DSLR camera

[kass]

I'm looking into buying a DSLR camera. I've been trying to do as much reading as I can on them and the different lenses. I'll probably go with a Nikon D40 D40X or D60. I was wondering what cameras you guys have and which lenses?

[boomerd35]

I use a Canon 30D, which isn't professional. But my lenses are. I say- always go for the best glass you can afford.

[Tha Criddler]

I'm all about a point and shoot called Canon G9

[boomerd35]

Originally Posted by Tha Criddler

I'm all about a point and shoot called Canon G9

Yeah, Rhonda has one of those. It works pretty darn well. The live view feature can't be beat!

[texasmatt]

casio exilim. It's not professional at all, but it's a great camera for a good price. I would recommend it to anyone just wanting a camera to have around.

[CHRIS7891011]

my sister has one of the Digital Nikon. I used it for my Photography class and loved it.

[Ecto1]

Originally Posted by kass

I'm looking into buying a DSLR camera. I've been trying to do as much reading as I can on them and the different lenses. I'll probably go with a Nikon D40 D40X or D60. I was wondering what cameras you guys have and which lenses?

My wife and I bought a D40 when thy first came out and love it. We have purchased a few extra lenses for it and it has almost turned into a hobby. If you click on the website in my sig you can see some of the results. Easy to learn to use. If you can find a D80 it is a better camera and you have more options on lenses but it will cost you a bit more. This website is awesome http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm it helped us decide.

[kass]

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. The D80 is a little too expensive and I think the D40 will do more than enough. Plus the D80 is a lot bigger.

[marns45]

I've been using a Pentax *ist DS for about 3.5 years now. I love it, but there are something that could be better. I did a lot of research before I bought that camera, but it came down to the feel of the camera. My best advice, read all the reviews (both editor and consumer) on www.cnet.com and then go to a store and hold the cameras. See which one feels most comfortable, has best access to the buttons you will need, etc. All the cameras out now are great, and other than a few small features here and there, they are most likely comparable.

As for lenses, I ended up buying a 28-300 telephoto off ebay. Its a sigma, which is a great lens, and I got a really really good deal on it. The lenses should take just as much, if not more research than the body of the camera. www.popphoto.com has reviews of a lot of lenses on the market, and its a great site for tutorials, hints, reviews, etc. Their magazine is fun as well. However, lens technology has increased as well, and cheaper lenses are comparing to the really expensive lenses in quality and build. The best option is to pick what kind of lenses you'd like (i chose the zoom lens so I could carry one lens around and get a wide range of uses, but I am hoping to pick up a wide angle at some point when I get the money lol) and then look at brands after that. With digital cameras, it is important to remember lens factor. DSLR photo chips are usually not full size as a 35mm film (though some are). Most DSLR's have some kind of lens factor that end up multiplying the focal length of the lens. There is a lot of literature floating around the internet about this, but it is just important to know that if you buy a 28mm lens to put on a camera with a 1.4 lens factor, the lens is going to act like a 39mm lens.

Sorry for the long winded post, but I hope at least some of it is helpful.

[12stones-cl]

I have a Canon Rebel XT that I absolutely love. I have yet to come up with enough dough for some nice glass for it, but the Canon f/1.4 50mm prime that I have is amazing.

[mrgatorman]

I have a Nikoon D40x with an 18-200 mm vr lens. Love it. Love it. I need to learn more of its capabilities, but its my first DSLR. I take incredible pics with it and I can crop the heck out of them with a 10.2 MP

[boomerd35]

Originally Posted by mrgatorman

I have a Nikoon D40x with an 18-200 mm vr lens.

The VR (IS on Canon lenses) is a big feature that should not be overlooked. For taking people shots in lower light, it can't be beat.

[patefengreen]

Really depends how serious you want to get (and how much $$$ you want to invest). But to get your feet wet, I'd suggest something along the lines of the Canon Rebel series (or whatever the Nikon equivalent is if you prefer). That way you can start building your lens arsenal and when you upgrade the camera body, you've got some quality lenses in your corner. That's essentially what Troy and I have done. Then you will start looking at higher quality lenses, faster glass, image stabilization, etc. The great thing about a quality lens is that it holds it's value when you want to upgrade. Can't really say the same for the bodies which have become like computers, everyone wants the latest and greatest. If you want to really get some insite, go to Abel's photo forum (he's Incognito here on CigarLive): www.TexasPhotoForum.com. There is an overabundance of information there. Just don't forget to come back to CigarLive.

We're shooting with a Canon 30D and have a 20D as a backup right now (someone wants an upgrade though ... BoomerD35), but to always have the latest camera body we'd be getting a new one every year and at $1,500 a pop, that hurts! I do have the Canon G9 point-n-shoot which I really like as a "throw-down" camera when you don't want to lug around a ton of gear.

[Lighthouse]

Originally Posted by patefengreen

Really depends how serious you want to get (and how much $$$ you want to invest). But to get your feet wet, I'd suggest something along the lines of the Canon Rebel series (or whatever the Nikon equivalent is if you prefer). That way you can start building your lens arsenal and when you upgrade the camera body, you've got some quality lenses in your corner. That's essentially what Troy and I have done. Then you will start looking at higher quality lenses, faster glass, image stabilization, etc. The great thing about a quality lens is that it holds it's value when you want to upgrade. Can't really say the same for the bodies which have become like computers, everyone wants the latest and greatest. If you want to really get some insite, go to Abel's photo forum (he's Incognito here on CigarLive): www.TexasPhotoForum.com. There is an overabundance of information there. Just don't forget to come back to CigarLive.

We're shooting with a Canon 30D and have a 20D as a backup right now (someone wants an upgrade though ... BoomerD35), but to always have the latest camera body we'd be getting a new one every year and at $1,500 a pop, that hurts! I do have the Canon G9 point-n-shoot which I really like as a "throw-down" camera when you don't want to lug around a ton of gear.

I agree with Rhonda. I would also suggest you do a fair amount of digging into the specifics of the units you are looking at, and make sure the camera fits your use. I have just replaced my Nikon film with a Nikon D300. I spent a lot of time talking with techies at a few of the camera shops, and read as much as I could before pulling the trigger. It wasn't until I spoke with a couple of tech guys at Calumet that I learned more about some of the key digital advancements featured in this body that would make it a good choice for me. As fast as technology is moving, the bodies are getting better and better, and early models lose value fast. If you invest in decent lenses up front you can always get a better body. I probably would still be waiting to upgrade if my equipment wasn't stolen last August!

[patefengreen]

Originally Posted by Lighthouse

I probably would still be waiting to upgrade if my equipment wasn't stolen last August!

Ouch! That's the scary part. You've easily got $5K of equipment, on a regular shoot, all packed up nice and neat in one convenient backpack. Makes for a quick and easy target for thieves. Sorry to hear about that. That bites.