Making the jump to DSLR, $850ish or less

[SithSolo1]

My current camera is a Canon S2 IS. While it has done me well, its getting a lil long in the tooth and never produced image quality that I was truly happy with. The S2 was my first/only camera so I've had zero experience with SLRs and I'm open to any suggestions.

I'd say the camera will be used mainly for auto photography(ALMS/SCCA action photos and car meet stills) with the occasional wildlife/nature shot.

$850 is for everything I would need to get started:
Body
Lens/Lenses
Extra Battery(if needed)
Flash cards
Bag

prefer new but open to the referb market

Currently eyeing this:Olympus E-620 kit w/ 2 Lenses
but its near the $850 mark and I don't know if I necessarily need both or either of the lenses.

 

[ElFenix]

if you like how the camera feels in your hand and held up to your eye, it's good. for shooting through the fence at a race track or shooting near the course in a cone setup the first lens will be ok. for stuff on the other side of the track or from further away it will be less so. the AF speed of the 620 will be years beyond what the S2 is capable of, so that'll be a big improvement.

if you want birds the second lens that comes with it won't be particularly satisfactory. you could get olympus's 70-300 which provides the equivalent of 600 mm of reach on 35 mm cameras, which would be nice for birds. that's about $330 though so maybe not right now.

 

[jpeyton]

$850 should buy you a cheap body and two lens kit. If you buy used, you might get an even better deal.

Maybe a Canon Rebel XS body + 18-55mm IS + 55-250mm IS

Or a Nikon D3000/D5000 + 18-55mm VR + 55-200mm VR

 

[Munky]

I'm not a fan of 4/3 format (Olympus), because with the smaller sensor you not only get worse image quality compared to APS-C sensors, but also it's harder to get shallow DOF and good-looking bokeh. If you can get a Nikon D5000 with the kit lens under $850, I'd go with that route. Not the D3000, though, because it's a downgrade from many other Nikons by a long shot. I'd even pick the cheaper, older Nikon D40 over the D3000 or anything from Olympus.

 

[jpeyton]

The only reason to own Olympus right now is if you want an EP-1/2.

Then again, you could get the Panasonic equivalents; they are just as good, if not better.

 

[Tip3r]

How is the Rebel T1i?
just wondering since I'm sort of in the same boat.

 

[SithSolo1]

Thanks for the suggestions.

if I go the D5000 route but could only get 1 lens would I be better off with the 18-55mm VR or the 55-200mm VR?

 

[Munky]

Definitely start off with the 18-55. I have the 55-200 as well, and I don't use it nearly as much because that range really limits the kind of photography you can do. Even at 55mm I find the angle too narrow for general photography, not to mention that lens can't focus as closely.

 

[edro]

I wouldn't dream of getting anything other than a Canon or Nikon SLR.

I recommend a Canon XS, XSi or T1i.
Get the 50mm f1.8 lens for $100. The 18-55mm IS kit lens is great for beginners.
Read the reviews on it. Everyone was pretty astonished at how good it is.

 

[GoSharks]

Pentax K-x

 

[jpeyton]

Nikon D5000 Kit $700
Nikkor 55-200mm VR $175

 

[akugami]

If you go the Canon route, you might be able to get a Canon 40D w/ kit lens with a lot of people starting to dump the 40D for the new Canon 7D. Might have to be patient as some people are still trying to sell the 40D body for $800'ish but there are enough selling the Canon 40D body for mid $600'ish that I think you should be able to nab it with a kit lens if you're patient.

 

[extra]

Rebel T1i is excellent. I'd get a rebel xsi or t1i or a used 40d. Get the 18-55mm IS kit lens (make sure it's the IS version!). Also the 55-250mm is fantastic.

Edit: I really don't think the cheap nikons compare favorable with the rebels. Imho the rebels are way better. HOWEVER if you can spend a bit more and get a D90 then Nikon is just as good (or better in many cases!) than the Canon stuff. Maybe the D5000 has changed this though, doesn't that use the excellent D90 sensor?

 

[djnsmith7]

I'm a novice photographer, but have been able to produce good results with my Nikon D-60 (D3000 equivalent) & 70-300VR lens.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: djnsmith7
I'm a novice photographer, but have been able to produce good results with my Nikon D-60 (D3000 equivalent) & 70-300VR lens.

That's because the 70-300VR is an amazing piece of glass.

 

[djnsmith7]

I don't disagree.