DLSR vs SLR

[gokenin]

First off let me start this by stating that I have a P/S digital but because I have been hanging around here I have been bitten by the idea of going to a SLR as well as keeping the P/S. The question is should I plunge right into the DLSR or should I possibly ease in with a film SLR to learn about things first before going digital? I have to say the idea of increasing the ablitly for night shots as well as zoom shots is what is intresting to me about SLR's in general. Any comments are appreciated

 

[bostran1]

For learning to use an slr camera I would say go digital. I recently got my first dslr and I love it. It makes learning the camera and photography in general much easier (and cheaper since you don't have to buy film, develop it, and wait while it develops to see what you did). Also, with a the dslr you get the EXIF data embedding in the picture so you can see what your exact settings were for flash, aperture, shutter speed, iso, etc.

Overall, I think that a dslr would make it much easier and convenient for you learn with. Also, editing the photos digitally would be simple.

 

[YEKCIM]

First off let me start this by stating that I have a P/S digital but because I have been hanging around here I have been bitten by the idea of going to a SLR as well as keeping the P/S. The question is should I plunge right into the DLSR or should I possibly ease in with a film SLR to learn about things first before going digital? I have to say the idea of increasing the ablitly for night shots as well as zoom shots is what is intresting to me about SLR's in general. Any comments are appreciated

I don't know why you would want to go "backwards", technology-wise, with a film SLR. There are some similarities between film and digital SLR's but LOTS of differences, too, and a film SLR is not going to help you learn digital, IMO. Beyond that, a digital SLR is a much more capable piece of equipment, in that there are so many more adjustments that can be made, such as ISO and white balance, just to name a couple of obvious ones. As long as you are going to eventually invest in a dSLR, I suggest you go ahead and take the plunge, with the brand/model/system that best fits your photography needs. Be sure to keep "system" in mind as you evaluate, since there are differences in each brand's lineup of lenses and accessories.

One other thought is that digital is a better and much less expensive "platform" with which to learn, since there is no financial penalty for experimentation, and you have instant feedback via the LCD. Film does not compare in any way, in those two aspects.

~YEKCIM

 

[Master Mason]

your start up costs with film might be slightly lower, but in very short order your film and proccessing costs will overcome that savings. Also, I know of no one that shoots film that takes near as many pictures as those that shoot digital because of the incremental cost of each picture is so much greater on film than digital. And the best way to learn is to shoot lots and lots of pictures.

so my vote would be digital all the way

 

[gokenin]

I figured that it would be best to just go straight into a DSLR but wanted to ask, have been looking at the Nikon D40 and the Pentax K100 leaning towards the Nikon only because it has a rechargable lithium-ion battery instead of AA's but again asking for any advice or opinions

 

[Master Mason]

in the interest of full disclosure I shoot canon.

But the d40 to me currently has a fatal flaw of not being compatable with most of the Nikon lenses, at least if you want it to AF. Until at least the majority of the lenses they produce have in lens motors, I personally wouldn't get a nikon without the in body focus motor. But that's just my opinion only.

 

[gokenin]

if i went with the nikon it would more than likely be this package from best buy was thinking that the two lenses would probably cover me for the near future as far as learning the ins and outs of the camera http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat99000050015&id=1174092485476

 

[bostran1]

You may want to check out these places because they will, in all likelihood, be much cheaper than the big box stores like Best Buy:

www.beachcamera.com
www.adorama.com
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

All three are highly reputable and have the lowest prices out there. I ordered by Canon Digital Rebel XT from beachcamera.

 

[YEKCIM]

if i went with the nikon it would more than likely be this package from best buy was thinking that the two lenses would probably cover me for the near future as far as learning the ins and outs of the camera http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat99000050015&id=1174092485476

I agree with Master Mason, to an extent, on the D40/D40x. I don't believe the lack of an in-body focus motor is necessarily a show-stopper, but does limit the ability to use non AF-S lenses. If you do not already have any lenses, it may be a moot point for you, depending on what lenses you decide to buy. I have the D50 and the lenses listed below in my sig. Of the four lenses, the only one that would not Autofocus on a D40/D40x is the 50mm (although it could be manually focused). For me, that is important, and one reason I chose the D50. Your needs may be different than mine. I would suggest that you consider the VR version of the 55-200 Nikkor, however. From what I've seen, it is a sharper lens than the non-VR, and of course, has VR, for around $200, which is just a little more than the non-VR lens runs. I would also agree with bostran1 on the list of online retailers he suggests and would add buydig.com, which is a sister site to beachcamera.com.

Holler if any questions.

~YEKCIM

 

[jann1033]

go digital...it's true they are both slr cameras but the digital has additional
learning" ie white balance, so why learn the film and then learn the other stuff as well for digital...however if you go digital first you will know the shutter etc you need for the film if you ever want to get a film camera

 

[Master Mason]

Please don't get me wrong, I am sure that the d40/d40x are fine cameras, if they fit your needs, and as long as your aware of the limitations with the lenses, then it is a fine option.

