Recommend a Starter SLR

[jennwndrlnd]

I am looking for recommendations for a starter SLR camera, I will be using it for a lot of low light situations (concert shots for a web site), and for taking pictures of family at Disney, during sporting events, etc... So it has to be reliable in all conditions.

I've been told the Nikon D50 is a great one to start out with but it's off market now and the only place I can find one is eBay. I'm hesitant to buy second-hand since I won't know how many shots have been fired off the camera. I also don't know what a good price would be for something used.

Price is the other issue as I would like to try and find something around $500-$600. Lens recommendations would be great also.

What do you all think about the Nikon D40?

 

[sdzman]

I recently purchase a Nikon D40 18-50mm lens & a 55-200mm VR lens from Amazon for under $600.00 delivered. This is my first DSLR and so far I am very pleased with it. I shopped around alot and went back and forth between a few different brands but I couldnt resist the value.

Check out www.cameralabs.com, they have a ton a reviews and helpful posters over there too.

 

[ukcatfan]

With your needs and limited price range, you are going to need the 50mm prime lens whatever brand. They usually run from $100-200. There are better lenses for your needs, but they are not in your price range. The problem is that it will not auto focus on the D40.

 

[MonoManBlue]

Rebel Xti......I hate to say it, but that would be my choice for your budget. I am a nikon fanboy (D80 myself) but the D40 just won't do what you are needing.

 

[jennwndrlnd]

Rebel Xti......I hate to say it, but that would be my choice for your budget. I am a nikon fanboy (D80 myself) but the D40 just won't do what you are needing.

Really? That is the camera one of the other photographers on our site has...although I also think he might do a lot of work in Photo Shop when he is done.

Believe me, if the site were paying or if I had a big budget I would get something up to par with most of the other people I am in the pit with. Having a family and doing this part-time (and also unpaid) I just can't swing any more cash for a set up. I really appreciate all the advice and will definitely check out everything mentioned.

Also, what do you all think of buying used off eBay?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Really? That is the camera one of the other photographers on our site has...although I also think he might do a lot of work in Photo Shop when he is done.

Believe me, if the site were paying or if I had a big budget I would get something up to par with most of the other people I am in the pit with. Having a family and doing this part-time (and also unpaid) I just can't swing any more cash for a set up. I really appreciate all the advice and will definitely check out everything mentioned.

Also, what do you all think of buying used off eBay?

There is only one issue with the Nikon D40/D40x/D60, but it is an important one for you.

To autofocus a lens, there needs to be a motor that adjusts the focus on the lens. When Nikon started making autofocus cameras and lenses, they put that motor in the camera body and had it turn a screw in the lens to adjust the focus. Later, they realized that it was more efficient to build the focus motor in the lens instead of the camera. For a long time, they've been supporting both. Their new lenses have a focus motor in the lens but the camera bodies still have a focus motor to use with older lens designs.

When the D40 came out, they decided that very few purchasers were likely to use the older lenses and that they could lower the price by removing the focus motor from the camera body. Because of that decision, the D40/D40x/D60 will not autofocus older Nikon autofocus lenses. The problem is that many of their basic prime lenses fall into this category. That means that lenses like the 50mm prime won't autofocus with these cameras.

This problem doesn't affect the normal zooms that most users buy. Unfortunately, if you are shooting "a lot of low light situations", you will want some of the lenses that won't autofocus on that camera.

So what can you do? Buy a more expensive Nikon (D80, D300) that comes with the AF motor in the body. Buy another brand which doesn't have this issue, either because (like Canon) they have always had their focus motors in their autofocus lenses or because (like Sony/Pentax/Olympus) they still put focus motors in all of their AF camera bodies.

 

[dr_zero]

I am looking for recommendations for a starter SLR camera, I will be using it for a lot of low light situations (concert shots for a web site), and for taking pictures of family at Disney, during sporting events, etc... So it has to be reliable in all conditions.

I've been told the Nikon D50 is a great one to start out with but it's off market now and the only place I can find one is eBay. I'm hesitant to buy second-hand since I won't know how many shots have been fired off the camera. I also don't know what a good price would be for something used.

Price is the other issue as I would like to try and find something around $500-$600. Lens recommendations would be great also.

What do you all think about the Nikon D40?

B&H photo has a D50 in their used section for around 300 they give you 2 weeks no questions asked and if you want you can get a extra 2 year warranty for about $35.

You will need to get a lens though so either check out the used section there or hit up ebay and look for say a 4004 or 5005 they dont sell well so you can get them cheap and use the lens that comes with it.

I just ordered a D50 from B&H and have been extremely happy with the service and the camera!

 

[Greg K.]

I love my Pentax K100D, which is pretty straightforward, has intuitive controls, and takes gorgeous shots.

And it's cheap. That was the main reason I got it

Here:

http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-Digital-Reduction-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B000FTLSR0

 

[thomas998]

Let me preface by saying I'm a Nikon owner... not quite a fanboy... but close.

