Digital cameras: Seeking Advice on Buying a Digital SLR
Seeking Advice on Buying a Digital SLR
by ericasavaaree - 7/24/07 7:31 PMHi everyone,
I'm just wondering, does anybody have any advice on buying a digital SLR? I'm looking to get a 2nd hand one, and so what should I look out for, and what price range would be reasonable?
Thanks!
Cheers,
Eric
What are you looking for?
by hjfok - 7/25/07 8:46 AM In reply to: Seeking Advice on Buying a Digital SLR by ericasavaareeA brand new Nikon D40 with kit lens 18-55mm costs about $525, and a brand new Canon Rebel XT with kit lens is about $570. These are pretty good prices for brand new equipment. But if you are looking for second hand higher end models, then you have to make sure you check out the sensor and lenses sold to you. I have never bought a second hand camera or lens. But this is my suggestion. You will need to at least take some photos with the camera and see if all the functions work properly. You should also check how much dust and dirt the sensor has. Small amount is easy to clean, but if there is enough to cause unwanted spots on your image, you may want to ask the original owner to clean it before buying it. This may cost some money (and potential damage to the sensor if you do it carelessly yourself). And you should check it again to make sure they don't damage the sensor when they clean it. The sensor is delicate and prone to damage if someone trys too hard cleaning it. You should check the lenses to see whether there are scratches on the lens, or significant amount of dust and dirt inside the lens. A small amount of dust inside the lens will not affect image quality, but if you do notice artifacts on the image from the dust inside the lens, then you may need to service the lens, which can cost some money. Sometimes it is hard to tell whether the image artifact comes from the sensor or the lens. But if you get the same artifact with the same camera using different lenses, then the artifact is likely coming from the camera. And of course if you get the same artifact with the same lens on different camera bodies, then the lens is the problem. You can look at the manufacturer menu and follow the instructions how to check and clean your sensor. Here is a link with some tips on checking and cleaning sensors: http://www.dmcphoto.com/Articles/SensorBrushes/
If you buy the second hand D-SLR from bhphotovideo.com or adorama.com, they usually will grade the condition of the used equipment. But you should still check it out yourself. Hope this helps.
"Body Only"?
by ericasavaaree - 7/25/07 9:20 AM In reply to: What are you looking for? by hjfokI'm looking for a dSLR for learning and experimentation, so in terms of price, I don't think I need something expensive. Rather, I feel an inexpensive camera would function better.
My next question is related to how some listings show "Body Only". What does that mean? Does it mean we have no lens and no sensors that are included?
Body Only
by Dan Filice - 7/25/07 9:56 AM In reply to: "Body Only"? by ericasavaareeI don't mean this in a negative way, but if you are looking into buying a DSLR and you don't know what it means when an ad says "body only", then in my opinion, you should spend more time doing research by reading forums like this and going to great DSLR websites like http://www.steves-digicams.com or http://www.dpreview.com to start. They have great forums and they give very detailed reviews of almost every DSLR camera, with zillions of photos and step-by-step reviews of camera functions. And by the way, "body only" means that the camera does not come with a lens. The image sensor, built-in flash, etc that is part of the body, comes with the body. Some people prefer to buy lenses of their choice instead of buying the "kit" lenses that come with some camera bodies, so for them, buying a "body only" is preferred.
Wrong presumption - I am doing my research.
by ericasavaaree - 7/25/07 10:42 AM In reply to: Body Only by Dan FiliceI know the basic parts of a camera, and so that part is fine for me. The "body only" part of the advertising has always baffled me because it didn't make sense for me as a camera buyer to buy a camera with only its body - and no lens.
And yes, I am doing precisely that - researching websites and asking people on forums before going out to make that purchase. Sorry if I sounded dumb or anything, but please don't presume that I'm not already doing research beforehand.
Good to know...
by Dan Filice - 7/25/07 12:50 PM In reply to: Wrong presumption - I am doing my research. by ericasavaaree...That you are doing the research. This is important. I happened to be at a local camera shop that serves the entertainment biz and I noticed they had used dSLR cameras in thier display cases. They happen to have 4 or 5 locations around Los Angeles. You can check out their website for used cameras too. It's www.samys.com. I would assume that most people who sell their dSLR cameras need to trade up. You may also want to look for a new, but discontinued model for a good price. The Canon XT has been replaced by the XTi, and I've seen it for $400 with a zoom lens. It's a great camera.
CF vs. SD
by ericasavaaree - 7/25/07 1:57 PM In reply to: Good to know... by Dan FiliceI've noticed how even in dSLRs, there's still some kind of a format competition going on. Like, I don't see many dSLRs that use the SD card format, which is the card format that I've been using all this while with my Canon cameras. So far, the only dSLRs that use SD cards that I know of are Panasonic and Pentax ones... are Panasonic cameras good ones? Or are there any other brands of cameras that use dSLRs?
