dslr

Well, if you've done any research, you'll probably see that if you're looking for a true SLR digicam, that entry price (with lens) is around a grand. If that doesn't put you off, or is about what you were expecting to pay, then you've got a good deal of choices.

I currently own Canon's Digital Rebel - I paid $999 for it with a lens (18-55mm, but the rebel sensor is about 1.5x 35mm, so the lens is about 24mm-80mm in regular camera standards). Recently, at the PMA convention they have every year at the beginning of March, Canon annouced the Digital Rebel XT, with an increased resolution (from 6.0 to 8.0) and many more features. The good news is that it'll drop the price of the original DRebel down to 799 with the lens brand new (that'll happen around the end of the month when the XT comes out).

My only other hands on experience is checking out the Olympus E-volt, their answer to the DRebel. I'm not sure what they announced at PMA, but before the gathering the price was $999 with lens. My first digicam was an olympus, and was fairly happy with it.

I highly, highly recommend going here: http://www.imaging-resource.com and checking out their extremely in depth reviews on dslrs there. They also have links to dpreview.com and other great websites that really look at all aspects of the camera.

All that being said, the Rebel has been great for me for the past year, and I'm considering upgrading to the XT when it comes out later this month. Let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help!

-m.

 

Not quite what you asked for, but after looking at a dozen models I'm very happy with a Panasonic FZ20.

 

I have a Digital Rebel too. Awesome camera. I took my Avatar pic with it.

I think.. is it Nikon? hey came out with a pretty good camera recently. I know a photographer who has one. My Digital Rebel ran laps around it though.

 

I have a sony dsc-s85 4.1 mp, and it takes great pics, however its a few
yrs old. The one thing I would really check besides the mp rating is the
cycle time between shots, my sony takes a few seconds, so taking rapid
action shots is out of the question. Good luck on your quest.

Harry

 

Ive just changed from a Canon 10D to a Canon 20D. Im very happy with it.

Heres one I took with the 20D last month

[Broken External Image]:http://gallery.photo.net/photo/3128366-lg.jpg

In the full size picture, you can make out the grain in the wood, and the detail generally is excelent. Will print to A3 without problems, probably to A2 as well.

 

cool picture

 

I recommend the digital SLR cameras highly - much more than the plain digital cameras. Let me qualify that statement by saying I've been an avid SLR photographer since college. That being said, my preferences are slightly skewed.

My Nikon D70 has been a joy and offers so much flexibility and speed. For the first time, digital has closed the creative gap with the traditional film SLR's - the way photography should be.

The "canned" program modes in digital cameras (including my D70) are mostly junk, relying on what some programmer "thinks" you want. The manual and priority modes on most DSLR's offer you the chance to become your creative self again. Add the higher resolutions and editing software, and you have an awsome tool. However, you do need to spend some time to learn how to use your camera and it can be quite confusing if you're not used to that sort of thing.

As for quality versus price, I chose an expensive middle of the road DSLR (around $1,200). Yes, there are many more cameras out there with higher stickers, higher resolutions, and better this and thats, but I think this camera will last me for many years to come until I'm ready to make the next upgrade.

Of course, if you're simply looking to get quick "point and shoot" photos, consider a standard digital camera. You'll probably be quite happy - and save a bundle.

Good luck!

Doug

 

Hold the Phone! The new Digital Rebel XT is available in about a week! 8 megapixel, many more features, same price as Rebel previously. If you are buying new, I would get the XT (body only) and get the EF 28-135 IS USM for walking around.

www.bhphotovideo.com is truly excellent. Great prices, great service, factory authorized for online sales.

However, the old Rebel is now only $769 with TWO batteries, the EF-S 13-55 lens, and a very, very nice carrying case from Costco. Wow. This is what I run with.

If you do buy (or already own) the Digital Rebel, install the hacked firmware! It works great! It adds some of the features of the 10D.

http://satinfo.narod.ru/en/download.html

By the way, I have a EF 75-300 IS (image stabilizer) USM for sale. I was going to put it on ebay, but anyone who wants it from Priuschat can have it for $350. It's an awesome lens; I have two of them (long story) and obviously can't use two. I expect it will fetch close to $375 on ebay.

Nate

 

Evan, I completely agree with what your stating - it's in fact how I started with photography. Granted I spent more than I should on my first camera (a grand for 3 megapixel, that should tell you how long ago that was!) since no one can tell you whether you'll enjoy photography until you're outside shooting what you enjoy. Most people who are starting in photography just assume that the more expensive the camera, the better it will be for them, when it's so not the case. As the adage goes, the camera doesn't matter, it's what's behind the camera.

