Recomend a camera?

[Frode222]

I need help choosing an entry level dSLR camera, basically I would like to get into doing some photography artwork (nothing too advanced), so it would need to be 8mp+ at min. I want to spend less than 900$ or so(If possible), and want a decent lens.

I have done some research, and narrowed it down to a Canon, Sony, Nikon, or Pentax camera. I had my heart set on a Canon Digital Rebel XTI, but I have heard mixed reviews on them, and that there are better buys for your money out there. I felt the lens on them and it feels like cheaply made plastic, so I am guessing I wouldn't want their lens that comes with the camera.

I looked at the Penax and Sony, both of which felt pretty solid, and I liked the fact the Pentax came with a two lens system for the price.

My basic question is which camera would be my best bet? I want to find the mid-range between price and features, a decent lens, something that can print up to 17x20(?), and has a decent build. Is this asking too much, or do I need to move up to say a Nikon D200 or Canon EOS 30D?

Thanks for your help/suggestions!

 

[Heidfirst]

The Sony A100 is almost certainly the best specified of the entry level DSLRs & you can probably get the 18-70 & 75-300 for~$900 (or you could opt for a 3rd party lens like a Sigma or Tamron). Sony are going about consolidating being the no.3 DSLR brand & I have no doubt that they'll achieve that.
The Sony is better than the pentax K100D but the Pentax K10D is a better camera overall than the A100 though.

I don't know what you want to photograph exactly but maybe you would be better off with 1 good lens rather than 2 cheaper lenses - you may not have the overall range of 2 but you might get better results in the area that you used most frequently?

If you get into photography then you will spend more money on your accessorie & lenses than on the body.

 

[dartworth]

http://www.beachcamera.com/sho...t.aspx?sku=PKK100D1855

 

[Jawo]

You really have to figure out what you want in a camera by holding it and playing around with the different bodies. Nikon and Canon are the established leaders with the most accessories and lenses (new and used) available. I personally couldn't stand the button layout on the pentax or sony cameras. Go to local camera stores (NOT RITZ) and discuss with the store personal.

 

[ElFenix]

whoa, D200 is way above where you want to spend. nikon goes from D40 to D40x to D80 to D200 (which is just over the top of your price range).


i'd say get the pentax. with the kit you can get the camera and lens coverage from 18 to 200 mm for ~525 after rebate. then you'll have money left over for another lens and other accessories, like flash, bag, batteries, tripod, etc.

 

[Frode222]

Yeah, I figure in the end I will end up spending more money on accessories than the camera... what about the Olympus EVOLT E-410? I like the Sony cause of the "Super Steady Shot", seeing as I do shake The pentax k100d is only a 6mp camera. Best buys seem to be the Canon XTi body only and getting a lens, the sony a100, and the Nikon D40x. Any major +'s or -'s to these models? And as for lenses, I will be shooting mostly scenery, but people as well, eventually I will want to get a macro lens so I can take some perspective shots and such.

 

[ElFenix]

6 mp really is enough unless you're doing big cropping. all the extra MP seem to do is fill up my memory card faster. if you're after more MP, pentax does have the K10D, but be aware that the default in-camera image processing settings are a bit soft and need adjustment.

the k100d, k10d, e-510, and a100 all have built in IS (image stabilization). neither canon nor nikon do (though canon has recently introduced two inexpensive IS lenses, i bet they show up in kits with the XTi in time for the holidays). otherwise, the canon grip can be uncomfortable for people who try to one hand the camera (i learned photography on an AE-1P which had no grip, i'm used to left hand holding). so, i'd suggest go hold all the cameras and see which you like. the olympus also has the most effective anti-dust system (canon is marginally effective, the rest don't do much at all), and live preview through the LCD. k10d is weather sealed.

i also like that olympus' lens line up is rational (except that 18-180 sigma rebadge, which doesn't make much sense on 4/3). they have 3 clear lines of lenses, with good quality glass throughout.


i love the E-410, but the point to that camera is size. it doesn't have IS and the battery life isn't so great. but it is very small. the normal kit lens isn't much smaller than the competing designs from elsewhere, but the complementary 40-150 is absolutely tiny (and even more impressive when you take into account the range is pretty equivalent to a competing 55-200). i'm waiting for the 3rd revision where olympus finally drops xD and substitutes in SD for the CF slot and a bigger battery. also, being so small makes it a little less steady to hold. on the other hand, you won't find yourself not carrying it due to weight.

