PHOTO GURU's HELP ME FIND A DSLR

[zeedarkjster]

I know nothing about photography. Shame i didn't take a photography class in highschool or college. This fall quarter for my college imma be going to Jordan middle east. Thought it be cool to take photos, and be a great opportunity to get into DSLR as a hobby.
Looking at the DSLR, and I have done some research by reading the information on sites, DSLR VS. P&S, top 20 DSLR etc.

Still confused as ever, so many terms like live view finder, Image Stabilization/Vibration Reduction, minimum focus distance and all that terminology.
cheap body, expensive lens...

In fact, If someone gave me 2 pictures one taken by DSLR beginner, and one by Pro. I wouldn't know which is better. haha.


My budget is less than 500 for the body. And I'm fine with the kit lens. I was thinking about jumping on the Canon XS or the Nikon series 40. 50., any tips. I know that buying a lower end DSLR, I'm better off getting a High End P&S for better pictures. But I don't care, I want to learn about photography, getting the right point of view, and shutter speed, apature etc.

Keyword: DSLR Nikon Canon Photo Sony Pentax

[xlin58]

I must say, I am a bit biased as a Nikon user. But you should go for the best camera for that pricerange that won't become obsolete anytime soon. I'm pretty sure you can get a Nikon D80 for around 500 for the body only. Obviously it is a little alder but it can still outperform newer models such as a Nikon 60 and 40.
I had the D80 at one point and I was very satisfied with it. I upgraded to a 300 when it came out just for fun haha.
In terms of Canon over Nikon, it's really up to the users preference but I always feel that Nikon ergonomics are better and the controls are more logical.
I would look around on craigslist and ebay for atleast a decent lense, nothign fancy. Kit lenses really are terrible and not versatile.
And you should definitely get a flash, if you will be taking pictures indoors. The built in flash is basically useless on all dslrs.
Overall this camera is good for a person that is learning as yourself, you can use it for a long time, even until you feel pretty apt as a photographer, it's def not a beginners camera.

[RETRO99]

I would buy a used body and invest your money in good glass..2.8 or 1.8 aperture. You can always get your money back out of good lens,....not the body.
Always shoot on "M" (manual) not "A" (automatic). This will force you to learn the settings.
BLUE CRANE makes some great video tutorials on any camera you get...through amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Damazontv&field-keywords=blue+crane&x=0&y=0 Trust me..they are VERY helpful
I would suggest buying a Nikon..I have a d700..upgraded from a D50 which would be a good used camera to get.
good luck!

[zeedarkjster]

alright thanks for the good responses. is the nikon typically cheaper than the canon's? what do you mean by the what is the aperture on the 18-55 kit lens. like in terms of 2.8 or 1.8. I'll google this too... but yeah..
thanks

[wish1510]

Check out the new Pentax Kx. Its 649 with kit lens (probably cheaper with bing) plus it does hd video (might be useful as all in one during your vacation). canon tsi and nikon d5000 do video too but they are more expensive. Pentax also has inbuilt shake reduction so lens (if you want to expand in future could be cheaper than other brands).

[chyidean]

I disagree with jumping directly to "M" for the novice. I would suggest starting with "A" (aperture priority), then "M".

[supertester]

Pentax K-x....

[zeedarkjster]

well sucks, bing now doesn't have the 11% cashback anymore.
and i went to bestbuy to talk and get more info. The guy said that nikon if you want to get a better lens has limited options, as in third party lenses are hard to come by. which is why he recommends canon. Just tossing this fact out there. if this is true or not?

scouring every hour for a deal HAHAHA
any one find anything?

[JustAnEngineer]

In your price range, Canon's EOS Rebel XS and XSi offer better image quality, better high-iso performance, better focusing, much wider lens selection and more modern technology than competing low-end models from other brands. Once you get up to the D90 or D300, Nikon's cameras are excellent.

Considering your tight budget, do consider buying used equipment. On the Nikon side, you could find a D200 or D80 in your price range. These older models lack the high-ISO performance of the current D300, D90 and D5000, but they do have the ability to fully utilize a wide range of less expensive AF autofocus lenses that lack built-in focus motors--a capability that is sadly missing from the D5000, D3000, D60 and D40 cameras.