Cards and Panasonic
by Dan Filice - 7/25/07 3:24 PM In reply to: CF vs. SD by ericasavaareeThe difference Compact Flash memory have memory chips and a controller (like a micro-hard drive) and SD is just memory chips. A good website to help with understanding them is: http://www.steves-digicams.com/flash_memory.html. Speed on memory cards is critical. With a dSLR, you need cards that can read/write extremely fast, especially for those that have rapid-fire modes.
I've always thought of Panasonic as making Point-and-Shoot cameras. For this, they're OK. I think they make one, maybe two digital SLR cameras. Can I clarify one thing for my own curiosity? What's the budget you have in mind? Also, are you looking for a dSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that will have interchangable lenses? If so, the brands that seem to have the largest following are Pentax, Canon, Nikon and Olympus. There are others: Kodak, Sony, Samsung, Sigma, Konica. The term "Single Lens Reflex" comes from the fact that what you see in the viewfinder is actually what the camera is seeing. The image enters the lens, then hits mirrors and is projected directly into the viewfinder for your eye to see. In a point-and-shoot (technically called a "viewfinder camera") the camera lens sees a slighty different image than what you see in the fiewfinder because the lens is not passing the image directly to your eye.
Budget
by ericasavaaree - 7/25/07 6:12 PM In reply to: Cards and Panasonic by Dan FiliceMy budget lies in the $500 to $600 (CAD) range, so I guess that's $400 to $500 USD? What would you recommend then?
Canon or Pentax
by Dan Filice - 7/25/07 9:29 PM In reply to: Budget by ericasavaareeIf you want a camera with removable lenses (dSLR), I would highly recommend either the Canon XT or the Pentax K100D. Both have received very good reviews. The XT was recently replaced with the Canon XTi, the difference being that the XT is 8 megapixel and the XTi is 10 megapixel. The Pentax is 6.1. CNET reviews the DSLRs here (you can view by lowest price first): http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-6501_7-0.html?tag=dffl3_2&filter=1104641_5105434_&sort=lowPrice9+asc. Here's another good site at Samy's camera here in Los Angeles: http://www.samys.com/browse.php?cat=114&mfg=0&pricesort=1. They seem to have very good prices all the time. Click on "Retail Ad" at the top of their page and you can see what they have on sale. They show the Pentax with a zoom lens for $549 after rebate or $599 with two lenses. Of course, these are "New" prices.
Can you buy in the U.S. online and have it shipped to Canada, or is that not allowed or overly taxed to prevent anyone from buying across the border?
K100D - appealing
by ericasavaaree - 7/25/07 11:46 PM In reply to: Canon or Pentax by Dan FiliceActually, it's perfectly fine for me to buy from USA and ship to Canada. I'd probably be looking more at the Pentax than the Canon, because the Pentax cameras support SD cards. I'm still hesitant though... I think I need more research. I know the K100D definitely looks like a very nice option, though, and I'm quite attracted to it.
Compare the three options
by Dan Filice - 7/26/07 11:09 AM In reply to: K100D - appealing by ericasavaareeErica,
As the other posters mention, the Nikon D40 and the Canon XT would be great, as would be the Pentax. Is there a local camera store where you can go handle (I call it fondle) them in person? I found that I liked the feel of the Pentax and the Nikon, but the Canon was a bit odd in my hands. Maybe it was the fact that my 6th finger got in the way. 
Yes, these are all last year's models and can be had at very good prices. And all have 3rd party lenses available too if and when you get into add'l lenses.
Dan
Local Camera Shop - Have to Hunt Around
by ericasavaaree - 7/26/07 12:18 PM In reply to: Compare the three options by Dan FiliceI'm not sure if there's a local camera shop around here. It's Vancouver, BC in Canada, so I'll have to hunt around. But I definitely will order online and have it shipped to me - I really hate paying for the 13% taxes that are charged here...
I like how you guys have been very helpful in recommending a starter dSLR. It's helped a lot. I'll be looking up reviews on the Nikon D40, Canon Digital Rebel XT and Pentax K100 before making a decision. Does anybody have any other recommendations?
Much cheaper from the states
by grctor - 8/2/07 4:31 PM In reply to: K100D - appealing by ericasavaareeIt's much, much, cheaper from the states, generally. It's helpful that all photography equipment is duty free. Or, you can even buy from another province and save the provincial sales tax.
Check out http://www.photoprice.ca. It does price comparisons for Canadians (including stores in the states, and understands provincial taxes).
CF v. SD memory cards
by jimsberg - 7/28/07 10:47 AM In reply to: CF vs. SD by ericasavaareeThe less expensive Nikon DSLRs use SD cards, as well as their point and shoots. They are small and now equal the other types in capacity, as well as being slightly cheaper to buy. My D50 uses them and I make excellent poster prints (20"x30") from that camera. I suspect that they will replace some of the other types as new cameras are produced.
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