I want a Digital SLR, LOL

[mom2mykids]

With our 15th wedding ann and my 40th b-day (plus tax return, LOL) coming up I'm hoping to get a camera Now with that being said. I'm a novice. Where can I find good reviews and comparisions of cameras? Also I'd love to hear what you all have to say about the cameras out there. I don't need a professional camera, just one that will document my family's life events. Auto focus is a must as is image stablization. Though someday I vow to learn the ins and outs of manual focus.

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[YEKCIM]

DPReview
Steve's
Imaging Resouce
Digital Camera Resource
Megapixel.net
Pricegrabber (for online shopping, if you are interested in buying online)
Reseller Ratings (to be sure you are dealing with reputable online dealers. Among the best are B&H, Beach, Buydig, and Adorama)

~YEKCIM

 

[mom2mykids]

Great! Thanks!

 

[npmommie]

check these out
pentax k100d super
nikon 40
canon rebel xti
olympus evolt 510 or 410


hope i got all those names right

i just bought the pentax and i am a beginner to dslr too. i have an old film slr but this is very different. i am still figuring it all out, and plan to practice with it finally this weekend!
dp review is great for information.
oh and i bought it from B&H from the recommendations here, no problems.

 

[mom2mykids]

I have a old (bought about 11 years ago) Minolta Maxxum 430si RZ. Looking online I have seen some Sony DSLR saying they can use the minolta lenses. I'd love to be able to find a camera where I can use the 2 lenses I already have until I can save up some more $$.

What do you all think? Do I have a chance of finding a camera that can use my old lenses? Is it feasible or are my lenses too old to use with DSLR. As you can tell I know next to nothing, other than I really like the pictures my minolta takes!

Thanks!!

 

[YEKCIM]

I'm pretty sure that all Maxxum AF lenses will work on the Sony Alpha series DSLR's. I actually "jumped ship" from Maxxum to Nikon DSLR, about a year ago. Like you, I have several Maxxum lenses; unlike you, I'll probably never use them again. Keep in mind that the Alpha, like most dSLR's has a smaller sensor, which results in a 1.5X crop factor. Therefore, for example, if you have a 50mm lens, it will have a field of view on the Alpha equivalent to a 75mm lens on a 35mm film camera. You'll gain on the tele end, but lose on the wide angle lens. If you have a couple of decent lenses, though, you might be able to pick up an A100 with 18-70 kit lens, which would be the equivalent of a 28-105mm lens on a 35mm film camera, and use your other lens(es) for longer reach, assuming you have something in the 70-210mm range.

~YEKCIM

 

[Groucho]

All DSLRs autofocus, not all have image stabilization. Pentax and Sony have it in all their current cameras, and Olympus has it in their higher-end cameras (starting with the E510, which isn't all that expensive.) With Canon and Nikon, you need to be image-stabilized lenses, which are more expensive and obviously not all lenses have this as an option.

My favorite entry-level DSLR is the Pentax K100D Super, and the more advanced K10D is amazingly affordable at the moment. But whichever way you go, you'll probably be happy - there's not a bad DSLR out there.

 

[souper]

I like DPReview. It lets you do side by side comparisons.
Also, if the individual camera reviews are information overload scroll to the summary at the end.

 

[vflipo]

MOST lenses are AF, you can still get manual focus lenses even if you have a dslr. I shoot with an XTi and my husband has a 40D, I find the XTi to be better for me because I have smaller hands (even with the battery grip it's not too bulky). The controls are pretty easy for beginners, there are a few things that you would probably want to read the manual for, but most of it is pretty easy to figure out.

As for the sony alpha, I used to sell this camera all the time. It is similarly easy to use as the XTi. It has IS bult into the body so you don't end up spending extra to get the lens you want but with IS. They don't have as many high quality lenses like Canon or Nikon might, but you can use old minolta lenses (it's the same body with a sony logo slapped on it). It's good for people who don't want to get too crazy with it.

If you're not really looking down the SLR path but want to still have some manual options then I would recommend going with the Canon G9. I personally don't see why people buy SLRs and just keep them on auto all the time. It's basically wasting money to buy a bunch of features that you probably won't touch. You can still buy an external flash if you feel you need it.

These are just my opinions. Hope they helped.

 

[Groucho]

I personally don't see why people buy SLRs and just keep them on auto all the time. It's basically wasting money to buy a bunch of features that you probably won't touch. You can still buy an external flash if you feel you need it.

Most PnSs don't support external flashes (granted the one you listed does, but that's the exception and an expensive one to boot), and most PnSs have a sensor that's 1/15th of the size of a DSLR sensor... hence even on auto, a DSLR can generally whup a PnS, expecially in low light.

That's why I feel that even someone who keeps it on Auto will reap serious rewards from a DSLR vs PnS.

 

[vflipo]

As for Pentax, Sony, and Olympus, these are all brands trying to keep up with the competition. If you think about every major professional photographer, they are shooting with a canon or nikon. Both of these brands offer 60+ lenses for any shooting situation you could ever imagine. If you're getting into digital photography and want an SLR look no further.

We shoot Canon and won't ever touch anything else.

