HELP! Buying SLR within the next 2-3 days!

[2angelsinheaven]

I'm looking for a good DSLR, this will be my first. I saw this ad...

Nikon D40

And was wondering if this would be a good choice. Thanks!

Looking for something good with fast action, low light, etc.

 

[Master Mason]

BH has the camera and 2 lens kit for 659. I don't think a bag and a card are worth 90 bucks. Plus no sales tax coming from B&H

ETA neither of those lenses is going to be steller at low light either

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Do you have a suggestion for a DSLR in the same price range that I can get from a store (Best Buy, CC, etc) as I am going to try it out at the Blue Man Tour this weekend, so can't have it shipped. Thanks!

 

[2angelsinheaven]

I found this from Ritz, is this a good price?

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1160.htm?bct=t1134

Also it comes with a free photo printer, free bag, free prints and photography classes.

Also they have the external flash available on sale for $99 and memory cards for $19.

Keep in mind I'm coming from a Kodak z760, so I'm a bit behind on the DSLR stuff but I'm very interested in a good quality camera with more flexability than what I have now and something I can expand to cover all types of situations.

 

[ukcatfan]

I hate to bear bad news, but you are probably going to need a lens with a wide aperture to get decent shots at a dark show like that. The 50mm versions are inexpensive and fairly easy to find, but might not be easy to find in three days. A 50mm might not be enough focal length depending on where your seats are. Also, the Nikon version would be MF only because the D40, D40x, and D60 do not have a focus motor in the body.

Probably do what you want to hear, but IMO you should hold off on the camera until you can research more to be sure you get the right camera for you. It took me over a month to decide. I cannot imagine three days! Remember that it is more than a camera, it is a system. If you buy into a system before knowing what that means, you might regret it later.

Kevin

 

[emmabelle]

I just bought the Nikon D40. I really like it, but it does take time to learn how to use it, maybe if you went all auto on the pictures this weekend you may like your pictures. It is a dark show though and I'd be concerned about the light also. I found with the first set of pictures I took, I really didn't love them. I'm just starting to like the pictures that I'm taking after about a 1000 attempts. As long as you don't mind changing the lens alot, that package will be good for you. I tried out the 18-55mm lens in the store and I didn't think it zoomed nearly far enough. I bought the package from B and H with the 18-135mm lens and that's alot better for zooming. I do think that the Ritz Camera price is good though for that package.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

So what type of lens should I be looking for for low light?

 

[Master Mason]

So what type of lens should I be looking for for low light?

Wide apeture, which means a low number. The most recommended is the 50mm f/1.8 lens. It is cheap and fast. However on the d40 it will not auto focus because it doesn't have the focus moter in the lens. (that to me is the fatal flaw of the d40)

 

[YEKCIM]

Just out of curiosity, do you know if photography is allowed at this particular event?

~Y

 

[ukcatfan]

So what type of lens should I be looking for for low light?

If you are going to be doing much low light and not willing to spend an extra $400 for the right lens, then I suggest going with a different camera.

 

[Groucho]

And definitely slow down. If you are hoping to buy a DSLR and a fast lens in order to get some good concert photos in a couple days, it's almost certainly not going to happen. Dim light plus probably being a ways away from the stage means that you'd need a fairly long and fast lens, which will probably be large and heavy, not the kind of thing you'll want to be using at a concert. Nikon's 135mm F2.0 would probably be a nice lens for such a situation, except that it costs $1,000 and I don't think it'll autofocus on a D40.

A used Nikon 135mm F2.8 (it looks like they aren't making it any more) might not be too bad and can probably be had for much cheaper, though again, I suspect you'll have to manually focus.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Figured I would try it out at the concert but not required just figured I'd like to get it before then, I'm not patient...lol. Yes photos are encouraged there.

 

[ukcatfan]

I probably do not even need to tell you this as you are an Orlando local, but beware of all of the little tourist trap camera stores.

Over here on the west side of the state, we do not have ANY camera stores except Ritz.

Kevin

 

[AydensMom]

I like the selection at Colonial Hobby and Photo when I am in Orlando, but my last lens purchase was at Ritz on that highway approaching a large mall complex on the outskirts of Orlando. Ritz was like $70 cheaper for a Sigma 10-20mm for my Nikon. I love buying more equipment when I am visiting WDW.

DH Pat.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Well I hope you guys will agree with what I got, I talked to the guy at Ritz and told him my budget was pretty flexible but I would appreciate his honesty on what would make me happy for my situation. I figured I'd be sold a $2000 plus camera and $1000 lens but surprising it wasn't nearly that bad.

I got a Canon Rebel Xti the 50mm lens and a 70-300mm lens and the kit lens. Also got a high speed CF card, extra battery and external flash. So did I do ok? Anything I bought I shouldn't have or things I should look at tomorrow when I go back. The camera guy offered to help me set it all up and teach me some settings and then I'm signed up for free classes starting on 3/15.

 

[Master Mason]

Well I hope you guys will agree with what I got, I talked to the guy at Ritz and told him my budget was pretty flexible but I would appreciate his honesty on what would make me happy for my situation. I figured I'd be sold a $2000 plus camera and $1000 lens but surprising it wasn't nearly that bad.

I got a Canon Rebel Xti the 50mm lens and a 70-300mm lens and the kit lens. Also got a high speed CF card, extra battery and external flash. So did I do ok? Anything I bought I shouldn't have or things I should look at tomorrow when I go back. The camera guy offered to help me set it all up and teach me some settings and then I'm signed up for free classes starting on 3/15.

That's not a bad starter kit, the 70-300 will probably struggle in low light at your show, but you have the 50 for that.

The biggest thing you need to learn is how to control ISO apeture and shutter speed. I suggest having them show you the AV section, that way you can control apeture, and ISO and the camera picks the shutter.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Thanks MasterMason, I'm heading there in the morning to go over everything with him and pick up the 70-300mm lens since they were having it sent from another store for me. I was very impressed with the 50mm lens it looks like it pulls in a ton of light in a short time.

 

[Anewman]

Also got a high speed CF card, extra battery and external flash. So did I do ok? Anything I bought I shouldn't have

I like your choices but you probably could have saved money and gotten better accessories if you had time to shop around. Ritz is not often competitive when it comes to the extras and pricing.

Also is the 70-300 lens a Canon?

 

[JR6ooo4]

One trick to shooting shows with fast action. Learn the show so you can plan ahead to take shots when there are pauses in the movement.

Mikeeee

 

[2angelsinheaven]

So I'm assuming I would be better to try the photos with the 50mm cannon I got rather than the 70-300mm or the kit lens, correct? Even though there is no zoom I'm assuming from what I've read the telephoto lens isn't good for low light situations where flash is not allowed.

Also the external flash is on hold for me but I haven't purchased it, how much of a difference will this make in my photos?