D-SLR Cameras

[MrFryMoto]

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?

[il d00d]

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.

[derby]

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).

[derby]

an overview of aps-c:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APS-C

[COWBOY]

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


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.

[JEFF_H]

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.

[COWBOY]

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


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) >

[LA]

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

[MTBryan]

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...

[erkishhorde]

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.

[KnightofNi]

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

[duclvr]

I have a Sony Alpha 300 with a Alpha 18-250 zoom.

[Monstermash]

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

[JEFF_H]

ding ding ding
we have a winner 

Or if you prefer Canon maybe we can do a switcheroo.

[Monstermash]

ding ding ding
we have a winner 

Or if you prefer Canon maybe we can do a switcheroo.

? ? ?