Buying a new digital SLR--need advice!

dengood1

dengood1

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Hey everyone, my wife and I are looking to buy a new digital SLR camera and we need some advice on what to get and where to get it. We're not looking for a high dollar professional camera, just a nice all around SLR. We're currently looking at the Rebel XT, XTI, and some Canons, and a couple Nikons so far. What would you recommend? Please also advise on where to buy for the best price. Meghan, I know you're a photographer---your thoughts?? Thanks in advance.
 
The lens is the most important part and will cost more than the camera body.
I like the Canon and have use a 35mm for years
 
Hard to beat Cannon and Nikon. IMO Nikon is the best, but Cannon is a better value. I've had a couple of Cannon 35mm over the years and I was never dissapointed.
 
I use a Canon Powershot G6 7.1 megapixels I have no clue what all the functions do as I bought it at a crakhead price (under $300 and it retailed used on Amozon for $600 used). I like it
 
wytstang said:
I use a Canon Powershot G6 7.1 megapixels I have no clue what all the functions do as I bought it at a crakhead price (under $300 and it retailed used on Amozon for $600 used). I like it
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Did you buy it from a crackhead that "needed a fix"? :D Jeez, where did you get it?
 
A member on Autopia was selling it and I guess it scared a lot of people (thinking scam) but he had been a memebr for a while and took him up on his offer. He said he was upgrading to something better and this camera had very little use. It is in mint condtion and we're very happy we went for it as we came out waaaayyyy on top on this one.
 
I have a d50 and love it. Canon XTi is super nice and cheap (compared to cameras just a year ago). Also, canon's white lenses look awesome!! Nikon is not bad, but I think the XTi is too good of a deal to pass up. Look for prices online, way cheaper than Bestbuy, Circuit City, etc. PM me if you want some websites to some reputable dealers.
 
I just recently bought a Canon Rebel XT for $482 through Staples. I guess it's being replaced by the XTi, but that one was still almost $900. Since it's my first DSLR, it was a no brainer. And I didn't really care that the XTi had an extra 2 MPs.

I've already gotten two tripods and tons of books for it. It's a whole new world for me since before this, I had "regular" digital cameras. Could be the beginning of a new hobby!!!

Here's me playing around with it. The reflection is off my truck's tailgate.

DodgeA10.jpg
 
Take a pic of your WIFE! lol yeah if you are just starting you don't want to get the most advanced crazy tech thing. Get something to learn with, and the glass is the most important thing.
 
abrcrombe said:
Take a pic of your WIFE! lol yeah if you are just starting you don't want to get the most advanced crazy tech thing. Get something to learn with, and the glass is the most important thing.
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I have plenty pictures of my wife, heh, but those are in a "seperate" directory!!!

:D
 
aww... cmon she is VERY attractive. :) So what lenses do you have for your XT and how expensive were they?
 
I haven't bought any extra lenses yet, they're pretty pricey! I sold my Sony camera yesterday on Craigslist, still managed to get $175 for it. Maybe I can put that towards a new lens, but I really feel like I should learn how to use the camera properly...
 
Try getting a book explaining all the adjustments. ISO, aperature, shutter speed, all that jazz.
 
One of my customers send me about 8 books, I'm drowning! I have found that the Canon website has an excellent interactive tutorial on the Rebel XT itself, very nice!
 
it is a large toss up between a nikon D40, and an rebel XT... the rebel is better bang for the buck, but I've been more pleased using the nikon with nikkor lens....


it really is all about the lens.
 
I was first looking at Olymus Evolt E-330. I liked it, but it too complicated to use and too expensive. Then I looked at Panasonic FZ-50S. I bought one of those Panasonic cameras, but was very dissapointed. Pictures in Auto Mode were horrible quality. I was too lazy to learn the manual mode, after all you have only 14 days to return it. Then I bought Sony Cyber-shot® DSC-H5/B Digital Camera from Circuit City. My mom has the same camera, and I really like it.

• 7.2-megapixel
• 12x optical zoom
• 3" LCD screen

• Image stabilization
• Flexible exposure modes
• High sensitivity mode



That's one camera you won't be dissapointed with. Best of all it uses AA rechargeable batteries, and in case they die, you can always use AA.
Panasonic was using their "special" battery.

Camera cost $450.

I highly recommend Extreme III memory stick for it (that's what I have).
 
I've checked out the Nikon D80 that my dad wants to get, and it sounds like it's a very good camera to buy. It's a bit pricey at $950 for the body only, or about $1200 with the standard lens. I found that you can get the D70 (last years model) for $1,000 with two Nikkor lenses. See this link: Nikon D70s Digital SLR Camera w/ 18-70mm and 55-200mm ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lenses |BuyDig.com. The D40 also looks like a good camera, but without some of the features of the D80.

For the best deals go online. Go to Digital Camera Reviews at the Digital Camera Resource Page , Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ or Steve's Digicams - Main Menu for good reviews and the best online prices.

One thing to remember if you are just getting into photography is that with the SLR's you can end up spending more money on lenses than the camera, so be ready for that.
 
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