Any places you know of that do Rent-to-Own on DSLR?

[2angelsinheaven]

I'd love to get a DSLR before our upcoming vacation, however I'm still leary about forking over close to $1,000 for one. I'd like to try one out, see how I like it, etc...I'm sure I'll fall in love with it but I'd feel better knowing if it wasn't for me I could return it and only have paid to use it for the period I had it. I know I'll pay more for it going this way but many places offer 90 days same as cash as well.

Anyone?

 

[bostran1]

You can actually find some great DSLRs from Canon, Nikon, and Pentax for $400-$600. Maybe rent one to try out and then just buy one if $500 fits your budget. I'd hate to see you spend more money that you could use towards your next trip to Disney World!

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Awesome can someone point me in the right direction? I'm looking for something decent in low-light/action since most of my photos are of WDW/DCL. I don't know even where to start.

 

[Master Mason]

If I were just starting out, the Pentax K110 would be hard to pass up. Other than that, look for a Nikon d50 hard to find but still out there, or a rebel XT, not the XTi

 

[bostran1]

There is also the Nikon D40, it can be had for around $530 I think. Its gotten a lot of hype from the techie types too. The NY Times David Pogue for one.

 

[Master Mason]

There is also the Nikon D40, it can be had for around $530 I think. Its gotten a lot of hype from the techie types too. The NY Times David Pogue for one.

Yes there is, but it has a fatal flaw of not working with the majority of nikon lenses, until they fix that it is a non starter in my opinion

 

[bostran1]

That is correct. I guess I was looking at it from a noobie's perspective. If they didn't own any Nikon lenses to begin with, they could always be cognizant of the issue when buying the lenses in the future (not that that would help with old lenses still on the market).
I'm a Canon guy myself...

 

[Master Mason]

Cannon guy here as well, and very happy with it, but I like to tell folks what is availible and let them decide on what they want.

I can not with a clear conscience recommend the d40 though, which is why I never mention it.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I was looking at the Pentax you mentioned and some sample images, I noticed compared to the cannons they were kind of dark. It seems to be a great camera and a great price. What kind of prices am I looking at for lens though, I'd like something I could use for awhile.

 

[Master Mason]

Grocho or Kevin will be along shortly for that I am sure. I just don't know, as it isn't my brand.

 

[AndrewWG]

If I were just starting out, the Pentax K110 would be hard to pass up. Other than that, look for a Nikon d50 hard to find but still out there, or a rebel XT, not the XTi

Just wondering why you say the XT but not the XTi? I have been questioning this myself as I am currently in the market for the XT (saving my money as quickly as possible), but was wondering what your thoughts are on this?

Andy

Disregard this. I've started my own thread for this question. Don't want to hijack this thread like I have done in the past!

 

[ukcatfan]

The best deal right now is the K100D with kit lens and the DA50-200mm. It is a little over $700 but also has $150 in rebates. With that savings, you could throw in the FA 50mm f/1.4 for about $175 after rebate and have a very nice setup.

The rebate no longer covers the K110D, so the K100D is only about $30 more.

Kevin

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I can not with a clear conscience recommend the d40 though, which is why I never mention it.

I think I'm the only one here that thinks the D40 lens restriction is overblown. From my understanding, all Nikon lenses will work with the D40, but older lens designs with no focus motor in the lenses will not auto-focus. In practical terms, that means that you won't be able to buy as many used lenses and you won't be able to buy many prime lenses until Nikon releases new versions of them.

For the typical entry-level DSLR user, that isn't much of a limitation. In fact, the only prime that I often see in a consumers kit these days is the 50mm and even that is not all that common. I also predict (based only on gut feeling and no inside information) that virtually all future Nikon lenses (including newer primes) will work with the D40.

There are two basic ways to autofocus a lens. One option is to have a focus motor in the camera which is mechancically coupled to the lens and adjusts the focus. Another option is to have the focus motor in the lens and use only eletronic contacts between the lens and the body.

The camera makers originally split over which design to use, with Nikon opting for a mechanical coupler and Canon going with an eletronic one. Early on, Canon's choice was derided because it increased the cost of lenses. As time went by, however, Nikon realized the benefits of lens based motor systems and has steadily been introducing them on its lenses. At first it was just the higher end lenses, but in recent times they've used that technique on virtually all new lenses.

I think the D40 is just the first of Nikon's cameras that is committed solely to relying on lens motor focusing. As they slowly replace all of their lenses, I think you'll see all of their bodies move in this same direction. I don't know if that will happen in the next 5, 10, or 25 years, but I'm confident that it will happen. Having a mechanical coupler that is almost never used adds cost, complexity, and size to a camera. They'll not want to keep one any longer than they have to.

Now if you are a serious photo nerd or intend to become one, I agree that it is currently a crippling limitation. On the other hand, if you're perfectly happy sticking with zoom lenses, it's just not that big a deal.

Just my opinion.

