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10/24/2010 07:58:35 PM · #1 |
...when you bought your first DSLR?
(Don't know if a thread like this exists, if it does I apologise. Did search but with no luck).
So my story goes back to 2004 when I went to school in a small town in Sweden. I took three photography classes over three years and the DSLR's we used there was Nikon D70. We did also have a couple of D100's that I really liked but being a student and all I could not afford it, and neither could my parents. So first time I actually held a DSLR was in school, autumn 2004 and I just knew that I liked it, felt good in my hands etc.
I constantly borrowed a camera to take home and take pictures of everything, food, cats, flowers etc. The typical subjects for someone who's just trying out a camera, things you have around/in your home.
It got closer to December and my dad was hinting that I might get a camera, they had seen how much I loved taking photos and being daddy's girl he loved my photos, (but what parent doesn't?) He asked me what I wanted and I said D70. Had a look but he thought it was a bit too expensive, but in the end we found a great deal and I got in to one little fight and my mom got scared and said "You're moving with your auntie and uncle to Bel-Air".
tl;dr: Used Nikon D70 in school and fell in love with it/didn't have enough money for D100 |
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10/24/2010 08:07:58 PM · #2 |
| I chose the Nikon D40 in fall of 2007, simply because they were starting to phase it out and thus running TV ads advertising the D40 kit at a decent price :-) And fwiw I did try Canon for awhile, when deciding to upgrade, but found Canon to be heavier and not as well laid out for my delicate little girly hands ;-) and I already had Nikon glass. So I stayed with the brand, and don't regret it. But I can still pick up a Canon and shoot comfortably with it. |
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10/24/2010 08:13:16 PM · #3 |
I had a nikon film camera....so I already had a lens. I got a
great deal on a used D70, got a couple more lenses, then back in march
I sold my Harley and used some of that
Money to upgrade to a new D300s and an 85mm 1.4 prime (love thy lens!)
I think I'm sticking with Nikon :-)
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10/24/2010 08:13:59 PM · #4 |
My first camera was a Pentax k1000, and I loved their 50mm manual lens so much, I stayed with them until the camera got stolen.
I proceeded to purchase a Nikon over a Canon, simply because I'd be too ashamed to be seen taking photos with white lenses. :D |
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10/24/2010 08:15:34 PM · #5 |
| I started with Canon SLR film cameras - first was an AE-1, then my wife bought me a Rebel. I really didn't have anything but the kit lenses, so when I was ready to move to DSLR, I took a serious look at Nikon and Canon. My first foray into digital was with the Fuji Prosumers (fixed lens 10x+ zoom). Canon was just coming out with the new T1i, and it was basically the smaller size vs. the Nikon D90 that pushed me towards the Canon. The T1i hasn't been a totally happy story for me, so not sure I'm 100% for Canon. The Nikon D70 is a great camera (judging from entries here), and I'm glad you got the camera you liked. |
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10/24/2010 08:16:26 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by pitrpan:
My first camera was a Pentax k1000, and I loved their 50mm manual lens so much, I stayed with them until the camera got stolen.
I proceeded to purchase a Nikon over a Canon, simply because I'd be too ashamed to be seen taking photos with white lenses. :D |
I think we've got a winner! |
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10/24/2010 08:18:22 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by dtremain:
I started with Canon SLR film cameras - first was an AE-1, then my wife bought me a Rebel. I really didn't have anything but the kit lenses, so when I was ready to move to DSLR, I took a serious look at Nikon and Canon. My first foray into digital was with the Fuji Prosumers (fixed lens 10x+ zoom). Canon was just coming out with the new T1i, and it was basically the smaller size vs. the Nikon D90 that pushed me towards the Canon. The T1i hasn't been a totally happy story for me, so not sure I'm 100% for Canon. The Nikon D70 is a great camera (judging from entries here), and I'm glad you got the camera you liked. |
I'm really happy with it! The plan is to upgrade to D700 in spring when I get my bonus. A bit of extra money and can't find anything better to spend it on! |
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10/24/2010 09:02:58 PM · #8 |
| I chose Canon since that is what my sister has and I figured if need be I would be able to borrow some of her lenses... A few years later I have the better glass and it is she that wants to borrow mine lol. |
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10/24/2010 09:15:12 PM · #9 |
| I don't know... it just happened! |
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10/24/2010 09:43:34 PM · #10 |
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10/24/2010 09:46:34 PM · #11 |
Hey there,
We started with a Pentax k100d. A lot of that was for budget reasons. We already had SD cards, we liked that it used regular batteries, and we liked that it could use any pentax lenses ever made (pretty much). (We got some great deals on old lenses). What we didn't know was that there was no light meter through the view finder. Not that great, but I learned a lot about anticipating what would happen.
