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Community Newsletter: Q&A: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras
- 5/25/07 11:15 AM
Nikon D40X entry level
by Gnug222 - 5/4/07 9:34 PM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I recently (yesterday, strangely enough!) purchased a Nikon D40X dSLR camera from a Costco. It (so far) is working very well for me. I bought the Family Sports Action Pack which came with two lenses (a smaller one: about 18-55 mm, the second: 55-200 mm), a battery charger ('course), an SD card, a camera bag (It actually fits my old digital camera, my digital camcorder, both the lenses, and all its peripherals!), 2 (very helpful) DVDs for teaching you the ropes, and all for about $1000. yes, i know it's more than you want, but there are cheaper bundles. It is only in the stores, but you can buy them at many assorted camera stores.
I pretty much had the same curiosity as you, but needed the (way better) camera for my family pics. BTW, it is 10.2 megapixels and has far more modes than you want, and has manual zoom with auto focus. This is one of the best cameras i have ever seen! In a dSLR camera, you should look for good rapid fire shots, high megapixels, long battery life, and good lenses included (not many cameras come with good lenses, let alone good ones!). I also looked at the Canon XTI that is a 10 MP camera, but otherwise, I don't know anything else about it. Good luck finding your ideal camera!
Best dSLR for beginners...
by chadley25 - 5/4/07 10:08 PM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Generally speaking, you can't really go too wrong with either Canon or Nikon. They're both highly respected camera manufacturers with a large array of lenses and other equipment. That said, I'd wholeheartedly recommend the Nikon D40. It's an outstanding entry-level dSLR that will unquestionably please you. It has auto and program modes, but also lets you play with shutter priority, aperture priority, or full manual modes. Nikon's built-in flashes on their dSLRs are very nearly flawless. Do a search online for professional reviews of the D40. Avoid the D40x as it doesn't improve significantly enough on the D40, in my opinion, to justify it's $200 higher price tag. The D40 available in the U.S. with an excellent lightweight 18-55mm AF lens for a list price of $599. I shoot with the D80 myself, and have also owned the D50. Both are fantastic cameras, but the D40 gives you the best bang for the buck, and fits neatly into your budget WITH a good lens.
NOTE: Costco.com sells the D40 with the 18-55mm lens AND a 2GB SD card for $579.99 and that includes shipping.
tttt
by tamerkandil2007 - 5/5/07 2:19 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
بحبك وحشتيني
Answer for Stefan M
by karanraina - 5/5/07 2:41 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Dear Stefan M,
Simply shut your eyes and go for Nikon D-70.
It will suit your needs very well.
In case you want to save more money, then you may consider the D-40 by the same manufactuer.
You will not regret your decision.
regards.......
Karan Raina
dSLR
by MUSTANGPC - 5/5/07 8:53 PM In reply to: Answer for Stefan M by karanrainaDear Readers----
Please stick to the subject we are discussing - and that is dSLR for newbies!!
Thank you for your patience.
Or...
by LaJan7 - 5/12/07 8:53 PM In reply to: Answer for Stefan M by karanraina...do what c/net recommends as their pick: http://reviews.cnet.com/4323-6530_7-6509048.html?tag=txt
In all the back and forth about two brands of camera, I forgot the obvious: see what c/net thinks is best. LOL!
Now that there are no more D70s from Nikon (tho you may be able to get one used from 1000 locations), the new and improved D40 is a great value for the money.
A certain lover of Canon is probably gonna name the Rebel as better because Canon is better but c/net reviews speak volumes, since we ALL know c/net reviews are freakin' LAW. :-D
dSLR for newbies
by cmcbhi - 5/5/07 4:51 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Nikon D40-within your budget, accepts all the fabulous Nikon lenses. Canon also makes a camera in this price range that would access the Canon lens line. Other cameras are peripheral players. Both the nikon and the Canon are a starting platform that will take you on a journey that is limited only by your alent and your budget
DSLR's
by jsrw512 - 5/5/07 5:46 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi, I'm a semi-pro photographer and I would like to recommend the Canon Rebel XTi, I beleive is the model out now. Bought mine last year and have had so much fun with it. I can use it as a point & shoot and it takes pretty good pictures both inside and out. The built-in flash is lame but there's a hotshoe to use external flash. Program mode is available, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual and Blub. All the goodies photographers like plus you can monkey with the white balance, set to take just black & white and many other things I haven't explored yet. You can buy a myriad of lens for this camera and the down side to all this is that when you change lenses you risk getting dust on the sensor which you will have to learn to clean or pay to have done professionally. I also have a low end Leica D-Lux 3 and have had a ball with it too. It's a point & shoot with manual capabilities and is pocketsized. I take it everywhere. So for me, a dslr for working and a Leica for playing.
