Want to buy an SLR camera for my dad, but I know nothing of them

[RaynorWolfcastle]

So what's a good starter camera? Any advice on starter lenses? Are the kit lenses any good or should I go for something else.
I'm trying to keep it on the cheap since:
A) I'm not made of money, and these cameras cost a small fortune
B) My dad hasn't used an SLR in years, he has an ancient 1.3 MP point-and-shoot Canon that sucks ass.
C) He's always commenting on how great SLRs are and how he used to have one years ago (that got stolen) that he loved

So right now I'm looking at the Nikon D50 with the kit lens. I know that the most known SLRs are Nikons and Canons, but what about Pentax, Olympus, etc?

All comments and suggestions are very appreciated

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
So what's a good starter camera? Any advice on starter lenses? Are the kit lenses any good or should I go for something else.
I'm trying to keep it on the cheap since:
A) I'm not made of money, and these cameras cost a small fortune
B) My dad hasn't used an SLR in years, he has an ancient 1.3 MP point-and-shoot Canon that sucks ass.
C) He's always commenting on how great SLRs are and how he used to have one years ago (that got stolen) that he loved

So right now I'm looking at the Nikon 5D with the kit lens. I know that the most known SLRs are Nikons and Canons, but what about Pentax, Olympus, etc?

All comments and suggestions are very appreciated

So, you're not made of money and the one you zero in on is one of the most expensive and advanced outside of professional models?

Get him a Nikon D200 with the 18-200 vr. instead of the 5d with kit lens.

EDIT: If you're talking about beginner though, then get the Canon 350xt rebel, or Nikon D50/70.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

oops, sorry, I was just reading the dpreview review of that one and drooling, I meant the D50.

<- Idiot

 

[Pocatello]

Get a D50 and save money for some good lens. The 18-200 VR is the one of the hottest lens for Nikon right now, maybe hard to find.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: Pocatello
Get a D50 and save money for some good lens. The 18-200 VR is the one of the hottest lens for Nikon right now, maybe hard to find.

So I'm better off buying the body and lens separately rather than the kit? is the 18-200 VR a Nikon lens or is it made by a 3rd party?

 

[tfinch2]

I'd get either this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control...REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

or this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control...REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

The Nikon 18-70mm is a fine piece of kit lens, and the image quality of the E-500 with the 40-150mm is great.

*puts on flamesuit*

 

[Pocatello]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle

Originally posted by: Pocatello
Get a D50 and save money for some good lens. The 18-200 VR is the one of the hottest lens for Nikon right now, maybe hard to find.

So I'm better off buying the body and lens separately rather than the kit? is the 18-200 VR a Nikon lens or is it made by a 3rd party?

The 18-55mm kit lens for the Nikon D50 is ok, I have one and I like it. But most people prefer the 18-70 mm lens, a little bit more expensive too. You could get the D50 body and the 50mm 1/8 lens, which is a great lens for portrait and indoor shots. In general, the 50mm takes beautiful pictures, it doesn't have any zoom ability however. The 50 mm 1/8 is only around $100, but it's the best money you will ever spend.

www.dpreview.com has a forums for all kind of cameras and lens, a lot of people can answer all your questions about DSLR cameras.

 

[Kermy]

I got a D50 with a 18-55mm kit lens. A week later I upgraded to a 18-70mm lens (D70 kit lens) and a 50mm 1.8 Prime lens. Very nice so far.

 

[ultimatebob]

Does your Dad have ANY existing lenses from his old SLR camera? If he does, he might be able to reuse them if you get him a digital SLR of the same make.

For example, if he happened to have a old Pentax SLR camera, he'd be able to use the old lenses from that. It doesn't matter if they're 20 or even 30 years old... they'll work.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Does your Dad have ANY existing lenses from his old SLR camera? If he does, he might be able to reuse them if you get him a digital SLR of the same make.

For example, if he happened to have a old Pentax SLR camera, he'd be able to use the old lenses from that. It doesn't matter if they're 20 or even 30 years old... they'll work.

With the right adapters, just about any old lens will work on any digital SLR make.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Does your Dad have ANY existing lenses from his old SLR camera? If he does, he might be able to reuse them if you get him a digital SLR of the same make.

For example, if he happened to have a old Pentax SLR camera, he'd be able to use the old lenses from that. It doesn't matter if they're 20 or even 30 years old... they'll work.

