Looking for an intro dSLR camera

[bostran1]

I have been lurking on this part of the boards for awhile since I have become interested in taking quality photos of a lot things. Anyway, I have decided to buy a dSLR but I was looking for recommendations on some that the knowledgable people on the board have used or know anything about. I provided all the information in the post below about information to provide for equipment recommendations.

I generally take photos of people (either portrait or action, like sports), landscapes, low light and daylight.

I have a Canon Powershot S200 that is about 5-6 years old and just doesn't cut it anymore. My mom has a Canon Digital Rebel XT dSLR that I have used a few times.

My main complaint about my camera is the lack of control it gives me and the ridiculously slow start up speed and lag time between pushing the button and the shutter actually taking the picture. I also want to get a camera that I can expand on (eg new lenses, wide-angle and zoom, and even flashes). I am looking to make photograhy a hobby and beyond random pictures of the family, etc.

Budget is right around $500-$600. I would also need to buy a new memory card but I don't really care what type of card that is (although I have a few 128 MB CF cards already)

I don't want an enormouse camera but the standard, entry-level dSLR sizes (I've looked at the Canon Digital Rebel XT and Nikon D40)

I am definately willing to learn how to work the camera and take the time to figure out how everything works.

So, I think that is about it. Like I said, I have looked at the Canon Digital Rebel XT and Nikon D40. I am also interested in taking shots to use for HDR photos (I use Photoshop a lot already but haven't really tried this feature). The main reason I have been leary of the Nikon is that from what I understand, it does not have auto bracketing feautre and the Canon does.

So if you have any recommendations on cameras or places to buy I would love to hear them. If I can provide any more info I would be glad to.

 

[YEKCIM]

This dead horse has been beaten every which way from Sunday on this board lately,so there are plenty of threads with useful information. I would say, though, given your budget, a Pentax would probably be your best option, although I guess you could get a D40 or Rebel XT +kit lens within that range, but would leave you little cash for anything else.

If I'm reading it right, butterflyphoto.com has the K110D for $347, shipped, after rebate, with the kit lens. I have ordered from them a couple times and, although they do make an "upsell" phone call before shipping the order, they were very polite and not pushy, and no monkey business.

We've got another couple of Pentax drivers on this board who can give you better advice on that brand than I can; perhaps they'll drop by soon.

~YEKCIM

 

[Anewman]

As for places to buy PRICEWISE, I would put Beachcamera.com/Buydig.com near the top. Always very competitive prices.

As for cameras while the D40 takes great pictures with compatible lenses, it is not compatible with many existing Nikon mount lenses while the D50 and up are.

The XT is an OLDER camera which has been replaced by the Rebel XTI, but it(xt) is still readily available and the price has dropped to about $500 which is considered by most to be a great value.

Have you looked at the Pentax line?
They have 2 models priced about $100 less than the Canon XT, one even has image stabilization built into the body. Both are lower resolution and not ideal for sports IMO, but they are at least comparable(if not better) in every other aspect.

Since you mentioned expanding equipment I would browse through a camera site like Adorama or BHphoto to see the lenses available b4 making a purchase, it would give you an idea of what is available and what prices the extras would cost.

 

[bostran1]

Thank you for the quick responses. I will definately take a look at the Pentax line since I was not familiar with it before now. Also, I figured the Nikon/Canon argument had been been done before that each camp would have die-hard supporters! I also think the advice to look at the availability of equipment to expand with is great. Thanks!

 

[rhiansmom]

There are two threads started by me in the last few days .. one is

"pentax k100d v k10d"
and
"xti or e-volt"

They have a TON of great info. I was in your spot just a week ago and purchased the k100d today from buydig.com

The people on this board helped SOOOO much!

 

[KrazyPete]

If you go with Canon then you can share accessories (lenses, flashes, etc.) with your mom. Shooting the same gear as your friends and family has it's benefits.

I will definately take a look at the Pentax line since I was not familiar with it before now.

Welcome to the DIS Photography Board!

 

[Groucho]

True, if your mother has a fair amount of lenses and is willing to share, that might skew the preferences for you.

I'm not sure about auto-bracketing feature on the D40, but the Pentaxes do have it; however, for HDR photography, you'll probably want more than just 3 exposures. For the little bit that I've done with it so far, the trick seems to be to go into full manual mode, set a nice sharp aperture (F8), then change the shutter speeds to vary the exposure levels. It goes without saying that you'll want the camera on a tripod, and a remote shutter release (which you can cheaply build yourself if you have a Pentax or Canon) doesn't hurt, either.

The D40 is good but its inability to focus certain lenses is a real issue IMHO.

The best all-around bargain at the moment is the Pentax K100D with kit lens and the 50-200mm lens - buy both at the same time and you get a larger rebate, the grand total comes to somewhere around $575 last time I checked.

 

[rhiansmom]

The best all-around bargain at the moment is the Pentax K100D with kit lens and the 50-200mm lens - buy both at the same time and you get a larger rebate, the grand total comes to somewhere around $575 last time I checked.

Ordered both today from buydig.com and with the 2 day shipping after rebates my total will be $604

 

[MarkBarbieri]

As for cameras while the D40 takes great pictures with compatible lenses, it is not compatible with many existing Nikon mount lenses

My understanding is that the lenses will work but will not autofocus. I thought most of the typical consumer zooms were all AF-S and would work. The only notable exceptions that I am aware of are the cheap primes. Then again, I know very little about Nikon, so don't take any of that as gospel.

My views on the subject of entry level cameras are widely known and hotly disputed, so I'll leave my advice to a simple - Read reviews, try the cameras, look at the total systems offered by Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Sigma, Kodak, and anyone else that I might have left out, and buy what you think is best.

 

[bostran1]

Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like I have some research to do!