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10-29-2009, 10:27 AM
| #1 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 294
 |  What SLR to buy?
Hey everyone! I am in a confusion as to which DSLR should I go for. I have been reading about sooo many of them (Nikon D3000, D5000, D60, Cannon 50D, 450D etc) and am in a dilemma about which one to pick. A lil background: I am a newbie in the field of photography, though I am sure I have some knack of it. I just need the right gadget  Since its gonna be at the beginner's level, I think I would stick to some basic features, maybe just only a few special ones. I am considering to stick to standard lens (18-55) for the initial few months and then graduate. Just looking to kickstart this great experience. Also, is there really much difference in the two ace brands - Cannon and Nikon? Or it all just depends on the models and not much on the company? Anyone please help me out? Thanks  |
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10-29-2009, 10:46 AM
| #2 (permalink) |
| Member  Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 74
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Go to Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ for reviews on cameras. Both Canon and Nikon are excellent. I own an D70 myself and make great pictures with it. But if you talk to a Canon owner he/she will say the same. Remember, the quality of your pictures is not in the equipment you use, but how you use it. A camera is just a tool.
__________________ Patrick Schriel Awake Your Authentic Self Personal Development Blog: Sharing ideas for Personal Growth, Life Coaching & Conscious Living |
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10-29-2009, 08:34 PM
| #4 (permalink) | |
| Moderator  Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oblong, Illinois
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10-30-2009, 07:33 AM
| #6 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 114
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It doesn't really matter which camera you use. They are all pretty much of a muchness. In the end it comes down to feel. If you don't like the feel of the camera you won't use it. If you don't use it, a) you're skills won't improve and b) you'll only use it because you paid money for it, not because you want to play. Perhaps what you need to do is find a friend/co-worker that has the camera you are interested in and see if you can borrow it for a day or so to get used to it and see if you like it. This is by far the best way to evaluate which camera is right for you. Perhaps you should go through the reviews and pick 2 or 3 that you want to try. I'm a Canon user, so my recommendations would be either the EOS450D or the EOS500D as a starting point, obviously depending on how much you are looking to spend. the main difference between these two is tha 500D's capability of taking high def video (1080p) and a larger sensor 15megapixels compared to 12. The Nikon is also an excellent camera (don't know the codes off hand, and I know people who swear by Olympus and Pentax, so it all comes down to personal choice) As far as the lens goes, the 18-55mm kit lens is useful, but you may want to consider getting a nice telephoto lens as well. The Sigma 70-300 or 50-200 are both versatile and will serve you well, even if you upgrade the body at a later date. If you don't want to keep on changing the lens on the camera body, you may want to consider getting an 18-200mm lens instead of the 18-55mm one. The other thing to remember is the extra items that often get overlooked. Definitely invest in a spare battery and a couple of spare memory cards. The last thing you want is to have the perfect shot lined up and have to purge your card or have your battery go flat.
__________________ My blatherings about movies, especially very dodgy ones |
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10-30-2009, 06:21 PM
| #7 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 294
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Thanks Gaz, very informative! I loved your tips esp. the ones about "getting the feel of the cam and liking it" and about the "spare batteries/cards". I believe I am looking at Cannon and Nikon, but not really Olympus or Pentax or something else. It maybe to go along with the herd mentality but i'd rather say it's indeed the quality superiority of these 2 brands. So for now I'd stick to researching one of the 2 super competitors As you said, its a personal thing ultimately.Thanks, your insights were very useful! Also, do you personally find anyone better than the other between Canon and Nikon? Last edited by Brown Eyed Mystic; 10-30-2009 at 06:24 PM. |
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10-30-2009, 07:48 PM
| #8 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 114
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Hey Brown Eyed Mystic The Nikon does some things better than the Canon and Vice versa. The only reason I like the Canon is because I know the menu system and I've been using a Canon compact for the last 4 years and used a Canon film camera before that. I think it's safe to say that there's a fair amount of Brand loyalty present in my decision. I'm just about to buy the EOS500D and I have a shopping list that goes with it in order of priority. If you want that or any other advice, even if it's just to chat drop me a PM. I'm always happy to help. you can also have a look at some of the photo's I've taken at My deviant art page
__________________ My blatherings about movies, especially very dodgy ones Last edited by Gaz; 10-30-2009 at 08:12 PM. |
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10-30-2009, 07:52 PM
| #9 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 550
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I use a Nikon D40 personally. It has serves me well, and I expect to continue using it as my primary camera until I have the need for a more professional model. For me, a high megapixel camera isn't really necessary, as I do mostly landscape photos and do not like to crop my photos. If you plan to heavily crop your photos, a higher magapixel camera is probably worth considering.
