Digital SLRs

[Guest logicprevails]

Any of you all out there know about digital SLR cameras? I'm thinking of getting rid of my AR and getting one for my wife. What would be a good one for someone to start out with and still be able to progress with in the event she decides to maybe add on lenses and flashes and maybe try to pick up a little jingle with the hobby.

[Guest HexHead]

Any of you all out there know about digital SLR cameras? I'm thinking of getting rid of my AR and getting one for my wife. What would be a good one for someone to start out with and still be able to progress with in the event she decides to maybe add on lenses and flashes and maybe try to pick up a little jingle with the hobby.

If you can find one, you can't do better for the money than with a Nikon D-40 kit.

Nikon D40 and D40x Review by Thom Hogan

Here you go...

Amazon.com: Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens: Electronics

[Guest sigsbird]

I'd like information on these, also. If I could could come to a decision, today, it would be good to order on line for ciber Monday. Also, the lens choice would probabaly be a zoom in the 35-105 range, any feedback about quality?

[Guest bkelm18]

Pretty much anything made by Canon or Nikon is good to go. They make quality stuff. I had a Canon Digital Rebel and it worked great. Took great pictures and never had a problem. Only reason I sold it was I decided to go old school. 35mm black and white .

[Guest Ae-35]

Pretty much anything made by Canon or Nikon is good to go. They make quality stuff. I had a Canon Digital Rebel and it worked great. Took great pictures and never had a problem. Only reason I sold it was I decided to go old school. 35mm black and white .

Got an old Cannon FTb picked up in 72 in Japan, I've put over 3 thousand rolls of film through it, still going.

[MikeW]

I had a canon Rebel (35mm film) so when I went to DSLR it was easy because I already had a few lenses. Invest in glass before for you go crazy on the body IMO.

[Hooker771]

Me and another member on here both have Canon Rebel XS that came with the kit lens. We both enjoy them. But man they (lenses and upgrades) are as addictive as guns.

[gnmwilliams]

I love my Canon 40d but the Nikon D40 (confusing I know) are wonderful cameras as well. Basically you have to consider what type of photography you'd be using it for. Nikons usually do better with fast action and Canons do really well with landscape stuff. Lenses are the most important part of the camera so don't stress too much about the body as long as it can handle the bigger lenses and flashes. And remember, more megapixles doesn't always mean a better picture, just able to print it out bigger.

[Guest HexHead]

I love my Canon 40d but the Nikon D40 (confusing I know) are wonderful cameras as well. Basically you have to consider what type of photography you'd be using it for. Nikons usually do better with fast action and Canons do really well with landscape stuff. Lenses are the most important part of the camera so don't stress too much about the body as long as it can handle the bigger lenses and flashes. And remember, more megapixles doesn't always mean a better picture, just able to print it out bigger.

Actually you've got it backwards. The reason most sports photographers use Canon was up until recently, they auto-focused much faster than Nikons did.

I had dinner last year with a Reuters photographer in town for the Titans only play off game last season and I asked him about what he used. He was the kind of guy that only did stuff like playoff games, the world series, Superbowl, the really BIG events. He said he used Canon stuff for the reason I mentioned above. He also said Canon had nothing to compare with the superiority of the Nikon D3, but he had too much invested in lenses to switch.

[gnmwilliams]

Actually you've got it backwards. The reason most sports photographers use Canon was up until recently, they auto-focused much faster than Nikons did.

I had dinner last year with a Reuters photographer in town for the Titans only play off game last season and I asked him about what he used. He was the kind of guy that only did stuff like playoff games, the world series, Superbowl, the really BIG events. He said he used Canon stuff for the reason I mentioned above. He also said Canon had nothing to compare with the superiority of the Nikon D3, but he had too much invested in lenses to switch.

I guess it all depends on the models you're comparing together. Now that I think of it, on the lower entry level end, both Canon and Nikon compare equally in both categories. Only when you get into the higher end cameras do the Nikons take off with their multi point focusing system. Try the website www.dpreview.com It's got a ton of reviews on new models and lenses.

[jeffmem]

Have a look at ken rockwells website. He has a lot of opinions on cameras and a buyers guide.

Whatever body you buy don't cheap out on the lens. I just upgraded from a d80 with 18-200 quantaray to a d90 with 18-200 af vr nikon and have been really happy with the new setup. Also I would suggest you get an eye-fi card for wireless picture uploads.

[Guest bkelm18]

^^ Something to keep in mind, a lens will make or break your photos. It's just like in the world of rifles, don't skimp on the glass.

