I'm shopping for my first DSLR

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Turin39789

Lifer
Nov 21, 2000
12,218
8
81

Quick post, will answer more questions later.

Went to Ireland 1.5 years ago, picked up my first digicam, a pany fz7 superzoom. Got some great pictures and loved to be full zoomed in, but didn't like shutter lag time and it's performance in low light without flash, or with almost anything that moved.

That said, I also stayed in auto most of the time. After the trip I used it for around the house shots to post online and took it out camping once or twice. I have most of my pics uploaded to snapfish where I got some free prints, but I don't think I can share from there. I guess I'm going to need to bite the bullet at some point and pay for imagehosting.

I want a dslr because it's geeky and versatile. I'm going to Argentina in Oct for my honeymoon and figured now would be a good time to get one. I'd like to actually learn to use it and get a book or take a class, but I'm also scatterbrained and overworked. I'm thinking about picking up a pocket/cigarettebox sized camera to make sure I have one handy to take snapshots the entire time.

I stopped by BB when they closed out their rebelXT and wasn't impresssed, but then again I'm pretty sure the unit was broken. Their XTI was nice. I have a friend who shoots a 20d who isn't too helpful(doesnt know/care about the entry level stuff) but he is pushing canon some.

I'd like to be taken care of for 5-600, but I'll probably be talked into going higher. I've been watching the deal forums like a hawk for a deal on a xti, but nothing great so far.

What glass do I need, if I go canon? If I go nikon?

What about used bodies? Craigslist? Just checked and theres a xti+2gb+bag for $450 locally.

Should I just stick with my superzoom and get a pocket camera and not join your sick world of f-stops and apertures and debt?

 
rivan

rivan

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2003
9,677
3
81
After looking at what you have, and reading your post, I'll ask you this:

What's your camera not doing that you'd like to do?

Since you mentioned zoom, the effective zoom on your panasonic is the equivalent of 36 - 432mm. On a 1.6 crop body using non-crop lenses, you'd need to cover roughly 22-270 mm, quite a large spread, and it'll mean a minimum of two lenses, which means more cost. I think it'll be tough, with that budget, to make you happy. On recommendations for specific lenses, I'll point you to the sticky.

On the note of Craigslist, I'd personally suggest buying an older 20D over a newer XTI, and you can likely get them for about the same price.

Canon vs. Nikon? I'm a Canon-head personally. It's really personal preference... they both have minor pros and cons.
 
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OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
16,430
3
0
Originally posted by: Turin39789
Originally posted by: OdiN
Well, I can recommend a book.

The New Manual of Photography - John Hedgecoe
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I wonder if the library has it.

I'm thinking of grabbing a book, and shopping for lenses while I wait for a deal on a body. Unfortunately I have a shortened survey of american literature course for the rest of the month and I'll already be reading 3 novels a week.
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It's an excellent book for the aspiring photographer who doesn't understand all the technical stuff. Does a good job of explaining things. LOTS of photos that help visualize what the author is talking about.
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
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this

or

this

or

this


canon XS doesn't appear to be out yet, but a two lens kit for it might well be in your range as well.




all these cameras have plenty of hand-holding modes, just like compacts. they give you the option to take full control if you want. even if you never use the full control, the better responsiveness of the camera and generally better image quality can result in a more satisfying experience. but of course if you take pictures of ugly things your pictures will be ugly.
 
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ghostman

Golden Member
Jul 12, 2000
1,819
1
76
If you don't understand aperture, shutter speed, ISO and how they relate to each other, you may be disappointed by the results of a DSLR. I have a colleague who bought a Rebel XT a while back, but he never uses it because he finds the photos from his point and shoot come out better. He uses the kit lens on full auto. This is likely because he never figured out how to really use his camera and a DSLR will allow you to make "mistakes" very easily (like shooting an indoor scene with a 1 second shutter without flash).

I love my Canon XTi, but I would have just as quickly chosen a Nikon if the price was right. You can't go wrong with either brand. As for lenses, you'll be tempted to get a lens that has huge coverage (say, 18-200mm), but you'll likely be sacrificing sharpness and large apertures. I have a friend who has a Nikon D40 and insisted on buying an 18-200 lens (what's the point of being able to changes lenses if you insist on getting a lens you never intend to remove?). I tried to convince him to get a constant F/2.8 lens instead, even if it doesn't have as much range, but he went ahead and purchased the 18-200. In about 2 months, he is already frustrated with the lack of sharpness and the low aperture on the long end.

I have a Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 that I've been using for over a year. It's an excellent lens, has rave reviews, but could be improved if it had a faster, silent motor and some image stability feature. I am very satisfied with this lens, since it only cost $300. Tamron also has a 17-50 (?) F/2.8 lens that is also highly regarded.
 
ElFenix

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
if you leave a canon SLR at default settings the images will appear flat compared to canon's compacts. a simple setting change can give it more pop. dunno about nikon, sony, etc's defaults, but they have settings that result in more pop as well.
 
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ObiDon

Diamond Member
May 8, 2000
3,435
0
0
Originally posted by: Turin39789
I have most of my pics uploaded to snapfish where I got some free prints, but I don't think I can share from there. I guess I'm going to need to bite the bullet at some point and pay for imagehosting.
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maybe i'm misunderstanding your needs, but are you just looking for a place where other people can go to see your pictures?
flickr and fotki are just two of many choices for free public (and private) galleries.
 