dSLR choice
by fergusbp - 5/5/07 6:40 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Nikon D80 is the best choice for what you want to do. Nikon has great reputation for Lens and glass. It is able to take 5 pictures per second. Nikon is know to have the best in camera reproduction from RAW NEF files to jepg. That will reduce time editing picture on the PC or Mac. Nikon is well supported with accessories from Nikon or aftermarket sources. It seems that other camera manufactures try to catch up to Nikons new inovations. I am a racing photographer and have been using the Nikon D70 with on problems. I take action shots during races at night using a 79 to 200 mm f-2.8 nikon lens. The Nikon D80 has many more features over the D70. If you want to stay in the lower end of your price range the D70s is the answer. Personally for the extra money I would go with the D80 when I purchasing a new camera.
Brian
Dslr choice
by fergusbp - 5/5/07 7:48 AM In reply to: dSLR choice by fergusbpI am a pro sports shooter. Comment about super lens digital cameras. You will always be limited to the features of the lens on the camera. As the digital lens market improves, without a dslr you will not be able to take advantage of new lens and accessory technology. I have noticed that most recomendations is for a Nikon camera.
The beauty of dslr is you can put them on an automatic mode and shoot always getting great pictures. That is how I started in a film slr. Then you can use various lens and modes on the camera to create photos. In dslr you have a s mode where you set your shutter speed and the camera automaticaly selects the lens opening (f stop). You with the A (apature) mode can also set your lens opening and the camera sets the shutter speed. You can put the camera on m (manual) mode thus you can choose the exposure and lens opening, thus having complete control over your photo shoot.
With dslr you can get camera controled flashes, and you can actually set up your own studio. Nikon has SB 800 speed flash, and SB 600 speed flash. These flashes are camera mounted or can be used off camera through infrared comunication. I have one SB 800 and two SB 600 flashes which as I press the shutter button, they communicate together and give the right flash exposure from the info from the readings the camera gets through the lens, this happens in 1/500 of a second. I do weddings, portrates and I can take my studio with me. These flashes I believe you can have 3 sets of 3 flashes each for a total of nine flashes positioned where you want.
Then there is the use of lenses. You can get a simple high speed 50mm 1.8 f portate lens. You can get a lens that can take a 360 degree picture of a room. There is fish eye lens. Then there is soom lens which go from 10 mm up to 600 mm. Then you can get telescopic lens of a fixed mm. There are many filters.
To sum it up, with a dslr you can grow in your photography hobby, but with the super soom cameras you are limited to that camera and features.
Over the years Nikon has produced dslr's for the promarket. They take the features of the pro cameras and them make consumer dslr's. For example the D 70 came from Nikon pro cameras, then came the D50, then D70's then the D40. Another example is the D200 pro camera which came from upper end pro camers. From that Nikon came out with D80 replacing the D70s and then the D40 which is a combination of features from the D70s and D80. So Nikon features and performance of the Consumer models have been proven in the prolines.
Winston
Simple answer
by coastiemac - 5/5/07 7:12 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I am another "point-and-shoot" user, but I have been strongly tempted to step up to dSLR as well. I am sure current users will have more technically strong and personally tested answers for you, but I thought I would pass on my thoughts anyway.
Keeping your budget in mind, you probably want to look for a camera in the $400-500 range to give you room to buy lenses, a camera bag, memory cards, spare batteries and other accessories. Otherwise you will pass $1000 in a hurry. All of your concerns aside, the most important factor in buying a camera is the ability to produce high quality photos. No matter what brand loyal enthusiasts tell you, find photos where the camera used and settings are listed and look at the pictures they were able to achieve. Go to a few camera stores and see how the camera feels and how user friendly it is to you. Hunt for cameras bundled with lenses, but look at the lens reviews as well.
