| Photography Forum: Digital Photography Q&A Forum: |
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Q. Suggestions to which camera I should get...help from experienced photographers?
Asked by ch .
(K=88) on 12/3/2007
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So, for the past few months my father has been asking me what kind of camera I want. I love photography with a passion--the problem is, I have no idea what camera to get. It's probably a really open-ended question but I know that I want a digital SLR....it has to be something I can work with now, but also grow with. A camera like this is obviously not cheap and it will probably be the last camera I don't have to pay for.
I've heard good things about the Canon Rebel XTi, but I want to make sure to explore all my options before making such a purchase.
I really appreciate your reviews about cameras and suggestions to which camera you think would fit my needs. Thanks so much! 
--Christine
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Jeroen Wenting
(K=25317) - Comment Date 12/3/2007
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First, what price range are you thinking about?
If you have $1000 to spend the recommendations will of course be quite different from if you've $5000 to spend (or $10.000).
IMO the entry level DSLRs don't offer much over a decent point and shoot when it comes to capabilities.
Plan to get at least one model up or you're liable to start thinking you wasted an opportunity within a year.
So think of something like the Nikon D80. Good alround camera, not too expensive, and excellent quality that will serve you well for years to come.
For lenses, the Nikon kitlens that comes with the D80 is not bad and it's cheap. Cheap enough that you can use it while figuring out what lenses you want/need to cover the topics you are interested in in the way you want to cover them and not feel bad about maybe never using it again once you buy those.
What those are noone can tell you without knowing what you want to photograph (and even then, we can only give you the standard lenses for those subjects, almost any lens can be used to photograph anything if you're after a specific look or effect).
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Mark Julian
(K=36866) - Comment Date 12/5/2007
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Dear Christine, from looking at your shots it seems like you live in the Chicago Area. I would go with your dad to CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHY (phone:312-440-4920) http://www.calumetphoto.com on Cherry St. in Chicago and talk to the staff there. Tell them what you want and how much you have to spend. They are very helpful (at least the LA area stores are) and will help you put a system together. They also have weekend classes and seminars on all kinds of photo related stuff that you can really learn a lot from. Good company to hitch up with IMHO.
I personally recommend Canon since it is now considered #1 by most pro's (a lot of complicated reasons how it passed up Nikon a few years back - no need to go into here) and you can't go wrong with the Camera bodies or lenses - the Canon printers are only second to Epson and are gaining ground all the time. The prices are also a bit lower. You really need to talk to someone in person and check out different models. It's a lot of money so you wanna get it right - take your time and study up. Good Luck, Mark
PS I use CANON EOS 5D bodies and numerous zoom and fixed lenses , Mainly the higher end "L" Lens and they are all amazing, couldn't be happier with the equipment.
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Daniel Taylor
(K=3495) - Comment Date 12/5/2007
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"IMO the entry level DSLRs don't offer much over a decent point and shoot when it comes to capabilities. "
Rubbish. The differences between an entry level and a mid-level DSLR are relatively minor today, and basically boil down to body (plastic vs. metal), a slightly better user interface (i.e. Canon's 2nd control wheel), and maybe a few additional modes or features. Any entry level DSLR will give you all the major advantages of an SLR over a point and shoot, including large sensor, low noise at high ISO, real SLR viewfinder (as opposed to a P&S peep hole or LCD viewing), rapid response times and high speed shooting, full manual control, and interchangeable lenses. It's just silly to say they have more in common with P&S bodies.
The Canon Rebel XTi is a fine machine that can serve you well for years to come, and Canon's f/4L series of zoom lenses offer outstanding quality for non-pros on a budget. I would suggest at least giving the 40D a look, but mainly because of the better UI. The rear control wheel and the ability to move AF activation off the shutter release and onto a rear button are very convenient and useful.
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Jeroen Wenting
(K=25317) - Comment Date 12/6/2007
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"Canon since it is now considered #1 by most pro's "
Rubbish. Only their marketing is superior. If Canon supplies your employer with cameras at a massive discount and Nikon doesn't, he's going to buy Canon. That's the only reason many newspaper guys use Canon.
" Any entry level DSLR will give you all the major advantages of an SLR over a point and shoot, including large sensor, low noise at high ISO, real SLR viewfinder (as opposed to a P&S peep hole or LCD viewing), rapid response times and high speed shooting, full manual control, and interchangeable lenses. It's just silly to say they have more in common with P&S bodies.
Any entry level DSLR will give you all the major advantages of an SLR over a point and shoot, including large sensor, low noise at high ISO, real SLR viewfinder (as opposed to a P&S peep hole or LCD viewing), rapid response times and high speed shooting, full manual control, and interchangeable lenses. It's just silly to say they have more in common with P&S bodies. "
And to the average person who uses a P&S all those things don't matter much.
They're going to use it like that P&S, meaning a single lens (probably some 20-300mm hyperzoom) that never comes off, shoot in medium or low quality JPEG mode and make small prints only. The larger sensor is irrelevant to them, they complain about the viewfinder (because they have to use it, can't hold the camera at arm's length and use the screen), and have no benefit from the higher performance because they don't need it.
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Daniel Taylor
(K=3495) - Comment Date 12/11/2007
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Jeroene,
1) Christine said she didn't know what camera she wanted, but she knew she wanted a DSLR and asked about the Rebel XTi.
2) You tried to turn her off to the Rebel XTi with the comment "IMO the entry level DSLRs don't offer much over a decent point and shoot when it comes to capabilities."
3) I pointed out that, yes, in fact, they do offer A LOT over point and shoot models when it comes to capabilities. And that Christine would be well served by a body like the XTi. (Whether she wants to step up one more level is up to her and her budget.)
4) Your next reply had nothing to do with this thread and was merely argumentative. If Christine already knows she wants a SLR, I don't think we're in danger of her using it like a P&S. So what does any of what you said have to do with whether or not an entry level DSLR is a good buy for Christine?
BTW, Canon has dominated professional photography for years now because it has taken Nikon years to catch up in both digital technology (full frame, high ISO) and lens technology (sonic motors, fast long telephotos). Don't get me wrong, at the end of the day it's the person behind the camera and not the badge on the camera. But it's also silly to claim that Canon is anything less than a market leader.
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