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Caecus Veritas

Senior member
Mar 20, 2006
547
0
0
i just started my forray into the world of dslr photography (no camera prior to this... not even point & shoot - so take what i say with half a grain of salt), and i must say i don't regret the mountain of debt it has caused me.

i have the xsi (bought it when it first came out at bb with 12% dc) and find it to be perfect for my use, which is for casual everyday shooting + vacations. one of the biggest plus for xsi is that it's small and light-weight enough to easily carry around for travel (and it's got most of the bells & whistles). i don't want to be lugging around something huge everywhere i go, and so i really like the xsi. my bro has the 5d but i find that waaay too bulky. i don't wanna be carrying that around during my honeymoon.

also, with a camera backpack (not the shoulder ones), you've got room for couple of lenses and it makes travel so much easier (my gf puts all her stuff in there now -_-). and it's not too hard on your back. for a little extra effort of carrying a bag around, you'll end up with stunning photos that you'll be cherishing 50-60 years down the road. you only live your moment once, and i think the cost of dslr's are well justified. and plus, i just don't think a point & shoot camera can do your vacations justice.

so far, i've bought the 24-70 f/2.8L, 50 f/1.8 and 10-22 f/xx. using the 24-70 for most shots, and i just picked up the 10-22 to shoot scenery. the 50mm was 85 bucks and it's just fun to shoot with.

also - and this is just me - i would stay away from used equipment. i, for one, am not knowledgeable enough to be able to tell whether a lens is good or bad in terms of working condition. the spread between used and new equipment seems so small that the risk of buying used just doesn't seem to make sense... at least for beginners.

anyhow, from reading your post it sounds like you're gonna pull the trigger :)
and congrats on your wedding!


 
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OdiN

Banned
Mar 1, 2000
16,430
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That 24-70 will turn the XSi from a light camera into a heavier camera :p

It's one of the heavier lenses.
 
C

Caecus Veritas

Senior member
Mar 20, 2006
547
0
0
Originally posted by: OdiN
That 24-70 will turn the XSi from a light camera into a heavier camera :p

It's one of the heavier lenses.
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hehe i know :D
but i feel so manly next to those itty bitty cameras!


oh yeah, i also borrowed my bro's 70-200 f/2.8L IS lens.... man those are friggin HEAVY!! but you do get looks.

and what am i doing here still at work... T_T 6:00.... 30 more minutes to go...
 
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troytime

Golden Member
Jan 3, 2006
1,996
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there's been several deals lately where you can get the nikon d40, 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR for 570ish
 
Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,872
10,222
136
Originally posted by: ElFenix
this

or

this

or

this


canon XS doesn't appear to be out yet, but a two lens kit for it might well be in your range as well.
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Why don't they indicate the maximum apertures for the lenses with those cameras? e.g. f1.8, f2.8 etc.?

 
Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
9,200
765
126
Originally posted by: Muse
Originally posted by: ElFenix
this

or

this

or

this


canon XS doesn't appear to be out yet, but a two lens kit for it might well be in your range as well.
Click to expand...
Why don't they indicate the maximum apertures for the lenses with those cameras? e.g. f1.8, f2.8 etc.?
Click to expand...


They do list the numbers. They just make it really hard to find. To make it easy for you, the lens specs are (listed in the order of ElFenix's links):

Nikon D40: 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 and 55-200mm f4.6-5.6
Olympus E-510: 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f4.0-5.6
Sony A200: 18-70mm f3.5 and 57-300mm f4.5-5.6

 
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touchmyichi

Golden Member
May 26, 2002
1,774
0
76
The absolute most important thing you can do is play with each brand of camera and decide which one is going to be the easiest for you to grasp, it's really completely subjective which is why no one can really tell you which to pick. Secondly, though it may be difficult if you are just starting, look at the entire system to decide which is most useful (this is why I would immediately rule out sony, their lens options are lacking in comparison). This is important if you want the best flash system (Nikon) or perhaps the best prime lenses (Pentax) etc. The camera is only one part of the setup really.

Also, despite what others have offered here, I strongly recommend against buying entry level cameras with kit lenses. For often cheaper or equivalent prices you can get older prosumer DSLR's that simply blow those cameras away. Newer cameras often market really gimmicky features such as bigger lcd's and liveview instead of the things that actually affect your ability to create photos. Older midrange cameras have the advantage in the areas such as bigger viewfinders, faster AF, better handling, better grip, etc. And really, they aren't that much harder to use despite what some make it sound. Then, you can use the money some lenses (what is really important) such as a 50 f1.4/1.8 or a tamron 17-50/28-75 f2.8 and have a far better setup.

Here's the bodies I would recommend based on this-
Canon- 20D, 30D (if high ISO is needed go here)
Nikon- D70 series, D80, D200
Pentax- K10D- awesome ergos, big viewfinder, great features! This feels like a real camera instead of a tech toy and you can get it for around 500.

Honestly though, any DSLR will allow you to take great shots, but you might as well get the best value and handling for your money in the areas that actually affect photography.
 
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Turin39789

Lifer
Nov 21, 2000
12,218
8
81
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Feedback: 95.0 % Positive
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is the 20% back?

edit: sweet it is back!
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yea, but some googling on that onesales ebay id , says it might really be Hotbuy electronics , which might be a shady brooklyn camera retailer.
 
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