__________________ Random thoughts from Some Random Guy |
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10-30-2009, 11:42 PM
| #10 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 118
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Pick either a Nikon or Canon and then concentrate on composition and developing your own style and never worry about whether you've picked a camera that's good enough. Ken Rockwell rocks! I have a 5 year old D70 and if you can't get a good picture with that, then it's your ability not the camera's. I would recommend getting a secondhand camera and save your money. |
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11-01-2009, 05:10 AM
| #11 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 102
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My first SLR was Canon EOS 1D + hockey bag full of white lenses back in 2002. After measly $18K of expense I owned the most advanced professional equipment of a century. My second SLR was 16MP monster Canon EOS 1Ds MkII which set me back for another $9k - just for the box with the hole. These magnesium alloy bodies that can withstand Iraq sandstorms, tropical showers and beings thrown onto the concrete floors without blinking earned my heart appreciation. I sold away both of my 1D bodies since then and it feels like i sold my soul. I am looking back to the moment I'll re-buy Canon 1D-whatever Pro body. I am sorry for spilling my soul and not adding any value to the discussion about inexpensive cameras. Gleb
__________________ True Master Carries No Sword |
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11-01-2009, 05:58 AM
| #12 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 228
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My recommendation is to ask your question here: Beginners Questions Forum: Digital Photography Review You'll get a quick response from tons of people who know their stuff. When you ask your question there, just make sure to include what you plan to take pictures of and your budget. Also if you're looking to shoot in RAW or JPG, how important video is and if you want something smaller or if size isn't an issue. I shoot with a Canon 5D which is now amazingly cheap for its quality, but I'd recommend starting with something cheaper and working your way up to high quality gear when you know exactly what your shooting preferences are. Here's my dA page: puffinpunk on deviantART |
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11-01-2009, 05:59 AM
| #13 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 294
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Thanks for the great advice Gaz. I looked at your pics, amazing ones! I liked quite a few very much. Thanks for sharing! Hmm, that would mean I'd rather concentrate on the camera features which I'd like to have, and then pick up either of the brands, whichever offers the best of those. Makes sense. Sure, I'd pm you about more. No worries. | |
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11-01-2009, 06:02 AM
| #14 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 294
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 I am not yet decided if I'd want to crop them much, I am trying to go with the flow, experiment, and then understand what suits my imaging tastes Thanks!
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11-01-2009, 08:39 AM
| #15 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009
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11-01-2009, 08:52 AM
| #16 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 294
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Yeah I've looked into that. Being a lil funnily sexist, one of my friends commented "Ah all the girls should go for a Mg body, they keep slipping the cam body every and then". Point taken! | |
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11-01-2009, 08:57 AM
| #17 (permalink) | ||
| Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009
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11-03-2009, 04:06 PM
| #18 (permalink) |
| Senior Member  Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 1,209
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Wanting a camera that I'd virtually always have on me, I opted for the Motorola Zine Z5, a 5 megapixel camera with a phone built in, considered the best camera phone when I got it ~ a year ago. As long as the lighting is good, photo quality is excellent and blows up well to at least 11 by 14. Call quality is good too Before that I had good results with the Canon A510.I've been a fan of Ken Rockwell's site for years, first almost buying the D70 and then the D40 when the D70 disappeared, but never getting either since I knew I'd usually just have something that fits in my pocket with me, and I mostly take photos of things that don't move. For a DSLR I'd still pick the D40, and if price were no object I'd look at Leica's digital rangefinder, the M9. I visited a friend in Ohio a couple weeks ago and watched him take photos with his $5000+ Nikon D3, but also noted he quickly put the heavy thing down and started snapping shots with his water/shock resistant Olympus compact camera. Some of the most interesting shots were taken with my camera phone, long after everyone else had set down their cameras. |
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11-04-2009, 08:05 AM
| #19 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 753
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I just brought one of these Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review It's meant to be a very good camera, something purchased just before you step-up to a dslr. Although I like dslr's I know I wont get as much use out of one, due to it's weight and bulkiness. I think the lx3 will allow me to learn a lot of manual functions that you expect in an dslr and if I use it enough, then I might think about a DSLR. If I was to go for a DSLR I would choose canon 5d mark ii. I think there will be a large learning curve for me with learning the manual functions, but I think learning the manual functions like fstop and aperture will help me push my photographic skills. A good book that explains the basics of photography, is a old book called Amazon.com: Black and White Photography, Third Revised Edition (9780316373050): Henry Horenstein: Books No digital cameras there, but it explains fstop aperture, depth of field etc in laymens term. Last edited by ellie; 11-04-2009 at 08:42 AM. |
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11-04-2009, 02:10 PM
| #20 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 114
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I'm looking at getting the Olympus Tough 6000 in addition to the DSLR. The DSLR will be taken along when I go on dedicated photo outings, while the olympus will be carried everywhere. There's a lot to be said for the fact that the best pictures are the ones taken on the camera you have with you. I'll have a look when I get home to see if I can find the names of a couple of professional photographers that only use compacts, and I know there was a guy who did a trip across the states taking photo's with a phone camera. I'll stick the names and stuff up once I've found them again.
__________________ My blatherings about movies, especially very dodgy ones |
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11-04-2009, 07:19 PM
| #21 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chapel Hill, NC
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Chase Jarvis Photography iPhonic Imagery Photo Gallery by Dave Wyman at pbase.com | |
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11-13-2009, 09:06 PM
| #22 (permalink) | |
| Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chapel Hill, NC
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11-17-2009, 04:56 PM
| #24 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 294
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Thank you all for the replies I just wanted to let you guys know that I have finally come down to D3000 and D5000. It's gonna be either of these. I'd updade to better (expensive) lenses as and when I get a hang of things A freind is looking out for some deals (if at all) and I'd go with the best that I get outta these two cams. Excited! Happy photographing all! |
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11-18-2009, 07:06 PM
| #25 (permalink) |
| Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 114
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Cool. Glad you've made a choice. Enjoy the photographing, You'll have to let us see some of your pics.
__________________ My blatherings about movies, especially very dodgy ones |
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