 

[ukcatfan]

Because 2angelsinheaven is looking for low light performance and from seeing her previous work, I believe that a 50mm prime is a very likely in her future if she gets a DSLR. So, I would say that the D40 and D40x are out for her.

Kevin

 

[ukcatfan]

I was looking at the Pentax you mentioned and some sample images, I noticed compared to the cannons they were kind of dark. It seems to be a great camera and a great price. What kind of prices am I looking at for lens though, I'd like something I could use for awhile.

If they were darker, it was likely just user error. It also depends on the lens. From my experience with the K100D, the kit lens underexposes a little, so I bump up the exposure compensation to .3 -.7. My 50mm and my tele zoom tend to overexpose slightly, so I bump the exposure compensation down a little with them. Not to confuse you, but the metering mode also plays a part in this. I see the most compensation needed when it is in full evaluative mode, but still need some with center weighted. I usually do not need any if I use spot metering, but then if I am a little off on where I point the spot to meter, it can result in a wasted shot. This is especially true on a shot with a lot of contrast.

Basically, you are going to have to learn the best ways to use your camera for your shooting style. You could get completely different results with the same model.

Kevin

 

[Master Mason]

Mark,

I agree, that that is the direction that Nikon is moving, but in the mean time your stuck with a camera that can't use the majority of the existing lenses. When Nikon gets to the point that the majority of their lenses have the motor in them, then I may change my mind about the d40.

 

[ukcatfan]

I will confess that I have been going to the contest to win a D40 every day. If I were ever lucky enough to win one, my DW and DD could use it.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Like Kevin said, dark photos are not an inherent issue with any DSLR. Some lenses will cause the camera to be somewhat lighter or darker, just as some lenses will produce more colorful photos than others. If you are finding that you're using a lens that is underexposing, you can easily do an exposure compensation, which will bring things up to where you want.

More likely, it's a metering issue. Most DSLRs have 2-3 different ways of metering - this just means how much of the image they look at when determining exposure. Usually they'll look at either the whole frame, the whole frame but give the center the most importance, or "spot" which means they'll only look at the center (or autofocus point). I did a lot of spot metering on my last WDW trip and I did find that this occasionally led to some strange underexposure, but this was definitely the exception, not the rule. In retrospect, I'd probably have been better off leaving it center-weighted most of the time and only occasionally doing spot metering.

As for the D40 limitation, I agree with those that feel that it's a large liability. You can often find very good lenses for good prices in the used market, and if you're paying for an autofocus lens, it would be nice if that lens actually autofocused! I'm all for manual focus, but with no split-prism or microprism assist in the viewfinder, MF can be a bit tricky - even if the camera does confirm focus (which I don't think that the Nikons do, but I could be mistaken.)

For the Pentaxes, the K100D is definitely the way to go at the moment, with such a small price difference between it and the K110D. The only difference is image stabilization, but that's a pretty important one.

Anyway, if you're really leery, you can check your local yellow pages to see if anyone rents equipment. It can be a little on the pricey side and selection will be limited (probably C/N only and maybe not even current models). For example, a local shop gets $95 a day for a Canon XT with 18-55mm and a 512m card, and that's the only DSLR. There are discounts for longer use (7 days is charged for only 4, etc), but still, a week's rental and you're getting pretty close to having bought the darn thing. I'm sure some other places have more reasonable prices.

You may also check out the return policies of your local camera store or big box store. You can always purchase one of the cameras and if you're not happy with it, return it before the time is up. If you have enough time, you might even be able to squeeze a Disney trip in there.

 

[jann1033]

I was looking at the Pentax you mentioned and some sample images, I noticed compared to the cannons they were kind of dark. It seems to be a great camera and a great price. What kind of prices am I looking at for lens though, I'd like something I could use for awhile.

they don't have pentax there( don't know where you can see one in real life since no one around me has them) but if you are considering a purchase make sure you try them first at best buy or someplace you can pick them up and handle them...i would have a hard time using nikon due to the ergonomics. imo that has to come first since who wants an uncomfortable camera?

 

[ukcatfan]

they don't have pentax there( don't know where you can see one in real life since no one around me has them) but if you are considering a purchase make sure you try them first at best buy or someplace you can pick them up and handle them...i would have a hard time using nikon due to the ergonomics. imo that has to come first since who wants an uncomfortable camera?

I think the only big box store to carry Pentax is Circuit City. They had the K100D in ours the last time I was there. Our local places carry them also. See if there is a Ritz or Wolf Camera around because ours always has a decent Pentax stock. I guarantee you could find some to handle around WDW, but I would never buy from most of those stores. 2angelsinheaven lives close to there and Daytona, so there is likely a place around her to see one.

You definately should handle one before buying though. Everyone is different on feel. Jann does not like the Nikon feel and prefers the Rebel feel where I am the opposite. Jann, you probably would not like the Pentax feel if you do not like Nikon as they are very similar. How do you like the 30D b/c I like the feel of it also?

Kevin