I'd like to upgrade from a regular digital point and shoot to a digital SLR. I just want a little better control and quality to my photos.
What I'd like to have:
1. Something user/beginner friendly. I don't intend to beat it with a thigh bone to figure out how to work it, but I'd like something intuitive.
2. Upper price limit of $800 with a basic lens kit.
3. Fits well in my grip, and is easily portable
4. What I'd need for a good set of everyday lenses.
If anyone could give me some pointers on what to look for and what to avoid, it would be great. And if you'd like to tout a particular model, that's super too. If you've commented in any recent threads, I've probably seen it and searched for it, so no need to retype. Also, I heard rumor that Cannon is soon to be releasing an SLR that is pretty close to point and shoot- anyone know the model number of that? i intend to spend a good amoutn of time in some camera stores before purchasing, but I'm just a bit overwhelmed at all the stuff out there.
(Didn't there used to be a big thread on this in the Artists' Corner? I can't find it...)
Thanks!
Posts
The only think I would add to think about is that once you pick a brand...Canon, Nikon...whatever...you'll probably be sticking with it ;-) so you might want to read up and check out the feel of some of their other cameras too
I'm sure you will find the D40 to be a great beginner SLR, but if you think you'll be wanting to delve into more than just the kit lens then you might want to consider something a step up.
Ryan M Long Photography
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With an upper price limit of $800, he could go the D80 route and have an AF motor in the body. I have a D80 and love it, and my mom actually has a D40 and her main gripe is the same as garroad.
Depending on the kind of shots you'd be taking, I would get the nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens. It's amazingly cheap and takes great shots.
As for portablity, i have this backpack:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Deluxe-Backpack-200EG-Cameras/dp/B00009R6TA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1237994577&sr=8-1
Yes, a nikon camera in a canon bag...and the bag has plenty of extra room so i carry my netbook to edit pictures with lightroom on the go.
Edit: well, i guess D80s have come up in price since i got one. They're about $150 more expensive which puts it over your $800...
Canon XS series is good news as well.
I'm not sure if anyone mentioned Pentax, but their reputation is really growing. I've had two Pentax DSLRs that were very capable. I'd say the K200d is as good as a D60. However, if you plan on really developing the hobby or pursuing professional photography, you'll probably want to just buy Nikon/Canon now, so you can start to establish a lens collection.
http://www.cameralabs.com/
a year ago and ended up buying an Olympus evolt510 with the dual lens kit for about $800 CAD.
It's an amazing camera, I couldn't be happier, and it recently won an award for best entry level digital SLR, beating out canon's much touted rebel (although I've used a friends rebel and it is also a very good camera).
Whatever you decide on after doing some research, go to the store and hold some cameras in your hand, take some photos and see how you like it.
My Olympus for example has a tendency to flash multiple times on default settings in low light....warning people that the flash goes off multiple times is annoying but my photos never have red eye, so obviously this is a feature that is working as intended and I can always bypass it by choosing my own flash setting (got some cool photos of pitch black caves with the slow flash!).
Also, if you go to picasa you can browse photos and see what camera and lens was used to take the photo, which is kinda neat.
You can't lose with Canon/Nikon. For that budget, a used D80 would be your best bet. Pentax is also grand, as pointed out, but they are missing a few things - high ISO noise isn't great and AF performance isn't stellar. This really limits you in you ability to shoot in really low light handheld (concert, wedding photography) and fast stuff (sports, birds). If none of those things are thing you ever plan on doing, consider a used K20D. I run a K10D (K20D is a K10D with a new sensor strapped in it, essentially) as my main digital body myself - if you're curious about what that camera can do, my flickr is linked in my sig.
New question- once I get comfortable with the camera, what's a good place to buy lenses?