slr digital

[meister]

my wife has been using a film slr for many years, and takes some nice pics, but I keep pushing her to go digital. She is by no means a professional but she wants to learn and does have a talent and good eye naturally.

soo..

canon 20d with a few lenses or nikon, or ????

Mark

 

[tfinch2]

What brand does she use now?

 

[meister]

currently a minolta.. with a few lenses, nothing interchangable with nikon or canon I believe.

It has been adequate to learn on but I understand is not a 'respectable' camera.

mark

 

[JulesMaximus]

Would the Minolta lenses she has now work on any digital SLR camera?

If not it's really a matter of personal preference. Canon and Nikon are both excellent choices and she couldn't go wrong with either one.

 

[rudder]

A 20D is probably overkill. Digital Rebel XT has the same digic II processor and takes just as nice pictures for almost $400 less.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Would the Minolta lenses she has now work on any digital SLR camera?

If not it's really a matter of personal preference. Canon and Nikon are both excellent choices and she couldn't go wrong with either one.

i think they'll work on the new (old) sony (minolta) alpha

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: rudder
A 20D is probably overkill. Digital Rebel XT has the same digic II processor and takes just as nice pictures for almost $400 less.

It depends on how you use your camera. Although if budget is a concern I would seriously consider the XT in order to upgrade to a better lens.


OP, what's the budget?

 

[meister]

only thing not negotiable to her is it must be high speed, no lag at all. Her only experience digital wise is with decent digicams $200 to $500 range that can take nice pics but severe lag usually. this is why she still thinks film is way to go.

I was also thinking longer term to get the best I can afford and let it be for awhile. Its also her big '40' and wanted to spoil her.

mark

 

[meister]

I was going to hopefully spend no more than 2k

Mark

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: meister
only thing not negotiable to her is it must be high speed, no lag at all. Her only experience is with decent digicams $200 to $500 range that can take nice pics but severe lag usually.

I was also thinking longer term to get the best I can afford and let it be for awhile. Its also her big '40' and wanted to spoil her.

mark

What is your budget? A decent dslr will cost you about a grand for the camera body alone. Lenses will set you back even more if you get really good ones.

What kind of shooting does she do?

 

[Ika]

Either Canon Digital Rebel XT (350D), Nikon D50, or Nikon D70S. all three are great cameras; currently the 350D you can find for around $580 on a great deal, so i would recommend it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: meister
I was going to hopefully spend no more than 2k

Mark

Canon 20D

Couldn't go wrong with this either.

We would really need to know what kind of photography she does to recommend a lens though.

Edit-B&H Photo is an excellent place to buy camera gear online. Better than retail prices, they have a good reputation and they have a huge B&M store in New York City.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: meister
currently a minolta.. with a few lenses, nothing interchangable with nikon or canon I believe.

It has been adequate to learn on but I understand is not a 'respectable' camera.

mark

Are her Minolta lenses autofocus? If so, they will work with the new Sony DSLR coming out.

 

[edro]

Canon Digital Rebel XT - Best bang for the buck.

Get her a copy of Photoshop and show her how we do things in the 21st century.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Would the Minolta lenses she has now work on any digital SLR camera?

If not it's really a matter of personal preference. Canon and Nikon are both excellent choices and she couldn't go wrong with either one.

Sony has just released a DSLR that will accept Minolta lenses. That's the direction I would go.

ZV

 

[meister]

yes, the lenses she currently has with her minolta are autofocus, I think one lense is minolta the other is a zoom off brand I can't think of the name right now.

her 'type' of photography has been mainly nature and family stuff, ( kids ). she just likes it alot and wants to do more.

My habits are usually to overbuy. In my thinking then you have what you need plus some even if you don't use it. But I don't want to be stupid either and buy a 200 mph car when 85 is exceeding capabilities fine.

the sony alpha looked good beside the nikon and canon.

More thoughts?

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: meister
yes, the lenses she currently has with her minolta are autofocus, I think one lense is minolta the other is a zoom off brand I can't think of the name right now.

her 'type' of photography has been mainly nature and family stuff, ( kids ). she just likes it alot and wants to do more.

My habits are usually to overbuy. In my thinking then you have what you need plus some even if you don't use it. But I don't want to be stupid either and buy a 200 mph car when 85 is exceeding capabilities fine.

the sony alpha looked good beside the nikon and canon.

More thoughts?

Definately go with the Sony camera.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: meister
only thing not negotiable to her is it must be high speed, no lag at all. Her only experience digital wise is with decent digicams $200 to $500 range that can take nice pics but severe lag usually. this is why she still thinks film is way to go.

I was also thinking longer term to get the best I can afford and let it be for awhile. Its also her big '40' and wanted to spoil her.

mark

If it's for fun or art, there's still nothing that can hold a candle to Fuji Velvia or Kodak Ektachrome. Even basic Fuji Reala 100. If she's happy using film, why force her to switch?

It sounds to me as though you're buying something that you want and trying to pass it off as a present for her even though she doesn't care.

ZV

 

[meister]

ZM-- I would agree with you that was the case in the past. However I let the subject die since last year until this week she started mentioning it and said she would like to make the change.

mark

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Would the Minolta lenses she has now work on any digital SLR camera?

If not it's really a matter of personal preference. Canon and Nikon are both excellent choices and she couldn't go wrong with either one.

Sony has just released a DSLR that will accept Minolta lenses. That's the direction I would go.

ZV

Well, that depends on what type of lenses she has. If they are older manual focus lenses and they aren't worth much I would probably just buy all new gear.

 

[Feldenak]

I have been very pleased with my D50. I'm still learning it but it's no the camera itself slowing me down...it's the fact I had no SLR experience prior to getting the camera.

Edit: But if what I'm hearing about her Minolta glass being compatable with the new Sony DSLR coming out, then that's the direction I'd go. No need to spend the $$ for new glass if you don't have to.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: meister
ZM-- I would agree with you that was the case in the past. However I let the subject die since last year until this week she started mentioning it and said she would like to make the change.

mark

Once she gets into digital I'm sure she'll wonder why she waited so long. It was that way when I bought my first dslr a couple years ago.

 

[meister]

thanks everyone,

I'm going shopping and see whats out there. I suppose you can't go wrong, its probably preference as all brands have good to great products.

Mark

 

[Nyati13]

Originally posted by: meister
currently a minolta.. with a few lenses, nothing interchangable with nikon or canon I believe.

It has been adequate to learn on but I understand is not a 'respectable' camera.

mark

If you already have good Minolta lenses, get a KonicaMinolta 7D or 5D. It is compatible with all but one of the Minolta film SLR lenses (and it was a crappy little lense anyway)

 

[jEnus]

I've been extremely happy with my Olympus E-500. You can get a E-500 Two Lense Kit (15-54mm, 50 - 150mm) for around 799, add on the $100 rebate and you've got a nice start for only $699.