 130X. DX9 radio. No idea what i am doing trying to fly

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        • #5
          The 550D has everything you need and more, I use one myself and it's great.

          [url=http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-650D-vs-Canon_EOS_550D]Canon 650D vs 550D - Our Analysis[/url]

          You wouldn't really use any of the additional features for aerial photography.

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          • #6
            Camera Experts - help please!!

            I will be using a 550D for my commercial rig. Good all round camera in my opinion. I'm relatively new to cameras but I've had a play with a 550D and found it pretty nice. I was told yesterday that Canon has actually discontinued the 550D. Can anyone confirm this? The thing with the 650 is that it will add at least an additional 100g+ to your rig. Something that doesn't sound a lot, but when it starts to affect flight times it becomes a problem.
            Very proud to be an Align-Trex.co.uk Team Pilot!

            SAB            Goblin 700 / V-Bar Blueline 5.3 Pro
            Trex 600 EFL Pro / V-Bar Silverline 5.3 Pro
            Trex 500 FBL /             Beast X
            Futaba 8FG

            Proud Owner of 2 EGS Awards

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            • #7
              I won't make judgement as others seem to know best.

              I'll just post a picture instead.:)

              [img]http://www.zen118613.zen.co.uk/Lenses/lenses.jpg[/img]

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              • #8
                Camera Experts - help please!!

                I have a 550d - love it great camera. Buuuuuut I have recently been using a Panasonic gh2 which gives far superior video and decent stills too. Another option to consider if nothing else.

                Paul

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                • #9
                  Camera Experts - help please!!

                  [QUOTE=Paulo uk;958304]I have a 550d - love it great camera. Buuuuuut I have recently been using a Panasonic gh2 which gives far superior video and decent stills too. Another option to consider if nothing else.

                  Paul[/QUOTE]

                  And it fits on the Zenmuse gimbal! Damn you! I wasn't going to buy one! :p
                  Very proud to be an Align-Trex.co.uk Team Pilot!

                  SAB                  Goblin 700 / V-Bar Blueline 5.3 Pro
                  Trex 600 EFL Pro / V-Bar Silverline 5.3 Pro
                  Trex 500 FBL /                   Beast X
                  Futaba 8FG

                  Proud Owner of 2 EGS Awards

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                  • #10
                    [QUOTE=Paulo uk;958304]I have a 550d - love it great camera. Buuuuuut I have recently been using a Panasonic gh2 which gives far superior video and decent stills too. Another option to consider if nothing else.

                    Paul[/QUOTE]

                    is this the camera u r referring to?

                    [url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMC-G2-12-1MP-Compact-System/dp/B003B20SUG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357936808&sr=8-3[/url]
                    Current Fleet,
                    T-Rex 500 Pro: Demon 3SX, Revolution/Rail, Blades, DS510M, DSDS655, CC BEC Pro,
                    Goblin 500: Vortex VX1n, DS510M, DS655, Talon, Scorpion backup guard, Revolution 520 Blades.
                    Phoniex Sim, DX9, PL8 charger, Fusion 600watt PSU


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                    • #11
                      [QUOTE=LaurenceGough;958269]The 550D has everything you need and more, I use one myself and it's great.

                      [URL="http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-650D-vs-Canon_EOS_550D"]Canon 650D vs 550D - Our Analysis[/URL]

                      You wouldn't really use any of the additional features for aerial photography.[/QUOTE]

                      thanks for the comments and the comparison mate, can you tell me what lens you are using?

                      Cheers,
                      Simon


                      BNUC-S certified
                      ---Guinness World Record Pilot 2011 & 2012---
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                      • #12
                        [QUOTE=dani_r;958298]I will be using a 550D for my commercial rig. Good all round camera in my opinion. I'm relatively new to cameras but I've had a play with a 550D and found it pretty nice. I was told yesterday that Canon has actually discontinued the 550D. Can anyone confirm this? The thing with the 650 is that it will add at least an additional 100g+ to your rig. Something that doesn't sound a lot, but when it starts to affect flight times it becomes a problem.[/QUOTE]

                        As far as I know the 650d replaced the 550d but the 550d is still available in many locations as there is still seems to be a healthy demand. The weight issue is one of the reasons that I'm keen on the 550 - and yea there are lots of alternatives out there - I'm going to have to think about this a bit more!

                        Cheers,
                        Simon


                        BNUC-S certified
                        ---Guinness World Record Pilot 2011 & 2012---
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                        • #13
                          Camera Experts - help please!!

                          @iceuk not sure on your link. It's this: [url]http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/Products/LUMIX+Digital+Cameras/LUMIX+G+Compact+System+Cameras/DMC-GH2/Overview/5979990/index.html[/url]

                          There is also a gh3 out.

                          P

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                          • #14
                            I'm not sure what sort of quality you want. I used to use a 2 1/4" twin lens reflex, then an SLR, but I've recently got a Nikon P510. Unless you want really big enlargements the smaller cameras might be all you need. About £299 and about 16M pixels. One big zoom lens up to 1000mm 35mm equivalent. X42 optical. You might find an even cheaper one to get you started.
                            Flasher 450 Sport. Assan GA250 with 520 tail servo, MKS DS450 cyclic.
                            Multiplex Cockpit Tx, DX7, DX6i
                            Blade 130-X, MSR, MSRX
                            Phoenix Sim

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                            • #15
                              I sent my P150 back, I didn't like it, I found the video was taking a time to focus in. I have looked at the FZ200 but it's more money )-:
                              Current Fleet,
                              T-Rex 500 Pro: Demon 3SX, Revolution/Rail, Blades, DS510M, DSDS655, CC BEC Pro,
                              Goblin 500: Vortex VX1n, DS510M, DS655, Talon, Scorpion backup guard, Revolution 520 Blades.
                              Phoniex Sim, DX9, PL8 charger, Fusion 600watt PSU


                              sigpic

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