Digital SLR / DSLR Camera Question / DSLR Thread 2

[Roadstergal]

I have an Olympus E500, which is in your price range, but I also have no shame.

The lens selection is definitely compromised over Nikon and Canon, but I'm more limiting than the lens.

The thing is hardy. It's seen rain, sand, dirt, etc, and still runs like a champ.

 

[Cycle61]

Us Nikon guys are always outnumbered around here....

Edit: I see we're posting pictures now. I'm in!

 

[CalLax]

I recently picked up a used Sony A-100 ($250) plus a Sigma 18-125mm($125) and a KonicaMinolta "Beercan" 70-210mm f/4 ($150) plus a few filters (UV, C-PL) and an 8gb CF card ($40) and could not be happier with the purchase.
I had been shopping for a DSLR for a while and finally decided upon the Sony A series because of the 10.2mp sensor, in body IS (which will save you TON$), and backwards compatibility with old KM lenses which are excellent glass that can be had for fairly cheap prices. The Sony made sense for me because I wanted a camera/lens set-up that could handle a range of shooting conditions/situations: a jack of all trades if you will that is close to a master in many fields IMHO. There is a noticeable amount of noise as high ISO when compared to Nikon/Canon offerings but with post-production being what it is these days, those things are not terribly important to me and I don't really need to shoot at ISO1600 anyway.
One site I would recommend browsing for a while is dpreview.com. They have meticulous reviews of any camera that would be in your range and have excellent comparisons between competing models, i.e Sony A-100, Nikon D40, and the Canon Xti.

Really consider how far you want to go with DSLR photography and how much $$$ you want to invest. As posted above, the glass is what really matters and once you commit to a certain brand you are pretty much married to that brand. You can always get a divorce but those things can cost money and be a big pain in the ass (aka selling all your lenses for a loss of $ and time to be able to switch to another body/mount style). I knew that I wanted to be able to take nature stills and wildlife photos as well as shoot sporting events (although I no longer play Lax for Cal I will be back on the sidelines snapping shots whenever I get the chance) so having in-body Image Stabilization was a huge plus and the plethora of inexpensive KM glass that is available made it even more attractive.

Ive been rambling now but want to end by saying there really is no wrong choice and you'll have a blast no matter what. I can't wait to take some real classes from professionals to build on the base provided by photo-geek friends . I don't know how to reduce the size of my pics to fit the BARF req's but if you want you can PM me and I will send you as many pics as you want to get an idea of what the A-100 can do, even in the hands of a total photo idiot, when mated to the Sigma or Beercan.

cheers

 

[DataDan]

Beau--If you haven't gone there already, stop by Jim's Campus Camera on Higuera at Garden. Very good people, lots of knowledge, no bullshit.

 

[maxboxa]

i've been shopping around for a good camera and have been told by many that what i'm looking for is a nikon d40. after lots of internet research the decision was made. best bang for the buck and perfect for great shots without all the excess that non-pros will never use.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

and if you wanna throw an extra c-note at it, costco has the hookup til july 6 online.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...&l ang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC877-CatHome&topnav=

 

[AceT100]

XT-i from Canon

 

[ScottRNelson]

I'm curious why you feel the need to change lenses.

I was waiting for some variant of the Canon Digital Rebel to get down under $500 so that I could use the lenses that I own for the original EOS Rebel that I bought many years ago.

But I recently acquired a Canon S5-IS and have stopped even thinking about a digital SLR camera. With a 12x zoom I can get very close to the quality of anything I might be able to do with my other lenses, plus it has a great super-macro capability that lets me get as close as I want to whatever I might want to photograph. It will literally focus on something touching the lens and take a clear photo, as long as light can get to it. For example, this is the microprinting on the back of the new $5 bill:

Still, it's good to see that the Rebel XT is finally getting down to the price range I would consider. I guess as soon as I wear out my S5, I'll be looking for one. (The previous S1-IS lasted for 14,000 photos before the lens drive finally died.)

 

[Moike]

Don't forget to make sure it has a IR remote so you can get pictures of MD handsfree.

 

[SNsMoto]

Us Nikon guys are always outnumbered around here....

Yay, another Nikon user (I'll raise you half dome picture below =p). I saw the thread where it had a poll for which brand ppl used. I was surprised to say the least. I woulda thought canon and nikon woulda been tops.

That being said, go with Nikon or Canon. That's all they have been about and they've been around since the beginning for cameras, so they know their stuff.

As far as which to go for as for an entry level DSLR, you'd need to handle some in your hands to know which you like more. It gets down to personal preference. Look for some of Nikon body and glass to drop in price with some of their new line ups kicking in.

The one lens you'd probably need at some point or another is a prime 50mm lens and ask all the Canon guys, they are jealous of the nikkor 50mm we have and how cheap it is

Read reviews and def go to stores and physically handle them to see how it feels.

I'll also hop on the bandwagon and share some pictures. This is with my Nikon D50:

 

[rbm]

I am a Nikon guy. Not sure what type of photography the OP wants to get into but Canon is regarded as better for action photography.

XTi if you prefer Canon. D40 if you wanna go Nikon.

Cycle61: what are you shooting with nowadays?