 

[Frode222]

The way I see it is I would like to do prints up to 27" or so, and 8+ MP would be the best for it, not to mention, I seem to notice for 100-200$ more I can get a 10mp camera or so. I have tried most of them out, can't find the pentax anywhere... and I like the Canon XTi, which raises two new points, I have a Canon a1 and lenses/filters for it. Are they compatible with an dSLR? Or do they need to be a special type of lens to work on both film and digital?

Another question, is it worth getting the lens kits that come with the camera(mostly thinking of the Canon here, cause their lens seems cheap)? or should I try to buy body only and a different lens/lenses? I don't want to spend much right off the bat for lenses, and would like a decent quality overall lens/lenses that can get the job done until I can individually buy nice lenses down the road...

Thanks by the way

 

[ElFenix]

ritz/wolf camera has the k10d, so you may want to call around to a few and see if any have it.

A-1 is an FD mount camera, so the lenses don't work on the EF mount cameras that canon has been making for the last 21 years. well, unless you have a rare and expensive adapter. but even then you'd have manual stop down. the filters will work, but then they just screw on to the lenses (maybe you have a couple of odd sizes that aren't around anymore).

canon's kit lens is the cheapest. if you've got and are used to fast aperture, sharp lenses the kit canon lens will probably disappoint you. none of the common kit lenses can be regarded as particularly fast. of course, you can pair the kit lens with a 50 f/1.8 for $75 and have a lens for low light or critical photography.

for specific reviews you can check photozone.de. the pentax or olympus are probably the best of the kit lenses.

common upgrades to the kit lens are the sigma 18-50 f/2.8 for $350ish and tamron 17-50 f/2.8 for $420ish. but not all 3rd party lenses are available for all mounts, so check ahead if you've got one in mind as a definite upgrade.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: Frode222
Yeah, I figure in the end I will end up spending more money on accessories than the camera... what about the Olympus EVOLT E-410? I like the Sony cause of the "Super Steady Shot", seeing as I do shake The pentax k100d is only a 6mp camera. Best buys seem to be the Canon XTi body only and getting a lens, the sony a100, and the Nikon D40x. Any major +'s or -'s to these models? And as for lenses, I will be shooting mostly scenery, but people as well, eventually I will want to get a macro lens so I can take some perspective shots and such.

Don't forget that Sony also has a fantastic wireless flash system that only requires one flash to use -- no other adapters or flashes required.

Granted, you're looking at a beginner setup, but you also need to consider the abilities of the entire system. With Sony, you can buy one flash down the road and start experimenting with wireless flash photography, which offers some things that normal flash photography does not.

I wouldn't get the D40x. If you do, you won't be able to use Nikon's 50mm f/1.8 lens in anything but manual focus mode because of the lack of a focus drive on the D40 series.

XTi is a good camera, but I hate the body shape -- feels like an uncomfortable toy to me.

Don't discount the Pentax for 6mp. The lower pixel counts equate to lower noise at higher ISO levels so low light shots are better. However, 6mp can be limiting when you need to crop images. My previous camera was 6mp (Minolta 7D), and the practical inability to crop was a problem at times. That being said, I don't crop images often so it was not an overriding concern.

What one posted said about spending more money on lenses and accessories is spot on. I have spent about $600 on digital bodies so far (between two, sold one for nearly the price I paid) and about $2500 on lenses, tripod/head, filters, bags, and flashes. The good thing is that the other stuff holds its value fairly well while the bodies depreciate so it's less wasting money and more like investment.

 

[rudder]

Ever consider a little older camera like the 10D? Its only 6MP but you can get them used for $300. That would leave $600 for some kicking lenses...

Tamron 28-75 ~$300used (best lens I own... I like it better than my 70-200MM f/2.8 L lens)
Sigma 50mm macro ~$200 used
50mm F/1.8 ~$70 brand spanking new
Sigma 12-24mm f4 ~$400 used
Canon 85mm f/1.8 ~$290 used (rivals L lenses in my opinion, awesome portrait lens on a budget)
Sigma 70-300mm APO ~$90 used (I have this left over from my 35mm... suprisingly sharp photos.. although AF is slooooooooooow).


If you want artistic you will get better results from your lenses than what body you have. You can do some crazy stuff with the 50mm f/1.8. Stuff you can't really do with the kit lenses on any of the cameras you are looking at. Really... for those it comes down to feel and how you like the controls. They are all going to take about the same quality (you can nitpick points). Just consider the available lenses when you make your decision.