Another Newbie Which DSLR?

[Mickee]

Thanks for the view....

Stepping over to this side from the P&S world.
I looked at the E-500 reviews as you posted earlier....
Still not sure which way to go...like to hear your opinions please.
I would like something that I will be able to add on as time goes by.

What will I be using it for?

Son is in Karate & daughter is in Dance.
P&S, never catch what I want.
Spend alot of time outdoors hiking & camping, always taking pictures with my P&S and I am looking to make this more of a hobby for myself.

Am I better off going with a camera with single lens or I see some brands have a multiple lens package?
Which lens to capture the moment for the karate move?

As far as budget to start...I'll say $900.00-$1000.00

Thank you and appreciate the advice.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

If your budget is as such, you're better off with Canon RebelXT. The latest issue of Popular Photography has a shootout between several cameras (including the Evolt) and for best overall and image quality, Canon RebelXT is considered the best.


but at the same time, I'm a Canon nut (whom also have used Olympus, Minolta, Fuji and Pentax).

If you want even cheaper price with rather good pic quality (and I really mean cheap price, around $600 including kit lens), go with a Pentax. I apologize again, I can't remember who just bought that camera at this forum.

 

[Greg K.]

If you want even cheaper price with rather good pic quality (and I really mean cheap price, around $600 including kit lens), go with a Pentax. I apologize again, I can't remember who just bought that camera at this forum.

That would be me.

I just got the Pentax *ist DL, for $528, through www.buydig.com. That included the 18-55 kit lens (which translates to about 27-80, in regular cameras.) I had them throw in a SD memory card, and the whole thing came to about $570, with no tax, free shipping.

I'm delighted with the camera. It's got heft, solid metal build (while still relatively light weight and compact), a big LCD screen, and a very easy-to-learn-and-master menu that's both practical and intuitive. The pictures are exceptionally good, and I've been able to take some gorgeous shots up to iso 1600 with little or no noise.

Wanna see? There's this:

Or this:

I consider this a great starter DSLR -- and one that will serve me well as I continue to learn the ropes!

 

[Anewman]

Based on the sports/activities(both indoors) that your kids are involved in the OLY is not the best choice(IMO). It just does not perform very well at high ISO and the few fast lenses in the focal range you are looking for are VERY EXPENSIVE.

I agree that both the canon and the pentax would be better choices.

If flash photos are allowed just buy a decent one and you are ready to go. If flash is a no, I know canon has a few very fast primes you should look at.

 

[Mickee]

Thx for the opinions Kelly, Greg & Anewman.

I'm going to go look at both.

How about lens for the sports/activities?
Any recommendations?
Just buy the body and go outside the box for a lens of choice?
Or will the 18-55 cover my needs?

 

[mhutchinson]

Don't rule out the Nikon D50, it bumped the Rebel XT from it's slot on CNET...I was between the Nikon D70s and Canon 20D...went with the Canon

 

[Kelly Grannell]

For sports I use Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS

 

[NJDad18]

I would go with the Canon Digital Rebel XT. I just got one a few months ago and have been using it to shoot my daughter's gymnastics meets. I have been renting different lenses before I buy one. I would think that in your kids activities you can't use a flash, so you're going to need a fast lens that is able to shoot in low light. The first meet I used a 70-200mm 2.8 lens which was in my opinion too slow. I had to do a lot of work in photoshop to make the pictures look good. Also, the gym we were in was like a dungeon. It was old and the lighting was not too good. This past weekend I rented a 135mm 2.0 lens and because this lens was faster (2.0 vs 2.8) the pictures were brighter. Both of those lenses were good, but they're not cheap. The 70-200 was $850 used and the 135mm is $750 new. A lens that was recommended to me is the Canon 85mm 1.8. This one sells for about $350.

I don't know how close you're able to get to the action. Since there are usually professional photographers shooting for $$ at these meets, I have to shoot from the stands, which is sometimes quite far away. If you can get real close the 50mm 1.8 is not a bad lens. It sells for about $60.

I hope this helps.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

NJDad18, which settings did you use? I'never taken gymnastic pics, but I've used my Rebel and 20D using the f/2.8 lens at ISO 3200 to take pics of figure skating and hockey.

 

[NJDad18]

Kelly,

All of my pictures are at ISO 1600. The last meet I was shooting at 1/320 f2.2 with the 135mm 2.0 and the pictures look great. Not a lot of noise at all. The pictures were much sharper than when I used the 70-200. With my rebel XT I can't go higher than 1600, but that's okay because with the lenses that I'm using, it works.

Joe

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Joe, you can "trick" your XT so it does 3200 (even 6400). Just set the EV to -1 or -2. Shoot in RAW, boost the levels in Photoshop and get rid of the digital noise using something like Noise Ninja or Noiseware (or if you use Photoshop CS2, IIRC there is a noise reduction function in it)

 

[NJDad18]

Kelly,

I normally shoot JPEG b/c I'm trying to take pictures of a lot of the girls. I don't have too many CF cards, so RAW is not really an option. I'm getting better with Photoshop, far from an expert so I don't mind a lot of post processing work. I may try that at the next meet.

Joe

 

[handicap18]

I'm very happy with my Nikon D50. I went the Nikon route because I've been a Nikon SLR user for 15+ years.

It rates very high on all the review boards. I got mine at amazon for $680 with the 28-70 lens, and 1 gig card. I've since purchased the 18-70 lens that is the kit lens for the D70s.

Many places you can get the D50 with the 18-50 kit lens and the 50-200 lens for under $1000. They are Nikkor lenses too. Some places don't rate these 2 lenses very high compared to other Nikkor's, but over at nikonians.org, many users like them. In general Nikkor has better glass in their lenses. (not that the other companies make bad lenses)

When you are looking at the lenses on any of the dSLR's keep in mind that they are different than film SLR's in that the sensor (I believe it is) is a different size than film. For example on Nikon dSLR's a 50mm lens on a film SLR is croped up to 75mm. (for nikon multiply by 1.5, I believe canon is multiplied by 1.6)

I only say this because if you go with a 28-70mm type lens you actually are getting a 42-105mm (on nikon). Good on the telephoto side, but not so good for wide angle.

My vote: Nikon D50.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Since I'm a Canon lover, my vote is with Canon.

HOWEVER

If you want just one lens to walkaround, with image stabilization (Nikon calls it Vibration Reduction), I wholeheartedly, unequivocally recommend Nikon D50 with its 18-200 VR lens.

 

[Mickee]

Thank You everyone....
Will let you know my decision.

I'm going to hit the camera shop and get the feel between the Rebel XT & the D50. I think I have pretty big hands and want to see hand placement.

Thx Again.

 

[Mickee]

My decision is going to be the Rebel Xt

After some research I am going to take NJdad18 advice and go with the
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM for my indoor sporting needs.

Can you recommend another all around lense to compliment my choices above.

Thanks again everyone for your help!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Sigma 18-125 (not 18-200) $299.99 + shipping for North American version -- so you'll get North American warranty or $259.99 + shipping for Hong Kong version -- you'll get no warranty.

 

[Anewman]

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM for my indoor sporting needs.

Great lens.
For Volleyball and Basketball I mostly use that and the 100mm 2.0 depending on reach it should be perfect.

 

[Mickee]

Kelly

Why not the 18-200.....
Just curious?