Any advice?
i'm looking at either a Canon Rebel or a Nikon in the $500 range
are there better for the money in that price range?
Quote from: MrFry on December 15, 2008, 12:34:10 PM
Any advice?
i'm looking at either a Canon Rebel or a Nikon in the $500 range
are there better for the money in that price range?
Check out costco right now, they are having package specials for the holidays.
for 500 bones, you will do well to pick up the rebel......very user friendly.
i got my dad one last christmas.
I was looking at one this summer. Be sure if you're looking at bodies with lens kits, that the lenses are the same....ie image stabilized. A local camera dealer here advertises comparable lens kits that are not image stabilized, so they are cheaper than the factory.
The Sony Alpha is another choice. It has image stabilization in the body so you don't have to buy it in the lens as well as a live view lcd.
I was looking to spend $500 as well but figured out I couldn't get what I needed that cheap. I ended up with a mega-zoom sony point and shoot.
The Rebel XS fits that bill nicely and is getting great reviews. The Rebel XSi costs more and is just an outstanding camera that for the first time in almost 4 years has me thinking about refreshing my old Rebel XT
They are on sale now at Wolf Camera, BB and Circuit City from 499 to 699.
This is a good photo site for reviews http://www.dpreview.com/
i picked up a nikon d40 for a little over the amt you are looking to spend.
the 18-55mm lens works fine for most things, but i really want to get the 18-200 lens (that lens alone costs as much as the set-up i bought)
either way, you should have better control than with a non dslr.
I've got a Nikon and couldn't be happier. Excellent camera. Mines the D70, but the D40 is easier to use and has almost as many features ~
JM
We are a Nikon family, and I highly recommend them. My tail bag camera is a D50.
Quote from: KnightofNi on December 15, 2008, 01:59:07 PM
i picked up a nikon d40 for a little over the amt you are looking to spend.
the 18-55mm lens works fine for most things, but i really want to get the 18-200 lens (that lens alone costs as much as the set-up i bought)
either way, you should have better control than with a non dslr.
My dad has that lens for his d40. It's stellar! It pretty much does it all and has great optics. I really want one for my d40x.
This is a great resource for d SLRs
www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com)
Quote from: Ivan Vukchevic on December 15, 2008, 02:21:35 PM
I recommend Nikon D 40 whiteout hesitation.
Only limitation with it is that it doesn't communicate entirely with older, mechanical lenses but if you aren't going to use those this shouldn't concern you.
Don't get caught up in megapixel gibberish. Unless you are printing images the size of a house, 4mp will be enough.
If you think you have a few hundred more to spend, don't spend them on more expensive camera-body, spend them on lenses that relay make pictures.
There are some nice deals at Amazon.com. I believe it's around 400$ now, witch is an absolute bargain.
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G-Zoom-Nikkor/dp/B000KJQ1DG/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1229378255&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G-Zoom-Nikkor/dp/B000KJQ1DG/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1229378255&sr=8-1)
Also some light reading http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm)
KnightofNi: Besides that 18-200 cost as much as your set-up, it is also (or more) as large. It will swallow D40. Try it on the camera before deciding, it is a very nice zoom-lens. [thumbsup]
i was told the same thing when looking for my camera. get a good body, but spend your money on the lens.
my freind (and camera mentor) has the 18-200 that he uses on his d80. i hve put it on mine and while it does add significant weight, it's not that bad. (and i don't have to switch lenses to take long shots! [thumbsup])
Quote from: Ivan Vukchevic on December 15, 2008, 02:21:35 PM
Don't get caught up in megapixel gibberish. Unless you are printing images the size of a house, 4mp will be enough.
If you think you have a few hundred more to spend, don't spend them on more expensive camera-body, spend them on lenses that relay make pictures.
i do actually do a lot of printing
currently i have a nikon coolpix 5.6mp - and while it prints smaller pictures great, anything larger than a 5x7 and i start to get a little particular - so a 6.1mp has me a little worried
granted the actual usable pixels should be better.
