Getting 1st DSLR

[einstein57]

I have no camera skillz at all. Never took any classes in school. Never even finished reading the manual. But here are a couple shot i took with the xti and a cheap fish eye adapter lens in low level lighting. Just to show you that a cheap slr, with cheap glass, and in the hands of someone who is not skilled at all can still take some ok shots.

[Stephen]

qft.


I own a 20d w/24-70/2.8l and have made posters that look way cleaner than a buddies with his xti. Megapixels are just a big marketing scheme camera companies are using to suck in the average person who doesn't know about cameras to spending more money

+1

[steinbachphoto]

Why buy an xti or xsi when the used 20d/30d's are going for same if not cheaper? Megapixel's arent everything.....

qft.


i own a 20D w/24-70/2.8L and have made posters that look way cleaner than a buddies with his xti. Megapixels are just a big marketing scheme camera companies are using to suck in the average person who doesn't know about cameras to spending more money

[sumyungguy]

Why buy an xti or xsi when the used 20d/30d's are going for same if not cheaper? Megapixel's arent everything.....

[Stephen]

Basically, unless youre a real awesome photographer, just go with one good solid camera, just pick on what feels right and what price is right. i like canons and sony, ive use canons aplenty but i like my new sony [better than the old ones]. but you may like nikons, or olympus, out of peronal preference. So just buy what is good, with the features fitting what priorities you have.

[Aptyp]

and xsi is only $100-200 more

[apexede30]

the xsi is great but i don't see it justifying spending $600 to upgrade from the xti...

Oh hell no it isn't. The one good thing is the kit lens is an IS lens.

[k_wakasugi]

You'll like the camera. Buy it! I got mine for 650 + 200 for a 5 year warantee from ritz camera. Just don't bend the CF pins.

the xsi is great but i don't see it justifying spending $600 to upgrade from the xti...

unless you were talking to the OP. just looks like you were responding to einstein.

[apexede30]

Damn i wish they had xsi's for under 600 when i got my camera. Oh well. Xti with 18-55 lens and 4gb memory card is about 550 shipped all day on ebay.

You'll like the camera. Buy it! I got mine for 650 + 200 for a 5 year warantee from ritz camera. Just don't bend the CF pins.

[einstein57]

Damn i wish they had xsi's for under 600 when i got my camera. Oh well. Xti with 18-55 lens and 4gb memory card is about 550 shipped all day on ebay.

[dinanm3atl]

roflmao

That is the humor :)

That would also work!

[sumyungguy]

Finally another photog with a good recomendation.

Gently used 30D w/ 17-40 f/4L would be quite the xmas gift :)

Definitely grab the nifty fifty either way! 90 bucks and it takes some sharp pics and very fast!

Yes it would, I was even thinking a EF-S 17-85 IS..

Its funny when I use the ol nifty on my 5d, the camera cost 30x more :o

[dinanm3atl]

Finally another photog with a good recomendation.

Gently used 30D w/ 17-40 f/4L would be quite the xmas gift :)

Definitely grab the nifty fifty either way! 90 bucks and it takes some sharp pics and very fast!

[sumyungguy]

I recommend a used Canon 20d/30d ($400-600) as its alot of camera for a small price, and a lens/es that will best suit what she will be shooting. Unless she's ready for the task of learning flash photography, go with lenses that have a big aperture (smaller F#). A lower end camera doesn't have exceptional low light noise handling, so make up for that with big aperture lenses, for example the $100 50mm 1.8 is a great lens for low light no flash shooting. Zoom lenses that have a f2.8 are pretty much a standard for good low light use but are sometimes costly, so that could be something to upgrade to.

Dont listen to these people that are saying one brand is better than another, 98% of the time they have no clue what their talking about. Camera systems are tools for capturing what you see in a way you want, the camera can only do so much work (Ive seen some amazing photos taken with nice point and shoots).

Going with what dinanm3atl said, the camera body isnt as important as the glass you put in front of it. Get a decent used body and a nice lens and she will have a ball.

Let me know if you want me to help on something specific or where to find the used equipment.

[Pedro]

Wow you guys definately brought out good questions that i didnt even consider. This is going to be a gift for my GF for xmas. All shes had before are Sony point at shoot camera's. Shes always wanted to take better pics. I cant say she'll focus on day or night shots most. The problem with the sony she has now is she cant take pics at night cuz the camera sucks and i probably dont really know how to use it.

I dont expect the camera to be cheap, my step-dad was really into photography and i know his cameras and lens' were pretty expensive. The cheaper the better but I dont expect to pay less than $600.

Cliffnotes..........
Good all around camera (day/night/moving/stationary shots)
I'm assuming I'll have to pay minimum of $600