Need help choosing a Digital SLR!!! Please!!!

[bob100]

I have taken a few classes from karen russell and follow her blog daily. She recently switched from Canon to Nikon. In the process she did a lot of research including renting the equipment before buying. She did a long blog post about the differences between Canon and Nikon...perhaps this may help you with your decision.

http://karenrussell.typepad.com/my_lifejust_not_on_the_ro/photography_tips/

Kelliann

I don't know if this has much relevance to the OP's situation - someone buying a $3,000 camera can get real picky about "AF" points! Of course the OP could read about the people switching from Nikon (or any other DSLR) to Canon on www.photography-on-the.net/forum but it did reference a good link for comparisons
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

 

[ssanders79]

Thanks for the tip. You like the Nikon D40?

I am trying to buy a kit with extra lenses etc. Once I narrow this down, that's what I'll look for. I will also visit a store or two to actually touch and feel the camera.

Jose

I like my D40, but when I bought it I was scraping cash together and I really wanted to get a DSLR. The only thing the body does not do that I want it to do is automatically bracket. It also does not have a built in commander to wirelessly control nikon speedlights. This is not an issue for me right now as I have not purchased any speedlights, but I am sure I will miss this feature when I do get one.

 

[sdshutterbug]

I would suggest to make a list of all the features you feel you absolutely need and rule out all the cameras you can't get based on that. For you, high ISO performance would likely be one, since you talk about low light shots. As people have said, a fast 50mm lens can help with some of this, but you'll still need to use high ISO in many situations. The worst thing would be to get a camera and quickly realize it is missing a feature you loved on your p&s.

 

[jsrj21]

I would suggest to make a list of all the features you feel you absolutely need and rule out all the cameras you can't get based on that. For you, high ISO performance would likely be one, since you talk about low light shots. As people have said, a fast 50mm lens can help with some of this, but you'll still need to use high ISO in many situations. The worst thing would be to get a camera and quickly realize it is missing a feature you loved on your p&s.

sdshutterbug -

You are absolutely right! I went out to Best Buy today just to have a look and although no one at the store knew much about the cameras, I was able to touch and feel the ones they did have [Canon, Nikon, Sony]. I liked the Canon and Nikon. However, going by your advice, I know that I want a camera with the "live" view feature. Most of these didn't have it so there goes that! Thanks again.

I will visit your Flickr page! Thanks again.

Jose

 

[Sewfun]

sdshutterbug -

You are absolutely right! I went out to Best Buy today just to have a look and although no one at the store knew much about the cameras, I was able to touch and feel the ones they did have [Canon, Nikon, Sony]. I liked the Canon and Nikon. However, going by your advice, I know that I want a camera with the "live" view feature. Most of these didn't have it so there goes that! Thanks again.

I will visit your Flickr page! Thanks again.

Jose

This is where Sony wins. I was at the night time parade at the MK in June, and could not get a good shot of the parade. I flipped my screen down, went into live mode and got some great shots!! I was so impressed. I shoot with the a350, and don't usually shoot in live mode, but when I need it, my camera does come through!

Tammy

 

[sdshutterbug]

Ironically enough, I purchased the Sony a200 without realizing it does NOT have live view, nor video. Although it's a bit of a bummer, I'm still happy with the purchase because I got the 2 lens kit for a decent price, and I would only need live view in a few rare situations. But it made me realize that if and when I upgrade I need to inspect the specs first.

 

[jsrj21]

This is where Sony wins. I was at the night time parade at the MK in June, and could not get a good shot of the parade. I flipped my screen down, went into live mode and got some great shots!! I was so impressed. I shoot with the a350, and don't usually shoot in live mode, but when I need it, my camera does come through!

Tammy

Thanks Tammy-

I am so used to not having to look through the small hole to take a picture that I know for sure that want a camera with this feature. I am looking seriously at the same camera (Sony a350). Thanks again. If you posted any of the pix, let me know. I would love to see them!

Jose

 

[Sewfun]

Thanks Tammy-

I am so used to not having to look through the small hole to take a picture that I know for sure that want a camera with this feature. I am looking seriously at the same camera (Sony a350). Thanks again. If you posted any of the pix, let me know. I would love to see them!

Jose

Jose,

I have posted some pics under the Sony owners thread. I found a great deal on a Sigma 70-300mm at a Ritz store closing and got the lens for $45!!! I really do love this camera. My next purchase will be a prime lens for it. I have only had the camera since the third week of May, but I am VERY pleased with it. When I get home I will post some pics taken with it in life view with the screen tilted so I could see while holding it over the heads of people in front of me. I am 5'3" so having that tilting screen and live view saved me that night.

Tammy

 

[ukcatfan]

You might want to reconsider the live view thing. There is a reason it took so long for it to show up in DSLRs. The reason is that holding the camera out in front of you is simply not the most stable way of holding it. This would be especially evident in low light situations when you are already working with slow shutter speeds. It could mean the difference of having to use a higher ISO and causing more noise. I do see the usefulness of live view, but it really should be exception instead of the rule for taking pictures.

 

[Sewfun]

You might want to reconsider the live view thing. There is a reason it took so long for it to show up in DSLRs. The reason is that holding the camera out in front of you is simply not the most stable way of holding it. This would be especially evident in low light situations when you are already working with slow shutter speeds. It could mean the difference of having to use a higher ISO and causing more noise. I do see the usefulness of live view, but it really should be exception instead of the rule for taking pictures.

I very seldom use the live view, but it does come in handy if that is the only way I can get the shot I want. I have only used it 2-3 times since I got the camera, as I usually use the optical view finder. I really do like having options though.

 

[Evad]

In some cases a DSLR will perform better than a P/S camera.

In other cases, especially in unskilled hands, a DSLR will perform *worse* than a P/S camera!

For example, a DSLR in auto mode might select f/1.4 with extremely small depth-of-field. In untrained hands, the camera would likely select the wrong focus point, producing a blurry picture. That's why so many people complain about focusing problems.

In the same lighting conditions, a P/S camera would select 1/125 at f/8 with flash resulting in a much clearer picture.

To get the most from a DSLR, you need to take the automatic settings as only a suggestion and know when to manually override them, especially in difficult lighting situation. That takes lots of practice.

Under ideal conditions (outdoors in sun) a P/S and DSLR will produce almost identical results.


-Paul

+1 what Paul said.

Don't count on auto to get the best shot possible on a dslr. To get results in the dark you need fast glass and know what shutter and aperture to use. That takes practice.....

 

[Sewfun]

Some of the parade shots I was able to get using live view on the Sony A350. I never would have been able to get them due to the crowds and I am short without the live view and tilting screen of this camera. I don't use it all the time, very rarely actually, but I am still happy I was able to get these shots. Are they the best I could have gotten? Absolutely not, but given the situation I was in it did enable me to get some decent shots. These are the options I like to have in my camera. UGH-- having issues with the links. I will work on it in a bit when I finish an errand.

 

[Sewfun]

These were taken on the Sony A350 using live view as it was the only way I could get the shots. I had to tilt the screen down so I could see. Not the best shots, but absolutely better than nothing!