[JPS]

I had Pentax cameras and lenses for many years, and decided to pick up a Pentax K10 a couple of years ago because I wanted to go digital and use all my lenses. I've found it to be an excellent camera - easy to use both on 'automatic' or when you want to adjust fstops etc. for additional creativity.

[BrandonTN]

I just picked up a Canon XSi w/ kit lens (18-55) and a 55-250 lens for $633 shipped. So far it has been a great beginner DSLR and I couldn't find anywhere else that could touch the price...

I also added a Canon 50mm f/1.8 II for $90 more. I think I'm all set for awhile!

[canadienmike]

You could also check eBay and go with a little older version for a lot less money and then spend the saving on a good lens. I picked up a Canon 20D for around $350 (with the kit lens) and for a beginner DSLR camera is a good deal.

[mcurrier]

As a professional photographer (20+ years. 10 years completely digital this month), and spending hours per day on photography forums, I wouldn't touch this question with a 10-foot pole. Ask 1,000 people and you will get 1,000 answers, all about what they would get for reasons pertaining to themselves.

Forget Canon/Nikon, Mac/PC, who got who's chocolate in who's peanut butter.

The first thing that you need to ask yourself is what type of things you will want to shoot with it. THAT will determine what you should get.

Costco has two different Canon kits and two different Nikon kits in stores right now. Pricing is all very similar.

I wouldn't worry (i.e. even think about) about making any coin with this "hobby" for a very, very long time. Sure, her soccer mom friends will think her pics are cute, but paying customers aren't so complimentary or polite, they expect serious results when laying out $. Of course there is a new demographic of customer who thinks that "good enough" is fine, as long as it's "cheap enough". It's amazing the crap photography that I see some people tolerate for the sake of saving a few bucks. The problem is that they don't know any better, they can't see the difference and no amount of explaining it to them will get them to understand. So, yes, actually there is a pretty big market for crap photography.

[Kegger]

I'm with mcurrier, normally wouldn't touch this question.

But I'll give you the best advice you will ever hear about cameras. Go pick them up, get them in your hands. Figure out which one feels better, more natural to use. Can you adjust shutter speed and aperture without moving your eye from the viewfinder? How accurate is the auto-focus, is it fast enough? Does zooming in and out go naturally to you?

All of these are very important things to consider.

And whatever you do, do not go to Best Buy, HH Gregg, or anywhere else to ask questions about cameras. They simply do not know. They will feed you all kinds of BS, just so you leave with what they want you to have.

Go to Drury's in downtown Nashville, they are very helpful, patient, and knowledgeable. The understand what the word budget means, as well as what fits what you are looking for, and won't get butthurt if you don't buy.

[Guest bubruins]

All the stuff mentioned so far is good advice.

As for brand preferences: the new Nikon D3x is freaking amazing and everyone should want one, just like everyone wants a brand new Corvette ZR1. Until you have a need to go drop several thousand dollars on a camera body, stick to the honda civics and toyota camarys of the lot. You just need something that you can learn the ropes with and will be fun. The quality of modern DSLR's is more than most people will ever need. I am yet to print anything off greater than a 11x17 from my camera and I doubt I will ever need more from it than it can offer.

I bought a $350 Canon rebel XT kit off of craigslist two years ago and I have since added around $300 or so worth of lenses, gear, etc... My camera has been a great investment, despite a used XT body only being worth $200-250 these days.

Whatever you buy, go ahead and budget for a 50mm f1.8 lens. You can usually pick them up for under $100 and they are incredibly hard to beat for the money when it comes to dealing with poor lighting conditions and they are also really, really sharp.

Also, consider the Pentax. A couple friends of mine have them and and lens compatibility is awesome. It can save you some money if you don't need an autofocus lens every time.

[Guest logicprevails]

Great advice all. Looks like I need to get the wife a decent dig SLR body, and a few good lenses; then get her to hang with some people that really know what they're doing.

[KahrMan]

Everyone here has given you good advice. You can do a lot of research and check out reviews at B&H Photo Video | Digital Cameras, Camcorders

That website is a great place to buy and research. This is a very reputable group out of New York.

[Guest logicprevails]

Everyone here has given you good advice. You can do a lot of research and check out reviews at B&H Photo Video | Digital Cameras, Camcorders

That website is a great place to buy and research. This is a very reputable group out of New York.

Have not yet recieved bad advice on any subject from the peeps on this forum. A very well-rounded bunch, I'm tellin' ya!