TigerLord
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4 edits | [Help] A good entry-level SLR camera?
Hi all of you !
I started taking a huge interest in photography about a year ago, where my girlfriend and I went into a studio to have pictures taken of us, mostly portraits and erotic. The photographer is the father of a good friend, and I think he makes beautiful pictures. You can see of his work here:
»www.fotoprofis.com/atelier-volk/ (it's in German, but you should be able to find the gallery quickly enough!).
I especially like his pregnancy/newborn pictures. I'm a med student and I started my clinical immersion a few months ago. I absolutely love kids and babies, and I've asked to be put onto either pediatrics, OBG-YN, maternal/fetal or neo-natal surgery services. I see babies a lot, and I also see some skilled fathers taking pictures all day.
So, that's the background info. I've been following some of you guy's work and it is absolutely amazing, and I'd really like to start getting into it more seriously. When I have the time I get out with my humble Powershot S500, but I feel I'm being limited. Sometimes, for example, when wanting to do macros, it's just a pain and rarely turns out right.
I know there is no better way to learn than to get your camera and shoot all day. But I'd like to get a good camera - nothing too fancy with all the bell and whistles. I've set myself something around 500$US. I bought some books and read some websites about how lightning, exposure, lens, ISO and other settings affect your photos, how HDR works, etc etc.
I still lag a little behind, but I'm slowly getting there.
I would be humbled if some of you very talented people could point me toward the good way. I know very little about cameras, I heard Canon and Nikon make pretty good models. But as I've said, I don't know much about cameras. I want something solid and of quality, that I can upgrade with better lens in a few years as I get better. Besides, in October there is an important concert I am attending, and I'd really like to have skilled up a little by then to take memorable pictures ! I currently have my eye on the D40, but I really want to take my time before buying my first SLR.
I appreciate this a lot, you guys are just amazing! 
Have a great (Memorial) Day!
Edit: I forgot to ask if anyone knew great MUST HAVE books about photography? Most of the literature I read was on the net, and I want some books... first because I still love the smell and the touch of real paper, and second, it's always nice to have a reference on you. So far I have the following on order:
Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera
»www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI···KL5A1OLE
BetterPhoto Guide to Digital Photography (Amphoto Guide Series) (Amphoto Guide Series)
»www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI···KL5A1OLE
The Betterphoto Guide to Digital Nature Photography (Better Photo Guide to)
»www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI···KL5A1OLE
Anything else you suggest before I press the Place Order button? |
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OutOfKilter
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join:2001-02-25
Irvine, KY | Re: [Help] A good beginner's camera?
The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby is a very good read. |
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TigerLord
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Montreal | reply to TigerLord
Re: [Help] A good entry-level SLR camera?
Looks like the Englishmen don't appreciate the American humor  |
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gugarci
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Bergen Co | In that price range without a doubt the Nikon D40, the Pentax K100D or the Canon Rebel XT. Get them with the 18-55 kit lens and go from there. |
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TigerLord
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Montreal | reply to TigerLord
What about going a notch higher with the ES 400D ? I know the Nikon D80 is preferred for that category according to what I've read, but it's a neat 200$ more... or is going so high for a first SLR pointless? |
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Shado1
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Saint Louis, MO
1 edit | reply to TigerLord
I would rather look for a good used dslr like a Canon Digital Rebel (300 or KISS) and use the rest of the money for a good lens or two. If your just starting out this camera will let you learn without spending a lot of money, and then when/if you really want more you can upgrade later. But the lenses are were you want to spend your money. Other than the photographer, the lens are what could make or break a great picture. I've been using this camera for 2 years and I bought it used ($300 US) and spent good money on lenses and have never regret it. You can see some of my pictures at the below link.
