Best Digital SLR

[DowninMX]

Looking into trading up to a digital SLR - can you let me know your experiences? Which one would you recommend? THANKS!

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

That's a pretty broad question. What types of features are you looking for, what is your budget, why are you hoping to accomplish by moving to a DSLR?

 

[handicap18]

Agreed, that is a loaded question. You need to be more specific especially with your budget. You can start out entry level at about $500 with a kit lens and go upwards of $5000 for just the body OR 1 lens.

Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony, and Olympus are your makers and each has at least 4 dSLR models, some as many as 12 or more different bodies. As for lenses, they number in the thousands. Then of course there are flashes.

 

[dr_zero]

Ill bite

Nikon D80, 10.2 Megapixel, SLR Digital Camera with SanDisk 2GB Ultra II Secure Digital (SD) CardsMfr# NID80K12 B&H# NID80K5 B&H Kit Price: $ 759.95

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/494366-REG/Nikon_NID80K12_D80_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX Nikkor Lens
Super Wide Angle/Telephoto USA Mfr# 2176 B&H# NI185535GVR $ 199.95

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/532521-USA/Nikon_2176_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6G_VR_AF_S.html

or

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00128SQDC/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=photo

 

[YesDear]

I will also bite!

The best digital SLR is the one that you understand how it works, it does what you want it to do, and it is in your budget area. After that it is all a big compromise based on what the others have said!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Looking into trading up to a digital SLR - can you let me know your experiences? Which one would you recommend? THANKS!

I've had lots of good experiences with DSLRs. I've used a variety, including just about every Canon DSLR, many different Nikon DSLRs, and a Sony A100. My favorites are the Canon 1DsM3 and the Nikon D3. They are expensive, bulky, heavy, and complicated, but they take wonderful pictures. They are a bit more expensive than I'd like to pay, however. If I were starting fresh today, I'd probably buy either a Nikon D300 or a Canon 5D. If I were leaning towards the Canon, I'd hold off until September when people expect the 5D to be replaced. Of course, they thought that in March and last September as well.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The best digital SLR is the one that you understand how it works, it does what you want it to do, and it is in your budget area.

Nice summary. And I would add one that feels right in your hands and to carry around; and whose operation feels intuitive to you.

 

[InsertWittyNameHere]

Nice summary. And I would add one that feels right in your hands and to carry around; and whose operation feels intuitive to you.

I totally agree. I recently bought my first DSLR. After doing research I was set on getting the Nikon D60. I went to the store to purchase it but the Olympus E510 felt so much better to me. I walk out of the store with the E510 and haven't regretted it.

It's all a matter of personal preference.

 

[DawnM]

Well, the one I bought doesn't feel as "right" in my hands, but I am learning every day about it and I think it will feel better soon. It does however, feel perfect in DH's hands and we are both using the camera.....

I got the Canon 40D. It is bigger and bulkier and heavier, but it is also pretty rugged and solid.

Dawn

Nice summary. And I would add one that feels right in your hands and to carry around; and whose operation feels intuitive to you.

 

[DowninMX]

Ok - I'll try to be a bit more specific. I now own the Olympus C750, my first digital purchase after owning a 35mm Minolta (not sure of the model, etc). I don't like the "delay" factor of the digital, and was thinking that going to an SLR would help relieve some of that problem. Also am not pleased with results achieved using flash indoors....that's what I can think of right now. I guess I really have to sit and think about what I really want/need.

 

[heatherbelle]

Ok - I'll try to be a bit more specific. I now own the Olympus C750, my first digital purchase after owning a 35mm Minolta (not sure of the model, etc). I don't like the "delay" factor of the digital, and was thinking that going to an SLR would help relieve some of that problem. Also am not pleased with results achieved using flash indoors....that's what I can think of right now. I guess I really have to sit and think about what I really want/need.

