CHOOSING A PROSUMER DIGITAL CAMERA

I currently have an old Sony DSC F-707 but am looking for an excellent
camera for Weddings, Qunceaneras, etc.

I adore my F-707 and love Sony products for durability and low repair
issues, but had a bit of trouble with inadequate speed and flash.

I've looked at the Sony Alpha and am tempted. This means I need to
learn a bit more about the lenses etc. which is daunting, but a
logical jump from point & shoot to a more professional (or prosumer)
camera.

Any suggestions on this purchase? I'd like to narrow it down to 10 MP
and above.

Thank for any input!

Cheers--- Austinite

cspt2@sbcglobal.net wrote on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:09:47 -0700:

c> I adore my F-707 and love Sony products for durability and
c> low repair issues, but had a bit of trouble with inadequate
c> speed and flash.

c> I've looked at the Sony Alpha and am tempted. This means I
c> need to learn a bit more about the lenses etc. which is
c> daunting, but a logical jump from point & shoot to a more
c> professional (or prosumer) camera.

c> Any suggestions on this purchase? I'd like to narrow it
c> down to 10 MP and above.

c> Thank for any input!

I would add the question: "What's the screen like in bright
ambient light like out of doors on a sunny day?" That has become
important as automatic cameras omit an optical viewfinder.

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

<cspt2@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1183741787.637066.286220@m36g2000hse.googlegr oups.com...
>I currently have an old Sony DSC F-707 but am looking for an excellent
> camera for Weddings, Qunceaneras, etc.
>
> I adore my F-707 and love Sony products for durability and low repair
> issues, but had a bit of trouble with inadequate speed and flash.
>
> I've looked at the Sony Alpha and am tempted. This means I need to
> learn a bit more about the lenses etc. which is daunting, but a
> logical jump from point & shoot to a more professional (or prosumer)
> camera.
>
> Any suggestions on this purchase? I'd like to narrow it down to 10 MP
> and above.

If you like Sony products, then the Alpha would be a logical choice for you.
I assume you have checked it out:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslra100/

You will find the speed much better and more flash options. There are over
20 lenses to choose from ... that might be good or bad!

"James Silverton" <not.jim.silverton@verizon.not> wrote in message
news:Zjvji.17$YH3.11@trnddc08...
> cspt2@sbcglobal.net wrote on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:09:47 -0700:
>
> c> I adore my F-707 and love Sony products for durability and
> c> low repair issues, but had a bit of trouble with inadequate
> c> speed and flash.
>
> c> I've looked at the Sony Alpha and am tempted. This means I
> c> need to learn a bit more about the lenses etc. which is
> c> daunting, but a logical jump from point & shoot to a more
> c> professional (or prosumer) camera.
>
> c> Any suggestions on this purchase? I'd like to narrow it
> c> down to 10 MP and above.
>
> c> Thank for any input!
>
> I would add the question: "What's the screen like in bright ambient light
> like out of doors on a sunny day?" That has become important as automatic
> cameras omit an optical viewfinder.
>
> James Silverton
> Potomac, Maryland
>
> E-mail, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

He wants a D-SLR, they all have viewfinders.

"Charles" <charlesschuler@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:JpednRuQeJhuPBPbnZ2dnUVZWhednZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>
> <cspt2@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:1183741787.637066.286220@m36g2000hse.googlegr oups.com...
>>I currently have an old Sony DSC F-707 but am looking for an excellent
>> camera for Weddings, Qunceaneras, etc.
>>
>> I adore my F-707 and love Sony products for durability and low repair
>> issues, but had a bit of trouble with inadequate speed and flash.
>>
>> I've looked at the Sony Alpha and am tempted. This means I need to
>> learn a bit more about the lenses etc. which is daunting, but a
>> logical jump from point & shoot to a more professional (or prosumer)
>> camera.
>>
>> Any suggestions on this purchase? I'd like to narrow it down to 10 MP
>> and above.
>
> If you like Sony products, then the Alpha would be a logical choice for
> you. I assume you have checked it out:
> http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslra100/
>
> You will find the speed much better and more flash options. There are
> over 20 lenses to choose from ... that might be good or bad!

