Looking for a SLR camera - any suggestions?

[coffeemonkey]

I have the Canon Xsi and love it. Reading a few introductory books before buying is a great thing to do. Your initial decision on which brand to start with is important as it means investing in that manufacturer's lenses, flashes and accessories. These things cannot be used on other manufacturer's equipment, with a few limited exceptions. If you decide later to switch from Canon to Nikon or vice versa you are pretty much starting over. This isn't necessarily all bad, since the good gear that Canon and Nikon make resells well, but can be a big hassle if you have become accustomed to a certain manufacturer. I've heard some say it is like switching from a PC to Mac. And of course, in this case, Canon is the Mac.

I don't know how Nikon works exactly but make sure whatever camera you get can use all the lens that that manufacturer makes. If it won't accept them all then you are limited in the future. In the case of the Canon Xsi, it is not a "full frame" camera in that the sensor is not a 35mm sensor (it is smaller). Special lens were introduced for this camera called EF-S, versus the EF lenses for full frame cameras. So, as long as I buy EF lenses I'll be able to use them now, on my Xsi, and on any future camera I may buy. Some manufacturers don't allow their lower end SLR's to use the same lenses as the higher end SLR's, this limits upgradability.

For a better explanation of this see this link: http://photonotes.org/articles/begin...enses.html#efs

Happy Shopping! Now is a good time to buy, I've seen a number of good deals on cameras amongst all the post-Christmas sales.

[UPHOTO]

www.keh.com for used equipment
www.fredmiranda.com for used equipment
www.adorama.com for new
www.bhphotovideo.com for new

And very few others I would suggest, there are some BAD places and if it seems to good to be true then it is every time.

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by UPHOTO

www.keh.com for used equipment
www.fredmiranda.com for used equipment
www.adorama.com for new
www.bhphotovideo.com for new

And very few others I would suggest, there are some BAD places and if it seems to good to be true then it is every time.

I have used all of the above but KEH...gonna check KEH now for my 70-200

[Blueface]

These guys are top notch for used equipment and repairs and custom needs.
They offer all new stuff also but B&H is a better way to go for new.
There is nothing they can't modify.
They cater to professionals primarily.

http://www.armatosvideo.com/

[Mr.Maduro]

Nikkor Lenses are not Nikon...correct? How do they compare?

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by Mr.Maduro

Nikkor Lenses are not Nikon...correct? How do they compare?

Nikkor is Nikon's name for lenses.

Sort of like Mopar for Chrysler.
Goodwrench for GM.
On and on.

[Mr.Maduro]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Nikkor is Nikon's name for lenses.

Sort of like Mopar for Chrysler.

One website says Nikkor, another says Nikon. Thanks.

[UPHOTO]

keh is THE best in used equipment anywhere. Their ratings are so out of control!!! If it say's like new then it's NEW, if it say's bargain then it maybe has a few scratches and scuff marks on the outside of it.

They are very very picky about the quality of what they sell.

Im a huge fan of the Sony line of SLRs. Its Konica Minoltas technology mixed with sony. The Instant on is amazing and the stability and speed and auto Focus is top of the line. They Bought Minoltas digital line. Im planing on buying one soon as well probably the 450.

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by darb85

Im a huge fan of the Sony line of SLRs. Its Konica Minoltas technology mixed with sony. The Instant on is amazing and the stability and speed and auto Focus is top of the line. They Bought Minoltas digital line. Im planing on buying one soon as well probably the 450.

I looked at Sony's at one time, the main issue that steered me away was the amount of Canon and Nikon Lens availabe. That and for the same price range, I could get a Canon that is faster..i.e. autofocus was faster and frames per second on continuous drive. I.E. Sony 2 FPS Canon 6.5 FPS in the same price range.

Originally Posted by kgoings

I looked at Sony's at one time, the main issue that steered me away was the amount of Canon and Nikon Lens availabe. That and for the same price range, I could get a Canon that is faster..i.e. autofocus was faster and frames per second on continuous drive. I.E. Sony 2 FPS Canon 6.5 FPS in the same price range.

any minolta lens will work with a Sony. THere are a bunch of lenses available, I have a bunch of lenses, so maybe that makes me partial...

[12stones]

So, do we have a final verdict yet?

[Mr.Maduro]

Originally Posted by 12stones

So, do we have a final verdict yet?

I'm locked in on Nikon, but have been pulling my hair all day trying to decide between the D40, D60, or D80...

[BigAl_SC]

Originally Posted by Mr.Maduro

I'm locked in on Nikon, but have been pulling my hair all day trying to decide between the D40, D60, or D80...

Well I'm a D80 owner. I've been following the thread to see what you choice you came to but felt I needed to put my in on the previous statement. Throw out the D60 choice. Its sloooooooow and doesn't do much more than the 40 for a heck of a lot more $. If you look at just the D40 or D80, price vs features is the choice. The 40 won't use all the old lens but if your just starting out, who cares.

I have the 18-200vr lens that almost never comes off the camera. Just a do everything lens.

Maybe this will help to see how I made my choice. Good luck.

Al

[Ratters]

Go a tad bit more and get the Nikon D90.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D90-Digi...0761114&sr=8-1

[Mr Edmundo]

Those are all fine cameras, but do yourself a favour. Check out the Pentax line. The K200D is one of the highest rated. It's completely weather and dust proof. The image stabilization is in the body, so you don't have to keep purchasing the technology over again with each lens you purchase, like in the Nikon or the Canon. The added bonus is that the lenses are much, much cheaper to produce and they are smaller and lighter. You don't get any of that with C or N.
Generally, you will get more value and a great camera for much less than the others because they don't spend multi millions of dollars on advertising. The downside is nobody knows about the product.

[BigAl_SC]

Originally Posted by Ratters

Go a tad bit more and get the Nikon D90.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D90-Digi...0761114&sr=8-1

Have to admit, the D90 looks sweeeeeeet!!!!!

For $250 more, it would seem to be a no brainer if you are going the high $ route. Wasn't available yet for me.

Still highly recommend the 18-200 lens as a jack of all trades.......

[Mr.Maduro]

Well I placed my order this morning for the Nikon D40 with the 18-55 and 55-200 lens kit.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by Mr.Maduro

Well I placed my order this morning for the Nikon D40 with the 18-55 and 55-200 lens kit.

Congrats!
You couldn't go wrong with any of the suggestions made.
Enjoy!!!

[kgoings]

Congrats!