Choosing digi SLR

[thornado327i]

Guys, I need your advice on this.

I plan to get a decent SLR (mid range will be enough, really).

Thinks to take under consideration:
1. price/quality ratio
2. choice of lenses (tele will be required)
3. good performance on auto mode (my gf is going to love this)
4. mostly used outdoors

Things like huge LCD, live-preview are not important for me.

If i'll think of anything else, I'll update the thread.


Thanks in advance.

[xphiledan]

When picking at SLRs, you can group them into 2 different categories: the big players and the smaller players. The two biggest brands are Canon and Nikon. Then you have Sony, Pentax, Olympus, and a slew of others. In reality, unless you're looking at the pictures at the pixel level, the image quality of any of them are going to be good. Any digital SLR will meet your requirements above.

What you need to be primarily concerned about is #2 above - availability of lenses. You will find widest availability of used and third party lenses for Canon & Nikon cameras. You're ultimately buying the camera for the lenses that you can use. Camera bodies actually have a much shorter lifespan compared to lenses. That's why you can buy used lenses but shouldn't buy used camera bodies. You'll see once you've invested a good amount of money in accumulating lenses; at that point, you're pretty much stuck in sticking with that brand.

That being said, there are very strong brand loyalists out there. I personally prefer Nikon over Canon. Nikon glass is generally considered to be of much higher quality than compared to Canon. Also, what is your budget? When buying the camera, make sure you purchase a good quality lens. Not all lenses are the same. For example, there are 2 Nikon AF-S DX 18-55 lenses. They both zoom the same, but one is $120 and the other is $250. The $250 lens has VR (image stabilization) and will make a significant impact in low light situations or tele zoom.

[e30 gangsta]

D90 or t2i.

/ thread.

[xphiledan]

x2 on the D90. I would choose it over the D5000 because of the in body autofocus motor. Faster AF, wider selection, cheaper lenses.

[Philo]

What's the budget you are looking to stay within and what type of outdoor shooting will you be doing? Movement, still, or mixture.

I use Canon, so I only know canon models. The next bit of advice can be applied to Nikon's products as well, I just don't know camera specifics to split them up.

In the Canon brand there are two splits, Daily user (such as pro to avid hobbyist) and general public (aunt and uncle with the camera). Models in the first category are bodys 1d, 5d, and generally 40/50d can be added to that category. These models are build for more intensive use and will usually perform/hold up better. These cameras range from about $850 up. Then there is the lower end that would be appealing to someone who doesn't plan on being too intense with their use, demand, and aren't going to throw a bunch of $ into camera gear. These are models such as xs(i)/xt(i)/t1(2)i. They will fill most of the public's needs and remain lower in cost. usually from $500-850 new.

Used cameras can also be a fair choice if the previous user has taken care of the camera well. This helps on price if you are trying to move up in models.

[clint-o-matic]

I'm no pro, just a guy that likes to take photos. I use a Canon T1i. I like it a lot. The HD video feature is not that great, but it has a Creative Auto setting that's a bit nicer than the standard "green box" auto setting. I think for the cost, it's pretty good.

[T Verdier]

Yeah I use an older canon 10d its from 2004 it was $ 1500 back then but has a tiny LCD and is only 6.3 megapixels, You could pick one up now for $250 or a 40d for $500. That being said its a great camera with the right lens. my friend let me borrow his cheap plastic $100 28-80mm its alight but when my grandpa let me use his $700-$80017-40mm F4L It was amazing how much diference it made.

Realy Canon and nikon are to close in quality for anyone to argue about.
alot of the canon rebels we sell at costco come with an 18-55mm lens and a 70-250mm
the Nikons come with a similar set up.

[T Verdier]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...-Cat79&topnav=

This is what i want
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...87150*&topnav=

[thornado327i]

Thanks for all the input.

I was planning to spend from 700 to 900 USD for a set (body + 18-55 lens). I'm quite attached to Canon SLRs (had a couple - analog that is) which brings me to a question:

Can I actually use lenses from analog Canon on a digital one?

[T Verdier]

Yes full frame lenses work on crop body cameras. The rebels, 7d,10d are all "crop body" cameras or smaller sensor. So if you have a 50mm it's realy an 80mm since it's x 1.6, the 5d is a full frame so a 50mm is a true 50mm.
You can buy lenses that only work on crop body cameras but if you try them on a full frame or 35mm film it won't work. That's why I won't buy any lenses that are apc-s only because later if I want to get a 5d I'll have to buy new lenses. Those ef-s lenses that the rebel comes with are crop body only.

[T Verdier]

Canon switched over to the EF mount in 89 so any EF lens will work. If your old camera was older than 88 then no. nikon goes all the way back to the 50s.

[Dude]

When picking at SLRs, you can group them into 2 different categories: the big players and the smaller players. The two biggest brands are Canon and Nikon. Then you have Sony, Pentax, Olympus, and a slew of others. In reality, unless you're looking at the pictures at the pixel level, the image quality of any of them are going to be good. Any digital SLR will meet your requirements above.

What you need to be primarily concerned about is #2 above - availability of lenses. You will find widest availability of used and third party lenses for Canon & Nikon cameras. You're ultimately buying the camera for the lenses that you can use. Camera bodies actually have a much shorter lifespan compared to lenses. That's why you can buy used lenses but shouldn't buy used camera bodies. You'll see once you've invested a good amount of money in accumulating lenses; at that point, you're pretty much stuck in sticking with that brand.

That being said, there are very strong brand loyalists out there. I personally prefer Nikon over Canon. Nikon glass is generally considered to be of much higher quality than compared to Canon. Also, what is your budget? When buying the camera, make sure you purchase a good quality lens. Not all lenses are the same. For example, there are 2 Nikon AF-S DX 18-55 lenses. They both zoom the same, but one is $120 and the other is $250. The $250 lens has VR (image stabilization) and will make a significant impact in low light situations or tele zoom.

Nailed it.

[T Verdier]

+3 on lenses being most important.

[Ryan Stewart]

xphiledan's statement is one of the two main reasons I switched to Nikon. If you want to buy new, higher grade lenses Canon is a little bit cheaper and currently has a wider selection but if you want to save some money you can get older models either new or secondhand for cheap. I have a couple of "antique" lenses that I picked up for stupid cheap that do a great job.

Another reason I switched is I liked the interface of the Nikon digitals more. The ergonomics fit me better. So unless only one has the lenses you "gotta have" then you should also go hold and play with both models to see which feels better, which one has menus you think are easier to navigate.

[briansjacobs]

I use the Canon 300D or Digital Rebel. so long as you stay with Canon or Nikon you can do no wrong. I chose the canon because my wife is tiny and the canon is lighter, that said the nikon is probably a little more rugged, which is my more pro's choose them