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Need help on an SLR to buy

B

BoldAsLove

Platinum Member
Right now I have a crappy little Olympus digital camera, and am looking to upgrade to an SLR. I will be going to the Galapagos over the Summer, and would like to take some excellent photos while I have the chance!
Lots of landscape photos will be taken, some portraits, and I would also like to bring my camera to some small venues to get some concert photos.

Now I am completely new to SLRs, so I will take every bit of info I can get. I have no idea on lenses or the bodies themselves. But by no means do I want to get a low low end SLR that I would want to upgrade within a couple months.
Does anybody have any recommendations on Camera Books as well? Is photoshop the definitive photo program as well? Is there any other software that is good to use with photoshop?

Thank you all for your help!


EDIT - sorry forgot to mention price. I would like it to cost around $1000 with lens give or take $100 or $200. Of course, as cheap as can be with the best features will do me fine. =]
 
definitely need your budget. but, if you are looking to save a little money, i would recommended buying a used Canon 10D body. that is what i have and i've been very happy with it. you have to be a little careful with the number of shutter actuations the camera has had, but as long as the previous owner wasn't a professional photographer, it probably won't be an issue.
 
Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
sorry updated
Click to expand...

Still kind of vague since you added with a lens. There are so many different lens options available.

I would check out your local Craigslist. I've seen Canon 20d packages on there several times.

Canon 20d + 17-40 F/4 with IS
Canon 20d + 25-105 F/4 with IS

Both sellers wanted around $1k. The Canon kits that are sold come with very entry level lenses. Nikons kits (Nikon D70s kit) would be an option. Also, Pentax has an affordable option.
 
XTi is great, but some have seen underexposure issues.

Best option: Canon Rebel XT (350D) + Canon 430EX flash + Canon 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. Then buy the Canon 10-22mm used when you can afford it.
 
Originally posted by: Mike
Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
sorry updated
Click to expand...

Still kind of vague since you added with a lens. There are so many different lens options available.

I would check out your local Craigslist. I've seen Canon 20d packages on there several times.

Canon 20d + 17-40 F/4 with IS
Canon 20d + 25-105 F/4 with IS

Both sellers wanted around $1k. The Canon kits that are sold come with very entry level lenses. Nikons kits (Nikon D70s kit) would be an option. Also, Pentax has an affordable option.
Click to expand...

Thats the thing...I know nothing about lenses.
 
Originally posted by: Raiden256
XTi is great, but some have seen underexposure issues.

Best option: Canon Rebel XT (350D) + Canon 430EX flash + Canon 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. Then buy the Canon 10-22mm used when you can afford it.
Click to expand...

50mm f/1.8 is a great lens (it was my first), but if he wants to do landscape right off the bat, that may not be a good choice.
 
The thing is, I would mostly be taking pictures of the ocean, flowers, animals, and id be taking lots of pictures of bands
 
Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
The thing is, I would mostly be taking pictures of the ocean, flowers, animals, and id be taking lots of pictures of bands
Click to expand...

well, the 50mm f/1.8 would be a pretty good choice for the band pictures, because it works pretty well in low light. but if you want to do landscape you need something with a wider angle -- the Tokina 19-35mm is a pretty nice lens which can be had for about $150 used i believe.

the canon 100mm USM would be nice for flowers and animals, but it's pricey (over $400). maybe someone could recommend something a little cheaper.
 
Originally posted by: desk
Originally posted by: Raiden256
XTi is great, but some have seen underexposure issues.

Best option: Canon Rebel XT (350D) + Canon 430EX flash + Canon 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. Then buy the Canon 10-22mm used when you can afford it.
Click to expand...

50mm f/1.8 is a great lens (it was my first), but if he wants to do landscape right off the bat, that may not be a good choice.
Click to expand...

I know, but at like 80 bucks, you can't *not* recommend that lens. 😉
 
Rebel XT $500
Tamron 28-75 2.8 $300
Canon 50 1.8 $60
Sigma 500DG Super Flash $175
4GB of CF $60
=$1095

28mm isnt really that wide on a 1.6 crop body, you could go with a 18-50mm 2.8 instead but I haven't been keeping up on which is the best value.
 
Originally posted by: Raiden256
Originally posted by: desk
Originally posted by: Raiden256
XTi is great, but some have seen underexposure issues.