The Alpha is built pretty light and does not seem very solid to me, the lens
choices are limited and generall expensive. Personally I would choose any
other brand of D-SLR. Have a look at DP Review as a starting point keeping
in mind that the reviewer there prefers Nikon and Canon over all others no
matter how good others are.

Potomac, Maryland
"Pete D" <Doug@is.a.moron.com> wrote in message
news:468ebda2$0$12801$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
>
> "James Silverton" <not.jim.silverton@verizon.not> wrote in
> message news:Zjvji.17$YH3.11@trnddc08...
>> cspt2@sbcglobal.net wrote on Fri, 06 Jul 2007
>> 10:09:47 -0700:
>>
>> c> I adore my F-707 and love Sony products for durability and
>> c> low repair issues, but had a bit of trouble with
>> inadequate
>> c> speed and flash.
>>
>> c> I've looked at the Sony Alpha and am tempted. This means
>> I
>> c> need to learn a bit more about the lenses etc. which is
>> c> daunting, but a logical jump from point & shoot to a more
>> c> professional (or prosumer) camera.
>>
>> c> Any suggestions on this purchase? I'd like to narrow it
>> c> down to 10 MP and above.
>>
>> c> Thank for any input!
>>
>> I would add the question: "What's the screen like in bright
>> ambient light like out of doors on a sunny day?" That has
>> become important as automatic cameras omit an optical
>> viewfinder.
>>
>> James Silverton
>> Potomac, Maryland
>>
>> E-mail, with obvious alterations:
>> not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not
>
> He wants a D-SLR, they all have viewfinders.
Very probably from the context but I was not aware that
"prosumer" was a synonym for DSLR.



--
Jim Silverton

"James Silverton" <not.jim.silverton@verizon.not> wrote in message
news:3ozji.337$mS3.71@trnddc03...
> Potomac, Maryland
> "Pete D" <Doug@is.a.moron.com> wrote in message
> news:468ebda2$0$12801$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
>>
>> "James Silverton" <not.jim.silverton@verizon.not> wrote in message
>> news:Zjvji.17$YH3.11@trnddc08...
>>> cspt2@sbcglobal.net wrote on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:09:47 -0700:
>>>
>>> c> I adore my F-707 and love Sony products for durability and
>>> c> low repair issues, but had a bit of trouble with inadequate
>>> c> speed and flash.
>>>
>>> c> I've looked at the Sony Alpha and am tempted. This means I
>>> c> need to learn a bit more about the lenses etc. which is
>>> c> daunting, but a logical jump from point & shoot to a more
>>> c> professional (or prosumer) camera.
>>>
>>> c> Any suggestions on this purchase? I'd like to narrow it
>>> c> down to 10 MP and above.
>>>
>>> c> Thank for any input!
>>>
>>> I would add the question: "What's the screen like in bright ambient
>>> light like out of doors on a sunny day?" That has become important as
>>> automatic cameras omit an optical viewfinder.
>>>
>>> James Silverton
>>> Potomac, Maryland
>>>
>>> E-mail, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not
>>
>> He wants a D-SLR, they all have viewfinders.
> Very probably from the context but I was not aware that "prosumer" was a
> synonym for DSLR.
>

He mentioned the Sony Alpha and lenses!

Cheers.

