These amazing images.. broader that post.

[rpcrowe]

Hi and welcome to CiC!!!

I noticed that you stated "Due to lack of software I have not yet imported these images into my computer to compare them and am just using the LCDs from each camera."

Please don't make any camera decisions based on the image that you see on the camera's LCD. There are just too many variables in LCD's plus, YOU DEFINITELY NEED AN EDITING PROGRAM TO WORK WITH ANY DSLR. Most any DSLR will provide excellent imagery if shot within the limits of the cameras capability. Although, some cameras are more versatile than others and have broader limits. However, the images from a DSLR always need post processing such as sharpening, etc. to look their best.

There are several free or low cost photo editing programs available. I use Photoshop CS-5 which is fairly expensive (although I got my copy while attending a community college course and was therefore eligible to purchase a far less expensive but, fully capable Educational Version of Photoshop CS-5).

GIMP is a free editing program as well as Picasa. I cannot provide any insight regarding these programs but, I believe that several members of this forum use one or the other to edit their images. I can recommend Photoshop Elements which is "almost" as capable as Photoshop CS-5. I have a copy of PSE-8 which I got at a COSTCO discount warehouse for $50 (USD) after an instant rebate. Photoshop Elements-9 is the present Adobe offering (I think).

You will also benefit from adjusting your monitor to give accurate results. But, that is another tooic entirely.

Using a photo editing program and shooting in RAW will give you control over your final images and allow you to decide which of the two cameras is best for you.

BTW: Shooting with a pair of cameras is not a bad idea because you can have instant access to a very wide focal range (I shoot with a 17-55mm and a 70-200mm lens on a pair of Canon crop cameras) without the need to settle for the slower aperture, slower autofocus and lesser image quality that the wide range zoom lenses offer.

The second camera is also an insurance policy against loss of a photo opportunity if one camera goes down and can also be used to trouble shoot some lens problems. What I mean by the last statement is that if you are having problems with one lens on one camera it could be the lens, the camera or the interface between the two that is at fault. Being able to switch the lens to a second camera can narrow down the fault.

Good luck and welcome again...

[Jon Ryan]

Are you using the same lens on each body, Tom? That could make a difference. As to the actual (outstanding!) images, my guess would be that a quality lens played a big part - it usually does. In the portrait shot, the tip of the nose and the ears seem to be out of focus, while eyes and mouth are pin sharp; a very narrow depth of field. This is usually obtained by using an aperture that is only found on top-end lenses. Perhaps f/1.8 (pure guess). Another guess is that the barrels were taken using a long exposure from a tripod-mounted camera, meaning that low ISO could be used. From the texture on the brickwork, this was with a pretty good lens as well, although I'd bet that some sharpening went on after the event - it usually does.

(On the `quality lens` thing. This doesn't always mean a four-figure job. Just nearly always. The honourable exception is the `nifty fifty`. If you haven't got one, get one. It will change your life!)

[Colin Southern]

As to the actual (outstanding!) images, my guess would be that a quality lens played a big part - it usually does.

Hi Jon,

Where are you seeing these?

[Jon Ryan]

Hi Colin.

Links are towards the bottom of Tom's 1st post.

[rbmrpc10]

Thanks guys, Im not sure that outstanding! is correctly quoted form me but never-the-less I do really like Filips photos. Thats just my taste.

I have now got a copy of Photoshop CS3 am shooting raw and today have been the first few images in Camera Raw.

Although I get your point about two cameras I think it would be a bit extravagant for me to own two!

Colin - I might try and put some images up to compare, but got my head stuck in getting to grips with photoshop at the moment.

Cheers for generous responses.