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First DSLR

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Getting a used D70 for a good price shouldn't be all that hard. Lot of D70 owners making the jump to the D200 and unloading bodies in the $500 range.

For a versatile lens you'll probably want a zoom. The Nikon 18-70/3.5-4.5 is a great value and an excellent performer for the price. I've also heard good things about the Tamron 28-75/2.8, though I like the ability to go wide on the kit lens.

Or if you want to go the unconventional route, pick up some primes. A 28/2.8 or 35/2, 50/1.8, and 85/1.8 would make a great lowlight setup.

(begin shameless plug)
All shots from 12/23 and earlier taken with the D70
(end shameless plug)
 
Originally posted by: virtuamike
Getting a used D70 for a good price shouldn't be all that hard. Lot of D70 owners making the jump to the D200 and unloading bodies in the $500 range.

For a versatile lens you'll probably want a zoom. The Nikon 18-70/3.5-4.5 is a great value and an excellent performer for the price. I've also heard good things about the Tamron 28-75/2.8, though I like the ability to go wide on the kit lens.

Or if you want to go the unconventional route, pick up some primes. A 28/2.8 or 35/2, 50/1.8, and 85/1.8 would make a great lowlight setup.

(begin shameless plug)
All shots from 12/23 and earlier taken with the D70
(end shameless plug)
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I love your gallery Mike.
 
From reading and opinions, I think I will probably go with a D70 or Rebel XT. If I go used, how many actuations should I try to keep the camera under?

What are some versatile and sharp favorite lenses for either setup? If you know, please post new/used prices of the recommended lenses.
 
I vote for Rebel XT. It's a lot more user friendly, especially if you are new to SLR, and you can use L lenses on it too 😛
 
My vote for the Nikon D50. My buddy has the camera and I got to take it out for a day and what a joy to use it. It has a great weight to it and feels more solid in my opinion than the XT. In the next few weeks I'm probably gonna pick up the body of the D50 and get the 18-70 lens that comes with the D70. You can find the body of the D50 for 550 and then pick up any lens you want, or you could just purchase the kit for 650 at B&H.
 
Originally posted by: lastig21
From reading and opinions, I think I will probably go with a D70 or Rebel XT. If I go used, how many actuations should I try to keep the camera under?

What are some versatile and sharp favorite lenses for either setup? If you know, please post new/used prices of the recommended lenses.
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The D70 shutter supposedly is rated at 50,000. I doubt you'll see many used cameras with more than 5,000 (hell I bought mine used and it only had 500). Honestly I wouldn't worry too much about the shutter count. It's extremely rare to see a D70 suffer complete shutter failure.

My main lens is the 17-55/2.8. Use it for pretty much everything, very flexible. Also have an 85/1.4, it's my bread n butter portrait lens. Recently picked up a 105/1.8 AIS to try for headshots. For lowlight I use a 35/1.4 AIS and 50/1.4. When I need extra length I have a 180/2.8 which I also occassionally use for flowers, though most of my macro work is done wtih a 55/3.5 AIS. It's not the cheapest lens collection but it covers a pretty good range and I'm happy with it so far.

If you really want lens recommendations, you should establish a budget first. Lenses can get expensive fast.
 
What are some versatile and sharp favorite lenses for either setup? If you know, please post new/used prices of the recommended lenses.
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Tamron AF 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR for general purpose/walkaround lens. Very lightweight. Takes nice action shots but you don't get the blurred background that you get with an f2.8 lens. Cost is around $170.

Canon 50mm f1.8 for indoor sports. Most people with younger kids that play in poorly lit elementary and middle school gyms will find the f2.8 does not cut it. I have gotten plenty of nice basketball photos with this lens. Plus, it's a heck of a lot easier to tote than the 70-200 f2.8. A must have lens for Canon users since it's only about $70.

Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX APO IF HSM for outdoor sports and better lit gymnasiums. Cost is around $700.
 
Invest as little as you can in a body you can be happy with...invest the majority on good glass. The latter makes a bigger difference than the body!

If you go Canon, I highly recommend the Tamron 28-75 F2.8 or Sigma 18-50 F2.8 as good starter lenses. Or spring a little more for the versatile EFS 17-85 IS.
 
