My first Digital SLR?

Question

Hi!

I have been snapping photos with my Canon SD700 IS for some time now and I enjoy it some much I want more out of camera. My 30th birthday are coming up, and I have been asked to come up with gift ideas by my wife :) I am thinking a good digital SLR camera might be a great idea! hah!

Anyway, I am considering Nikon D80, but would anyone have any other suggestions? I want something that will last me, but at the same time as compact as possible (I know DSLRs are not very small). I enjoy taking photographs in micro mode, but as well portraits and long distance shots, so suggestions on lenses would also be great. I would think my price limit is around 1500$ max, so I can always add some lenses later.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Answer 1

Here are good sensible tips on getting your first DSLR.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.a...

http://anandasim.blogspot.com/2008/07/wh...

Answer 2

I would go with the Canon 450D/Rebel XSi.  The feature set is very impressive for the price.  Especially for the first DSLR, I'd go with the cheaper items so that you can figure out what you like and don't like before committing to a brand and building your lens collection.

There is a Canon 50mm 1.8 that is extremely cheap/cheaply built but takes great shots for as long as it will last you.  Add a decent range zoom lens for your composure practice and you still have enough room in the budget with all the small accessories such as filters/tripod/remote to keep you around the $1000 range.

I think everyone's first SLR/DSLR should be a practice one.  There are a lot of great cameras on the used market that you might also consider.  Things like the Canon 30d or Nikon d200 are higher level bodies that you can get used from those who are upgrading to the latest/greatest.

Answer 3

your first SLR shouldnt be top of the line

Answer 4

The usual Pavlovian response in here is NIKON! CANON! as though there were no other choices.

Fortunately, there are viable alternatives.

Sony and Pentax both have their version of Image Stabilization/Vibration Reduction (IS/VR) in the camera body. While there is evidence to suggest that having IS/VR incorporated in the lens yields slightly better results, Canon & Nikon only offer a limited number of IS/VR lenses - and they charge extra for them.

So you need to ask yourself this question: "Will it be better for every lens I use to have the benefit of in-camera IS/VR?" I suggest you visit http://www.shutterbug.com and do a Search for the Konica-Minolta 5D which was tested in the Feb. 2006 issue. During the test, the author (Peter K. Burian) photographed a yacht at anchor, handheld at 1/5 sec.using a 36mm equivalent focal length at ISO 800, using the in-camera IS/VR and then one without. Both images look very similar - UNTIL a small section is greatly enlarged. The one taken with IS/VR engaged is much sharper.

Both the Sony A300 and Pentax K200D are within your price range.

Since Sony bought the Konica-Minolta DSLR technology in 2006, every legacy Minolta Maxxum AF lens made since 1985 will mount to all current Sony DSLR cameras. Every lens will have the benefit of the in-camera IS/VR. The A300 has Live View which works with the auto focus. The screen can be flipped down for those situations when the only way to get the picture is to hold the camera over your head (think parade). The screen can be flipped up for when you're using the camera at ground level (think macro).

The Pentax DSLR cameras still use the venerable K-mount first introduced in 1975. Every K-mount lens made will mount on them although with limitations. Still, though, all of those old lenses will benefit from the in-camera IS/VR.

You may also hear that Sony uses a proprietary hot shoe that isn't compatible with non-Sony flash units. Well so do Canon and Nikon since the contacts used on their respective hotshoes are arranged differently. So while a Canon flash may slide into a Nikon hotshoe or vice-versa, there wll be no communication between flash and camera. Its likely that neither camera will even fire the other's flash.

IMO an excellent kit would be the Sony A300 with its 18-70mm zoom and a Minolta Maxxum 100mm macro lens. Later, you can add a longer zoom.

Trusted on-line sellers:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com

http://www.adorama.com

http://www.beachcamera.com

http://www.keh.com

http://www.ritzcamera.com

http://www.uniquecamera.com

Of course there are more legitimate on-line sellers but there are just as many scam artists. If a deal just seems too good to believe, check the seller at http://www.resellerratings.com

Good luck and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Answer 5

I suggest you go to a good camera store and try out the ones in your price range.   Hold them and see which is the easiest for you to use.  You will know the one for you when you try it out.   Nikon people will tell you to get Nikon.  Canon people will tell you to get Canon.    You are the only one who can decide which is the best one for you!

And happy birthday!  Oh, to be 30 again!  LOL

Answer 6

I second Austn's opinion. Don't spend $1500 on a high end body for your first DSLR. All the bodies starting from the entry level D40 are capable of taking really terrific pictures. My 2 cents here would be to start with a D40 or  a D80 level camera. Get familiar with controls that you get in a DSLR (white balance, exposure, aperture, depth of field, ISO, when & how to use the flash). Then decide on the right lenses for your needs. Your needs seem to cover the entire range :-) So you will probably end up spending quite a bit on the 3 lenses you will need to cover the range.

I have a Nikon D40, and have felt that was perhaps the most appropriate choice for the amateur enthusiast. Now I would also suggest looking at the Canon XS. You do indeed get dust inside the camera when you change lense, and every once in a while your camera will come in contact with some water. The weather proofing & dust protection that the newer cameras offer make them a better bet than the D40 or D80 in my view.

Answer 7

There is no reason why should not get a top of the line DSLR if that's what you want.

Having said that, if you want something smaller, lighter, easy to handle and some cool features, go for the Canon XSi.  It's really the best camera in it's class (though I'm sure to get a bunch of thumbs down for the suggestion, there are alot of Nikon slr fans on YA).

I've tried it out, the lens kit is very good, and you're sure to do well with a macro lens. You can probably search amazon or Adorama for a good macro.

Of course never buy a camera before trying one in a store.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos...

p.s. Happy Birthday! :)