aviacion7 From Costa Rica, joined Feb 2012, 25 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 5260 times:
I am a beginner spotter, I just bought a point and shoot, but I feel i need to transition to the DSLR! I am a beginner so I dont want to spend that much money, im considering the canon T3 or 1100D, I feel that it is a good camera, but I would like your opinion! So, do you think I am doing the right thing? Is the Canon T3 good for spotting? Will i be able to get good pictures?
Thanks, I will live to hear your opinions!
P.S I am 14 years old and Im very passionate towards aviation!
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4553 posts, RR: 27 Reply 1, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 5255 times:
The T3 is a great beginner option. Learning on a DSLR at such a young age is great, as long as you take the time to learn the basics of photography. With a good foundation, the T3 should be able to produce some excellent photographs. It should work fine for aviation photography. Really the only limitation is speed but that's not too big of a deal. I started on a rebel and until I sold it earlier this year I was still taking good photos with it 4 years after I got it. Make sure, however that you get a decent lens for it. Lenses are far more important. Pretty much any camera body these days will do the job, but the glass in front of the body will make or break one's chances, especially when thinking about taking photos to upload here at Airliners.net.
I say go for it!
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
kl692 From Canada, joined Feb 2006, 651 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 5220 times:
All I can say is that I have one and it really gets the job done and beyond. Like the above person said, it is all about lens. I have three lens right now and I am looking to get my first L lens too.
vikkyvik From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 8326 posts, RR: 28 Reply 3, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 5186 times:
I use the Rebel XS / 1000D, which is the previous generation of the T3 / 1100D. It's a good little camera, though a bit light on some features that I now want.
However, in the last few months, I've upgraded my lens lineup to include the 17-40 F4L and the 70-200 F4L, and suddenly I'm much less intent on upgrading my camera.
I'm certainly not suggesting you go spend $1500 on lenses right away; I'm just saying that even the 1000D was/is adequate for what I currently use it for. I've had it for a little over 2 years, and I still don't think I've hit the ceiling with it yet.
As far as aviation photography goes, my main complaint is the sloooowwww frame rate. I shoot RAW, and 1.5 frames per second for up to 4 frames (3 frames in practice, I've found) is not optimum. But it just teaches you that you have to make your shots count, especially if you want to get different angles as an airplane flies by. Even if I had a camera with a true burst mode, I'm not sure I would make use of it; going through 10+ images per airplane is not appealing.
"Two and a Half Men" was filmed in front of a live ostrich.
nssd70 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 183 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 5176 times:
All my photos on Airliners.net have been either the Rebel XS with the cheap 75-300 lense or the T3 with either the 75-300 or 100-400. One thing that I don't like about the T3 is that it has no self cleaning for the sensor,so I have to clean it more often.
vikkyvik From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 8326 posts, RR: 28 Reply 6, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 5119 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
Quoting nssd70 (Reply 4): One thing that I don't like about the T3 is that it has no self cleaning for the sensor,so I have to clean it more often.
Interesting - why'd they get rid of that from the XS?
Quoting aviacion7 (Reply 5): P.S could you post some of your best pics with the T3?
All my photos on here are with the XS, so you should be able to get equal or better quality with the T3 (obviously, it'll take some time and practice).
"Two and a Half Men" was filmed in front of a live ostrich.
Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 6): All my photos on here are with the XS, so you should be able to get equal or better quality with the T3 (obviously, it'll take some time and practice).
I already saw your pictures, BTW they are really good, I was wondering if any other member might show me their pictures with the T3/ 1100D
nssd70 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 183 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 5091 times:
Search my name Doug Lambert,and all the photos that were taken from October 2011 to today,were taken with the T3.
nssd70 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 183 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 5082 times:
It took a little getting used to compared to the XS(button locations mainly),but for a beginner camera it does fairly well. I'm still new to taking sunset/night shots,but the camera gets noisy in low light,but it could be me not having the proper settings. Since January,I'm mainly using the 100-400 lense with it,but I do use the 18-55,and 75-300 when taking photos of trains,and it does good. If you are on a budget you can't go wrong with the T3.
nssd70 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 183 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 5073 times:
Whether or not a photo makes it on Airliners has more to do with you the photographer,and editing,than the type of camera. I know I've read on here about people using a point and shoot camera,and getting their photos on here,and I'm sure people with a 5,000 dollar camera get rejections. I like having my photos on here,but what I really enjoy is just being out at the airport,and watching and taking pictures.