Pete

On Fri, 06 Jul 2007 22:30:23 GMT, "James Silverton"
<not.jim.silverton@verizon.not> wrote:
: Potomac, Maryland
: "Pete D" <Doug@is.a.moron.com> wrote in message
: news:468ebda2$0$12801$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
: >
: > "James Silverton" <not.jim.silverton@verizon.not> wrote in
: > message news:Zjvji.17$YH3.11@trnddc08...
: >> cspt2@sbcglobal.net wrote on Fri, 06 Jul 2007
: >> 10:09:47 -0700:
: >>
: >> c> I adore my F-707 and love Sony products for durability and
: >> c> low repair issues, but had a bit of trouble with
: >> inadequate
: >> c> speed and flash.
: >>
: >> c> I've looked at the Sony Alpha and am tempted. This means
: >> I
: >> c> need to learn a bit more about the lenses etc. which is
: >> c> daunting, but a logical jump from point & shoot to a more
: >> c> professional (or prosumer) camera.
: >>
: >> c> Any suggestions on this purchase? I'd like to narrow it
: >> c> down to 10 MP and above.
: >>
: >> c> Thank for any input!
: >>
: >> I would add the question: "What's the screen like in bright
: >> ambient light like out of doors on a sunny day?" That has
: >> become important as automatic cameras omit an optical
: >> viewfinder.
: >>
: >> James Silverton
: >> Potomac, Maryland
: >>
: >> E-mail, with obvious alterations:
: >> not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not
: >
: > He wants a D-SLR, they all have viewfinders.
: Very probably from the context but I was not aware that
: "prosumer" was a synonym for DSLR.

Is a PROsumer the opposite of a CONsumer?

On Fri, 06 Jul 2007 23:50:22 -0400, Robert Coe <bob@1776.COM> wrote:

>On Fri, 06 Jul 2007 22:30:23 GMT, "James Silverton"
><not.jim.silverton@verizon.not> wrote:
>: Potomac, Maryland
>: "Pete D" <Doug@is.a.moron.com> wrote in message
>: news:468ebda2$0$12801$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
>: >
>: > "James Silverton" <not.jim.silverton@verizon.not> wrote in
>: > message news:Zjvji.17$YH3.11@trnddc08...
>: >> cspt2@sbcglobal.net wrote on Fri, 06 Jul 2007
>: >> 10:09:47 -0700:
>: >>
>: >> c> I adore my F-707 and love Sony products for durability and
>: >> c> low repair issues, but had a bit of trouble with
>: >> inadequate
>: >> c> speed and flash.
>: >>
>: >> c> I've looked at the Sony Alpha and am tempted. This means
>: >> I
>: >> c> need to learn a bit more about the lenses etc. which is
>: >> c> daunting, but a logical jump from point & shoot to a more
>: >> c> professional (or prosumer) camera.
>: >>
>: >> c> Any suggestions on this purchase? I'd like to narrow it
>: >> c> down to 10 MP and above.
>: >>
>: >> c> Thank for any input!
>: >>
>: >> I would add the question: "What's the screen like in bright
>: >> ambient light like out of doors on a sunny day?" That has
>: >> become important as automatic cameras omit an optical
>: >> viewfinder.
>: >>
>: >> James Silverton
>: >> Potomac, Maryland
>: >>
>: >> E-mail, with obvious alterations:
>: >> not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not
>: >
>: > He wants a D-SLR, they all have viewfinders.
>: Very probably from the context but I was not aware that
>: "prosumer" was a synonym for DSLR.
>
>Is a PROsumer the opposite of a CONsumer?

Just about. Prosumer was coined as a marketing term to peddle mediocre hardware
at higher prices, (or by very insecure wannabe photographers who think that the
cost of their camera will make them a better photographer, or at the very least
impress the less intelligent). Prosumer used to mean the high-end P&S camera.
Insecure DLSR owners didn't want 100% digital cameras that were just as good
creeping into their territory, so they tried to coin the term "bridge camera"
for them. But the ONLY true "bridge camera" is the DSLR, marrying digital
capabilities to last century's light-path design and awkward lenses This ends up
severely limiting what can be done in a 100% digital camera (high-end P&S
cameras). The only true "digital cameras" are those that do not depend on the
SLR's ancient light-path, noisy image-jarring mechanical shutter (with its
inherent speed and synchronization limitations and short life-span), frequently
exposing the imaging chip to the elements (constant dust on the sensor),
ungainly overpriced overweight lenses, etc. etc. etc. But they still buy them
and call them Pro cameras because they think that's what will make them a better
photographer. The camera company CEO's wealth depends on the lack of talent and
insecurity in the people that keep buying the next one and the next batch of
overpriced lenses. Always in the hopes that if they *just* had the right camera
and the right lenses it will finally make them into a photographer.