Don't get a D40/D40x/D60... as some have said you get shafted by the lack of a autofocus motor... If you already had some nikon lenses I think I would be trying to convince you to get a used D50... I don't get the feeling you have any existing lenses so frankly I think I would suggest a Sony a200. Its the Sony entry level dslr... the only down side I see to it is you need CF memory which you probably don't have since only very old digital point and shoot ever used that type... The upside is the CF memory is the choice of pros so it isn't like its a bad thing just something else you'll have to buy.

The upside, is you get the most current generation sensor... in camera stabilization... and best of all for your situation. The camera can use any autofocus sony or minolta lens that's ever been made... since you want low light you would need a fast prime. You wont get a super fast prime within your budget but you can pick up a used minolta 50mm 1.7 on ebay for about a hundred which will probably give you the best low light option you can expect in your budget...

I might suggest you go to the following site.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
It will allow you to compare photos taken with most of the latest cameras on the market... you should look carefully at the ones taken at the highest ISO because if low light shooting is your big goal, you want to make sure you don't get a nasty surprise with the noise that some cameras have at high ISO...

 

[jann1033]

never mind, just saw the post about your budget being firm...imo don't get a camera just cause it's cheap, it's an investment so put it off till you have a little more money if you need to. chances are you will just regret your decision if you go by price only

 

[ThruTheEyesOfMyChild]

I highly recommend the CANON Rebel XTi plus the 75-300mm lense! I use it for my DD competitive cheerleading competitions (always low light venues). I set the ISO high...like 1600...and always get great shots!

It was my first SLR and I love it!!! Good luck on you choice!

 

[jennwndrlnd]

never mind, just saw the post about your budget being firm...imo don't get a camera just cause it's cheap, it's an investment so put it off till you have a little more money if you need to. chances are you will just regret your decision if you go by price only

I realize it's an investment and I really wish I could go out and get the Nikon D200 for $1400 but it's not in the cards for me now nor will it probably ever be. Unless I could sustantiate the purchase because it would bring in income for my family, then I would change my mind. A year ago I spent $375 on a Panasonic Lumix FZ8, it was the most I'd ever spent on a camera and I bought it specifically because I was going to Disney and starting to take the concert pictures. It was a wonderful purchase and I don't regret spending the money because our Disney shots are irreplaceable and it was the most I could swing even though it's just a high end p&s. Since then I've did some reading, went to more concerts, and have found that I have a real interest in photography, I just don't have the budget of someone that wants it to be their hobby. I really appreciate all the advice and hope to start out with a decent camera, the lenses will probably have to wait if they are really pricey but I'm willing to do that so I don't end up with gear that in a couple of years I don't want any more.

 

[DizzyV6P]

If you are going to be shooting concerts in low light situations, you are going to need a 70-200 f/2.8L IS (Canon) or 70-200 f/2.8 VR (Nikon) lens. That is THE lens that many concert photographers use. Is this for work? or for a hobby? I ask, because these lenses cost about $1500.

You can try to go for a some of the prime long lenses such as a Canon 135 f/2.8, 135 f/2L, 200 f/2L. However, these are all expensive as well.

You will need a DSLR that excels in low light photography which would leave with with a Canon 40D, Canon XTi, Canon XSi, Nikon D300, D80. The fact that Canon's in general are the kings in low-light and fast AF makes the lower-price Canon's a good buy. To be fair, Nikon caught up in low-light w/ the D300 and D3 but it has yet to filter down to their lower lines (D40/D40x/D60).

For lower budget zoom lenses, I recommend the Canon 85 f/1.8, Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Tokina 16-50 f/2.8, Sigma 18-50 f/2.8, in that order. The 50 f/1.8 is a great buy at $50-$80, but I found it not long enough for concert pictures...even with a press pass. I just found it a weird length..but maybe its just me.

Good luck with concert photos. They can be tough at times and a lot depends on the lighting and venue.

The Black Cat club in DC is notorious for bad lighting. They are not balanced and tend to have too much yellow or too much red. Here's what a press pass can do for you Taken with my Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. If you can get up close to the stage, a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 or 17-50 f/2.8 would be perfect.

 

[jennwndrlnd]

I get a press pass but this is not a paying job. I really enjoy it though and would like to continue to learn about photography as I go along.

Here are a couple of shots from recent shows, you can see there are issues with grain and other things. These are untouched, in some instances a guy from the site will touch things up and run them through an editing program but that doesn't happen often. I'd just like to have the clearest photos I can with the budget I am on.

 

[ukcatfan]

Price is the other issue as I would like to try and find something around $500-$600.

Believe me, if the site were paying or if I had a big budget I would get something up to par with most of the other people I am in the pit with. Having a family and doing this part-time (and also unpaid) I just can't swing any more cash for a set up.

If you are going to be shooting concerts in low light situations, you are going to need a 70-200 f/2.8L IS (Canon) or 70-200 f/2.8 VR (Nikon) lens. That is THE lens that many concert photographers use. Is this for work? or for a hobby? I ask, because these lenses cost about $1500.

