buying a new camera - DPChallenge Forums

09/09/2005 07:28:28 PM · #1

hey i am just starting to get into photography and am looking on getting a digital slr camera. my friend is quite insistant uppon the cannon digital rebel xt and i am considering a camera in that price range. any comments on this camera or any other camera that is the same level? also is getting a new lense worth it if im just starting to get into photography?

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

09/09/2005 07:35:43 PM · #2

I like my Canon but have only had it for a few weeks. There is a thread somewhere on a good deals also that ends on the 15th

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

09/09/2005 07:37:19 PM · #3

im not worried about deals as i wont getting a new camera for about a month i just want to find out what camera to get

wavelength

Nikon D300

09/09/2005 07:44:38 PM · #4

I you have a month, go to Adorama or B&H, look around at what you want to get out of your camera.

Other stuff:

Is the flash card system the same as you have now. DOes that matt3er to you?

Do you need another lens? will the 18-55 do, or do you need the 70-300 or some such?

jpeters

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

09/09/2005 07:55:12 PM · #5

I just switched to dslr this summer after a few years messing around with a couple coolpix's. The difference is like night and day. Canon makes great cameras as do Nikon, so all it comes down to is personal preference. One piece of advice while shopping: make sure before you buy one that you have gone to a camera store and held the cameras in your hands. I was debating between the Rebel XT and the D70s, but after I went and got a feel for them the decision was easy. You also may want to consider whether your friend would mind sharing his glass with you. If he/she has Canon lenses for you to borrow, then maybe Canon is the way. Oh- and get an extended warranty. You don't want to be screwed if your ~$1000 investments breaks after 12 months and 1 day.

w24x192

Canon PowerShot S50

09/09/2005 08:04:01 PM · #6

If I have some advice, it is to read a lot of reviews...a LOT of reviews. You can get a good idea of what the good and bad points are of whatever camera you are interested in. Depending upon what you are looking for, there are review sites that list user opinions, some that list lots of technical info, and some that list both. For me, the best site has been DPReview. In addition to very thorough critiques of the cameras, it has forums that are packed with good info from the users of the cameras, and lots of other good info on digital cameras in general. Another good site is Steve's Digicams which has great reviews. Both sites have a rather handy 'Buyers Guide' that helps you sort through cameras based on what you want (like zoom, storage type, $, MP, etc)...it's a good jumping off point to weed out some cameras you may not want to look at, and to highlight some you may have missed.

Basically, do your research, and when you find something that you are interested in, head to a decent camera store and play with it before you buy it...make sure it fits in your hands, that it's not too heavy, that is matches your clothes, and on and on.

Hope this helps some...I know reading reviews is not everyone's cup of tea.

Message edited by author 2005-09-10 07:16:04.

pianomom

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

09/10/2005 04:18:04 PM · #7

You might want to compare Canon's 20D with that one also. It's a really good one. I think that's the one I'm going to get.

Message edited by author 2005-09-10 16:18:43.

Apple iPhone

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

09/10/2005 04:23:27 PM · #8

Check out the new Konica-minolta 5D it has image stabilizers built into the camera, and from what I've seen and tested against the xt is an excellent camera. Pm me if you'd like to see samples from it as I did buy it for my daughter and she has pics up on the net from Labour Day weekend.

I would do exactly what w24 said to do though and read about all the caemras in yoru price range THEN test each of the cameras in your price range at your camera store. Certain cameras just dont see to feel right in one persons hand while feeling perfect in other peoples hands.

Originally posted by chris_23:

Message edited by author 2005-09-10 16:25:45.

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/10/2005 04:43:56 PM · #9

Originally posted by w24x192:

If I have some advice, it is to read a lot of reviews...a LOT of reviews. You can get a good idea of what the good and bad points are of whatever camera you are interested in.
....
Basically, do your research, and when you find something that you are interested in, head to a decent camera store and play with it before you buy it...make sure it fits in your hands, that it's not too heavy, that is matches your clothes, and on and on.

This is ultimately what it comes down to - doing the research and deciding for yourself. It's easy for a Nikon user to recommend their D70 or a Canon user to recommend their 350D, but ultimately you just need to be aware of what sacrifices/benefits you are getting from each camera, the company, and their corresponding lineup of potential accessories and whatnot.

09/10/2005 06:01:32 PM · #10

can anyone make a list of cameras similiar to the digital rebel?

saintaugust

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

09/10/2005 06:06:08 PM · #11

Originally posted by chris_23:

can anyone make a list of cameras similiar to the digital rebel?

nikon D50
olympus evolt 300
pentax ist ds