PS- Does anybody know where I can get a 300mm 2.8L IS USM lens for under $3500?? (new, it's the next lens on our list)

 

[MICKEY88]

As for Pentax, Sony, and Olympus, these are all brands trying to keep up with the competition. this may be sort of true, but doesn't mean they are not quality products, the only reason canon leads in sales, is because they were the company with the forsite to sink money into digital in the beginning, had Minolta and nikon not dropped the ball it probably wouldn't be so, in the 80s and 90s minolta and nikon had the lead and canon produced some real junk trying to keep up with them..If you think about every major professional photographer, they are shooting with a canon or nikon. I challenge you to show us a list of every major professional photographer and a list of their equipment.Both of these brands offer 60+ lenses for any shooting situation you could ever imagine. If you're getting into digital photography and want an SLR look no further. it is a disservice to tell people that those are the only 2 brands worth looking at, not everyone needs 60 lenses, nor does everyone feel the need to use Canon, to believe they are a photographer.., that's like saying if you don't have a hummer your suv is worthless, there are many good options out there for people
while Sony may not have as long a list of lenses, there are many minolta lenses to be found, that work quite well on the sony dslrs and althought they are late to the game, all of the Sony's so far have gotten great reviews, and more and more reviews are stating that canon better watch out, because Sony is a serious player, We shoot Canon and won't ever touch anything else.

PS- Does anybody know where I can get a 300mm 2.8L IS USM lens for under $3500?? (new, it's the next lens on our list)

 

[MICKEY88]

MOST lenses are AF, you can still get manual focus lenses even if you have a dslr.
not really true, at least not with Sony/minolta..when Minolta came out with their first autofocus cameraa in the 80s, they changed the lens mount, so their manual focus lenses will not work..
As for the sony alpha, I used to sell this camera all the time. It is similarly easy to use as the XTi. It has IS bult into the body so you don't end up spending extra to get the lens you want but with IS. They don't have as many high quality lenses like Canon or Nikon might, but you can use old minolta lenses (it's the same body with a sony logo slapped on it). not even close, the minolta 7d was 6 megapixel with a great many controls on it, the sony a100 is I believe 10,2 megapixel, with some advancements, but less manual controlIt's good for people who don't want to get too crazy with it.

.

 

[ukcatfan]

vflipo,

You might want to watch out for the reputation you are quickly building. Personally, your first impression on me is not good. Remember that this is first and foremost a DISNEY website and as such we try to keep the highly opinionated one sided views out of here. Constructive brand discussions are welcome but brand bashing is not. If that is what you want, go to DPReview and leave us alone. You did revive a three weeks dead thread just to make comments that were no longer needed.

If you want the board's respect, then contribute by posting in the many image show off threads, competitions, and make your own trip reports.

Kevin

 

[mom2mykids]

I plan on learning all the fun stuff I can do with an SLR adn DSLR. I'm lucky that my local community college offers classes in both Plus by taking a class I get out of the house Now that the kids are older and DH"s work schedule is better I can actually take some fun classes (got the masters out of the way before kids)

Anyways, I appreciate all the opinions for and against. It helps me to think of things that I may not have thought of before about the Sony camera and other cameras.

So thanks to all!

 

[mikamah]

I plan on learning all the fun stuff I can do with an SLR adn DSLR. I'm lucky that my local community college offers classes in both Plus by taking a class I get out of the house Now that the kids are older and DH"s work schedule is better I can actually take some fun classes (got the masters out of the way before kids)

Anyways, I appreciate all the opinions for and against. It helps me to think of things that I may not have thought of before about the Sony camera and other cameras.

So thanks to all!

I am definitely a novice, and I wanted a camera with a longer zoom as my son started playing sports, and always take a ton of pics, so I entered the dslr world last summer and bought the canon xti. I initially used it on auto mode for parties, and things where I wanted to be sure the pics came out good, and I bought a highly reccommended book- Understanding Exposure, and now use the different manual modes, but have a lot to learn. Taking a class is on my list of things to do also, but haven't got to it yet.

I absolutely love the speed and feel I do not miss the pics that I used to when the kids moved or stopped smiling. I looked at it as an investment and somthing I will keep learning more about.

I found this board to be most helpful, and I picked canon because I have friend with the same brand, but it sounds like all the dslr's are very good. It sounds like it would benefit you financially to buy the brand where you could use your old lenses. Someone on here told me to go to a store and hold the different cameras and see which one felt the best in your hands and that was very helpful in deciding.

Good luck and have fun!!!!!

 

[mom2mykids]

I was talking to the guy at my local camera store and he said I could bring in my lenses and try them on the sony, even snap off some pics. I will be doing that! I'll have to check out the book you mentioned! Thanks!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

As for Pentax, Sony, and Olympus, these are all brands trying to keep up with the competition. If you think about every major professional photographer, they are shooting with a canon or nikon.

Simply not true. I agree with ukcatfan. We can do without the brand bashing.

 

[vflipo]

vflipo,

You might want to watch out for the reputation you are quickly building. Personally, your first impression on me is not good. Remember that this is first and foremost a DISNEY website and as such we try to keep the highly opinionated one sided views out of here. Constructive brand discussions are welcome but brand bashing is not. If that is what you want, go to DPReview and leave us alone. You did revive a three weeks dead thread just to make comments that were no longer needed.

If you want the board's respect, then contribute by posting in the many image show off threads, competitions, and make your own trip reports.

Kevin

I apologize if people think I am brand bashing... My husband and I are really into photography and do a lot of research. I don't have a problem with people using other cameras... I'm sorry if I offended anyone, it was not my intention.

I've just grown up using Canon, my step father is a photographer and only shoots Canon, my husband and I are both photographers and only shoot canon, most of out photography buddies only shoot Canon. We do a lot of research on Canon and what they have to offer... They have something for everyone (from the beginner to the pro).

I get a little into it when I start talking about photography, it's a great hobby to have, especially if you know what you are doing.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If you think about every major professional photographer, they are shooting with a canon or nikon.

Every? http://www.nwpphotoforum.com/ubbthreads/information/php/2007_Reviews/Isaac/Oly510Review.php

While we can appreciate that you favor Canon, by posting as you did you "put down" everyone who uses something besides the big two. We ALL like photography here, and hope that you can appreciate our choices and respect the fact that we've also done research and have minds of our own. Thanks, and welcome.