Current kit lenses like the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=15704) are optically superior to the old discontinued EF-S 18-55m f/3.5-5.6 USM kit lens. The kit lens is quite reasonably priced (about $75 more than the camera body alone when purchased as a kit). The kit lens covers an extremely useful range of focal lengths, making it a decent starter lens, especially on a tight budget. If you start looking for additional lenses, a fixed focal length "prime" lens can offer excellent image quality for much less than the cost of a zoom lens. The large aperture of the $99 EF 50mm f/1.8 (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=152&modelid=7306) is good for indoor photography without a flash and for portraits, where the shallow depth of field can isolate your subject in sharp focus while the out of focus background becomes a smooth blur.

As a beginner, you definitely will not want to shoot in "M" (Manual). However, rather than using the green box (Automatic), use "P" (Program auto-exposure) to unlock more camera features (and allow recording in RAW). If you get a bit more creative, use "Av" (Aperture priority) to choose the depth of field in your photos.

I recommend Bryan Peterson's UnderStanding Exposure (http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253704290&sr=8-1) as a good book for exploring how to use your DSLR.

[michaelj]

I think in general, the consensus is that workers at best buy don't know what they're talking about. Furthermore, canon, nikon, pentax make excellent lenses, and there aren't many reasons you'd want to get a third party lens.

I would cheap out on the body and spend money on the lens. Bodies drop in value pretty quickly, but old lenses are still quite useful

The kit lens (18-55mm on most) is pretty useful, especially when you are outdoors. However, I would prefer a prime (as JustanEngineer mentions) if you have a choice between the two. You can take a step forward or back to get a similar zoom range, and you get a larger "aperature". a f/1.8 prime has a larger aperature than the kit f/3.5-5.6 zooms (a bit confusing i know). The larger aperature lets you take better pictures in dim light, and will also blur background/foreground for an artistic effect.

I concur with starting in P or Av, esp if you don't know anything about photography.

I really like my nikon d40, coupled with a 35mm f/1.8 prime. It is a very small and light combo. You could probably find the body for 300-350, and the lens is 200 (although very hard to find). The body + kit lens is findable for 400-450 (kit lens works well). It does need to use AF lenses which tend to be a bit more expensive, but there are still some good/cheap solutions out there. I'd say that when I decide I need a third or fourth lens (which doesn't have built-in AF), I'll just upgrade to a better body.

I hesitate to mention this but kenrockwell.com is a decent resource for a beginner since he tends to dumb things down and emphasize technique over equipment. He also goes over the nikon setup extensively. Just recognize that he has very strong opinions that not everyone agrees with, as well as a strong personality.

Hope that helps

[DeadWolfBones]

I agree on the Pentax K-x being a great beginner's cam--at least based on the specs and the handling of the K-m/K2000 (same body). If you can afford to wait around a few weeks for the full reviews to start coming in and confirming this, I'd do it.

[zeedarkjster]

alright, so what I have received is that the

Nikon d40 is a beginner friendly model released in 2006 ranging online from 350-400+ (on bing)
Canon Rebel XS is a newer model 2008 and this ranges at a higher price 450-600+
Pentax X-k is the newest model on slickdeals there was a preorder deal, but there is no more 11%, and I leave in a week :(


So unless I be an ass, and buy a DSLR at costco for the 3 month return policy :lmao:
go on my trip and after return it.

I'm looking on craigslist for a used nikon and canon. That sound about right? Any tips on buying used? I'm googleging it now, but you guys have awesome tips.

I've read posts where ppl can see how many shots the camera has taken. Any insight?

Thanks a lot!

[poolsmaster]

alright, so what I have received is that the

Nikon d40 is a beginner friendly model released in 2006 ranging online from 350-400+ (on bing)
Canon Rebel XS is a newer model 2008 and this ranges at a higher price 450-600+
Pentax X-k is the newest model on slickdeals there was a preorder deal, but there is no more 11%, and I leave in a week :(


So unless I be an ass, and buy a DSLR at costco for the 3 month return policy :lmao:
go on my trip and after return it.

I'm looking on craigslist for a used nikon and canon. That sound about right? Any tips on buying used? I'm googleging it now, but you guys have awesome tips.

I've read posts where ppl can see how many shots the camera has taken. Any insight?

Thanks a lot!

Buying a new dslr camera right before a major trip is a bad idea for the following reasons.