 

[louemc]

I'm curious why you feel the need to change lenses.

I was waiting for some variant of the Canon Digital Rebel to get down under $500 so that I could use the lenses that I own for the original EOS Rebel that I bought many years ago.

But I recently acquired a Canon S5-IS and have stopped even thinking about a digital SLR camera. With a 12x zoom I can get very close to the quality of anything I might be able to do with my other lenses, plus it has a great super-macro capability that lets me get as close as I want to whatever I might want to photograph. It will literally focus on something touching the lens and take a clear photo, as long as light can get to it. For example, this is the microprinting on the back of the new $5 bill:

Still, it's good to see that the Rebel XT is finally getting down to the price range I would consider. I guess as soon as I wear out my S5, I'll be looking for one. (The previous S1-IS lasted for 14,000 photos before the lens drive finally died.)

That's how I see it. I'm so thrilled with the small fit in your pocket offerings, I'm seriously anti-bigger at this time. and by the time a lens drive wears out (actually before that), a new camera is screaming to get into the pocket anyway

 

[nweaver]

Canon or Nikon, pick whichever one your friends have. And know good lenses can be pricey but addictive.

I'm not as good, but even a hack like me can get some good photos out of an XTi

 

[ScottRNelson]

That's how I see it. I'm so thrilled with the small fit in your pocket offerings, I'm seriously anti-bigger at this time. and by the time a lens drive wears out (actually before that), a new camera is screaming to get into the pocket anyway

An S5-IS won't fit into any normal pocket, but it WILL fit into a fanny pack or tank bag. The smaller ones like the Canon A570 are very good, but don't zoom as far or focus as close. That's the sort of camera that I get for my wife to use.

 

[Cycle61]

I am a Nikon guy. Not sure what type of photography the OP wants to get into but Canon is regarded as better for action photography.

XTi if you prefer Canon. D40 if you wanna go Nikon.

Cycle61: what are you shooting with nowadays?

Shooting with D200, got my sights on some good lenses and the new D700 (full frame, small body) just announced yesterday

And a correction: Canon was regarded as better for action photography. The D3 has changed the balance of power at the top of the mountain. But if you're not looking to spend $5,000 on a camera body, it's fairly irrelevant.

The kit lens on the D40 is vastly superior to the Canon's 18-55. That alone would tip my hand if I weren't planning on getting into it too seriously.

I'd buy a D40 & 18/55 kit in a heartbeat, and I may actually do just that, as a cheapie backup and wife camera. She gets tired of the "huge" D200 whenever she borrows it

 

[Junkie]

I'd go for a used Canon 10D if I were you, or a 20D if you're willing to spend a bit more. The 20D is higher res, less noise (so you can shoot higher ISO), more compact, and works with the EF-S lenses. Either the 10D or the 20D will be considerably more durable than the more consumer oriented Rebel XT(i).

 

[SNsMoto]

^IMO, when it comes to any of my camera gear, I'd never buy used. Also, don't let mega pixels be any sort of deciding factor for you when it comes to slrs. A 5 MP slr will have 10 times the quality compared to a 10mp point and shoot because of the ccd sizes.

 

[nweaver]

I'm curious why you feel the need to change lenses.

I was waiting for some variant of the Canon Digital Rebel to get down under $500 so that I could use the lenses that I own for the original EOS Rebel that I bought many years ago.

Simply because you can RENT some incredibly impressive lenses. Going to MotoGP? Rent a good telephoto or telephoto-zoom lens, sit on the hill opposite the corkscrew, and have fun.

Also, even the best point-n-shoots often have some shutter lag, and don't have the frame rate. With absolutely 0 shutter lag, and even on consumer level, a frame rate of 3 FPS, this isn't a problem with a DSLR.

 

[Junkie]

^IMO, when it comes to any of my camera gear, I'd never buy used. Also, don't let mega pixels be any sort of deciding factor for you when it comes to slrs. A 5 MP slr will have 10 times the quality compared to a 10mp point and shoot because of the ccd sizes.

Yes, I know. The real advantages of the 20D over 10D are the noise levels and FPS they can manage (and for how long) during rapid shooting.

And as long as you can do a few simple tests, I don't see anything wrong with buying used prosumer gear.

 

[Junkie]

Simply because you can RENT some incredibly impressive lenses. Going to MotoGP? Rent a good telephoto or telephoto-zoom lens, sit on the hill opposite the corkscrew, and have fun.

Also, even the best point-n-shoots often have some shutter lag. With absolutely 0 shutter lag, this isn't a problem with a DSLR.

There isn't quite absolutely 0 shutter lag, although it is greatly reduced vs a P&S.

but yeah, serious L glass =

 

[Cycle61]

^IMO, when it comes to any of my camera gear, I'd never buy used. Also, don't let mega pixels be any sort of deciding factor for you when it comes to slrs. A 5 MP slr will have 10 times the quality compared to a 10mp point and shoot because of the ccd sizes.

^^^ +1 on some good advice. I love when people with 12mp point and shoots think they're getting better pictures than a 6mp DSLR.

This is cropped from a 6mp camera (Nikon D70)so actually about 5mp and I've printed it at 20"x30"