Need a Dslr any suggustions?

[Chicomoralessxm]

Believe t or not still have my old film slr. I've been boring my friends cameras on occasion or getting a pro to take shots for differents shots i needed. I'm looksing for a digital camera portraits, nature, travelling of course and well other projects. dont have the cash yet for a D3 or 1d or the overall skill neccessary to gt the most out such an investment. But plan to spend some time learning and taking photography far more serious. I've narrowed down my optios to the Canon 40d or XSi or the nikon d60 anyone ohave any suggustions? Also lenses 2 basic ones. was looking at the 16-85vr, or tamron 17-50+ 50 1.8 for the nikon and the canon 17-40f4 L or the 17-85 IS i'll prob later add 200m 2.8L or sigma 150 later for more focal flexibility Do these options sound like a good idea does anyone know of good lense optios out there since i wont go for any kits offers

[Drazan]

I know someone who just got the D60 - AND if you go that route do not use the Automatic everything. It tends to jump quite a bit on settings.

heh, there's a big reason we are going back to the zoo next week. out of nearly 1000 photos only a few turned out ok. Once back, my roommate programmed the buttons and only then came out with truly consistent and sharp results.

What I learned from him is that when looking for lenses, find one that bridges the 55 gap. Like an 24 to 85 or something like that. It will greatly help by not having to constantly change lenses for average photos. The 55 to 200 lens will allow for zoom and distant shooting while keeping the costs reasonable. Usually the kit will come with an 18 to 55 which is ok but limited.

When going to the bigger DSLR, there are some presets which actually only benefit those who go from a point and shoot to a bigger point and shoot DSLR. For the most part when you first get the camera, experiment a bit and find your own program settings to work with the type of subject you want to shoot. That is how you get your clarity and amazing photos.

The three cameras you listed are the exact three that I'm looking at.

However, you can still find a D40 - grab it. They are actual superior to the D60 on usability and clarity on automatic settings. My roommate had use of a D40 for a couple weeks last month as well.

:)
Jade

[Chicomoralessxm]

D40? i'd rather take my chances with the d80 i heard the 40 was slow and very basic

[Chicomoralessxm]

but thanks for your suggustions any thoughts on the 16-85 lens i heard it was pretty good. I like your suggustion about the 55-200 was also checking out a 70-200 from sigma

[Tyger]

Believe t or not still have my old film slr. I've been boring my friends cameras on occasion or getting a pro to take shots for differents shots i needed. I'm looksing for a digital camera portraits, nature, travelling of course and well other projects. dont have the cash yet for a D3 or 1d or the overall skill neccessary to gt the most out such an investment. But plan to spend some time learning and taking photography far more serious. I've narrowed down my optios to the Canon 40d or XSi or the nikon d60 anyone ohave any suggustions? Also lenses 2 basic ones. was looking at the 16-85vr, or tamron 17-50+ 50 1.8 for the nikon and the canon 17-40f4 L or the 17-85 IS i'll prob later add 200m 2.8L or sigma 150 later for more focal flexibility Do these options sound like a good idea does anyone know of good lense optios out there since i wont go for any kits offers

Don't know much about Nikons but if you were to go that route I would recommend the D80 over the D60.

However I'm a Canon guy and just upgraded my XT to a 40D. Main reason why I cose the 40D over the XSi was the feel of the camera. When I got the XT I was limited in terms of my budget and couldn't afford the 20D. I added a grip which helped alot but still never really liked the feel...I thought that this wouldn't be a big deal....turns out it was. This time around I went with the camera that felt right. Feature and spec wise they are similar.

Coming from a film SLR I think you would like the feel of the D80 (or D300 if you have the money) or the Canon 40D. There alot more hefty like the film SLR's. Spec wise the XSi has 2more megapixels and a few features not on the 40D but for me it wasn't a deal breaker. The 40D is a bit more but IMO worth it. There are Canon rebates going on now so to buy a body and lens you can save a few hundred dollars.

Check out this comparison. (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos40d%2Ccanon_eos450d%2Cnikon_d60%2 Cnikon_d80%2Cnikon_d300&show=all)

[Tyger]

All the lenses you mention are great lenses, but really it depends on your budget and what you plan on shooting. You sound like me..interested in everything so you would want to have a wide range of focal lengths. I would start with a lens that would give you more flexibility like the 17-85 2.8 IS or even the 24-105 f4. You could get the 50mm 1.8 for dirt cheap and it makes a decent portrait/street lens. The Tamron 17-50mm is one of the best budget lenses out there and fairly wide for landscapes, but don't forget that on a digital camera you have crop factors. The 40D is 1.6, I think most Nikons are 1.5. Basically you times your focal length by the crop factor so a 24-105mm lens would be a 38-168mm. Don't get confused though the lens is still a 24-105mm it's just the image sensor of the camera will have a "cropped" image coverage compared to a full frame camera....this will explain it better :)

crop factor (http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/crop-factor-explained/)

[BJMRGTIVR6]

Believe t or not still have my old film slr.


