Cameras Buying a DSLR

[RikfromBelgium]

ok, we have a digital camera at the moment, a canon ixus whatever.
But believe it or not, I want something bigger and better. And the driving force behind it, is my girlfriend seriously, she badly wants me to buy a DSLR, isn't she amazing

But, and this is my problem here, although I've always liked photography and I've always wanted a DSLR, I know shit about them.

So I'm depending on you to give me some help, advice, tips.
I don't want the best of the best, not going to spend €1000 here.
But I don't want crap either.
I want a decent DSLR, good value for money, not too complicated, but with most of the gadgets one might use. A DSLR which basically, you can't go wrong with, but without having to sell my kidney's or go through a 3 year class to understand it.

thx for all the tips I'm sure you're gonna give.

 

[cawimmer430]

If you want something modern and up-to-date for the years ahead and only want to spend € 1,000.00, then I know just the camera for you.

NIKON D90




The body of the D90 costs € 899.00 and with the 18-105mm lens kit costs only € 100.00. The total amounts to € 999.00.

I use the D90 and I love it. It totally owns my older D40 in every possible way and also outclasses the D60 and the D80. The good news is the D90 has even been equipped with some features found in the D300 (which has been replaced by the D700). It's a great camera that is available for essentially little money.

The D90 also has a useful video function, which I find quite handy at times. There is also a new camera from Nikon with the video function, the D5000. I don't know too much about it other than it is a slight improvement over the D90 with a liveview function screen that can be pulled out.

The D90 is a great camera and it will definitely meet and exceed your expectations. I use it all the time and I love everything about it, especially the speed and extremely low shutter lag.

 

[RikfromBelgium]

euh, €1000 is a lot of money, I am considering it, read amazing reviews, raving on about it being the second coming ..., but under a €1000 would also be nice

 

[cawimmer430]

euh, €1000 is a lot of money, I am considering it, read amazing reviews, raving on about it being the second coming ..., but under a €1000 would also be nice

Nikon D60 then?

But if you want something modern and advanced, the D90 is hard to beat for a mere € 1,000.00. Trust me. In the world of DSLR's, € 1,000.00 is a damn good deal for such a camera.

The D90 also has a sensor cleaning system which I find very useful. A few days ago I had some small specks of dust on my sensor. With the sensor cleaning system: no problem.

 

[RikfromBelgium]

I'm worried a camera like a D90 will be wasted on an amateur like me.

 

[cawimmer430]

I'm worried a camera like a D90 will be wasted on an amateur like me.

On the contrary. You can only get better if you have a good camera and really make efforts to learn about photography.

Besides, we have a lot of people here who can help you out. Check out the various photography threads we have where we give each other tips etc.

Before I got my Nikon D40, I really sucked and had no clue about photography. But that camera inspired me to become better because I felt I owed it to the camera to learn how it functioned and how I could best make use of those functions. That camera made me a better photographer and right now the D90 is helping me become even better.

Does your girlfriend know anything about photography?

 

[ahmet_cagri]

I will not say anything negative about D90 or other nikons. cawimmer430 suggested the best in its class. If not want to spend much, consider canon EOS450D or EOS500D as body and a decent lens or lens combination. They are good choises for starting digital SLR, also it is much easier to find lenses or accessories of canon for paying less than the other. 500D has HD video whilst 450D not. You can find many reviews on the web i.e. dpreview.com or imaging-resource.com

 

[DaSilva]

Wimmer is right, .... Buy the best. (the camera will infact inspire you and test you and make you test it to the limit)
Cause in the end you'll be the best out there too.


note:
a Lense is very important too and can cost upto 10x more than
the camera itself!

 

[RikfromBelgium]

yeah, but a lens is for something in the future, when I have mastered the device more and I'm actually starting to know what I'm doing.
Eos 500D sounds nice, but kinda same price range, so decisions. Nevertheless, I'm gonna check some professional stores and suggest your suggestions.

ow and cawimmer, no she doesn't, but she want one since she had to use a nikkon D70 during her internship.

 

[Choleric]

Another great option....

Pentax K20 ($600-$800)

Great sturdy, affordable body with some of the best glass available to purchase. Image quality is impeccable as well. Great camera to start off with as well.

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[LaArtist]

Enjoy your camera..

But this thread would fit here if it was Buying a SLR minus the D

Belongs on thebyte

 

[RikfromBelgium]

? Didn't see that rule anywhere?

btw, I aldo did make a thebyte thread, just in case this subject was more active over there.