When we were looking to expand we went to a camera shop that had a day with all the reps from each place and we were able to play with all the different equipment. Basically we abandoned Pentax because we knew we were going to want to rent lenses and at that time no place rented out Pentax lenses. So, we played with both the Nikon and the Canon.
It boiled down to the fact that we really liked the way the Canon felt in our hands. They way the lenses played and the camera fit. We researched more after that, but still liked how it felt. My dad bought a Nikon, so I played even more with that before we bought our Canon, but that still didn't sway me to the other side. My hubby bought me a 40d for my birthday a couple of years ago. He likes it so much that he just bought a used 40d a couple months ago when we needed a second body for a workshop at Yellowstone.
Each person is different, and you need to use the equipment that you feel comfortable with.
WriteHeart
Julie |
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10/24/2010 11:02:56 PM · #12 |
The local store is an authorized Canon Dealer. There's no authorized Nikon Dealer on Cape Cod, as far as I know, unless you count big box stores, which I won't patronize. So that was my decision-maker, really.
R. |
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10/24/2010 11:05:07 PM · #13 |
Canon/Nikon
Coming from a Nikon F1 (film) some decades ago, my first DSLR was bound to be a Nikon as well. Nikon body designs, to me, were and still are more appealing than Canon's, but the Canon equivalent (10D) was heavier and appeared sturdier. Canon also had a better selection of lenses. 3:1 for Canon.
Leica
No contest here. I needed/wanted a highly portable, practical, quality alternative to the feature laden DSLR elephants, something discrete, intuitive and non-intimidating that woulnd't stand between me and the subject(s). It needed to be manual, RAW-capable with a fast wide-angle lens, again with a little weight and feel to it. I mean, if I'm going to use it, it must be fun to hold and use. I also, really, like the option to view RAW shots in black and white within a composition grid on the LCD. Beautiful.
Almost all of my 9x16s, and some 20" prints have been taken with this little camera.
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10/25/2010 12:48:20 AM · #14 |
My nephew, Doug, a pro architectural shooter, fixed me up at Christmas 05 with the Fuji S3 Pro. When I found that it could shoot with Nikon glass retro all the way to 1960 something, I was hooked. I like the color it gives, and the general feel of it as well. It's very similar to a Nikon D80. It's somewhat of a digital relic now, since they have been around for a long time. I'm on my third one now. It's a slow shooter, but well suited for the things that I enjoy shooting. I rarely shoot sports or weddings so slow is not a big deal for me.
I like that it can do in camera double exposure. I don't like that it does not meter at all with the older manual glass, but it's sort of fun to guess exposure for the first couple of shots. The LCD is pretty small too, which I actually don't mind.
If I change brands it will probably be to Nikon, since I have a washtub full of old glass for them.
I shot with a Canon Tx and FTb QL's when I was shooting film. I still have an AE1 Program and couple of lenses, as well as a couple of Nikon film bodies.
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10/25/2010 01:29:21 AM · #15 |
I knew I wanted a nice low end camera that wasn't too fussy or expensive.. Because of DPC I always had the impression that low end nikon was noisy.. the high ends were awesome with noise but the lows weren't that great with it so my fear of noise led me to my chice.. ironically I use iso 1600 more often then I should without even the slightest bit of concern about noise..lol!