With the right adapters, just about any old lens will work on any digital SLR make.

No the whole bag got stolen, but this was years ago and he chose to buy a video camera to replace it so he doesn't have any lenses at the moment. I think he'll want to be using it for outdoor shots too, our back yard is on a river and there's all kinds of wildlife on an uninhabited island just across. I think he'll probably want to buy a telephoto lens eventually, but for starters I think a general purpose lens for portraits and what not will do OK.

I assume that the 18-55mm is good for that? I honestly haven't a clue about what that means in terms of shooting distance. Is there a good primer for this stuff anywhere?

 

[PHiuR]

Canon 1Ds MARK 2

 

[novon]

E-500 kit is best value, Rebel XT if u have money

 

[kami333]

You may want to consider taking him to a camera store to try a few, even if it's just Canons and Nikons (pretty rare to see the other brands in b&m stores unfortunately). The biggest differences between DLSRs (ergonomics and menu layouts, etc) are subjective so it's hard to choose without actually holding one in your hands.

 

[PHiuR]

Originally posted by: kami333
You may want to consider taking him to a camera store to try a few, even if it's just Canons and Nikons (pretty rare to see the other brands in b&m stores unfortunately). The biggest differences between DLSRs (ergonomics and menu layouts, etc) are subjective so it's hard to choose without actually holding one in your hands.

concur, I liked how the D70s felt in my hand better than the 20D but I got the 20D anyway...

 

[ultimatebob]

Yeah, I'd recommend taking him to a camera store and have him try all of the popular low-end models. The Nikon D50, Canon Rebel XT, and Pentax *ist DL are all good starter choices, but he'll want to try them for himself.

Then, once he's picked out the one that he likes, order it online for 15% less

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Yeah, I'd recommend taking him to a camera store and have him try all of the popular low-end models. The Nikon D50, Canon Rebel XT, and Pentax *ist DL are all good starter choices, but he'll want to try them for himself.

Then, once he's picked out the one that he likes, order it online for 15% less

Well that kind of takes the surprise out of the gift now doesn't it

 

[torpid]

If he's just getting into it, the D50 should be fine. I don't think he'd get enough out of the XT for the big price difference.

 

[PHiuR]

Originally posted by: torpid
If he's just getting into it, the D50 should be fine. I don't think he'd get enough out of the XT for the big price difference.

what would he get out of the XT that he can't from the D50?

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: PHiuR

Originally posted by: torpid
If he's just getting into it, the D50 should be fine. I don't think he'd get enough out of the XT for the big price difference.

what would he get out of the XT that he can't from the D50?

I find that the D50's auto white balance sucks, and while 6 MP isn't small I prefer larger. Besides that, the D50 is a bargain of a camera as well and feels great in the hand.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

I think I'll go take a look at the D50. Honestly, this is probably what I'll end up getting since reviews all agree that it's good camera. Adding a lens, and a memory card, I'll be spending a good chunk of change as it is.

 

[xgsound]

Here's a link to a listing of "best in class" cameras that might help you. It has three levels of SLRs at the top. http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

It's no SLR, but my boy just got a 5.1 Mp Sony h-1 (listed in Super Zoom class in above reviews). It beats the eyes out of a 1.3 Mp camera. If your dad will like something in that class, the top picks are $350 to $600 and offer 10 to 12x zoom with image stabilization and rapid response. His sony came with everything (AA metal hydride batteries, charger, lens cap, hood) but the mem card from Circuit City for $350. The sony (high speed) 512 card was >$ 50 and it was ready to go. The 2 1/2" screen seems huge and has enough room to show 9 pix at once.

Some of these (Super Zoom) cameras accept additional lenses too, but that's out of my league to comment on.

I hope this isn't seen as a thread crap. I just hate to spend money I don't have to for similar results. Hope this helps.


Jim

 

[tfinch2]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Olympus-E-1-Digital...47QQcategoryZ43457QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

These are two high quality lenses. The 14-54mm is considered to be comparable to "L" glass.

/thread

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

I'm leaning towards the D50 with the 18-55mm kit lens right now, is there any reason to stay away from them? I'd like to keep it <$800 with a lens. Like I said, it's a gift and I'm not made of money.

 

[The Stigenator]

canon S3IS.. cheaper than anything else.