Camera Suggestions Please

[Shawn D]

I have been browsing this forum for a month or so now thinking about taking the leap into the DSLR world and was wondering what all of you thought of these cameras. I am trying to decide between the Canon XSi, the Sony A300, or a Nikon D60. Also do you think I should buy a kit or the body only and then a decent lens? Since I am just starting out I don't want to spend a ton of money on accessories and the best quality lenses though.

Thanks for the help

This kit seems like a pretty good deal, what do you think?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/545831-REG/Sony_DSLRA300X_Alpha_DSLR_A300_SLR_Digtial.html

[nickb]

You can find excellent camera reviews on the following site: http://www.dpreview.com/ The site also has a discussion forum which will give you comments about the different cameras. A second site (http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/index.php) has good lens reviews - the Sony 18-70 didn't get particularly good reviews.

Have you tried holding each camera? I was looking at the XSi but when I tired it decided that it was too small for my hands which made it very uncomfortable to hold. YMMW but try them out. Most stores will also let you put an SD card in the camera to take some test photos to look at at home.

You might want to look at the Nikon D80 rather the D60. Since Nikon released the D90 (a D80 upgrade), the D80 has been dropping in price. It now costs around the same price as the D60 but is a more capable camera in most areas (the D60 is an excellent camera too). It offers additional features which you might find useful (including the ability to use a wider range of lenses - the D60 has no auto-focus motor in the body which limits the lens option if you want AF). The Nikon kit lens (especially the 18-70, 18-105VR and 18-135) are all excellent lens. Depending on your photography interests, they would be a very good starting point. Then, as your skills and interests develop, you could select additional lens.

All this said, any of these cameras is capable of producing stunning photographs and would serve you well.

[TWallace]

Personally I'd avoid the D60 as it can't autofocus with some lenses, which may limit your lens selection a little. Also, it lacks bracketing, which isn't a terribly useful feature for aquarium photography, but it's very handy if you ever want to do some HDR photography. If you're interested in a similar Nikon in the same price range as the D60, I'd check out a used D50 or D80. Both can auto focus with any auto focus lens and both have bracketing.

If you think the lens restriction for the D60 is no big deal and don't have any interest in the bracketing feature, then it's a perfectly fine camera.

KenRockwell.com (http://kenrockwell.com/) is an invaluable site for all the info you need for both Canon and Nikon cameras and lenses.

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13657398#post13657398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TWallace

KenRockwell.com (http://kenrockwell.com/) is an invaluable site for all the info you need for both Canon and Nikon cameras and lenses.

The problem with Ken is that he's no more qualified than you and I, and is quite often just dead wrong about stuff.

[BlueCorn]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/about.htm

[TWallace]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13657407#post13657407 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
The problem with Ken is that he's no more qualified than you and I, and is quite often just dead wrong about stuff.

I'm certain that he's much more qualified than I, actually :).

[BlueCorn]

I wouldn't bet on that. :lol:

[Shawn D]

Thanks for all the responses. I have not held all these cameras in particular but have toyed with several Nikons (D40, D60 and D200) in my yearbook class, as well as playing with my uncles Canon XT, I have not held a sony or played with one yet. Thanks for pointing out that the D80 is dropping in price and that would be a nice snag, when I googled D80 this came up http://soniccameras.com/catalog/product_info.php?redirect&origin=http://www.pricingdepot.com/compare.asp?item=25412&products_id=4124 which seems like a great deal. What do you think?

[BlueCorn]

It would be a good deal, if it was real: http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Sonic_Cameras

Lesson number 1. There are a lot of really shady folks in the camera business.

Buy from someone reputable like B&H Photo/Video. They'll have close to the lowest legitimate price that you can find and they're top-notch to deal with.

[Shawn D]

Thanks a lot beerguy, that would have been a disaster

[VoidRaven]

Too bad we can't get discounts for pimping B&H! I refer everyone who asks where to buy gear to their site. I have always gotten the best service from them and their customer service folks are wonderful to work with.

[Shawn D]

$650 is as much as I want to spend so I could do this used http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/449066/Nikon_9405_D80_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

I will probably wait till my birthday (end of January) to ask for another nice lens if I went with this kit.

[Shawn D]

Also do you think the D80 will drop more in price as the holidays get closer?

Thanks again

[VoidRaven]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13661071#post13661071 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shawn D
Also do you think the D80 will drop more in price as the holidays get closer?

Thanks again

Probably not....but then again, some stores might run "kit" specials. So who knows. Anything can happen.

[TWallace]

I'd seriously consider buying used, as you can easily save a couple hundred dollars. Used D80s aren't too hard to find as people tend to upgrade from it to a D90, D300, D700 or even D3 for the rich folks. I got my used D50 on Craigslist for $425 with 2 lenses and a Nikon camera bag. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The camera works perfectly.