 

[gokenin]

Please don't get me wrong, I am sure that the d40/d40x are fine cameras, if they fit your needs, and as long as your aware of the limitations with the lenses, then it is a fine option.

has been looking at various sights tonight and is now thinking about the canon rebel xt it has a rechargable lithium battery which is one of the things I am looking for but it does mean i have to buy another form of media card but thats alright as they say in for a penny in for a pound now have to head out and get my hands on it to see how it feels and taking pics through a viewfinder with glasses on something i will have to get used to again instead of a off the lcd

 

[Master Mason]

I have worn glasses for 34 years now, I don't know any otherway to look then through the glasses, at least if I want to see, so that has never been an issue or problem for me. The only problem I have ever had was someone spun the diopter adjustment on me once, (kid) and of course it was when I was first using a new expensive lens, so I was freaked out that it wasn't focusing properly, but once I adjusted it back to where it should be it was fine.

 

[mikamah]

I just bought the Rebel xti from beachcamera.com and saved 170$ off the price at best buy, plus the tax. It was delivered in 3 days too. I was amazed how much I could save by ordering on line, and was a little nervous, but took my chances for that much savings, and it paid off. That money saved will go toward a better lens in the near future. I too went to best buy and circuit city to play with the cameras, deciding between the d80 and the xti, and I liked the feel of the xti the best. It is my first slr, and it is great to take as many pics as you want and not have to worry about developing and buying film. Good luck.

 

[bostran1]

If you're interested in the Canon cameras and want to save about $150-$200 you might want to look at the Canon Digital Rebel XT. That's what I just picked up for $575.

Here is a link to some of the pictures I have taken. Every one that is from the United States was taken with the XT (except for a few with an XTi). But keep in mind, some of them are HDRs (don't worry if you don't know what that means!) it just means they underwent a lot of work on the computer after I took them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/benostrander/

 

[jann1033]

there are some canon ef /efs lenses with a rebate right now...i just deleted the email but you probably can find them on the canon usa site as well.( someone was just asking about the 17-55 and that has one)

 

[photo_chick]

I would just go digital. An entry level DLSR is really not much more than a 35mm SLR. Here is my view....My favorite printing place stopped processing film last month all together. they are all digital now. (where am I gong to go to get E-6 done in house now?? ) Kodak stopped making the paper I like for my darkroom a while back.. I am not saying film is going away anytime soon, but in ten years or so I see it as being a lot like cassette tapes are now. It will still be around but only your grandma uses it.

Oh wait.. better be more like 15 years since my DD is only 7. THen I will likely be the grandma still using film. Hey, I bet I will still have a working turn table, reel to reel, and laserdisc player then too!

 

[ukcatfan]

I figured that it would be best to just go straight into a DSLR but wanted to ask, have been looking at the Nikon D40 and the Pentax K100 leaning towards the Nikon only because it has a rechargable lithium-ion battery instead of AA's but again asking for any advice or opinions

has been looking at various sights tonight and is now thinking about the canon rebel xt it has a rechargable lithium battery which is one of the things I am looking for but it does mean i have to buy another form of media card but thats alright as they say in for a penny in for a pound now have to head out and get my hands on it to see how it feels and taking pics through a viewfinder with glasses on something i will have to get used to again instead of a off the lcd

It just goes to show how people have different preferences. The AAs on the K100D is one of the things that pushed me towards it. Rechargeable AAs are just so much cheaper and you can always resort to alkalines in a pinch. If you run out of juice on a specialized battery like the Canon or Nikon ones, you just cannot take any pictures at all. BTW... I have never been able to go through two sets of AAs in a day yet.

Kevin

P.S. I have read multiple places that the viewfinder on the K100D is brighter than the XTi, but not sure about the D40.

 

[JR6ooo4]

You may want to check out these places because they will, in all likelihood, be much cheaper than the big box stores like Best Buy:

www.beachcamera.com
www.adorama.com
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

All three are highly reputable and have the lowest prices out there. I ordered by Canon Digital Rebel XT from beachcamera.

best buy price matched B&H for me. I just printed a page showing the price. they went and checked it and added the minimum shipping of $20. It cut $150 off of the BB price.

Mikeeee

 

[photo_chick]

has been looking at various sights tonight and is now thinking about the canon rebel xt it has a rechargable lithium battery which is one of the things I am looking for but it does mean i have to buy another form of media card but thats alright as they say in for a penny in for a pound now have to head out and get my hands on it to see how it feels and taking pics through a viewfinder with glasses on something i will have to get used to again instead of a off the lcd

They make eyepiece extenders that are helpful for some people with glasses. I use one because I have nasty oily skin myself (you can say it, eewwww..) and not glasses, as I avoid the eye doctor like the plague becasue I fear he will say not only do I need glasses but I need bi-focals. I am veering here... the eye piece extender is under $20 for Canon's (35mm slr adn DSLR) I ma sure other brands have something comperable out there.