Do you have a Canon or Nikon currently?

I prefer Nikons as I used a N70 and now a D70. I still use my old lenses and some new ones.
Canon and Nikon are great either way but I would recommend a D80 or the 40/60. and with the D300 out some people are dropping D80s relatively cheap. Still available with awesome Nikon Kit (includes lens) at a good price of around $1000. D40 is a mere elementary DSLR camera but as you've used an SLR (i suppose so) I'd recommend the D80.

[Chicomoralessxm]

Tyger thanks immensely for the info. Yes that smaller sensor thing is a bit annoying, was even looking at these full frame cameras really expensive. The cheapest the 5D canon is little about my range and for that money alone i'd get the nikon d300. Right now i dont have any lenses really had a few but i was more of a hobbiest. None of those lense were worth keeping lol gave them away to some friends. So that why it does not matter which brand i go with since well i'm starting from scratch! I was pretty much leaning on the D80 but my slight hesitation is the fact its a little older, does this new sensor clean feature something about much really that important other than that i'm pretty much sold on it. It felt nice when I held it. But if that feature is important in the longrun i'd prob opt for the Canon d40. Really i'd just play the waiting game and wait and see what will come out by next with the upgrade to the d80. But i'll need to buy it before oct when i take a vacation so i can do some experiements and really get a feel for it.

[Tyger]

so...what kind of budget are we talking here? This would really be a deciding factor since you will have to consider the prices of the lens line up you want to invest in. Nikon's tend to be a bit more pricey. IMO the in camera sensor cleaner is a nice feature but not a must have.

[Chicomoralessxm]

Well i'd like to spend prob 1kon a body and maybe 500 for a lense to start. I live outside the States in the caribbean, but since the island I live on is duty free the prices are quite competative not as cheap as online though. I will get addtional lenses over time.

[Tyger]

Well i'd like to spend prob 1kon a body and maybe 500 for a lense to start. I live outside the States in the caribbean, but since the island I live on is duty free the prices are quite competative not as cheap as online though. I will get addtional lenses over time.

Now is a good time to by with the Canon rebates. If you are looking to buy new I would look at....

Canon 40D (body only) $939.95 after $200 rebate (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/518207-REG/Canon_1901B004_EOS_40D_SLR_Digital.html)
Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 $419.95 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423714-REG/Tamron_AF016C700_17_50mm_f_2_8_XR_Di.html)

Total $1339.90 (before taxes and after rebates)

There are also lens kits that come with the 40D for a decent price, one is the 40D and 17-85mm IS (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/531271-REG/Canon_1901B010_EOS_40D_SLR_Digital.html) $1454.95 and the 40D and 28-135mm (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/518570-REG/Canon_1901B017_EOS_40D_SLR_Digital.html) $1129.95 (before taxes and after rebates)

Keep in mind that these "kit" lenses are decent but many find these lenses consumer grade....check out the reviews at fredmiranda.com, very helpful site. However it's a good place to start.

Another option is to buy used. If you look at the same site they have buy and sell section and the 40D and the 30D could be had at a fair price and I've seen the Tamron 17-50 go for about $350, just make sure to deal with a reputable member.

IMO I would lean towards the 40D and Tamron 17-50mm, it's a good starting point and that lens gives you somewhat of a WA lens, portrait, street etc. IF you need range the 28-135mm is an o.k lens but you may find yourself wanting more later on. The Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 is a well loved lens and not $$$ like the Canon version. Something you can get down the road.

It really is up to you and how you want to spend your money, you need to think about what you value most and what you will be happy with.

[Chicomoralessxm]

Good points thanks for your suggestions. Make good sense actually I had in mind that same lens the 17-50, was even thinking of getting the 17-35 than adding a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 which would be nice for night shots as well and they are like dirt cheap.

[Kristine65]

IMHO, best value for money is the K10D from Pentax. Euro camera of the year 2007, TIPA best expert digital and Japans grand prix winner.... I got one in January and it's the best money I've ever spent. The K20D is out now so it'll be even cheaper (less you get the 20D). And Pentax glass is some of the best on the market. Don't discount a Pentax cause Canon and Nikon spend millions on marketing. You should go to your local camera store and try one out!

