Digital SLR Camera Advice

[Smob]

I have decided to ditch my point and click camera and get a digital SLR one. I looking for some advice on what to get and where. I am willing to spend up to $1000 for camera, lenses, and accessories. I have been looking at the Olympus Evolt series. I know there are others as well. What do you think?

[[Director] Joseph B]

Well, I like Canon myself but I can tell you that $1,000 is a basic camera (no accessories). You're not going to get the pro model canon for that but you can get the "prosumer" model - pretty much the same except for a couple of minor things - The EOS Rebel and 20-30D cameras are the same except the D series has a magnesium frame (much more sturdy) and has the ability to push the ISO to 3200 max instead of 1600. I'm a "dropper" so I figure it's worth the extra money for the metal frame. Quality wise, anything in that price range is going to give you a good image so it's going to come down to what you like best. Try a few out, which feels best in your hand? The Nikon's are priced well and Olympus is also an excellent name.

[prochlea]

I would go with a canon or Nikon - there is a much better used market for lenses there. Also - you can rent canon and nikon lenses, so you could try some out before dropping a lot of cash.

[bpalermini]

I've always been a Nikon guy ever since I got my first F body way back in the early 70's. Today I use a Nikon D80 that I have been very happy with. It's just a bit higher than your target budget but I've heard very good comments about the Nikon D40 and the D60's plus they are a bit smaller and easier to carry around.

Digital Photography Review is a respected site with lots of information on just about every camera out there. You should take a look there. Also, Gizmodo has been comparing a number of cameras that might be a good fit for you. Take a look HERE and HERE and HERE.

There are real differences between the Cannon and Nikon cameras. sensor size, which has a big impact on the effective focal length of lenses, vibration reduction implementation, etc. It's worth learning a bit about the brands before you commit. Once you go SLR and start getting accessories, especially lenses and flash units, it is harder to change.

[frank]

You might consider a used/refurb cam, maybe like a Nikon D70s, and buy one or two good lenses for it. I got my D70s off of ebay (after the sale, I found out it was a guy who used it for church pix--how cool was that?!). That was 1-1/2 or 2 yrs ago and it's performed flawlessly and I've taken thousands of good pix with it. Do your own personal research, but one thing that distinguishes some of the lower-priced DSLRs is that they're physically small and very light. Some like that, others don't, but my point is not to just buy on paper specs.

Good luck!

[WORDpictures]

Bought a Canon Rebel XTI kit locally with great deal on an extra telephoto lens a few months ago myself. Nikon, Canon and Olympus all have good options in this league - so focus on the features, qualities and feel that you like. Canon has been my mainstay - had a few of their video and 35mm cams over the years, and all Canons tend to acquire relatively warm, color-saturated images which you may or may not like.

I will caution you to buy from a reputable dealer whether local or online. My first attempt at a Rebel was on ebay - turned out fraudulent - though everything looked legit upfront! Ebay auction prices for new cameras in this price point were actually running higher than you would pay through reputable online sources such as bhphoto.com, adorama.com, fullcompass.com. I've bought equipment from all of these without any problems!

[Smob]

You guys are really helping me. Thanx for all of the great advice!

[BobMcSwain]

It was said above: go to ebay and look around. You can get some great deals on a Nikon D70 or D70s. The D70(s) are rated for 50,000 shutter actualizations (effectively pictures.) Very few people EVER reach that level. There is a program that can tell you how many pictures have been shot by a camera by looking at a recent picture from the camera.

I received a brand new D70 for Christmas. I started a wedding photog biz. I needed a back-up camera for that work. I bought a used D70 from Ebay. Neither one has failed me.

(The same can be said about Canons. I had Nikon lenses and stayed with Nikon.)

Also don't be bamboozled by megapixels. The most important thing about any camera is the glass in front of the film or CCD. I'll put my 6meg images up against any 10-12-15meg images from a point and shoot. It's ALL about the quality of the glass.

Good Luck.
Bob

[Smob]

I went to a camera store the other day and put my hands on all the cameras that I could. The ones that I liked best at that store were the Nikon D80 and the Canon Rebel XTI. I didn't like the Olympus that I had picked out previously. Goes to show who what physical contact can do! I would love to get a good 18-200 lens, but the Nikon version was $750. Guess I'll have to wait for a while for that.

Bob, I know what you mean about glass.

[BobMcSwain]

Originally Posted by Smob

I went to a camera store the other day and put my hands ...
Bob, I know what you mean about glass.

The D300 has just been released(11/07). Because of that I am in the market for a Nikon D200. The D200 is way beyond the D70. I can buy a D200 on Ebay, gently used for what I paid for my 2nd D70. AND my lenses still work! (Same can be said for the Canon cameras if you have Canon lenses.)

Olympus has had some great cameras. But ask a photojournalist... It's all about Nikon or Canon.

New cameras are great because they are new. But as soon as you take them out of the store, they become used!

If you want to shoot pictures, get a quality used body and add the lenses. Buying NEW is only for those that have the money to do so.

Bob

[BobMcSwain]

But let me back up.... My D70's with the lenses I have (i.e. GLASS) still do a phenomenal job of capturing light! Capturing light is what all photography is about!

Bo

[Smob]

I just spent a few minutes poking around ebay and realized that it's been a long time since I look at SLR lenses. There are a wide range of offerings. I guess its the basic "you get what you pay for". Are there certain lens manufacturers that are better and some that I should stay away from?