making the move from Point and Shoot

[disneyfan2]

I have always had simple point and shoot cameras, and finally making the switch to DSLR, i hope. what actually is slr.
Because this would be my first experience starting this direction, i have never used lenses with cameras, what would be a good starter camera. should i take a course on using them, or could i figure it out with a manual...

 

[YEKCIM]

SLR = Single Lens Reflex, meaning that there is a mirror and a prism between the lens and the viewfinder, so that what you see in the viewfinder is exactly the image that will be projected onto the sensor when the shutter is pressed. The mirror flips up, out of the way, the shutter blades open, and the light strikes the sensor, making the exposure.

There are "entry level" dSLR's marketed by several camera companies:

Nikon: D40/D40X
Canon: XT/XTi
Pentax: K100D/K110D
Sony: A100 (not really entry level, but at present, Sony's only dSLR)

I suggest you research the options based on the system options (lenses and other accessories) as well as the particular camera bodies, and don't get too hung up on megapixels. If funds are limited, you may want to start out with better lens(es) and a less expensive body. Better glass always produces better images; crummy glass won't, no matter what body it's mounted on.

~YEKCIM

 

[ukcatfan]

I have always had simple point and shoot cameras, and finally making the switch to DSLR, i hope. what actually is slr.
Because this would be my first experience starting this direction, i have never used lenses with cameras, what would be a good starter camera. should i take a course on using them, or could i figure it out with a manual...

No offense at all, but if you do not know what a SLR is all about, why are you thinking of getting one? I think many people get one without realizing that it takes a little more effort than a p&s to get the most out of it and they end up feeling ripped off. The main difference with a p&s vs. a DSLR in auto modes is the depth of field(area in focus). The DSLRs have much more range in it than a p&s. It is a great tool, but if you just shoot auto, you might end up getting it too narrow and think your p&s was better.

You might want to read up on photography in general before making a decision. I will throw out what seems like the most recommended book out there, Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.

As for models, I prefer mine, the Pentax K100D, but you should go out and actually handle all that you are considering before making a decision. I have been a Canon fan for years, so thought the Rebel XT was the only one I wanted. I then handled it next to the Nikon D50 and Pentax *istDL and realized that those felt much better to me. I then went online and found out about the new K100D and how it improved on the *ist line. I weighed the options and decided the D50 just did not add up in features, so I went with the Pentax. I admit that I had not touched a K100D before I got mine, but it felt exactly like the *istDL, so it was not a worry. I have been more than happy with it.

Kevin

 

[jann1033]

you might be more comfortable with what is called a "bridge" camera ( ie Canon S3IS) it has auto controls, a nice zoom but also lets you set some things maually like shutter, aperture. it's lots cheaper than a dslr( $300-400 for the whole thing vs $1000+once you get lenses to equal the zoom). a bridge camera is more limiting for something but imo a nice stepping point to a dslr. if you have no experience with setting shutter speed etc it might be really frustrating to make that leap. if money is no object, i'd go with an entry level dslr ( all are decent, all have strong points and weak points ) check reviews here http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html
and here http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/stats.asp
then go to a store and handle them and see if you love or hate the way any feel in your hands.
.they also ( well at least the canon does, that's the only one i have) auto settings you can use if you get frustrated ( ok not if ,when )

 

[Master Mason]

SLR cameras will give you a lot more control of your pictures, but at the price of a lot of learning, and $$. They are great tools.

All 4 of the brands that have been listed will give you great photos, once you know what your doing, they all have preset "zones" that will give you someone elses idea of what settings should be used for a particular situation.

The best thing to do is go to a shop that carries them preferably a real camera store vs a box store, the reason I suggest that is your more likely to get someone that knows something about cameras there, rather than a HS kid that knows nothing. Play with it, see what they feel like. As stated every brand has pros and cons, so you need to do your research to see which one fits your needs.

 

[mikamah]

I was exactly like you, and after much research and reccommendations, I bought the rebel xti about 3 weeks ago. I was a little frustrated the first week because most of the pictures were poorer quality than I had been used to with my sonycybershot, but I've read the manual and am playing with different settings, and the program mode and am much much happier with the pictures. I'm still using the auto modes, and have tons to learn. I am planning to pickup the peterson book that is highly reccommended, and hope to take a course either in the fall or next spring. I thought I'd be wise to learn as much as I can about my camera on my own, and then take a course once I'm more familiar with it.
There were many helpful threads on this board debating different camera choices, and I went and played with several cameras at best buy and circuit city and the xti felt real good to me. I got the kit lens to start out with.
I'm heading on vacation now to Sesame place to practice some theme park photography!!
good luck.

 

[Groucho]

If you are interested in moving to a DSLR in the future but not ready to make the big step, you can't beat the Fuji S6000fd - it's a PnS but looks and feels like a DSLR, complete with an honest-to-goodness zoom ring. For only about $250, it will give you a bit of the taste of a DSLR and improved low-light ability over most PnS cameras (and the ability to shoot in RAW mode), and if/when you're ready, you can move to a real DSLR and get a much larger sensor, unbeatable low-light ability, and the ability to change lenses and empty your pockets in all swell foop.

And technically, every camera has a lens, but we know what you mean.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

SLR = Single Lens Reflex, meaning that there is a mirror and a prism between the lens and the viewfinder, so that what you see in the viewfinder is exactly the image that will be projected onto the sensor when the shutter is pressed. The mirror flips up, out of the way, the shutter blades open, and the light strikes the sensor, making the exposure.

There are "entry level" dSLR's marketed by several camera companies:

Nikon: D40/D40X
Canon: XT/XTi
Pentax: K100D/K110D
Sony: A100 (not really entry level, but at present, Sony's only dSLR)

I suggest you research the options based on the system options (lenses and other accessories) as well as the particular camera bodies, and don't get too hung up on megapixels. If funds are limited, you may want to start out with better lens(es) and a less expensive body. Better glass always produces better images; crummy glass won't, no matter what body it's mounted on.

~YEKCIM

Don't forget to add the Olympus E-410 to that list. It's a smaller than usual entry level DSLR.