[Chicomoralessxm]

thanks for the suggustion ut i'm pretty sure i've narrowed it done to the 40d and d80

[moot]

I should just remind you that the sensor size differs between digital SLRs. The D40 uses a sensor smaller than the 35mm film size, so you will only get the center cropped out of your field of view. In other words, a 17mm focal length will act more like a 28mm lens did on your film camera. In addition, your viewfinder will be smaller and dimmer.

If you shoot a lot of wide angle, it might be worth it to save a little more for a used 5D or other full-frame camera. If you shoot sports, you'll like the extra reach you get with the aforementioned crop factor.

If you plan to move to a full-frame camera -after- the 40d, try to avoid getting digital-format lenses such as "EF-S" because these will not work on a full-frame camera.
:moot:

[Chicomoralessxm]

thanks for the info but i'm aware of that already...........

[moot]

Sorry, I missed that post. The 5D is a bit of a compromise on features and performance, by the way, but it doesn't bother those of us who need a full frame without shelling out 1Ds-type money..

[Disallowed]

I don't know much about cameras, but I DO KNOW something about the resulting pictures they can produce - DO NOT miss the chance to download and read the manuals NOW while you're still saving up the cash!!!
Before the excitement of possessing the camera hits you take time to read the manual and make sure it's all easy to understand. You need to get to KNOW your digital camera, it will separate you from the crowd.

On a side note - I recently "cleaned up" pics taken by a "professional" ... he used a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 16.7MP Digital SLR Camera - I know that because of the info in PhotoShop ... UGH, grey pictures in PERFECT FOCUS though and as big as a house, but utterly useless without a bit of TLC in photoshop!
Honestly, I could have done better with my Canon 7mp PowerShot - which is all I have, because I do NOT read manuals. ;)

[Tyger]

Sorry, I missed that post. The 5D is a bit of a compromise on features and performance, by the way, but it doesn't bother those of us who need a full frame without shelling out 1Ds-type money..

I considered the 5D for a long time, still has the best IQ out there in Canon's prosumer lineup, the 40D was a better fit budget wise for me and it was a more all around camera for me since I shoot a wide variety of things.

[Tyger]

I don't know much about cameras, but I DO KNOW something about the resulting pictures they can produce - DO NOT miss the chance to download and read the manuals NOW while you're still saving up the cash!!!
Before the excitement of possessing the camera hits you take time to read the manual and make sure it's all easy to understand. You need to get to KNOW your digital camera, it will separate you from the crowd.

On a side note - I recently "cleaned up" pics taken by a "professional" ... he used a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 16.7MP Digital SLR Camera - I know that because of the info in PhotoShop ... UGH, grey pictures in PERFECT FOCUS though and as big as a house, but utterly useless without a bit of TLC in photoshop!
Honestly, I could have done better with my Canon 7mp PowerShot - which is all I have, because I do NOT read manuals. ;)

The OP is coming from a film camera so it wouldn't be too much to learn. He would probably best to switch it on manual :) All the new bells and whistles do make photography a joy though.

As for the clean up you had to do, was it because you got the .raw or unedited files? Most digital shooters will shoot .raw in the intention of doing post after setting the camera to neutral settings while shooting. All DSLR cameras require some post production like sharpening and colour adjustments unless the photographer elects to shoot .jpg. P&S cameras have good in-camera processing systems and may seem to give better results and they should since the majority of users want to click and go. Most people that use DSLR cameras want to be in control from before the picture, shooting the picture then doing post.

Also many people call themselves "pro's" or "photographers" because they have pro gear/equipment, but I've seen a lot of crappy pics taken with a 1DS camera and "L" series lenses.


So....Chico...you make a decision yet?

[Kristine65]

Shame really! Pentax takes pics just as good for a lot less hard earned :confused: Check it out... http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/home#section=HOME&subSection=0&subSubSection=0&language=EN

[Disallowed]

As for the clean up you had to do, was it because you got the .raw or unedited files? Most digital shooters will shoot .raw in the intention of doing post after setting the camera to neutral settings while shooting. All DSLR cameras require some post production like sharpening and colour adjustments unless the photographer elects to shoot .jpg.See, now YOU I could easily work with, you don't just TAKE photos, from what you say, it sounds more like you PRODUCE images! :D
Stuff I worked with was like an "artiste" with a camera, I tried to start some serious photographic conversation with him, you know how good is the depth of focus, how's the grey balance in here, etc. But seeing as I was packing boxes with 60-90lb machines at the time, I was too busy to try and help extract his head from his ... (slang word for donkey)! :cool:

I will give the guy credit though, he used those photographic catch phrases brilliantly, brought along TWO "assistants", lathered on the artsy cliches and sold the crap he was doing really well to the necessary people!
Collected his MONEY delivered the CD of images, and whoosh! Gone!
Even today, a sucker and their money, ARE easily parted!