Best option: Canon Rebel XT (350D) + Canon 430EX flash + Canon 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. Then buy the Canon 10-22mm used when you can afford it.
Click to expand...

50mm f/1.8 is a great lens (it was my first), but if he wants to do landscape right off the bat, that may not be a good choice.
Click to expand...

I know, but at like 80 bucks, you can't *not* recommend that lens. 😉
Click to expand...

very true.
 
Originally posted by: desk
Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
The thing is, I would mostly be taking pictures of the ocean, flowers, animals, and id be taking lots of pictures of bands
Click to expand...

well, the 50mm f/1.8 would be a pretty good choice for the band pictures, because it works pretty well in low light. but if you want to do landscape you need something with a wider angle -- the Tokina 19-35mm is a pretty nice lens which can be had for about $150 used i believe.

the canon 100mm USM would be nice for flowers and animals, but it's pricey (over $400). maybe someone could recommend something a little cheaper.
Click to expand...

The 100mm f2 can be had for $300 used if you head over to fredmiranda.com's forums. The 85mm 1.8 is very similar in performance, most say a bit better, and runs about the same price. Both make great concert lenses-- the 50 1.8 is alright but the AF is s...l...o...w...
 
Originally posted by: Snagle
Originally posted by: desk
Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
The thing is, I would mostly be taking pictures of the ocean, flowers, animals, and id be taking lots of pictures of bands
Click to expand...

well, the 50mm f/1.8 would be a pretty good choice for the band pictures, because it works pretty well in low light. but if you want to do landscape you need something with a wider angle -- the Tokina 19-35mm is a pretty nice lens which can be had for about $150 used i believe.

the canon 100mm USM would be nice for flowers and animals, but it's pricey (over $400). maybe someone could recommend something a little cheaper.
Click to expand...

The 100mm f2 can be had for $300 used if you head over to fredmiranda.com's forums. The 85mm 1.8 is very similar in performance, most say a bit better, and runs about the same price. Both make great concert lenses-- the 50 1.8 is alright but the AF is s...l...o...w...
Click to expand...


i was thinking of the 100mm f2.8 because of its excellent macro ability.
 
Originally posted by: desk
Originally posted by: Snagle
Originally posted by: desk
Originally posted by: BoldAsLove
The thing is, I would mostly be taking pictures of the ocean, flowers, animals, and id be taking lots of pictures of bands
Click to expand...

well, the 50mm f/1.8 would be a pretty good choice for the band pictures, because it works pretty well in low light. but if you want to do landscape you need something with a wider angle -- the Tokina 19-35mm is a pretty nice lens which can be had for about $150 used i believe.

the canon 100mm USM would be nice for flowers and animals, but it's pricey (over $400). maybe someone could recommend something a little cheaper.
Click to expand...

The 100mm f2 can be had for $300 used if you head over to fredmiranda.com's forums. The 85mm 1.8 is very similar in performance, most say a bit better, and runs about the same price. Both make great concert lenses-- the 50 1.8 is alright but the AF is s...l...o...w...
Click to expand...


i was thinking of the 100mm f2.8 because of its excellent macro ability.
Click to expand...

ah, totally forgot canon makes that one. trouble is that the cheaper macro lenses all focus pretty slowly. Tamron makes a decent one but his best bet might be to buy a reverse-mount adapter for the 50 1.8 and use that for flower and other macro shots.
 
There are no "dud" cameras on the market right now in the DSLR segment. A $1,200 hard cap ($1,000 plus $200) will put you still in the "entry-level" DSLR segment unless you buy used. Note that this really only means that it won't have features that only pros really need. Even the cheapest DSLR has more features than my old "professional" level film SLRs, so it's really just progress.

The Nikon D40 and D40x are the only DSLRs that I can see anyone "outgrowing" quickly and that's just because those two are intentionally "dumbed-down" and are lacking some legacy support for older lenses.

Go and try out several bodies. The one that fits your hands best is the one to buy.

I am a little worried that you seem to think that the camera will have an impact on whether or not you take excellent photos. Many people who are first switching to DSLRs do not like the results because DSLRs do not pump up the saturation, contrast, and sharpness the way that point and shoots do. A DSLR will require more attention in post. Also, fast lenses that work well in low light are generally not cheap and to cover a good range with a couple of fast (f/2.8) zooms can run over $1,000 (not including the cost of the camera body itself) if you buy the lenses used. Double that if you're buying new. That's not to say that an inexpensive 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 lens can't work, but you lose a lot of low-light capability by going that route.

