Suggestions for a good SLR digital camera??

Question

I currently have a canon powershot SD630 (6.0 mega pixels) that I use for just taking snapshots when I'm hanging out with friends and family and I love it but I don't like how there isn't one focal point in my pictures (the whole photo is in focus). My family also owns a canon rebel EOS SLR film camera and as much as i love film cameras developing pictures on a college student budget is not very easy. Does anyone have any suggestion for a good digital SLR camera (preferably a canon since i have many lenses)?

Also, would you suggest buying a used digital camera body to save money instead of buying a brand new camera?

Answer 1

I'd suggest the Rebel XT/350D. Yeah, there's newer models, but these models don't really bring anything new to the table. Past 6mp, resolution isn't really an issue, as the more megapixels you have, the smaller the photo receptors on the sensor and the less capable each individual receptor is at collecting light (ie, more megapixels = more noise). I see these newer models as a tactic to keep the salemen at electronics stores happy; it's hard to sell technology that's been on the shelf for three years. Things like anti-dust sensors, in-camera photo effects, very slightly faster shooting rate, and a bigger LCD are mostly gimmicks. Sure, they make your life a bit easier, but they're by no means necessary to good pictures. Check out this comparison between the 350D/400D/450D and see if any of the differences are signficant enough for you to justify the higher price (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_... Just one more note on that, the street price of the XT/350D is around $400 and I have found that the camera easily achieves 5-6 continuous RAW frames before its buffer is full, as opposed to the 4 listed (.CR2 file, Sandisk 4gb Extreme III).

If you're really in love with film, there are also plenty of ways to reduce your costs there as well. Do you develop your own film? If not, but you can follow the average food recipe, you should be more than capable of processing your own black and white film. You'd need a room that you could convert to a darkroom (basically, something that can be made temporarily sealed against any visible light -- I use my basement) and a bit of equipment. You can pick up a kit that contains everything you need, sometimes including all the chemicals, for about $50 from your local camera store or ebay. If you want to make prints, you can also buy a used darkroom enlarger for pocket change, just make sure you get a good lens for it (I prefer the EL-Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 for 35mm, $35 on ebay) and some photo paper. With this setup, you'll be able to start processing your own film. Color film (C-41) can be a bit different (and more expensive) to process, so I'd start with black and white first if at all possible, and you'd want to pick up a C-41 kit when you venture into color. If you don't want to develop your own film, you can still save money by buying film in bulk and loading it into cartidges with a bulk film loader. You can pick these loaders up, used, for very little money, and bulk film is much much less expensive. As an example, you can get 35mm fomapan 100 black and white film online in 100' spools for $35-$40 that give the equivalent of eighteen 36-exposure catridges. Just another suggestion.

Answer 2

Why not check with a good camera store for a Cannon digital body that will accept your lenses.  You may have a problem with auto focus, since some lenses won't perform that function.

Answer 3

Used dSLR will cost you as much as a new one - even the least expensive model (XT).

I think you'll be happy with any Canon dSLR. You have already lenses from EOS film camera--and you can certainly continue to use them.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showc... See what owners of those cameras have to say.

Answer 4

Well, the Canon Rebel XT, XTi, and XSi all use Canon EF lenses and would probably be the most affordable right now... they also use EF-S lenses but I'm assuming you don't have any since your camera is a 35mm.

The XT body costs about $400 right now.

The XTi body costs about $600 right now.

The XSi body costs about $800 right now.

I prefer to buy things new, but if you find a used one that is at a good price and still in great condition then go ahead and get it.