What is the best SLR digital camera?

Question

I'd like a concensus here. I will spend up to about $2,500 on the camera body and whatever for the lens. I want to do professional level photography and I am leaning towards the Canon family.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Either Canon or Nikon. If your budget is $2500 for the body, I'd get a Canon 5D (just within your budget after a double rebate at BeachCamera.com) or a used 1Ds in great condition.
If you were thinking of $2500 total, I'd drop 2 levels. Skip the Canon 30D and Nikon D200 and look at the Canon Rebel XTi / Nikon D80. If you absolutely need 5 FPS for action photography, look at the discontinued Canon 20D (around $900 retail).
Between the Rebel XTi and the Nikon D80, I greatly prefer the Nikon. Reserve $100 for a decent 2 GB memory card and you'll have around $1500 left for lenses, etc.
You could spend that cash on just a Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8, a UV filter and Circular polarizer from B+W, or you could spread that cash out over 2 or 3 lenses, an external flash, a tripod, etc. For specific recommendations, we'll need some more details from you.

Answer 2

The best: Canon 5D or Nikon D2Xs
I'm not exactly sure that either of those can be had for $2,500 but they are the top of the line and the models pro photographers use. Check out "The Simple Photo Minute" video podcast. They show the camera bag contents of top wedding photogs and they commonly have the Canon 5D with a Canon 30D as backup.

Next level down but still pro level is: Nikon D200 or Canon 30D. I'm pretty sure the Nikon body will fall in your price range.

You can expect to spent $1,000 or more each for pro level lenses (Nikon or Canon). They can be had new for less but still some serious money. One good used equipment site is www.keh.com.

The Simple Photo Minute video podcast is a good inspirational resource for someone wanting to get into professional photography. The people that put that all are mostly wedding photogs but their energy and creativity can be applied to other aspects of the business.

Answer 3

I am a die hard Nikon fan but in general, if you want the best camera and the best lens you have two choices if you have to stay around $2,500.

1. Step down and get a lesser body. Get the Nikon D80 or the Canon Rebel and then put the money into two better grade lens. Both camera companies make more than one grade of lens. I own the new D80 (which replaced the D100), D70s, and D1X, and have many of the Nikon lens - both fixed aperture (their better lens) and the variable aperture.

2. Or, you can buy the better body (D200 or D2X) and settle for the consumer grade lens, which I don't recommend.

If you want to go professional level get the better lens and a step down on the body. You can always buy a better body later and use the current one for a back up body.

Another options is to go for the best body - a Nikon D2Xs ($4500) or the best Canon, which is about $6 or 7,000, and then spend $3,000 to $4,000 for three of their best lens.

Norm

Answer 4

A virtual SLR will likely be larger to start with. In truth, you do not even want an SLR to start with, till you are extra skilled. The photographer takes the pix, now not the digital camera. With a virtual digital camera you'll be able to train up to you favor with out traumatic approximately losing cash at the parts utilized in dangerous pictures.

Answer 5

Since you want to do professional work, but we do not know what sort of photography, that is tough.

Suggest the Canon 30D over the XTi:
Magnesium body
Spot metering
Faster and more fps
Useable up to ISO 3200

Do not scrimp on glass. Your lenses are what make or break your shots. Here is what I use:

Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon 28-135mm f/4.5-5.6 IS USM
Canon 100-400mm f/4 L series IS
Canon 10-22mm USM

Answer 6

You already have the answer and you want confirmation. Right.

Canon Rebel XT with speed flash and 2 lenses, remote control and a tripod will set you back exactly $2500 with extended warranty and taxes, s&H.

Another one: Nikon D100. One wideangle and one Zoom lens, remote and the whole works like above: Approx: $21 to $2400.
They compete with each other for performance and quality

All other models are also-rans. I can't think of a better one for your money than these two models.

try http://www.dpreview.com for a nice review. This is the best website yet for serious and not so serious photographers.

Answer 7

yes canon is good