But I digress.

"SayWhat" <spamless@anon.com> wrote in message
news:3p5u83dcrv75973gskmb46brtq4n9se4nu@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 06 Jul 2007 23:50:22 -0400, Robert Coe <bob@1776.COM> wrote:
>
>>On Fri, 06 Jul 2007 22:30:23 GMT, "James Silverton"
>><not.jim.silverton@verizon.not> wrote:
>>: Potomac, Maryland
>>: "Pete D" <Doug@is.a.moron.com> wrote in message
>>: news:468ebda2$0$12801$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
>>: >
>>: > "James Silverton" <not.jim.silverton@verizon.not> wrote in
>>: > message news:Zjvji.17$YH3.11@trnddc08...
>>: >> cspt2@sbcglobal.net wrote on Fri, 06 Jul 2007
>>: >> 10:09:47 -0700:
>>: >>
>>: >> c> I adore my F-707 and love Sony products for durability and
>>: >> c> low repair issues, but had a bit of trouble with
>>: >> inadequate
>>: >> c> speed and flash.
>>: >>
>>: >> c> I've looked at the Sony Alpha and am tempted. This means
>>: >> I
>>: >> c> need to learn a bit more about the lenses etc. which is
>>: >> c> daunting, but a logical jump from point & shoot to a more
>>: >> c> professional (or prosumer) camera.
>>: >>
>>: >> c> Any suggestions on this purchase? I'd like to narrow it
>>: >> c> down to 10 MP and above.
>>: >>
>>: >> c> Thank for any input!
>>: >>
>>: >> I would add the question: "What's the screen like in bright
>>: >> ambient light like out of doors on a sunny day?" That has
>>: >> become important as automatic cameras omit an optical
>>: >> viewfinder.
>>: >>
>>: >> James Silverton
>>: >> Potomac, Maryland
>>: >>
>>: >> E-mail, with obvious alterations:
>>: >> not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not
>>: >
>>: > He wants a D-SLR, they all have viewfinders.
>>: Very probably from the context but I was not aware that
>>: "prosumer" was a synonym for DSLR.
>>
>>Is a PROsumer the opposite of a CONsumer?
>
> Just about. Prosumer was coined as a marketing term to peddle mediocre
> hardware
> at higher prices, (or by very insecure wannabe photographers who think
> that the
> cost of their camera will make them a better photographer, or at the very
> least
> impress the less intelligent). Prosumer used to mean the high-end P&S
> camera.
> Insecure DLSR owners didn't want 100% digital cameras that were just as
> good
> creeping into their territory, so they tried to coin the term "bridge
> camera"
> for them. But the ONLY true "bridge camera" is the DSLR, marrying digital
> capabilities to last century's light-path design and awkward lenses This
> ends up
> severely limiting what can be done in a 100% digital camera (high-end P&S
> cameras). The only true "digital cameras" are those that do not depend on
> the
> SLR's ancient light-path, noisy image-jarring mechanical shutter (with its
> inherent speed and synchronization limitations and short life-span),
> frequently
> exposing the imaging chip to the elements (constant dust on the sensor),
> ungainly overpriced overweight lenses, etc. etc. etc. But they still buy
> them
> and call them Pro cameras because they think that's what will make them a
> better
> photographer. The camera company CEO's wealth depends on the lack of
> talent and
> insecurity in the people that keep buying the next one and the next batch
> of
> overpriced lenses. Always in the hopes that if they *just* had the right
> camera
> and the right lenses it will finally make them into a photographer.
>
> But I digress.
>

More like "Ramble"

Exactly how many real Professional Photographers, (those who earn their
living), use non SLR cameras??

Not a lot !!

They are not into trying to impress the audience with their Gear, they just
want the best results they can get, and choose the tools which can give them
that.

They don't treat their Cameras as "Precious", like so many Amateurs do, they
just get on with making them do the job and replace them when they begin to
wear out.

If they could get the same results from P & S cameras, as you seem to imply,
that is what they would use.

Roy G