I found this in your area: http://houston.craigslist.org/pho/900795031.html.

[Shawn D]

Went and played with all the cameras today and liked the way the Nikon D60 and D80 felt the best. If I go with the D60 and later upgraded to another Nikon body would AF lenses still work on bodies like the D80 with the built in AF?

[Misled]

Yes they will, but IMO you'll find yourself upgrading in a year.


I know, I did!

[nickb]

I assume that you are asking if AF-S lenses will work on the D80? If so, yes - AF-S lenses will work on all Nikon bodies. In fact, there are advantages to the AF-S system: it is faster, quieter and you can fine-tune the auto-focus using manual focus override without having to switch off the auto-focus. The problem for the D40/D60 is that Nikon hasn't produced AF-S versions of many of it's good prime lenses and also that older film lenses are AF, not AF-S. The AF lenses will work on the D80, as long as they aren't too old (circa 1980).

[Misled]

And while other lens makers, such as Sigma and Tamron are making some newer lenses with a motor in the lens, alot of theirs still don't have them.

This was one of my main reasons for upgrading last month. There are alot of quality lenses available and it became very upsetting when they wouldn't auto focus even though alot of the pics I take were done with manual.

A lot will be what you intend on taking pictures of. I started seeing some of the guys here. Before you know it , I was looking at landscapes in a different light. I started taking pics of sunsets instead of just looking at them. I needed better glass. I also needed a better body, (mine was a D40, which has the same drawbacks).

I'm not quite there yet. I have some average glass. I have a great body now, (D200). I'm learning the camera now. If I had bought this camera first, I'd be looking for better glass now.

Christmas isn't too far away though.

[Shawn D]

Misled, do you mean upgrading bodies or lenses? Haha sorry I'm a noob. Yes I mean AF-S nickb. I can definitely see myself upgrading bodies in a year or two depending on how serious I get into photography

[Misled]

I just upgraded Bodies from the D40 to the D200. I did pick up a sigma 90mm macro while I had the D40 and used it for alot of my bug shots. Had to manual focus because no motor in the lens. Started taking pics of scapes and sunsets and started looking into other lenses from other makers than Nikon.

There were alot of other reasons I upgraded also. Metal body, more control, better and more accesories that fell more into where I want to go in this "hobby." I won't have to change the body for awhile. While not one of the most expensive things in this hobby, it still should hold it's value for some time.

[Shawn D]

How long did you use your D40 for? I think I will probably do something like that as well. A friend of mine has the D200 and they sure are sweet, I love the feel of the metal body.

[Misled]

1 year.

[Shawn D]

Decided on the D60 w/18-55 kit lens. Now just wants another good lens in the longer zoom range to add to my X-mas list:rollface:

[ERIKATHORNBURG]

From a photographer....I'm a canon girl....so, I'd recommend a canon. :)

[Shawn D]

Canon seems to make some great stuff I just didn't like the way the XSi felt and can't afford the better models

[ERIKATHORNBURG]

You'd probably want the 40D then...definately a set up from the XSi. I have the 5d....love it.....I want to upgrade to the new 5d.

[Shawn D]

looks very nice but quite a bit out of my $ range

[ERIKATHORNBURG]

Sorry....figured that it would be since you said you couldn't afford a better model. Powershots are nice point and shoot cameras.

[nickb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13681959#post13681959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ERIKATHORNBURG
Powershots are nice point and shoot cameras.
I've got a Powershot and it is a nice camera. But, when I want to go to dSLR, I'm going to get a Nikon, most likely the D90. Nothing against the Canon dSLRs, which are excellent cameras with great lenses. But, the XSi feels small and awkward in my hands. The 40D feels nice but, from a price/performance perspective, the Nikon gives me more for my money. That's my call. Clearly Shawn felt the same way. Why not leave it that both systems are very good and let people choose which they feel most comfortable with? No need to get into a tussle over which system is better (the answer is: neither. They both can make great pictures.)

[ERIKATHORNBURG]

I wasn't trying to start a tussle. Just saying that I prefer Canons....so, that's what I would recommend. I have lots of photographer friends that shoot awesome photos with Nikons. They are great cameras. I just prefer Canon.....it's my old shoe...I'm use to it.

[Shawn D]

So what would be a good lense with decent reach?

[ERIKATHORNBURG]

I love my Canon 24-105mm f4 L lens....not sure about Nikon. Probably something with a similar range.