- In the unlikely event the camera arrives defective, you won't have time to return it and acquire something else.
- Every camera has its quirks. An overseas vacation is a terrible time to find out and adjust to those quirks. This could range from anything from how the camera feels in your hand over a long period of time to how it exposes. (Example: When I got my D70 in 2004, the way the camera was positioned in my Lowe TLZ bag would cause the exposure compensation button to press down and the wheel to scroll +1.3. I had to remember to check for this every time I pulled the camera from the bag.)

A trip is a terrible time to get used to a camera. It's easier to take photos with a camera you are familiar with than one you just acquired. There are many ramifications to this, including the fact that humans are only capable of processing so many tasks at once. Attempting to understand the technical aspects of using a dslr may displace effort that was once focused on the composition of the photo. Everything takes time. One week before a trip is rushing the whole process.

There is nothing wrong with a point and shoot. They too can take great photos. My point and shoots get equal use along with my DSLRs.

As to your question:
You can find out how many shots the camera has taken by looking at the EXIF on any image coming from the camera.

[zeedarkjster]

Alright thats a good insight, that I over looked. I'll take your advice at hand. Besides maybe DSLR is too much of an expensive hobby :lol: like Golf, driving beamers, or smoking cigars. HAHAHAHA

but thanks for answering my question. This is some good shit gotta love these forums. its like having everyone from all over the nation helping out a problem that they have a passion for.

[Shurak]

Noobs usually get Canons but it so much easier to get good picture straight from the camera if you get Pentax.

[wish1510]

Noobs usually get Canons but it so much easier to get good picture straight from the camera if you get Pentax.

I like Pentax, I don't like stupid generalizations.

[Ingraman]

Alright thats a good insight, that I over looked. I'll take your advice at hand. Besides maybe DSLR is too much of an expensive hobby :lol: like Golf, driving beamers, or smoking cigars. HAHAHAHA

but thanks for answering my question. This is some good shit gotta love these forums. its like having everyone from all over the nation helping out a problem that they have a passion for.


I agree, stay away while you still can. Better yet, find a cheaper hobby. I've sunk ridiculous amounts of money into photography, and it's hard to stop.

[DeadWolfBones]

I like Pentax, I don't like stupid generalizations.
Agreed. You can get good shots out of any dSLR these days, Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus, Sony, whatever. Just pick the one of that feels best to you/has the features that match what you want to do.

I own a K20D and it's perfect for me, but it won't be for everybody.

[Shurak]

Pls check this post - I did compare lower level Pentax vs Canon
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showpost.php?p=22067493&postcount=3

[ANYTIME]

Wifey works at Costco and unless something is wrong with it, the returns department is questioning items being returned more so nowadays. They keep track of your shopping history and if you return, return and return, than you may have an issue somewhere down the road. The return policy is abused and they lose there ass on returned electronics. :(

alright, so what I have received is that the

Nikon d40 is a beginner friendly model released in 2006 ranging online from 350-400+ (on bing)
Canon Rebel XS is a newer model 2008 and this ranges at a higher price 450-600+
Pentax X-k is the newest model on slickdeals there was a preorder deal, but there is no more 11%, and I leave in a week :(


So unless I be an ass, and buy a DSLR at costco for the 3 month return policy :lmao:
go on my trip and after return it.

I'm looking on craigslist for a used nikon and canon. That sound about right? Any tips on buying used? I'm googleging it now, but you guys have awesome tips.

I've read posts where ppl can see how many shots the camera has taken. Any insight?

Thanks a lot!

[quietbun]

Hi zeedarkjster,

Do you know you might have started a brand war between loyal camera users :lol: . I give you some opinions since I started the hobby like 2 years ago when I was like you. For me what camera brand does not matter, a $2k camera does not make good picture if the one holds it in hands does not know how to use.

What it means is that you pick the brand on your flavor. Different brand provides different features. For example, Canon and Nikon has Vibration Reduction or Image Stability on lens while Pentax, Sony and Olympus put it on camera body. There are other tons of different things. What you should do is google (don't be lazy on this) and look at the people's review such as dpreview.com site. After the camera arrives, you can open its manual, learn every single options and do google again. This will help you master your tools and help you take good pictures (at least it was right for me).

It was interesting that I don't see anyone suggesting Olympus (or I may misread the post). But I think for current market, Olympus DSLR give good quality camera with ton of features for reasonable price. You can get something like E-510 or E-520 for $500-550.

Ok, too much words already. You can think simply that buying camera is just giving money to seller and manufacturer. So you should look for one you like and benefit most, not one that people around you used most.