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Digital camera help.

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ant_mb

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Hey Guys,

I'm going to be buying a new digital camera in a couple days. I'd really like to get a DSLR, but have a few questions. First does anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking to spend 6-800. Second, what lenses would you recommend. Any input would be appreciated.
 
Hey Ant;

I'm a Canon fan so I'm kind of biased.

At that price range, I would get the Canon Rebel T1i

At 15.1 megapixels, it has live view, 1080p HD video, and a descent lens. I have had great results with Canon. They supply you with software and great technical support if you require it They have a nice website for firmware updates for your camera. Be sure to look into a UV filter to protect the front of the lens, a descent carrying case, and a descent amount of memory, especially for this one since it does do video and is 15Mp's. Download the manual from Canon's website and look it over too to view the operation of the camera and it's capabilities.

The Canon XSi is the predecessor of the T1i, so is a little cheaper. It still has live view but no video and 12.2 megapixels. Still a very descent camera for the money and certainly better than the XTi that I use for the majority of my pictures.

Nikon makes great DSLR's too and shouldn't be discounted. Once you choose the brand it's tough turning back as lens are not compatible with each other if you choose to buy more lens as you develop more into it.

You're relativley close to B+H so I would pop in there, they apparently have a nice hands on approach to you trying out the various cameras.

Just a side note, even though some might be cheaper than B+H (I don't have stock in them) they may not be authorized dealers and therefore warranty may be an issue. Imported versions will naturally be cheaper but they won't tell you that unless you ask. Imported cameras are the same in every way, just the warranty is not and you would have to take it back to where you bought it from instead of sending it into say Canon...

Good luck with your choice.
 
Thanks for the input guys. This is exactly what I'm looking for. My current camera is is a point and shoot that serves me very well, but am looking for something to take awesome pics. I visit a lot of pretty cool places every year and would love to have awesome photos of them.
 
All I'm gonna add to the above posts is: Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ

I personally started on an Canon Rebel XTi which turned out to be a very reasonable beginner camera. One mistake I will not repeat again is to buy a CHEAP Tamron lens. From what I hear expensive Tamron lenses are not bad but the cheap ones are complete garbage and I can testify for that.

:iconbeer:
 
I have a Canon 350D with a Sigma 18-200 zoom. I have had it for a couple of years now and it is discontinued, but it was my first DSLR and it takes great pics. I have been lazy to experiment but I recently had a 5 minute lesson from a pro that changed the way I use the camera.

Think about what you want to use it for. Remember the lens is the key, rather spend more on a lens and less on the body. Think about buying a body only and a separate lens with the zoom range you want, rather than a kit with a standard 18-55mm lens that you may never use.

Regarding where to buy, the consensus of photographers on another forum I am a member of is here:

B&H Photo Video | Digital Cameras, Camcorders
 
ant_mb said:
My current camera is is a point and shoot that serves me very well, but am looking for something to take awesome pics. I visit a lot of pretty cool places every year and would love to have awesome photos of them.
Click to expand...
I'm a 20-year Nikon user, absolutely love them. Any of the current DSLRs will do you great.
I'll make a couple suggestions besides camera brand to ensure you "take awesome pics." One, get a good tripod and USE it. Two, take a couple photography classes, or at least read up on technique (I'm a particular fan of John Shaw's books). Third, and most importantly, get used to shooting within a half hour of sunup and sundown; that's when the light is beautiful and that's when the magic happens! When I go on a vacation its either with a girlfriend, or with my camera; I don't try to mix the two anymore as my sleep schedule is vastly different between the two! :rolleyes:
 
If you are looking into buying one you may want to check out quibids.com. It is a weird system so make sure you understand it fully before you use it. It costs .60 cents to place a single bid and the item price is only incremented one unit (typically .01 to .02) and increases the time left on the auction. Eventually the auction gets down to 10 seconds and each bid placed will increment the price and reset the timer at 10 seconds. The nice thing is though if you don't win the auction (or the amount of money you have spent on bids is going to be too much) you can buy the item at full price minus the cost of all the bids you have placed.

So if they have a camera that you like for $700 and you are going to buy it anyway you might get it cheaper than that and even if you don't you don't lose out by trying (as long as you buy it anyway).

I got a $299 xbox bundle for $24 plus the cost of $17 worth of bidding and shipping costs.

The makers of the site are really brilliant. An item that sells for $100 that increments at .02 per bid nets them $3000 minus the cost of the item and the bids people "buy back" if they purchase the item at full price.
 
bd43 said:
Hey Ant;

I'm a Canon fan so I'm kind of biased.

At that price range, I would get the Canon Rebel T1i

At 15.1 megapixels, it has live view, 1080p HD video, and a descent lens. I have had great results with Canon. They supply you with software and great technical support if you require it They have a nice website for firmware updates for your camera. Be sure to look into a UV filter to protect the front of the lens, a descent carrying case, and a descent amount of memory, especially for this one since it does do video and is 15Mp's. Download the manual from Canon's website and look it over too to view the operation of the camera and it's capabilities.

The Canon XSi is the predecessor of the T1i, so is a little cheaper. It still has live view but no video and 12.2 megapixels. Still a very descent camera for the money and certainly better than the XTi that I use for the majority of my pictures.

Nikon makes great DSLR's too and shouldn't be discounted. Once you choose the brand it's tough turning back as lens are not compatible with each other if you choose to buy more lens as you develop more into it.

You're relativley close to B+H so I would pop in there, they apparently have a nice hands on approach to you trying out the various cameras.

Just a side note, even though some might be cheaper than B+H (I don't have stock in them) they may not be authorized dealers and therefore warranty may be an issue. Imported versions will naturally be cheaper but they won't tell you that unless you ask. Imported cameras are the same in every way, just the warranty is not and you would have to take it back to where you bought it from instead of sending it into say Canon...

Good luck with your choice.
Click to expand...

I was one of the first people to get a T1i in Ontario, I had my order in maybe 2 days after the camera was released. I love it as my first semi-serious camera. It has taken some absolutely amazing pictures and I hardly know how to use the thing! Once I figure it out, I'm sure I will get some great shots, I would like to get some of my stuff published one day.
With a better lense for the shots, my motocross pictures will be even better! I haven't used the HD recording selection yet, but I will be trying it out in a week
 
I just purchased a DSLR for my wife and was seriously considering a D3000 until I went to the local camera shop and instead bought a white Pentax K-X in a bundle from Best Buy's website.

It is laden with features, the most important of which is the image stabilization built into the body (unlike both Canon or Nikon) instead of the lens which makes buying lenses cheaper. Not only that, but Pentax's K-mount lens system has been the same... like... forever. So a vintage lens will go right on the body.

I'm sure you'll like the Nikon, but for such a small price difference I love (LOVE LOVE LOVE) our Pentax!

pentax-kx-white.jpg
 
Also as a heads up I found out relatively quickly that the 18-55 lens didn't give me enough reach when I was shooting anything from range and I ended up getting a 250 lens also.
 
I looked at a few of the pentax models, but decided on the Nikon.

B&H is really on the ball. I placed my order late last night, and the tracking number they provided says it will be here tomorrow. :D
 
On always... you want to eliminate any dust, contaminants into the camera's sensor and mirror as much as possible.

sweet and congrats! happy shooting.
 
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