I highly recomend getting a nikon. I have a d200 and love it. it's over your $$ threshold but if you go to the D40 you get the same quality with out some of the bells and whistles.
but the biggest thing i can say is buy good lenses. we have all nikor with one exception and we learned our lesson. saving up now for a new telephoto.
I run a 28-80, 50 fixed (1:1 focus, f2.8), 70-210, and 200-400. However, they're my old 35mm lenses so multiply the focal length by 1.5 and you'll have what you actually see. Yea, I don't have anything close to a wide-angle ~
JM
THough it's not a pretty site http://www.kenrockwell.com/ has a lot of good info, especially on Nikon goodies.
what about lenses vs bodies?
if i were to buy a bunch of lenses now - will they be worthless in 5 years when i go to a bigger/better camera?
Quote from: MrFry on December 15, 2008, 10:25:06 PM
i do actually do a lot of printing
currently i have a nikon coolpix 5.6mp - and while it prints smaller pictures great, anything larger than a 5x7 and i start to get a little particular - so a 6.1mp has me a little worried
granted the actual usable pixels should be better.
+1 on the D40 - I have been really happy with mine. I did look at a lot of other prosumer DSLRs and I think I would have been happy with the Canon - it came down to the stock lens. Everything I read said the Nikon's was superior. Since this was a replacement/upgrade to my point and shoot, I couldn't justify putting down a bunch of money on lenses (right away, at least)
I'm paraphrasing the DPreview and Ken Rockwell write-ups, but be careful in selecting upgrades to the D40 within the Nikon family, as many (if memory serves the 40+ and D60) use the same sensor. Same sensor + more megapixels = more distortion at higher ISO. Basically, you are trying to cram more information into the same space, so picture quality may suffer.
Quote from: MrFry on December 16, 2008, 07:57:29 AM
what about lenses vs bodies?
if i were to buy a bunch of lenses now - will they be worthless in 5 years when i go to a bigger/better camera?
it depends what lenses you buy and whether they're dx/aps-c or full frame lenses... AND what happens to the aps-c sensor size.
personally, i think that aps-c is going to be around for a while.
my current lenses for my d70:
nikkor 50mm/1.8 (full frame lens)
sigma 10-20mm (aps-c lens)
nikkor 18-200mm vr (aps-c lens)
i'm still looking for a nikkor 80-400mm vr (full frame lens).
an overview of aps-c:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APS-C (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APS-C)
Quote from: MrFry on December 16, 2008, 07:57:29 AM
what about lenses vs bodies?
if i were to buy a bunch of lenses now - will they be worthless in 5 years when i go to a bigger/better camera?
depends on the camera family (nikon or canon) and the type of lens.
If you're really interested in learning about this though I'd suggest posting in the forums over at www.dpreview.com. They've helped me in the past despite my being a noob without being talked down to. They're also pretty good about explaining the difference between the brands without being too overly biased but you have stumbled onto the biggest brand war - Canon v. Nikon.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1002 (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1002)
P.S. Take the Ken Rockwell info with a grain of salt. There seems to be some questions about its veracity. The dpreview guys ridicule him because he's allegedly reviewed cameras that he'd never shot with or held. I don't know either way but BBW.
I have a Rebel XT that I have been very happy with with one exception...
it takes CF memory...and everything else in the world has gone to SD.
If the new ones take SD that would be good.
(makes it easy to put the card directly into the laptop)
l also got the 18-55 and a 55-200 lens...but like Ni I would rather get rid of the 55-200 and get something more like 18-200 so you can carry just one lens walkin around.
Quote from: JEFF_H on December 16, 2008, 09:31:15 AM
I have a Rebel XT that I have been very happy with with one exception...
it takes CF memory...and everything else in the world has gone to SD.
If the new ones take SD that would be good.
(makes it easy to put the card directly into the laptop)
l also got the 18-55 and a 55-200 lens...but like Ni I would rather get rid of the 55-200 and get something more like 18-200 so you can carry just one lens walkin around.