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10/25/2010 01:52:05 AM · #16 |
Both make great cameras- it is hard to go wrong by picking either. When I was young, my father used to say how great he thought Nikon cameras and lenses were. My first "real" camera (after using an old 110 camera for a little while) was Nikon- an FM2 which I had for many years. When I finally went digital, I started with a Nikon point and shoot. Moving up from that I went for a "super zoom" or "prosumer" camera- a Konica Minolta A200. I liked the nice zoom range and small-ish package I could toss into a fanny pack while out on a bicycle ride (my means of transportation). After I decided that was not giving me quite what I wanted I then went for a Nikon D80 which I still have. I gave the A200 to a co-worker for $50 and he is still using it to take photos of his family and their activities. I have made a side journey to a "special" camera- a Fujifilm F31fd point and shoot which I had converted to shoot in infrared. That fits into a belt pouch so it is easy to carry with my other gear. The D80 does sometimes have some exposure issues (which you learn to compensate for) and sometimes wish it did better with higher ISOs so the D7000 is starting to tempt me at the moment. I don't want to go full frame- don't want the heavier gear to tote around. My load seems to grow gradually as it is.
I would guess that most people go with what they know or what friends or family have. |
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10/25/2010 02:18:24 AM · #17 |
My first DSLR was/is my D300. I looked exhaustively at most everything that was out at the time, but was forced to lean towards Canon/Nikon as a result of what was available for me to check out in person. I was leaning towards either the 40D or the D300 at the time, but was vacillating between the two. The D300 seemed to be more open to further advancement for me, as it was designed with more of a pro-intent. The fact that it didn't have scene modes at all was an indicator to me that it was more what I was interested in, as I detested such modes on my Fuji anyway and never used them because they didn't seem to serve me all that well. I was always having to remember the specific limitations of each mode. The fact that the D300 also came with commander mode was also a big plus to me. What sold it was going and checking them out in person. I really just preferred the feel of the D300 in my hand. It fit really well, I could access all of the functions extremely easily, and things weren't too cramped (I have large hands, and that was a prime concern of mine when I looked at the D40/Rebels out of curiosity). It was at that point that Nikon and I were married.
Later, I realized "the other girl" had some aspects I would've liked to have thought about more before I said "I Do" at Adorama-
Lens selection
Lens cost
More users=more possibility for used items+ability to ask others gear specific questions
But I still love her and wouldn't leave her any day ;) |
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10/25/2010 07:04:05 AM · #18 |
I shot for many years with two Pentax K1000 film cameras. Very simple, very manual, and I got great results, usually better than people with "better" cameras. *snicker*
When I decided to work in photography I knew I needed a professional, or close to professional camera. The 5D mkI was at the edge of my budget, and there was no equivalent Nikon - only better - for too much money, or worse - not an option.
In America the white lens made me feel like a theft target, people always eyeballed me and asked me how much that cost. In Holland I don't have that worry, people compliment me or make a joke about my big lens, but rarely wonder what it costs. In fact the white lens helps get me past security - since I look like the press, even when I'm not.
One forgets what its like, living in fear everyday, overtime. I think I'l go for a bike ride!!! |
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10/25/2010 07:24:05 AM · #19 |
I just got onto the dslr scene.
It was between nikon d3000 and canon rebel xs. I just wanted and entry level. Both had similar promotions, but the canon seemed to get slightly better reviews in the areas i was interested in, lower noise in higher iso, and fairly quick autofocus. I was mainly interested in taking pictures of my kids.
I settled on the xs becuase through a loophole i found with bestbuys online purchase and instore pickup, i was able to include the 55-200mm IS f4/5.6 along with the kit lens for only an extra $100. whereas everyone else was only offering the 75-300 non IS lens for the $100. plus i saved shipping and since i only had to drive 20 miles to Delaware, i didn't pay tax either :)
I really just wanted a better camera to get some pics of the family, but i got bitten by the photobug bad. Signed up here and now i plan to upgrade the camera. But so far this camera has met my talents.
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10/25/2010 07:55:25 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by pitrpan:
My first camera was a Pentax k1000, and I loved their 50mm manual lens so much, I stayed with them until the camera got stolen.
I proceeded to purchase a Nikon over a Canon, simply because I'd be too ashamed to be seen taking photos with white lenses. :D |
I went for Canon - because using my amazing powers of foresight, there was no way I wanted to be seen using the same system as  Pitrpan - oh the shame! |
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10/25/2010 03:34:49 PM · #21 |
Strictly money.
When I bought my first canon SLR (film), I wanted a certain quality. I was deciding between the canon A2 and the Nikon something or other. I liked the Nikon better, because it was smaller and fit my hands better, but I could afford the Canon.
Loved the A2. Been with Canon ever since. Regretting it at the moment.
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