 

[LaArtist]

^yeah i saw that..
and i understand why you post it here..
things are dry over at thebyte..

i guess we all should try to post things that dont concider cars there..to make the forum more active..

But on the other hand its no rule.. and if you dont get attention there, you must post here..

 

[Cashmere]

Im also in the same boat. I have been looking for an SLR camera for a very very long time but they are a bit expensive.

A friend of mine might sell me his old Canon 350D at a very good price as he is expecting a new camera as a replacement. Im just hoping I can get it at a good price as I am also very keen to learn about photography.

 

[Germaniac]

The two biggest brands are Canon and Nikon. Both of their entry level models, the 1000d and d40, would suit your needs fine. In my mind there is no point spending more on superfluous features - get a good, inexpensive camera that will still allow you to learn the basics and take fantastic images, which you can then upgrade later. Entry level cameras are also lighter, more compact, and less of an initial investment so you won't be too out of pocket if you break/damage it or decide photography is not your thing.

Pentax, Sony and Olympus also have fine offerings. The entry-level dSLR market is very competitive and there is not much separating them - there is basically no such thing as a crap dSLR in today's market. I personally shoot with Canon and love them, but honestly, try out a few of the bodies and choose the one you like most. Usually salespeople will push one or two brands so as not to confuse you, but any entry-level camera would suit your needs.

As far as lenses, I'd start off with the two kit lenses (usually a general purpose and a long range telephoto); or, if you want a more versatile lens, choose an "all purpose" lens like the Tamron 18-250mm or Canon 18-200. They will do you fine.

Happy shooting!


If you are interested more in Canon's range, check out this guy:
Canon Digital SLR Camera and Lens Reviews at The-Digital-Picture.com
I would recommend the 1000d review (and perhaps the 450d/500d review so you can see how an entry-level model compares to a slightly more expensive one), as well as these lens reviews:
18-55 kit lens:
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Review
18-200 "all purpose" lens:
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Review

 

[RikfromBelgium]

I'm so getting the 1000D after this

"The Rebel XS is proving to be a great starter camera for the girls. Planning to shoot birds from a blind in the yard will set my 10-year-old into high anticipation mode for days. She uses the inexpensive Rebel XS and Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS Lens combination for this. The setup is light, sized properly for her and if the worst would happen, the loss is not that high. She is learning a valuable life skill and we are spending time together doing something we both love."

just kidding

 

[m-power]

Rik,

For the past two months or so I have also been looking for an entry level SLR.
Tried the Nikon D90, D80 - Thought that for now they are a bit too much for me. The D5000 is very nice, but still very new and expensive

The Canon 1000D seems like a great DSLR. I don't think I need the 450D or the 500D for now. The reviews I've read are just wonderful. Look at dpreview.com.

Sony A200 also seems very nice, almost comparable in image quality to the 1000d, but cheaper, and also comes with in body image stablizer. Also there are some nice kits like the A200w which comes with a 18-70mm and 75-300mm lens
The A300 comes with LiveView, and the A300X kit is not much more expensive than the above - (but they are quite rare in stores and have found none around Munich)

Held the 1000d, the A200 + A300 and the E520 Olympus side by side and they are very similar.

In 8 days I'm going on a vacation in Germany, Austria and Italy - On my first day I'll be in Munich and I'm hoping to buy one of the above then, but still I've got to no conclusion yet

 

[RikfromBelgium]

Haha, you sound like me when I was chosing a new tv, now I have to start all over again with the DSLR I'm checking an amazing store this afternoon for some info, I'll suggest some of your devices,maybe I can help you a bit while looking myself

 

[m-power]

I have asked lots of people, many professional photographers and journalists, but got no clear answer

I'm now torn between the Sony A200W at 560Eu or the A300X if I can find any, or the 1000D with the 18-55mmIS lens at 420Eu and then get a tele lens (which also is a bit confusing since I don't know if the IS lens is that important, and considering the high price of a good tele IS lens)

Any help would be appreciated

 

[RikfromBelgium]

I have asked lots of people, many professional photographers and journalists, but got no clear answer

I'm now torn between the Sony A200W at 560Eu or the A300X if I can find any, or the 1000D with the 18-55mmIS lens at 420Eu and then get a tele lens (which also is a bit confusing since I don't know if the IS lens is that important, and considering the high price of a good tele IS lens)

Any help would be appreciated

I've hard an in-body IS is better than Lens IS.
for your info, in belgium, the 300 is for sale nearby , looks like a nice piece of kit at a very decent price.