I also have the XT. the new XS and XSi are SD and SDHC compatable. As far as upgrades from our camera it appears this is more than an incremental jump. Here's a list of updates.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/page3.asp (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/page3.asp)
The lens I like and use the most is the EFS 17-85.
<edit... FYi Dell has this with the 18-55mm lens for 639 (msrp 799) >
Ivan V.
I hope you are right Ivan V. I just got my 15 year old daughter this kit. She's real artsy and has a much better eye for a pic than I. I almost ordered a D80, but turns out it was a dirt bag outfit that had bad reviews.
Figure if she really takes to it, we'll get her some good glass and maybe upgrade to a better body later.
Thanks for the info.
LA
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-3-5-5-6G-Zoom-Nikkor-Accessory/dp/B000NCQ3UG/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_a (http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-3-5-5-6G-Zoom-Nikkor-Accessory/dp/B000NCQ3UG/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_a)
Wow! A subject I can contribute to.
I am a professional photog (mostly) and am big into the Nikon camp. No reason. Just personal preference. But you can get good equipment from several manufacturers, especially Nikon and Canon.
Most of the bodies you get (from either company) in a given price range will have similar features and build. I just tell people to go try both (or others) at a local store before making the decision. And staying with either Nikon or Canon does give you more options if you really start to build on your system.
And yes, spending money on glass, at least in the beginning, is better than spending money on the body. However, many of the 'kit' lenses that ship with the cheaper bodies work quite well in good light. I have a cheapo 24-85 lens (about $200 bucks) and an expensive 28-70 lens ($1400) and other than at the extremes of the lenses performance, it's tough to tell the difference in photos.
So, in good light, a system in the $500 to $1000 range can work about as good as my $7k - $10k system (depending on what lens I am using). However, shooting in low light, or other extremes (like sports), starts to really separate the equipment.
But I would take expensive glass on a cheaper body, over an expensive body on cheaper glass, any day.
Go to a local shop and check out some options. Go home, and see what you can get that equipment for online at places such as B&H photo (I've spent zillions at B&H over the years). Then, go back to your local shop and give them first crack at a sale. I like to buy local if possible since it not only supports local shops, but is much easier to deal with warranty work and returns. However, if the on-line store is a HUGE cost savings, after you consider shipping, etc., then buy from them (after seeing if your local store will come close to that price).
One other thing: Ken Rockwell is of questionable use! I'm not sure if he is really a pro or not. Many of his 'reviews' apply only to his little minded world. For example, he may badmouth a particular body or lens based on his experience in landscape work, but it is obvious he has very little experience in sports or portraits. So, if you read through his site, keep in mind that it is extremely biased towards his use, which is unknown.
Here is an excellent site by a respected photog that has been shooting, and contributing to many pubs for years: http://www.bythom.com/
Here is a good site for landscape photos. I think the guy is a Canon guy, not that this matters: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/
For sports photography (have to be a member to join which involves a submission of a portfolio. I am a member. But you can still get tons of good info): http://www.SportsShooter.com
DPReview is also huge, but I HATE DPReview. If someone asks a question, they will get a hundred answers from people that have NO work to show. So, you don't know if you are getting bad advice from a moron, or good advice from a seasoned pro. I've completely given up on DPReview.
Good luck with your purchase...
Small note, don't cheap out on memory. It's cheap enough that you can go for the fast stuf without much cost nowadays and it'll help if you like to take rapid shots.
on the memory front
my d40 will hold over 2000 pics on a 2gb card.
you will need a second battery to fill that in one day
I have a Sony Alpha 300 with a Alpha 18-250 zoom.
(http://www.fototime.com/82CF0EFAB005AA0/standard.jpg)
(http://www.fototime.com/F0E10FE949A503C/standard.jpg)
Sorry for the thread jack but I have a D40 for sale in the misc. for sale section if anyone is interested.