That being said, I've had more 'spot' issues with my 5+ year old Olympus point and shoot than with my now 2 year old DRebel, and I haven't cleaned the camera once. Another thing I wanted to point out, was that while the 18-55mm kit lens that comes with the Rebel is quite useless for telephoto, it's a very well built lens with decent glass. Obviously it's no Canon "L" glass, but for an extra hundred bucks, if you know you'll be wanting to do some wide angle work (again, it's equivalent is 24mm, not too much less than 35 but still decent), it's worth it alone for that. My other lens is a 28-135mm, and I find times where that extra 10mm is what I need.

But to reiterate, I do agree with you - if anyone is just starting out in photography, there's no need to dive into it with a dslr. Either go for a mid range P&S digicam, or if you're dying to learn an slr, get a film one and get some practice and learning on that.

-m.

 

Oh, and one more thing - if you're going to order online as opposed to buying in a store (personally I suggest a local camera store as preferred, or a Penn Camera or something similar) - your camera can be $200+ cheaper online, but be careful on who you order from - many are shady companies at best that either sell grey-market (non US) or force you into 'add-ons' at a large surcharge than what they'd be available elsewhere. (I like to pick up CF & media cards from newegg.com personally.)

-m.

 

B&H is Canon Auhorized. They make a disctinction on their website between Gray Market and USA. (Take note when ordering). They sell so much Canon that they get better pricing than anyone (except Costco).

Anyway, most of the frustration I feel while taking pictures is that there is NEVER enough light. Full SLR gives you full control and that control can be frustrating as you learn. Yes, the guts need cleaning from time to time, the unit is large, there is no preview on the LCD (because the mirror is in the way).

Welcome to the world of photograpy. If you are never satisfied, you are on your way to better pictures.

Nate

 

If you are just getting into the hobby you might want to take a photography course first, then you will know more about what you want.

Last year I took a photography course at a local art museum. They teacher wanted everyone to have use of an old fashioned slr 35mm film camera with no automatic settings to use for the first part of the course (they had cameras to loan to students that could not get one). This was because she wanted everyone to really understand the basics of photography.

 

I am going to weigh in on this one as I have an old Vivitar SLR & a new Nikon 5400 Digital camera. Both can take exceptional pictures. Note that I say "can", most of the time when they don't it is because I mucked it up. All in all, my experience with the Nikon has been superior and I highly recommend it.

There are external lenses available either through Nikon dealers or aftermarket. The pictures it takes are splendid in the 5 megapixel range (highest quality) that means that in real world numbers you could take a picture of your entire family (say 15 people for example) showing them all from head to toe, and then decide to cut out all the ones you don't like (like 14 of them) leaving just your little face showing, blow it up to 8x10 or even 11x14 and not have you looking like a Georges Surat painting.

Plus, with the movie mode, scene assists (help to set up a shot), automatic (camera does it all), shutter & priority (camera handles some settings, you control others) and manual (you decide everything) settings you have a tremendous amount of flexibility.

Oh, and the camera can shoot in "black & white" or full color at the touch of a button. No changing or wasting film, or memory cards to do this (something a standard SLR can't do at all).

I did my homework before I got this camera and it has met or exceeded all my expectations. I also recommend that you get a book called "Digital Photography Hacks" if you get any digital camera. You will be amazed by what they can do and how good you can look using them.

One thing to be aware of, most digital cameras have a touch of lag or thinking time between the press of the shutter release button and when they actually take the picture. The smarter i.e. higher the megapixel range, the shorter this time is.

The Nikon 5400 can stop objects in motion crisply and clearly (like a spinning fan blade or a runner sprinting for the finish line). It also has a timelapse feature built in (pretty cool).

At around $400 to $600 depending on where you buy (for instance there is one new on ebay - I did a search, from a seller called "techimprts" for $399 with $200 rebate so $199) right now.

Check out the specs on the camera then compare features to see what will give you the best pictures with the most bang for the buck.

If you are like me, you will probably like this camera a lot. Oh, and Best Buy sells a really cool backpack style camera case that holds everything you could ever possibly want to carry (including a camcorder) for around $39. Mine carries my Sharp Hi-8 camcorder, my Nikon, both of my Nikon lenses (telephoto & wide angle), all my filters (about 8), 2 lens converter rings, an external flash (the Nikon has a shoe), a remote cable, an extra battery, the charger, extra compact flash cards, a lens blower, an extra tape for the camcorder, a tabletop tripod, a detachable hood for the viewing screen, and occasionally my cellphone (in it's own special holder that came with the case) and my wallet. The whole shebang is under 12 inches high and under 10 inches wide.

Good luck and if you are interested, I would be happy to email you some pics that I have taken with it so that you could get a feel for what it can do even if you aren't a professional or even a skilled amateur.

Take care,

Tisza