Digital SLR Advice...

[Pablo]

I will be buying a new Digital SLR in the next few days, and want to keep the price under $1000. Simple to use, with advanced features in case I ever decide to read the manual is what I am looking for.

So far my target is the Canon EOS Rebel XTi

Any thoughts/suggestions from thos of you that have experience with Digital SLR's?

[Kayak_Rat]

I have stayed with primarily Nikon for all my cameras. I bought the wife a digi SLR but cant recall the model number off the top of my head. I am in the stone age with my 35mm, but the guys at my camera shop talk very highly about Nikon.

[larryinlc]

They're all very good, but I chose Pentax. Not because they're any better, but because of lenses. I had quite a few good Pentax lenses from film days that can be used. Pentax is superior in allowing backward compatibility of any lens they ever made. Yes, even screw mount.

Larry

[ToddziLLa]

Do you have any existing lenses Paul? For many, that is a deciding factor. Both myself and my fiance are Canon fans. She shoots weddings, senior pictures, portraits, etc. professionally and has had great success with her Canon 10D.

Check out http://StevesDigicams.com for great in-depth reviews before your purchase. In the price range you specified, the XTi is a great dSLR.

[Pablo]

No existing lenses. Moving up from a Nikon Coolpix 5000 from a few years ago. I likely go with the Canon...thanks folks!

[King James]

You might be better off spending the extra few hundred for a 20d or 30d if you can find one (should be able to get them online still) The rebel is nice, but the body feels cheap and for what you get as far as internals and that in a 20d compared to the rebel is worth it long term IMO.

[4WheelVFR]

Canon FTW!

[jxpfeer]

i'm a nikon user myself as well. i didn't have any slr gear when i bought my first nikon, and i chose nikon based on the quality of the bodies available at the time.

it is very true when photographers tell you that you are buying into a system, not just a camera.... lenses, flashes, etc, will all be with you long after you upgrade the body, so look at the overall product line.

also, be prepared for a learning curve if it's your first SLR.... it's going to be a lot harder to get those good shots, than it was with point& shoots.

and also, just like with humidors, don't underestimate how much you will spend. when i decided to go digital, i thought that spending only $1k on the body would be it... and maybe i'd buy some stuff down the line. wrong. within the first year i bought almost 2500 worth of new gear to go with it...

i also agree that if you're going to go canon, spend a few bux extra and go for the 20 or 30d. a used 20d will probably be cheaper than the new rebel. you're going to get a much more solid camera with one of those. however, that being said, there's nothing wrong with the rebel, almost all the features are available, just in a more compact body for a little less money.

good luck with your purchase and let us all know how it works out

[accorddude]

I am a Nikon man myself. So I would advise you to go with a Nikon D50, D70s, or D80. Any of the kit lenses will work fine to get you started. Or you could go with a classic 50mm lens to start you off for less money.

[jxpfeer]

a nikon 50mm is so inexpensive, and one of the best lenses. some of my best photos have come from the nikkor 50mm 1.8.

I'd say the best bet out now is a D80, or pick up a used D70s with a kit. the kit lense on these is pretty good, and will get you going for about 90% of your shots when you start out.

and start saving $$ it's a more expensive hobby than cigars...

[Bobb]

I LOVE my Canon digital SLR. One plus about Nikon is you can use all of the old lenses (and can find used ones cheep) but the Canon cameras are some of the best out there IMO.

If you go with the Canon, I'm sure you will not be disapointed.

[poker]

I love my Canon 30D

[Bigwaved]

I have a Canon Digital Rebel. I have had nothing but good luck with it. The advice before this is solid. The SLR lenses are, in my opinion, more important than the body. Spend your dough on good glass, that is my .

[Mayor]

I've been a Nikon man for a long time and have never been dissapointed.

Here is a good info site.

http://kenrockwell.com/

[kenstogie]

I love my CANON (an A620 not a Rebel) and I must say I had an issue with one of them a couple of years ago and they really took care of it. So for me...

A) Great product + B) Good Service = C) Sold

YMMV your mileage may vary