Here's a link: http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=16619.0
ding ding ding
we have a winner ;D
Or if you prefer Canon maybe we can do a switcheroo.
Quote from: JEFF_H on December 18, 2008, 03:06:54 PM
ding ding ding
we have a winner ;D
Or if you prefer Canon maybe we can do a switcheroo.
? ? ?
Quote from: erkishhorde on December 16, 2008, 01:12:10 PM
Small note, don't cheap out on memory. It's cheap enough that you can go for the fast stuf without much cost nowadays and it'll help if you like to take rapid shots.
No kidding. I've got a fast 2GB PNY card and it is awesome. I think the number on it is 266X. My 1GB & 4GB are noticeably slower and marked 80X [thumbsup]
JM
Quote from: Monstermash on December 18, 2008, 06:36:56 PM
? ? ?
...sorry....meaning-
I have a Canon Rebel XT with 18-55, 55-200, flash, etc...
and would rather have a camera that takes SD memory.
If fry would prefer a canon setup to a nikon....he could buy mine and i could buy yours...
or just buy the new canon rebel which is sd.
I just got the Nikon D60 at Costco for $699 with 18-55mm and 80-200 lenses
So far -me likey
Lost of stuff to read about and set-up - that'll take a while............
All this talk of cameras is killing me.
I have been putting off buying a camera for some time. This week I had two amazing shots present themselves and guess what no camera! >:(
So yesterday I spent figuring out which one I wanted.
Today I bought a Nikon D60 with a 18-200 VR lens.
I went in thinking I was going to buy a kit with a 18-55 and a 55-200 lenses.
The guy in the store said take a look at this lens. He put it on and it just felt all so right. To not have to change lenses at least for now seemed right up my alley. Also it had the zoom I wanted and the salesman said it was better than the "kit" lenses. So needless to say I went over budget.
I took over a hundred pictures tonight of my nieces. The pictures are awesome even in the AUTO mode.
Next up a flash and a lowepro sling bag.
The mods never end even for cameras! ;D
http://www.michaelthementor.com/forum/index.php (http://www.michaelthementor.com/forum/index.php)
I belong to this photo forum, it is a good place for beginners (which I am) and has it's share of pros who freely give advice and post photos you can learn from.
His online photography school videos are very helpful in getting you started and beyond.
Last year I got into a DSLR (mainly for documenting my metal work and for family photos). I went with the Canon XSi and several Canon lenses. Much to learn and much more just to get a professional look to your work.
Cameras are like motorcycles in that you always want something else...and very few items are inexpensive.
Stay away from camera retailes in NY and NJ who offer deals that seem too good to be true. Most people on the site whose link I posted used B&H Photo, Adorama or Amazon. Fair prices, good customer service and honest dealings. I learned the hard way and have since stuck with Adorama and Amazon. never used B&H but have heard no bad about them.
Good luck and have fun...and take some GOOD pix of your bike.
I bought mine at Ritzcamera.com.
The prices were lower than B&H.
You can buy online or at a local store.
The best thing about going in a store is you can hold the camera in your hand. I looked at a lot of the forums and reviews of Cannon Vs. Nikon. Most conclusions came down to how it felt in your hand. TO me the nikon just felt right.
Glad we bought the D40. It's cheap and appears to be rugged enough. Takes a great pic and easy to use. Came with a whole bunch of good stuff in the $465 kit. Great glass for em too.
LA
I love my Olympus Evolt E-510. It's not the easiest D-SLR out of the box to get used to, but once you figure it out it takes some amazing shots. Stock lenses aren't bad to begin with. One lens kit will run just about $500, two lens I think is about $600-650 or so.
Couple of shots taken with just the stock 14-42 lens in South Africa a few months back.
(http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/Chchadder/South%20Africa/P1084607.jpg)
(http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd198/Chchadder/South%20Africa/P1084574.jpg)
Nice shots!
Thanks! It was an amazing trip and the camera performed like a champ.