Digital SLR??

Question

I am going to get a new digital SLR camera from either Dell or Best Buy. I currently have a 5.0 mp Canon A95. I guess you could say I am a beginner so I need a camera that is easy and user friendly. I am looking for at least 10 mp. I appreciate your input. Oh yeah and I want to stay under $1000. I do not have any lenses at this time.

Answer 1

It's a brave venture when you first step into the world of digital SLR photography, but it very well could be worth it for you. Before I get to my recommendations, I just thought I'd offer a few thoughts...

First things first, the learning curve on a DSLR, especially if you don't have much experience with manual controls of factors that affect exposure (aperture, shutter speed, ISO), is relatively steep. This can make a DSLR the opposite of "easy and user friendly" for a while, so you will get frustrated- the point is to stick with it. Yes, there are "full auto" modes on DSLR's, but they often are the modes that produce the WORST pictures. You will really only realize the potential for your pictures when you get into controlling the individual aspects of each picture. As much as you can, stay away from full auto modes in any way, shape, or form. I'd recommend Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure" if a book would be helpful to you. This will help nail down exposure basics.

Also, I have to comment on the earlier poster's remarks on dust spots. Yes, digital SLRs will get dust spots on the camera sensor- it's virtually unavoidable on any camera that you are physically detaching and removing lenses and exposing the internal components of the camera to open air. However, if you practice and use precautions- hold the camera lens pointing down while changing lenses so dust is less likely to enter the open hole- then you won't have any significant issues. I hardly find the fact that you can switch lenses on and off the camera- perhaps the most significant creative advantage of a digital SLR over point and shoots- a reason to not get a digital SLR.

Another note is that owning a digital SLR is like a black hole for money. Once you get your camera, you will probably want bigger and better lenses, and you'll often end up spending many times more money than you spent on the camera body itself on lenses, so be prepared for sticker shock!

Okay, with that said, on to the recommendations. At 10 megapixels, and buying from either Dell or Best Buy, you're probably going to have to stick to Canon or Nikon.

On the Canon side, the camera that meets your qualifications is the Canon 400D (also known as the Digital Rebel XTi). It is a 10 megapixel camera, and Best Buy has a package for $800 that comes with an 18-55 lens. And no matter what people say, the kit lens is NOT a horrible lens to start out with. Yes, the optical quality isn't like its $1200 counterparts, but to start out with, the kit lens will do you fine- it will help you figure out what you most frequently photograph, and is a good starting point to figure out if you want more zoom in future lenses (70-300, 70-200, etc) or more wide angle lenses (the 10-22 is a personal favorite of mine). The package I looked at is in Link 1.

On the Nikon side, the D40X would be the camera equivalent to your needs. The package with the 18-55 lens is available for about $750 (see link 2). 2 notes of importance on the D40X: you are restricted to choosing from 3 focus points when you are trying to select an area to focus on. Depending on how creative you want to be with framing or composing, this could inhibit you. Also, the D40X only supports autofocusing on AF-S series lenses, Nikon's newer line of lenses. If you try to use older lenses, you may use the capability to autofocus or even meter at all. Other than that it is a killer deal for a 10mp camera.

Also in consideration with these cameras is accessories...don't forget to purchase the appropriate memory card for your camera (CompactFlash for the Canon, SD for the Nikon, both are widely available memory types), as well as things like a camera bag to carry everything in.

One last note, is there anything binding you to buying from Best Buy or Dell? I only ask because your $1000 could go farther at some online retailers, so if you're interested, I can recommend a few great retailers that could provide you with more bang for your buck. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Unlike the chorus of people who praise the Nikon D40x, I will instead suggest different options. The reason for this is that the Nikon D40x will not autofocus with older Nikon autofocus lenses that don't have a built-in motor--a major drawback because that cuts you off from a lot of good lenses.

Thus, I would suggest the Nikon D80 as a better choice. It will allow you to use all the Nikon AF lineup, and will allow manual focus Nikon lenses to mount on the camera (but not meter in most cases).

Other options:
1) the 6mp Pentax K100D with lens is going for about $460:
http://cameras.pricegrabber.com/digital/m/20384824/search=K100D

2) the Canon Digital Rebel XTi, with lens about $690:
http://cameras.pricegrabber.com/digital/m/24712314/search=rebel%20XTi

3) the 10 megapixel Pentax K10D with lens, about $730
http://cameras.pricegrabber.com/digital/m/26157789/search=K10D

If price is a major consideration, Best Buy is not the best discount store. Hence, the links above. I personally have found buydig.com to be reliable, as well as Adorama.com and bhphotovideo.com.

Also, if price is massively important to you, consider the D40 instead of the D40x. 6mp on a digital SLR is far, far better than from your point and shoot because the sensor is so much larger, physically. The megapixel count is misleading and you shouldn't compare megapixels between a point and shoot and an SLR. However, the D40 does have the same shortcoming of the D40x, lens-wise.

Hence, on a strict budget, your best best is actually the Pentax K100D, which is backwards compatible with Pentax lenses going back to the 1970s and which will allow you to buy used lenses very cheaply and effectively, so that you can grow your system as your needs/skills grow.

On a less restrictive budget, I myself would go for the D80.

One final suggestion: actually handle these cameras in a store. One camera will feel "right" in your hand and you'll know it almost instantly. The buttons will feel right, the quality will feel right, and things will be in logical places. That's why I personally am not comfortable recommending the XTi. Having handled one, I don't think the controls are logically laid out, and it felt cheaper to me than competing cameras.

