| Author | Thread |
|
|
06/30/2005 10:03:44 AM · #1 |
| I really want to get a DSLR, and I am thinking I might get one for christmas (to myself! HA!) What would be the best digital SLR for a beginner? I have never used one before. I have used a slr film camera. I have a minolta x700 but I am not very good with it at all. I would like to keep the price under $1200. |
|
|
|
06/30/2005 10:07:42 AM · #2 |
| One of the first things to decide is what type of glass you will want to be 'married to'. For example, if you buy Nikon - you'll be buying their lenses, same for Canon. Granted, there are other brands of lenses that will work with most DSLR cameras. I'm a Canon fan so I'll suggest a Rebel 300D or 350D. You can get these for under $1k if you shop it and this should leave you a little extra for some goodies. |
|
|
|
06/30/2005 10:09:13 AM · #3 |
If you've got Minolta lenses you might want to consider the Konica-Minolta 7D, which bobsterlobster seems to use very effectively.
|
|
|
|
06/30/2005 10:11:31 AM · #4 |
| go to dppreview.com and check out pics and comparisons. |
|
|
|
06/30/2005 10:13:44 AM · #5 |
| check out : steves-digicams.com He has an excellent camera review website. |
|
|
|
06/30/2005 10:43:09 AM · #6 |
Problem Solved:
//www.nikondigital.com/main.html?page=dslr
Nikon D50 is designed specifically for your requirements |
|
|
|
06/30/2005 11:43:47 AM · #7 |
I am in a similar boat. I have an old Minolta that I miss. (XD11) I don't miss film though so I never use it anymore. I would like to step up my digital to a DSLR. I want to get back to that type of shooting. I have been thinking of making the switch from Sony to Canon. I want something that has good growth/upgrade potential. I want to be able to start a lense collection that I can carry over to a new body when the time comes.
|
|
|
|
06/30/2005 01:01:20 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by wadap0:
Problem Solved:
//www.nikondigital.com/main.html?page=dslr
Nikon D50 is designed specifically for your requirements |
I'll probably get killed for this but...
Don't forget the Pentax *ist DS and new DL. Pentax is a quirky company when it comes to marketing, but they make SOLID cameras (the DS also has the highest owner satifaction of *any* consumer DSLR on dpreview (4.88 rating out of 5) DS Owner Rating
The DS has the best viewfinder of any consumer/prosumer DSLR out now and Pentax glass is legendary!(they have been called the Leica of Japan and they invented modern SMC coatings for lenses!) The DS got dinged by dpreview for not having as much detail in the jpgs as in RAW, but a quick search of forums will have many examples that show the real quality of jpg, and camera owners that will refute that.
With all of that said, go try them all and decide for yourself. I did and I came away with the Pentax. (also it is $700 with a quality 18-55 lens right now at buydig.com)
Edit: Spelling
Message edited by author 2005-06-30 13:05:03.
|
|
|
|
06/30/2005 02:00:27 PM · #9 |
fotolady,
You're question may be too broad for us to give a useful answer. There are now many dSLR under $1200. You should first ask yourself some questions such as do you have a brand preference? Do you have lenses that you would like to use? Is weight/size an important factor? What do you intend to do with it? Do you plan on getting accessories by the maker/third party?
Now, if you intend on using Minolta lenses then Konica-Minolta 7D maybe an option. If size is a concern then the Rebel or the Pentex istD/L maybe a good option. The new Nikon D50 is also light, user friendly, uses a SD card and relatively cheaper than others at $899 with a lens.
Good luck.
|
|
|
|
06/30/2005 07:13:59 PM · #10 |
| Thank you so much for all of the advice! There are just too many choices right now, I have no idea which way to go. |
|
|
|
06/30/2005 07:16:39 PM · #11 |
Personally,
I'd seriously consider the Nikon D50, it uses a SD card and is very user friendly, uses a 2 inch LCD, and sells for $750 at B&H body only or $899 with a kit lens. I'd probably skip the kit lens and get a nicer lens like a Tamron 28-75 XR Di and start snapping away.
|
|
|
|
06/30/2005 07:28:17 PM · #12 |
You can research this to death but at the end of the day, it doesn't really much matter which way you go as regards quality of pics you'll get. Canon, Nikon, Pentax - they're all damn good brands (although those who have brand religion may feel different). There are plenty of good lenses for all of them.
I suggest that you nip down to the camera shop and spend an hour playing about with different brands and different cameras. Buy the one that feels most comfortable in your hands, enjoy it and don't ever worry about whether you made the right choice - you did.
Have fun.
|
|
|
|
06/30/2005 07:30:32 PM · #13 |
don't forget to look at my thread. You could get a pair of sweet lenses to go with the body for $1200!
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/17/2025 04:19:32 PM EDT.