I've always had good luck with KEH.com for used cameras, lenses, etc. Right now they have a Nikon 18-70 for US$254 - a good lens to start with if you get a D50 or D70 IMHO. I purchased my used D1 (in bargain condition, a bit beat up but clean and perfectly functional) and most of my humble lens collection from them.
 
It's too bad you didn't ask sooner. Canon's Cash'n with Canon Triple Rebate promo just ended on Jan 15. Purchase of the XT and 2 lenses on their rebate list would've meant ~$300 in savings. The 50mm f1.8 is a good value lens and the 70-200 f4 L is perhaps the best value L glass.
 
the 350D ergo's are pretty bad. why did they shrink the camera down so much and make the corners sharper.
ultimately its the photographer not the camera, and comperable lenses in terms of performance and price are available for all mounts.

i had a 300D, great camera.
i now have a D50, great camera.

they all take pictures.
 
Originally posted by: BroeBo
Rebel XT (350D) hands down.

I just got mine and I love this thing so much!

I got the body and the 50mm f/1.8 II (make sure you get this lens, its only 70 bucks and well worth it) My Tamron AF 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di Zoom is now on its way.
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uuuuu nice nice pick 😀
the tamron might be my next lense, low aparture is king 😀

Just got a 70-300mm canon IS whatnot and the difference in contrast and brightness compared to my low light primes is soo much I'm actually thinking its not a lense I might want to keep. But the long range and IS is awfully nice 🙂
 
oh.. and I recomend the xt just for the very simple reason as more people own canons than nikon, sortof like the pc vs mac thing 10-15 years ago 😛
 
Depends on how much money you want to spend and how seriously dedicated you are to photography. Some people think oh yeah, DSLR, great camearas, let me join the bandwagon. Then couple months down the road, they never touch their $1500 dollar camera, ever. I'd say go with the Rebel if you're not too serious about photography. If you're very serious, know what you're doing, then perhaps consider the 20D.
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Originally posted by: tfinch2
Originally posted by: PHiuR
everyone is taking pictures these days...
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DSLR seems to be the new fad. It will pass.
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I've been using digital cameras since 2000. Not a fad for me.
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I'm not talking about people who are serious about photography. People are buying DSLRs who don't even know what shutter speed is for example, and they just leave it on auto.
 
I ended up with a proconsumer digital because it was highly recommended at depreview.com. If i were to get a dslr i would stick to nikon or canon and you will get a nice camera.
 
man I'm in the same pickle. My camera just can't do what I want it to do.

Then again the pictures I'm trying to take are a bit "challenging"

night shots
super high quality macros under 20 kelvin light
storm pics
quick shutter action shots in low light without flash

if I could only decide which way to go
 
Keep in mind that the successor to the EOS-20D, the "EOS-30D" or whatever, will be announced very soon before PMA. It's rumored to be at least 10 megapixel camera. An EOS-400D Rebel will probably follow within 6 months.

If I were you, I'd wait for the EOS-30D announcement then grab an EOS-20D for cheap(er). But as I said, be sure to save at least $1K for good glass...

The following are examples of high-value lenses:

Canon EF 50 1.8 II or 1.4 ($75 or $315)
Canon EF 17-40 F4L ($690)
Canon EF 70-200 F4L ($610)
Tamron 28-75 F2.8 ($356)
Sigma 18-50 F2.8 ($500)

The following are examples of high-end lenses:

Canon EF 35 F1.4L ($1,200)
Canon EF 16-35 F2.8L ($1,420)
Canon EF 28-70 F2.8L ($1,200)
Canon EF 70-200 F2.8L IS ($1,750)

The current most popular high-end Canon lens is arguably the EF 24-105 F4L IS for $1,200. It's an "L" lens with "IS" with a very versatile range. I use it along with an EFS 10-22 F3.5-4.5.
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
man I'm in the same pickle. My camera just can't do what I want it to do.

Then again the pictures I'm trying to take are a bit "challenging"

night shots
super high quality macros under 20 kelvin light
storm pics
quick shutter action shots in low light without flash

if I could only decide which way to go
Click to expand...

These are the exact limitations that sent me to DSLR.

My trusty old G2 could not do this nor this (both hand-held).
 
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