Good Beginner DSLR?

[uli2000]

The wife is wanting to get a DSLR to start taking 'better' pictures. And Im all for buying another piece of gear to play with. Its been a while since Ive used a slr much (high school and college photo classes), but I have the basics down, I think. My wife, who will be the primary user, is a total noob. Unfortunaly, we dont have any local options for picking it up, so trying something is going to be kinda hard. Some of the cameras we have looked at that she has liked holding are the Nikon d40 and d40x and the Olympus e410 and e510, though she's never taken any pics (just held the bodies at BB and Costco). Ive also consitered the Cannon Rebel XT and XTis (she thinks it looks too big) , a couple of the Pentaxs' (I think the 100d super and 10d) and the Sony A200 and another sony that I cant quite remember. I also consitered a Samsung GX-1S, since its compatible with the pentax lenses, though its a few years old now. Would preffer to buy a 2 lens kit, but not against getting a one lens kit and picking up another decent lens ~$200 or less. Out of those mentioned above (or anything else I may have overlooked) which would be the best option?

 

[Jawo]

It will be very hard to pick an ideal dSLR camera without picking them up and comparing them first. Each camera has different ergonomics and there is no "perfect" camera for everyone. Truthfully, if you want more creative freedom, I would recommend the Canon S5IS, G9, SX100 or similar. All these cameras have manual modes that allows you to get more creative and will take better pictures out of the box then with a dSLR. Its a steep learning curve, and kit lenses usually are less than stellar.

That said, Costco usually has a two lens kit for Nikon at about $950, or a Canon XTi with kit is $600 most places since the XSi was released. Pentaxs are usually cheaper.

 

[andylawcc]

given I've been thru similar situation and went with the Olympus E-410, I would say the Canon XTI kit is the "safest" choice. Not that there's anything really wrong with the Oly 410, but I am already finding some flaws in it, compare to the Canon 300D (one gen older than the Xt) that I am using at work. The Canon's autofocus is much more intelligent than the Oly, where it just 'gives up' AF-ing during low light situation. Also, there will be a larger support for lenses and accessories, not to mention the 2nd hand market.

again, I have no regret, and I am learning to love the Olympus instead of hating it.

 

[Heidfirst]

imo Sony's A200 is a great starter DSLR but like every one else I'm going to recommend going to a shop & trying them all out to see which suits you best.
They can all take great photos.

 

[xanis]

Pretty much everyone has said it, but go and try them out. Not all cameras are built the same, nor do they have the same ergonomics. For example, when I went to get my first DSLR I narrowed it down to the Nikon D40 and the Canon XTi. I tried out both and picked the D40 because the XTi just didn't feel right in my hands.

 

[twistedlogic]

Id suggest you stick with the two leaders, Nikon or Canon. This way, here in a couple years if you choose to upgrade, your current lenses will be compatible. Basically the way I see it, the camera body will be outdated in a few years, while the lenses (with care) will last a lifetime.

I tried out both and picked the D40 because the XTi just didn't feel right in my hands.

I've heard a lot of people say the XTi doesn't feel right, though I've never tried one myself.

I chose the Nikon D40 (wanted the D80 but couldn't justify the extra $$$, and I'm just learning SLR). As I said b4, by the time I figure out how to use its feature set it should be time to upgrade, .

My biggest selling factor for the D40 is its LIGHT. With the great 18-55mm kit lens, the whole set-up feels like a feather compared to some of the other DSLRs. So for ease of use, great kit lens, and low weight (plastic), the Nikon D40 fit my bill.

Unless of course you'll be doing prints bigger than 8X11 (or some heavy cropping), you might wanna look at something higher than 6mp.

 

[troytime]

Originally posted by: twistedlogic
Id suggest you stick with the two leaders, Nikon or Canon. This way, here in a couple years if you choose to upgrade, your current lenses will be compatible. Basically the way I see it, the camera body will be outdated in a few years, while the lenses (with care) will last a lifetime.

I tried out both and picked the D40 because the XTi just didn't feel right in my hands.

I've heard a lot of people say the XTi doesn't feel right, though I've never tried one myself.

I chose the Nikon D40 (wanted the D80 but couldn't justify the extra $$$, and I'm just learning SLR). As I said b4, by the time I figure out how to use its feature set it should be time to upgrade, .

My biggest selling factor for the D40 is its LIGHT. With the great 18-55mm kit lens, the whole set-up feels like a feather compared to some of the other DSLRs. So for ease of use, great kit lens, and low weight (plastic), the Nikon D40 fit my bill.

Unless of course you'll be doing prints bigger than 8X11 (or some heavy cropping), you might wanna look at something higher than 6mp.

i've seen 6mp pics from a d40 on 16x21 - they looked great

 

[uli2000]

I think Ive narrowed it down to the Nikon d40x or d60. We both liked the d40/d40x, and I hear the d60 is even a bit smaller. I would really like to try them both our, but the closest store that would have either is 250 miles away, and with gas ~3.75/gal where I live, Im not gonna spend $150 to test it out. My idea was buy the d40x with the kit lens (18-55mm I think) and buy the 50-200mm VR lens. The d60 kit comes with a VR lens (again, 18-55mm iirc). From what I can tell, especially without a tripod, the VR is needed with the 50-200mm, but would you say it was esential to get the 18-55mm with the VR lens, or will a standard 18-55mm lens do?

 

[ElFenix]

d60 is the same body as the d40/x.

the standard 18-55 should do fine unless you're in particularly low light.

edit: a big wtf at amazon's pricing of d40x/d60

 

[uli2000]

Ended up going for the d40 2 lens kit deal from Ritz. Gonna put the 50-200 on ebay or FS/T forum and use the procedes towards a VR lens (probly the 50-200 VR). Thanks for the help.

 

[Sid59]

i was in the same boat, i went from manual focus film slr to digital autofocus SLR (college courses got me into photography) ...

I initially picked up a D80 with kit lens to get used to shooting but i decided it was too much, too early and decided i didn't want to spend that much getting used to a camera even though i can grow into it. I returned the D80 and picked up a D40, great little camera and easy to use. I feel i'm ready to move up and grab a D300, when i get off my lazy bum. i'm gonna give the D40 to my gf to use, she never used an SLR but can zoom and handle teh camera with ease.