 Mike DI want your skullsPremium
join:2001-09-12
Harrisburg, PA
1 edit | Entry Level DSLR Howdy all,
I am looking for some advice on a DSLR camera. I'm about to be a father and want to bump up my camera and photography skills as I will soon be taking a ton of pictures. I did see this thread Help-A-good-entrylevel-SLR-camera but it's from 2007. I see the D40 stated as a great entry level camera and found this deal which seems very good for the price. But I wanted to get some opinions and updated advice on a good entry level DSLR. I have always been partial to canon for my PAS cameras.
Thanks in advance
~Mike D.
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 DexterPremium
join:2003-08-07
Beverly, MA
kudos:1
2 edits | Re: Entry Level DLSR A more recent thread here:
»[Advice Needed] Interested in a new hobby
For entry level, I'd go with (in no particular order, it would depend on what you're looking for):
Nikon D90
Canon digital Rebel (there are several models to choose from)
Pentax K20D
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 UnaFraggerHi TherePremium
join:2002-03-05
Richmond, VA | reply to Mike D
I'd add the D40 to that list as well. It really depends (a lot) on your budget, do you have a price range in mind? The D40 is still an excellent camera if you're not looking for something too complex.
Check out that thread though, it was a good one.
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 robarPremium
join:2002-12-04
Mesquite, TX | reply to Dexter
i'm biased, but the pentax k20d is as much of a camera anyone needs..
with the new k7 coming out and the price now, you'll get more bang for the buck than anything else offered..
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 drewAutomaticPremium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
kudos:6
 ·wavebroadband
| reply to Mike D
What kind of "run up" time do you have in terms of learning before those precious moments arrive?
I say this because if you're used to using a Powershot, moving up to a Rebel is likely going to be a bit easier than a Nikon D40.
We're all biased here, but providing your current setup, your current skill level and more detailed information will help us recommend something more appropriate.
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Mike DI want your skullsPremium
join:2001-09-12
Harrisburg, PA
1 edit | First, thanks for the input so far.
I currently have a Canon SD600. My skills are taking random pics at parties and messing with the slow synchro option lol. We're expecting our bundle of joy late Jan early Feb so there is plenty of time for me to start reading.
My budget is around 500 maybe 600. I was hoping to maybe get under 500 by going used if possible. Is there any place similar to Audiogon for photography equipment?
Edit: mispelled audiogon 
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In a society that is drug infested, violence wracked, and polluted by chemical greed, no one has ever died from an overdose of pornography!
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drewAutomaticPremium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
kudos:6 Reviews:
·wavebroadband
| I've heard the forums over at FredMiranda.com are good for buying used. No experience myself though.
Before you even think about pulling the trigger on a DSLR, please go check out from the library (or purchase!) Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. It's not about digital cameras or DSLRs, it's about the components of exposing a photograph, either digital or film.
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UnaFraggerHi TherePremium
join:2002-03-05
Richmond, VA | reply to Mike D
I've heard some good things about »www.keh.com/ as a used camera dealer. However, I haven't had any experience with them. Anyone else? |
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Mike DI want your skullsPremium
join:2001-09-12
Harrisburg, PA | reply to Mike D
What are general thoughts on buying the body first and then getting a lens? From what I read so far the lens is the most important part. Does body choice really just come down to features?
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In a society that is drug infested, violence wracked, and polluted by chemical greed, no one has ever died from an overdose of pornography!
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drewAutomaticPremium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
kudos:6 Reviews:
·wavebroadband
| Yes, but features are rather important.
For you, your budget doesn't allow for anything but a consumer body, maybe a older prosumer body if it's well used and getting decent glass at the same time.
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 ks_av8rPremium
join:2003-09-17
Newton, KS | reply to UnaFragger
I purchased a lens from KEH. Excellent experience and a very good price. They list used products as LN (Like New), Excellent +, Excellent, BGN (bargain) and UG (ugly). Others have stated, and my experience agrees, that their ratings are conservative. The lens I purchased was listed as EX. It took me quite a while to find a flaw. They also have a return policy. |
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Mike DI want your skullsPremium
join:2001-09-12
Harrisburg, PA | reply to Mike D
Re: Entry Level DSLR Quick question concerning batteries. Any pros/cons to a "battery pack" versus a AA batteries? |
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drewAutomaticPremium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
kudos:6 | There are DSLRs that use AAs other than in a battery grip? *boggle* |
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Mike DI want your skullsPremium
join:2001-09-12
Harrisburg, PA
1 edit | Oh maybe i misread something.
From consumer reports on the Pentax K200D
The Pentax's camera body, although plastic, includes environmental seals, which means it will do a better job at keeping moisture and dust from entering the camera while the lens is attached. It's very easy to use with access to many functions through external buttons and controls. But it does not have liveview capabilities. With a buffer size that allows for only 4 JPEGs, smaller than what most other basic SLRs have, you will most likely see a slowing in frames per second when shooting in continuous shooting mode. It's one of the few SLRs that runs on AA batteries.
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In a society that is drug infested, violence wracked, and polluted by chemical greed, no one has ever died from an overdose of pornography!
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drewAutomaticPremium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
kudos:6 Reviews:
·wavebroadband
| Brutal. I can't imagine how long the camera actually lasts. Is that one of those: You can run me on AAs if you need to, but we have a real battery pack you should be using 99% of the time.
I can go ~400 shots (maybe ~250 w/flash on most) on my Rebel XS. No way could I even come close to that on a pair of AAs methinks.
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Mike DI want your skullsPremium
join:2001-09-12
Harrisburg, PA | Hmmm. This is the camera I was leaning toward but the AA battery thing may be a deal breaker. Hopefully someone here has some experience. Unless I can find the k20d for an awesome price but so far that model seems to be a little bit above what i want to spend.
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In a society that is drug infested, violence wracked, and polluted by chemical greed, no one has ever died from an overdose of pornography!
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 KristopherI got a 4Premium
join:2002-10-11
Tyrinaria
kudos:4
·Comcast
| If your baby is super cute, you can sell the pictures you take to magazines and the gerber company, and thus pay off your camera! 
I always look for the win/win situations...
By the way, you missed out on a fun cookout Saturday. Sorry you guys couldn't make it.
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 nklbPremium
join:2000-11-17
Ann Arbor, MI
kudos:2 | reply to drew
said by drew:Brutal. I can't imagine how long the camera actually lasts. Is that one of those: You can run me on AAs if you need to, but we have a real battery pack you should be using 99% of the time. I can go ~400 shots (maybe ~250 w/flash on most) on my Rebel XS. No way could I even come close to that on a pair of AAs methinks. I have a K100D and I LOVE the fact that it takes AAs.
I get just about as many shots with it as on my K10Ds with their proprietary batteries, which is to say hundreds and not recharging the batteries for months.
Just get a good set of rechargeables and you will be fine. Again, I consider accepting AA's to be an advantage. In a pinch, you can use alkalines which are available almost anywhere.
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drewAutomaticPremium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
kudos:6 Reviews:
·wavebroadband
| Interesting. I've never seen a single AA camera last nearly as long as a proprietary battery pack camera.
You say "hundreds" but that's not very specific.
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nklbPremium
join:2000-11-17
Ann Arbor, MI
kudos:2 | said by drew:Interesting. I've never seen a single AA camera last nearly as long as a proprietary battery pack camera. You say "hundreds" but that's not very specific. I just used my k100d yesterday and took 168 photos and the battery indicator is still at the halfway mark. And this is a 3 year old set of rechargeable batteries.
I haven't ever done a definitive benchmark to find out just how many I can get off of a charge.
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