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4553 posts, RR: 27 Reply 14, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 5066 times:
Quoting aviacion7 (Reply 13): Sure, I also love to do it as a hobby, but I also like sharing them to other people! So, is the camera fast enough, the autofocus?
If your main concern is if the camera is good enough to get pictures on this site, the answer is yes. However it's only a yes if you know what you're doing with it. That is true with every camera.
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
nssd70 From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 183 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 5064 times:
aviacion7 From Costa Rica, joined Feb 2012, 25 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 5064 times:
Quoting Silver1SWA (Reply 14): If your main concern is if the camera is good enough to get pictures on this site, the answer is yes. However it's only a yes if you know what you're doing with it. That is true with every camera.
Sure, I'm a beginner with spotting, but I have some people that do know about it, so I can get help, thanks for helping, I will definently buy a new camera, but not until July (my birthday) so, I will have some more time to decide, but it will be canon, and i don't have a very high budget!
Quoting nssd70 (Reply 15): Almost all of my shots are with autofocus.
Thanks Doug, is there a lot of lag, between when you focus and take the picture? that is my main problem with my point and shoot!
JakTrax From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 4782 posts, RR: 8 Reply 17, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 5005 times:
You should never, ever buy a camera with the sole intention of uploading here. You should buy the camera that suits you and your current ability, but ensure it has the flexibility for your potential to grow into it. I don't know about others here but uploading to sites such as this is only a small part of the overall enjoyment of this hobby. I find getting out there, taking photos and chatting to others the most satisfying parts; followed by the enjoyment of seeing the day's work for the first time on the big screen at home and thinking, "I did that". The editing chore is the least satisfying bit for me, but knowing that many people from around the world might get pleasure from looking at my shots makes it worth it.
I have only a couple of shots taken with a 1000D (with 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS lens), which I borrowed for a few days from a friend.
If, however, you search for the name 'Gavin Bowler' in the keywords of the search function you'll find nearly 500 images of his taken with the 1000D and 70-300 IS lens.
JakTrax From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 4782 posts, RR: 8 Reply 20, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 4987 times:
Not fast exactly but it'll be like lightning compared to the point-and-shoot you have already. You won't notice the shutter lag unless you've been used to the speed of a mid-range camera like the 60D.
vikkyvik From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 8326 posts, RR: 28 Reply 21, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 4985 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
Quoting aviacion7 (Reply 19): Also, no one has answered my question: is the autofocus fast?
Compared to what?
I'll be faster than most point-and-shoots, and probably not as fast as a 1D.
"Two and a Half Men" was filmed in front of a live ostrich.
FALESpotter From South Africa, joined Apr 2012, 4 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (1 year 1 month 3 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 4759 times:
I'm actually quite thankful you posted this thread! I've been doing some spotting with a basic Canon Powershot SX100IS and have been longing for a DSLR for quite a while and have been looking at the 1100D! This has answered quite a few questions I've had!
25 aviacion7: Falesspotter, If you buy it please post your experience with the camera!
26 yerbol: Please read this review. Hope it will help you to make a decision. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos1100D
27 aviacion7: Yep, had already seen it, thanks, I think I WILL buy it!
28 aviacion7: Those who do use it for spotting, can you please make a list with the pros and cons of the camera for spotting?
29 vikkyvik: I'd suggest you find a place from which you can rent the T3 to try it out. I think people have already pretty well covered its advantages and disadva
30 aviacion7: I ve tried, but I live in Costa Rica, and I havent foun any place like that, so thats why I started this topic!
31 aviacion7: I was searching in Google for a review or video of someone that uses the T3 for spotting, but I didnt find one! If any of you have the camera, could y
32 JakTrax: The pros and cons will be pretty irrelevant to you as a beginner currently using a point-and-shoot. The camera is more than good enough to get photos
33 vikkyvik: I'm really not sure what you're looking for here. People have already posted pros and cons, and given what you've said here: Pretty much everyone has
34 Silver1SWA: Seriously, man. Just get it already! What else are you looking for?! Stop stressing about how it works with spotting. The camera is good enough. Can't
35 aviacion7: Yes know about the facts, but I will get it until July, so I just wanted to know how it works, while spotting, but no worries I think I will go for it
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