[nickb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13683056#post13683056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shawn D
So what would be a good lense with decent reach? If you can afford it, the Nikkor 16-85 has been getting very good reviews but it will cost as much as your camera :( A common match with the 18-55 kit lens is the 55-200mm VR. It is a solid lens with a reasonable telephoto range. The 70-300 (which I am looking at getting) is better and has good 'reach' but would leave you a 'gap' between 55 and 70. If you want to take macros, there are at least four macros lenses in the 100mm range which are excellent (Tamron 90, Tokina 100, Sigma 105 and Nikko 105VR). These also work as standard telephoto lenses. The first three are around $400 while the Nikkor is about $700.

Did you get the 18-55 VR or just the 18-55? The former is reported to be a better quality than the later.

[TitusvileSurfer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13683056#post13683056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shawn D
So what would be a good lense with decent reach?

70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM or f/2.8L USM or f/4L IS USM or f/4L USM
100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
EF 135mm f/2L USM
EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF 300mm f/4L IS USM
EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
EF 500mm f/4L IS USM
EF 600mm f/4L IS USM
EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
EF 1200mm f/5.6L USM

Those are the "good" lenses with "reach" in Canon's lineup ranging from $600-$100,000 each. Don't even get me started on the wide angle or normal angle lenses. Telephoto or "reach" is just a fraction of the pie. You don't always want a football player to take up the entire frame from the other endzone.

[TitusvileSurfer]

Oh I saw all the Canon talk and assumed. I don't know about Nikon, their lens system is strange to me. Either way this stuff could be more expensive than your tank so do your homework.

[Shawn D]

nickb it ilwill be VR. Thanks for the responses, now I have got plenty of hw to do.

[VoidRaven]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13683549#post13683549 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Oh I saw all the Canon talk and assumed. I don't know about Nikon, their lens system is strange to me. Either way this stuff could be more expensive than your tank so do your homework.

It isn't any more weird than Canon's line up. Canon just has a few more lower cost alternatives to certain lenses (like the 70-200 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/4) and their longer tele primes are cheaper than Nikon's.

[TitusvileSurfer]

They have many classes of lenses though. Canon has 2, Ef and Ef-s. Nikon seems to have many more which would question compatibility with said camera.

[nickb]

I'm not sure the differences are that great. Canon has EF (for full 35 mm sensors), EF-S (for non-full frame sensors) and L lenses (pro quality). Nikon uses 'DX' to mean the same as 'EF-S'. Other Nikon lenses are full-frame. But, Nikon doesn't have a separate designation for its pro lenses. .

Both companies use a bunch of other letters to describe their lenses (IS, USM for Canon and VR, AF-S, ED, G, etc. for Nikon). Nikon has more descriptive letters but that doesn't define classes of lenses. They just describe lens coatings, focus options, etc. If you get used to one line, the other may look strange but that;s just what you are used to.

[Shawn D]

Used a friends XSi for a lil bit today and liked it, so that screwed everything up again and no I not sure what to choose lol.

Seems like most nature/wildlife photographers use Canons is that somewhat true?

[TitusvileSurfer]

Most sports guys use Canon. Walking around my local wildlife refuge the Canon to all other ratio is probably 10:1.

[Shawn D]

Is there a reason for that?

[Misled]

I see more nikons up here. All the local news photogs use D700's now too. It's more what you get comfortable with. Use friends cameras and first see what feels good to you. If it doesn't feel good, you'll get tired of carrying it.

[BlueCorn]

I lead landscape photography workshops and honestly it's a pretty even blend. For many years only Canon had full frame digital cameras which made them very attractive to landscape/nature shooters but Nikon and Sony finally caught up. Don't agonize over which one to buy because no matter what you choose it'll be a good camera. Take a peak here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1503490

I shoot Canon because I like the system, the control layout and how it's built but that doesn't mean that it's the best camera for you.

[Shawn D]

Thanks beerguy and misled. This is my x mas present so I have lots of time to figure what is best for me. Thanks for the link as well.

[ngn8dogg]

Has anyone bought anything from shopdigitaldirect.com? is this another scam ?http://shopdigitaldirect.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=7741

[ngn8dogg]

answered my own ? scammers suck

[nickb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13698215#post13698215 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ngn8dogg
Has anyone bought anything from shopdigitaldirect.com? is this another scam ?http://shopdigitaldirect.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=7741 Just to make clear so that people scanning this thread get the message - this company has a horrible reputation. After you place an order, they try to charge $200-300 extra for things like the battery (which comes in the box) and, if you fail to up-purchase, they become belligerent and delay shipping by weeks or try to charge hundreds of dollars to cancel the order. The old adage applies here: if it looks too good to be true, it likely is.

For those who don't already know about it, you can check out consumer ratings of stores at Resellerratings.com (http://www.resellerratings.com/rlist-s1-n2.html)