This is the same problem I have. I am now considering a Sony A300 or a Canon 450D. I now need to go to the camera shop to see how complicated they are. I loved my old Minolta SLR, but it takes film, and I like being able to store my photo's on the computer without scanning and when I have some time, I would love to start playing with all those airbrushing programes and do a fab photo of me to make me look like those supermodels in the glossy's. A girl can dream..........

 

[oogieboogieman]

This is the same problem I have. I am now considering a Sony A300 or a Canon 450D. I now need to go to the camera shop to see how complicated they are. I loved my old Minolta SLR, but it takes film, and I like being able to store my photo's on the computer without scanning and when I have some time, I would love to start playing with all those airbrushing programes and do a fab photo of me to make me look like those supermodels in the glossy's. A girl can dream..........

If your old Minolta was an auto-focus model your len/lenses may fit on the Sony. Make sure the lens says AF or Maxxum on it then you will be in business. While I love my Olympus 410 better than my Sony A100, you can find some older Minolta lenses at reasonable prices.

 

[adabob]

Anything from the Nikon D series is good I have a d40 and love it

 

[handicap18]

Ok - I'll try to be a bit more specific. I now own the Olympus C750, my first digital purchase after owning a 35mm Minolta (not sure of the model, etc). I don't like the "delay" factor of the digital, and was thinking that going to an SLR would help relieve some of that problem. Also am not pleased with results achieved using flash indoors....that's what I can think of right now. I guess I really have to sit and think about what I really want/need.

Thats a little better.

The problem with just asking whats the best digital SLR on a photography board would be like going into an Automotive forum board and saying I need a new car, what is the best one. While a Corvette might be great for someone who's single. It wont help the family of 5 with 3 kids ages 5 and under. A Ford Fiesta may get 36MPG, but it wont help out the landscaper that needs to pull a trailer with 2 big lawn mowers.

Biggest factor is your budget. How much do you want to spend? Other things to keep in mind, your not just buying a camera your buying into a system. You may start with 1 body, but could end up with many many different lenses. Same for the flash. It depends on what you want to get out of it. What are your primary subjects and/or intended uses? Do you like to take LOTS of pictures or just for occasional family gatherings and a vacation once a year or so? Do you have kids? What are their hobbies and do you want to photograph it (ie: sports, dance, band: indoor or outdoor).

I'll tell you what I have and what I would love to have. I'm currently using a Nikon D50 and I have 6 lenses and 1 flash. My lens collection consists of an 18-135mm, 70-300mm, 70-210mm f/4, 30mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.8 and a 90mm f/2.8 Macro. I also have a diffuser for my flash. If I could buy a new body right now I'd go with the Nikon D300 and would also like to have a 17-50mm f/2.8 lens and a 10-20mm super wide angle lens. Oh and as the kids get older I'd like to get a longer zoom. Something that goes out to 400 or 500mm. The bigger the kids get the further away from the field you have to get. But if they end up doing more indoor stuff, then I'd have to consider an 85mm f/1.8 or 70-200m f/2.8 lens.

In the end it comes down to having the right tool for the job. But first you have to know what your job is.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Ok - I'll try to be a bit more specific. I now own the Olympus C750, my first digital purchase after owning a 35mm Minolta (not sure of the model, etc). I don't like the "delay" factor of the digital, and was thinking that going to an SLR would help relieve some of that problem. Also am not pleased with results achieved using flash indoors....that's what I can think of right now. I guess I really have to sit and think about what I really want/need.

I had the Oly C770 and I can tell you that the problem is the shutter lag. Whether you used flash or not, these cameras' shutters just lagged like crazy. I bought a Panasonic TZ3 in early 2007 for a P&S and the problem was solved. That line of Oly is so much older technology and that's why simply replacing it with newer cameras will fix the shutter lag issue pronto. I also bought a Nikon D80 after the Panasonic tz3 P&S, and I couldn't be happier with the quality of shots I can now get. I'm still learning, but getting better.. There really is no shutter delay at all. The worst that could happen w/ DSLR is when the AF hunts for the photo. You can always override in Manual Mode/exposure and find/tak the photo regardless.