Honestly, a good Fuji point and shoot with the Super CCD imaging chip can cover a lot of situations, will be easier to carry, and still offers pretty dang good performance in low light.

Think about what you really want. A DSLR will be heavier, harder to carry around, require multiple lenses, and also attract more attention. But it will allow a lot more flexibility. If you're OK with the downsides to get that flexibility, then go for it. And like I said, just try them all out and see which fits your hand best. There's not a "dud" out there.

ZV
 
If you want to be ready to shoot pretty much any situation right out of the box, you can go for this setup right here: Rebel XTi w/18-55, 75-300 & 1GB CF Card . While it's not a pro set-up, it is pretty good for the price and you won't have to worry about putting together your own package.

If you'd like a better lens right off the bat, I'd start with the 8.0mp Rebel XT instead of the newer 10.1 XTi. The differences are negligible. The XTi has "dust removal," which by most accounts does little to nothing, and many of the reviews show that the lower MP count of the XT actually produces a sharper, more detailed picture. The XT body can be had for just over $500 these days. You can spend the money you save on a better lens, like the 17-85 IS . That lens is pretty much the budget walk-around lens for the crop-sensor Canons, and also gets really good reviews for a prosumer lens. Also, the 17-50 f/2.8 from Tamron is a great lens to use on the cropped Canons. Of course, the sky's the limit when it comes to picking your first lens.

Another option is to get a Refurbished 20D from Adorama. They come with a 90 day warranty from Canon, but you can buy a 3 year extended Mack warranty for another 65 bucks or so. I'm currently debating getting one as a back-up body. I've read nothing but good reviews on Photo.net and DPreview about the refurbs coming from Adorama, and some even say you're better off getting a refurb because it gets a more stringent inspection at Canon's factory. They come with the 18-55 lens, and you can pick up a 1GB Sandisk Ultra for $30 on the same page. Add a 430EX for $240 and you have a pretty sweet package for about $1100.

Well that's my thoughts. Seems like most times someone asks for help in making a decision, all the "help" they get just makes the decision harder...hope I didn't do that.:laugh: IMHO, I'd go for the refurb 20D. It's the best bang for the buck and will give you the most room to grow as a photographer. Will also probably result in the best high ISO image quality, if you ever needed to use high ISO. All around best tool for the money, I'd say.

Good Luck!
 
Originally posted by: arrfep
If you want to be ready to shoot pretty much any situation right out of the box, you can go for this setup right here: Rebel XTi w/18-55, 75-300 & 1GB CF Card . While it's not a pro set-up, it is pretty good for the price and you won't have to worry about putting together your own package.

If you'd like a better lens right off the bat, I'd start with the 8.0mp Rebel XT instead of the newer 10.1 XTi. The differences are negligible. The XTi has "dust removal," which by most accounts does little to nothing, and many of the reviews show that the lower MP count of the XT actually produces a sharper, more detailed picture. The XT body can be had for just over $500 these days. You can spend the money you save on a better lens, like the 17-85 IS . That lens is pretty much the budget walk-around lens for the crop-sensor Canons, and also gets really good reviews for a prosumer lens. Also, the 17-50 f/2.8 from Tamron is a great lens to use on the cropped Canons. Of course, the sky's the limit when it comes to picking your first lens.

Another option is to get a Refurbished 20D from Adorama. They come with a 90 day warranty from Canon, but you can buy a 3 year extended Mack warranty for another 65 bucks or so. I'm currently debating getting one as a back-up body. I've read nothing but good reviews on Photo.net and DPreview about the refurbs coming from Adorama, and some even say you're better off getting a refurb because it gets a more stringent inspection at Canon's factory. They come with the 18-55 lens, and you can pick up a 1GB Sandisk Ultra for $30 on the same page. Add a 430EX for $240 and you have a pretty sweet package for about $1100.

Well that's my thoughts. Seems like most times someone asks for help in making a decision, all the "help" they get just makes the decision harder...hope I didn't do that.:laugh: IMHO, I'd go for the refurb 20D. It's the best bang for the buck and will give you the most room to grow as a photographer. Will also probably result in the best high ISO image quality, if you ever needed to use high ISO. All around best tool for the money, I'd say.

Good Luck!
Click to expand...

Comparison between 20D and the XTI?
 
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