You can try to go for a some of the prime long lenses such as a Canon 135 f/2.8, 135 f/2L, 200 f/2L. However, these are all expensive as well.

You will need a DSLR that excels in low light photography which would leave with with a Canon 40D, Canon XTi, Canon XSi, Nikon D300, D80. The fact that Canon's in general are the kings in low-light and fast AF makes the lower-price Canon's a good buy. To be fair, Nikon caught up in low-light w/ the D300 and D3 but it has yet to filter down to their lower lines (D40/D40x/D60).

For lower budget zoom lenses, I recommend the Canon 85 f/1.8, Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Tokina 16-50 f/2.8, Sigma 18-50 f/2.8, in that order. The 50 f/1.8 is a great buy at $50-$80, but I found it not long enough for concert pictures...even with a press pass. I just found it a weird length..but maybe its just me.

No offense DizzyV6P, but did you read the OP's comments? Pretty much everything you mention is out of the budget. IMO, about the only option the OP has is a low cost prime (i.e.50mm) and an entry level model. I believe that Olympus is out b/c there is no inexpensive prime. Nikon is out unless a D50 can be found or accept a MF lens on the D40. Sony is iffy b/c the only affordable lenses in that spec range are used. I believe that Pentax and Canon are the most logical answers here. If Canon, I would say regular old XT if one can still be found to save a little there. The Pentax K200D has a decent rebate right now and is a couple generations of newer technology, but would probably be a little more money than the Canon XT option.

 

[handicap18]

Your going to have to do some serious comparison shopping. The entry level dSLR's are mostly going to up to ISO1600 (some with what they call a High 1 or somethink like that which is intended to give an ISO3200 equilivent). The more expensive ones will probably have a normal ISO3200 and then the next step up will probably have upwards of ISO6400.

Low light photography is the big focus. Camera companies are fighting to get the best high ISO performance. They are starting in the higher end models and that technology is starting to trickle down to the lower end and entry level models.

Look for a body that has high ratings on its high ISO performance. Also you want to look for a body that has a fast focus for low light. Some are better than others. Then look for lenses that will go with that body.

Outside of the Nikon D300, I really don't know how the performance of the other bodies on the market now are being reviewed.

Third party companies like Sigma and Tamron make great lenses that are a heck of alot more affordable than the Canon and Nikon equilivent. Image Quality is mostly right on target with Canon and Nikon too.

Sigma makes a 30mm f/1.4 lens (that will auto focus on all Nikon dSLR's), but that would probably be out of your budget at this time. They are planning on releasing a 50mm f/1.4 that also will auto focus on all Nikon dSLR's, but we haven't seen a retail price on this new lens yet. Its supposidely scheduled to start shipping at the end of August.

Your getting good results from your PnS now. What is your time frame for buying a new camera.

 

[DizzyV6P]

Goto the usual Canon forums and buy a used Canon XT or XTi. You'll find quite a few good deals there. You'll get quite a few keepers with either of those Canon models at ISO1600. It's the biggest difference between them and all the other brands, fast AF and great for low-light.


$500 XTi plus kit lens
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=527414&highlight=xti

$350 for the XT
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=518932&highlight=xt

$455 for XT plus bag
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=518671&highlight=xt

Lots of good deals here
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=488981&highlight=50+f/1.8

50 f/1.8 goes for about $60 - $100 online

 

[jennwndrlnd]

My time frame for a new camera is within the next couple of months, preferably the sooner the better. However, with the release of the Canon XSI I figured the XTI would drop in price. I'm seriously considering that now that I've had some advice thrown my way. I would love to pick up a good lens that is at least a 2.8 if possible, I just don't know if I can swing more than $700 for both the camera and lens at this time. I would hope to have at least one decent lens within six months after buying the camera. Concert season is in full swing and I've had a lot of shows being thrown my way lately.

 

[ukcatfan]

I would strongly recommend that you visit your local camera store in the near future to handle all of your options. I was about 99.9% set on getting the XT until I held it and it immediately fell of my list. As for the price, I would not expect it to get much lower. There are currently four different Rebel options on the market (XT, XTi, XS, & XSi). I would not expect the stocks of the discontinued XT and XTi to stick around very long as they will erode the market share of the new models they want you to buy.

 

[jennwndrlnd]

I would strongly recommend that you visit your local camera store in the near future to handle all of your options. I was about 99.9% set on getting the XT until I held it and it immediately fell of my list. As for the price, I would not expect it to get much lower. There are currently four different Rebel options on the market (XT, XTi, XS, & XSi). I would not expect the stocks of the discontinued XT and XTi to stick around very long as they will erode the market share of the new models they want you to buy.

I went to a couple of places over the weekend and am comfortable with almost everything I tried out. Sony was the brand that didn't feel right to me.

Dizzy that first XTI for sale you was a great deal, unfortunately it was sold by the time I checked it.