Most of my research was done right here on CNET and I found a few cameras that consistently received high praise from users as well as good editor reviews. The Nikon D80 was an editors pick in Aug. 2006, but rests a little above your price range. The Canon Rebel series has some nice cameras too, but I found a good review that I recommend you check our on Newegg for the OLYMPUS E-500. I recommend it mainly because in addition to the review, it comes with a couple lenses.
eBay may be the way to go for a bundled kit, such as this listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/OLYMPUS-EVOLT-E-500-E500-8mp-DIGITAL-SLR-3LENS-4-GIG_W0QQitemZ290110512995QQihZ019QQcategoryZ43457QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem but I would look very carefully into warranty coverage before making any such large purchase. Hope this helps.
dont ignore the flash
by jmorgie2 - 5/5/07 8:38 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You want to take sequences with small time lag between shots. Me too. What I have found is that most often I shoot these sequences of my children and that I do it indoors. Turns out the major problem is not the time lag of the autofocus or autosense, but rather the time for the flash to recharge. Recommendation: obviously you want an dSLR that you can fully control aperture, shutter and focus; get yourself a lens with really good depth of field so you dont have to mess with refocusing. And spend your money on a good lighting system!
canon
by tjs1959 - 5/5/07 8:51 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
when i upgraded i got a canon rebel xt (body only) then i bought a 28-135mm is lens. all in all less then $1000.00 and i could not have made a better choice.
tj
Nikon
by teamdave - 5/5/07 9:48 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I won't confuse you with the technical details. More than likely you aren't really ready for those so I'll summarize by getting right to the bottom line. You can't beat the Nikon SLRs for features and lens availability. Battery life is exceptional. I've shot as many as 500 photos on a single charge with my D100. If you can find one, a (discontinued) D70 would be my first choice for the money, but if not, a D80. Start with a Nikon 28-105 lens. It's a great lens for a very reasonable price. Don't get too hung up on megapixels unless you're planning on printing a mural. They all have more than they need. One recommendation on add-ons. I would buy right off at least a gigabyte flash card. Also, if you don't already have it, Photoshop Elements. It's got all you need. Enjoy!!!
dSLR ... or not quite
by Reverend Shaft - 5/5/07 11:45 AM In reply to: Newbie to dSLR: Taking the next step beyond point-and-shoot cameras by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I was in a similar position about a year ago, and spent a lot of time asking questions, testing out cameras, and even talking with a few professionals that I know.
I eventually settled on the Canon Powershot S3. It's not a dSLR in the traditional sense because of the built-in mega-zoom lens and some of the built-in "point-and-shoot-like" features, but it does offer a lens attachment that will let you pop on any lens or filter you want to use, and can be set up to offer full SLR control.
I was leery about dropping that much money on a camera that I hadn't actually used, but I'm glad I did. It's a fantastic camera, and has more features than I could ever be reasonably expected to master.
The one thing I think you'll like in the S3 while making the transition from a point-and-shoot to a SLR style is the diversity of the control set. You can set it to act like an SLR, a point-and-shoot, or somewhere in between (so that you only have to worry about one aspect of aperture, or "film" speed, or shutter speed, etc.), or set it to a certain shot mode (night, action, bright light, vivid color, etc.) and just take the shot.
To touch on a few of the pros and cons:
The LCD is a little small by today's standards. However, the 180-degree flip and 360-degree rotation of the screen is VERY handy. I've also found that using the optical viewfinder is more my style anyway. (And unless you're sitting on a tripod, you'll want the extra stability that comes with holding the camera against your body somehow. In my experience, holding the camera away from the body to look through the LCD tends to create blurry shots.)
The single-handed grip is SO comfortable. Even more so than most of the cameras priced twice as much as the S3. The shutter button and zoom control are perfectly positioned and angled for one-handed operation.
Shutter lag is almost imperceptible, and the rapid-fire shooting is more than adequate even in low-light situations.
The only real drawbacks are extremely low-light shooting and image quality with ISO ("film" speed) settings in the 400+ range. (In simple terms, the lower the light, the higher you typically set the ISO number.) If you want a good, crisp shot, you need good lighting. I don't know if this is the case with all dSLRs or not, but compensating for low light results in an image that either lacks contrast or has some added graininess.
Added bonuses are the ability to capture full motion video with stereo sound (about 15 minutes will fit on a 1GB memory card), and you can take high quality pictures WHILE capturing video, shutter timers, repeat timers, built-in flash with expansion flash slot, and so forth.
Cnet also has a great review of this camera: http://reviews.cnet.com/Canon_PowerShot_S3_IS/4505-6501_7-31740582.html
In any event, I've tried some other cameras since I bought this one, and have yet to regret my purchase. For the money, it's the best out there.
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