--
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
»shado1.fotki.com/ |
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TigerLord
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I'm gonna have to do a lot of reading as I am not quite familiar enough with lenses to know how they exactly affect photography. I couldn't tell which to use inside, outside, for sports, concerts, etc... and I'd hate to buy an expansive lens I never needed in the first place. I've owned compacts all my life... Time to start reading I guess! |
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gugarci
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3 edits | The XTI is out of your $500 price tag. The XT and XTI are small DSLR's with a small grip. The D40, D40x and Pentax K100D are small cameras with a larger grip. If you are going to go the XT/XTI route go to a store and handle one.
[EDIT]
Also the D80 kit is about $200 more than the 400D kit. But the D80 is more advance and is more customizable than the 400D. Also the D80 comes with a really sharp 18-135mm kit lens. The Canon comes with an 18-55 kit lens that's adequate. IMO the D80 is worth it. But you can start out with any other cameras listed. |
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TigerLord
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1 edit | reply to TigerLord
Well you know, I usually allow myself a 50% playroom of my original budget when buying tech toys...
The D80 got RAVING reviews everywhere, but it looks expansive for a 1st SLR. I'm a quick learner mind you, but aren't cameras like computers? That is, they become obsolete as quickly as computers do? |
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gugarci
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| You can't think like that. Otherwise don't buy any electronics. Sooner or later everything is replaced by a newer model. Newer models are not always better than the old.
With cameras you have to look at the system. You are buying into a system which includes lenses, flashes and other miscellaneous accessories. You can always upgrade items in your systems as your skills or wallet dictates it.
Whatever you decide to do make sure you go to a store and handle all the cameras. The camera must feel comfortable in your hands. |
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Otto
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Hollywood, FL | reply to TigerLord
The D40 is superb, see here: »www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm |
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gugarci
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Bergen Co | The D40/D40X is great camera. But I don't like the fact that it will not autofocus with older Nikon lenses which have no AF motor built into the lens. |
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TigerLord
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Many have suggested that if I am very serious about it, and my budget permits it (which it does), it is a better alternative to buy a camera that will let me grow into it, than change it 2-3 times as I learn until I find one I am comfortable with.
Hence, I think I will go with my original thought and purchase a D80 right away. All reviews I've read praise it immensely, and the lens it comes with is also a great starter's lens as gugarci mentioned.
I didn't plan on buying anything until exams all over (end of June) otherwise I'll be playing all the time with it. Which gives me about 1 month to go through as much literature I can before starting getting dirty and going in the field !
What do you think? |
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ElJay
join:2004-03-17
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| reply to TigerLord
I bought a K100D a few months ago because of the shake reduction and great ISO 800 performance. I'm a beginner and it's more than enough camera for me right now, not to mention that it's about half the cost of a D80. I couldn't justify dropping $1,000 on a camera given my low skill level, and six megapixels is plenty for 8x10 prints. |
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Otto
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said by gugarci  :The D40/D40X is great camera. But I don't like the fact that it will not autofocus with older Nikon lenses which have no AF motor built into the lens. This is true, but for most starting out, they won't have a lot of legacy lenses and therefore won't be affected. Besides, with the D40, all you need is the 18-200mm Nikon lens that's impossible to find and you're golden |
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gugarci
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Bergen Co | That's true. But I want to be able add some primes to my system. So for me the D40/D40x would not work. |
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I got my daughter, soon to be 15, a D40 this past Christmas and she shoots very good pictures. It is relatively easy to learn, but you would appreciate the camera better if you got some pointers from someone who is a photographer or is in heavy in multimedia.
The point, she is very interested in photography and I am willing to help her along the way if she is willing to work at it.
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If you are having half as much fun as I am, then I must be having twice the fun than you are. Do The Math! |
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wierdo
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You can still find D50 kits for under $500 if you look around. Sometimes even under $400. The D50 will autofocus lots of old (and cheap) lenses that the D40 won't. It is a little bigger, though. Personally, I find them both too small. D70 is about the smallest that's comfortable in my hands, but that's around $500 for a refurb body alone. |
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