Answer 3

I would say digital! First if you are asking this question, you aren't a pro. Digital is much cheaper on the learning curve. I have a nice little Cannon digital SLR and love it. As to the quality, the average person can't tell the difference in the prints. Also my local camera shop told me that Kodak is fixing to pull out of the film market, I think we can say that is the beginning of the end. Some will fight it, but like records and cassette tapes, film cameras will be a thing of the past for the average person. BTW if you decide you want a traditional SLR, I'll sell you my old one. Works just fine, the only thing I hated was using film. ;-)

Answer 4

I have shot with every thing from a Kodak Baby Brownie to the Nikon F3 (Speed Graphics, Argus, Pentax, Konica, Nikon, Practica, etc). I now own a Nikon D40. Yeah, that sure dates me. It took me years to get convinced that digital would be anywhere near as good as film. I've also worked with films stocks from Kodachrome 64 to Kokad 5294, and several hundred feature films. However, consider the cost of hundreds of rolls of film (I spent over $15000 on film during these years).

Both lenses and image sensors have come a LONG way since the first generation of chips in the cameras the National Geographic folks used on the early Nikons with the external hard drives.

Both Canon and Nikon have excellent image chips now, which are very clean, and can be pushed as far as film without some of the acommanying artifacts.

I know several experienced photogs with both Nikons and Canons. The thread through the comments from them seems to center on the difference in optics between the two companies. Canon has been making lenses for many years, since they supply about half the lenses for the TV sports industry and most TV stations. Fuji is the other major optics supplier for that market. Nikon contracts much of their product. My friends seem to agree that the Canon lens is purposely a little softer than the Nikon. Not sure why they chose to do that, but I've looked at my own closeups compared to a few of my friends on Webshots and seen little difference in the quality.

If you are looking to do magazine photography, then you will definitely need the larger megapixel range. If not, the 6-8Meg chip is fine. Remember, a 6meg chip still yields a 3000 megapixel width, which is a darned good enlargement. We put up several of my shots this morning on Dell 30 inch Widescreen monitor and they were bigger than that monitor.

If you want to stay under a grand and still get a lens...you basically are talking a Nikon D40, D40x or the Canon EOS XTi.
I listed a couple of highly respected photog sites below where you can get detailed reviews by a couple of guys who are very experienced.

The last link couple of links are to my friends who shoot with Canons....

Answer 5

I have a Nikon D40x, which is a 10 MP SLR which was about $800 for the body and a single lens at the time I got it. It is very easy to use, but extra lenses are pricey.

Answer 6

Consider a Nikon D40x. Here's a deal from Cameta Camera, a dependable Nikon/Ebay vendor. You can find different camera/lens combinations starting at $670.
One kit has an 18-55mm and a 55-200mm lens for $780.
http://search.stores.ebay.com/Cameta-Camera_d40x_W0QQfcdZ2QQfciZ5QQfclZ4QQfromZR10QQfsnZCametaQ20CameraQQfsooZ1QQfsopZ3QQfsubZ3QQsascsZ2QQsaselZ27280321QQsbrsrtZdQQsofpZ2

Here's a nice review of the D40x.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x/

Another option is the excellent Nikon D80.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/

It's currently starting at $820 for body and lens, again with different outfits available.
http://search.stores.ebay.com/Cameta-Camera_d80_W0QQfcdZ2QQfciZ5QQfclZ4QQfromZR10QQfsnZCametaQ20CameraQQfsooZ1QQfsopZ3QQfsubZ3QQsascsZ2QQsaselZ27280321QQsbrsrtZdQQsofpZ2

I currently use the 6.0mp older brothers (D70 & D50) and find them to be excellent. Here's some samples of images I've taken with the two older cameras. The first batch is with the D50, the second with the D70.
http://www.spmsportspage.com/images/college/football/2007/California-45-Tennessee-31-09-01-2007/DSC_0065_GHYoung.html
http://www.spmsportspage.com/images/college/football/2007/California-42-Louisiana-Tech-12-09-15-2007/DSC_8135_GHYoung.html

One more bit of info you should read before chosing a camera system.
http://www.jdpower.com/electronics/ratings/digital_camera/dslr

If you currently have no lenses, then I'd consider getting a two-lens outfit. After all, that's one of the reasons to get a DSLR, the ability to change lenses to match your vision.

I hope this is helpful for you.

Answer 7

Take a look at the Pentax K10D. You can read a review of it at shutterbug.com (it was in the Aug. 2007 issue). Just type Pentax k10d in the Search box. There should be reviews at popphoto.com, americanphotomag.com,
steves-digicams.com and dpreview.com.

The K10D has 10 mega pixels, Auto Focus drive in the body and Image Stabilization (IS) in the body. You can use any Pentax K-mount lens ever made with it although the non-AF ones will require manual focusing. Plus with IS in the body even the older manual focus lenses are stabilized.

Careful shopping should keep you within your budget. Check keh.com or bhphotovideo.com for prices.

Answer 8

I would just join the chorus cheering for the Nikon D40X. It's 10 MP, highly praised, and you can get one WITH an 18-135 lens at B&H Photo for $879.95.

Answer 9

if you are a beginner or intermediate, i would recommend the best cannon rebel SLR that you can get under $1000. they are very easy to use. you dont need any extra lenses right off the bat, and you'll be really impressed with the quality of the photos.

enjoy!

Answer 10

Take a look at a Canon kit for the XT 8MP or XTi 10MP both under a grand.

I own a Canon XTi, it is my first DSLR and I love it.

Try www.bhphotovideo.com I have been a satisfied customer for over 25 years, great prices and reviews.