[Slke46]

Hey guys looking into purchasing a DSLR camera, what would you recommend?

I've seen a lot of guys here use the New Canon Rebel XTi. I currently have a point an shoot Sony 10.1 and it takes nice pics... but I want the options of using filters and different lenses to capture those moments that you see rarely and mostly on those quotationed posters...

[RRGOO7]

love my nikon D40

[e92leon]

it's a very broad question
you gotta find one that fits your budget and also has the functions you'll need
the best is really a opinion

i have a Sony Alpha100
but I am looking to get a Nikon D80

[OTK_KART]

It all depends on how much money you want to spend. Keep in mind there is more cost on top of what you spend on the DSLR body. The accessories that I got for my camera cost more than my D200 in September 06. Here is the break down to give you an idea. (amount in Canadian dollars)

D200 $1899
VR 18-200 lens $899
2 x 2GB CF card $300
camera bag $100
2 B + W filters $300
SB 899 flash $430
extra battery $100

And Of course there is a lot of good DSLR kit out there for less than a $1000.
Here is the Website if you want in depth reviews for most camera.
www.dpreview.com

[amsfoto]

Anything Canon...Nikon is evil.

[JoeClothing]

love my canon xti....get it!

[Jaken20]

i shoot with a d50.

[mrvuml]

+1 for Canon XTi

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by Slke46

Hey guys looking into purchasing a DSLR camera, what would you recommend?

I've seen a lot of guys here use the New Canon Rebel XTi. I currently have a point an shoot Sony 10.1 and it takes nice pics... but I want the options of using filters and different lenses to capture those moments that you see rarely and mostly on those quotationed posters...

No one can answer that question for you. Be warry of anyone that gives you an absolute. To start, what is your level of photographic experience? What do you want to do with the camera? How much is your budget?

I love my Nikon D200, but it's not the best camera for everyone, or maybe anyone. It fits my hand very well, and it has many features I need, and many more that I want.

Determine what you want to shoot first. Then let us know your level of experience. Then let us know your budget. With that info, we can give you much better recommendations of where to start, but you have to decide what fits your needs, style and hands the best.


BTW, Nikon and Canon are probably the best long-term options, so expect to see most repsonses favor one of those brands.

[Namir]

"best DSLR camera" Canon 1D MkIII

but coming from a point and shoot a Rebel XTi should be plenty good. or a nikon D40x

[MCS]

Go with whatever lenses you currently have or plan to own.

The DSLR is only as good as the lens that is attached

[KnIgHtCoM]

I agree with TurboFan that Canon or Nikon will be your best long term investment. If you have access to borrowing lenses, that would be good indication of what camp you should steer into.

What's your budget and level of experience with SLR's? Those two things would be very helpful to us in giving you the best recommendation.

[JoeClothing]

I am partial to Canon because I have been using them for years. The menus are easy, customer service is decent, and overall I have not had any problems.
Best thing to do is go into a good camera store and try out each one....

[Stinger]

Originally Posted by amsfoto

Anything Canon...Nikon is evil.

Both make great products. I personally prefer Canons. I have a Canon 30D and love it!

[sparkyg]

Nikon D40 or D80.

Better yet just step up and get a D300, it'll be the last camera you need.

Canon are excellent too, I am just a Nikon fan.

Take some time and evaluate the $$ vs what you need. Nothing wrong with overpurchasing as long as you can afford it.

[spacemonkey1112]

Originally Posted by Namir

"best DSLR camera" Canon 1D MkIII

but coming from a point and shoot a Rebel XTi should be plenty good. or a nikon D40x

hahaha i love how you refer him to a 4500 camera.

In my opinion, the image quality the xti produces is amazing (probably why Canon's new 40D uses the same sensor). My downs about the xti though are that its small and the body is plastic; feels too much like a "toy" in my opinion(why I went with my Canon 20D a few years ago).

if you do go with the xti, I really REALLY suggest you do not go with the camera with the kit lens (the package with the 18-55mm lens). the lens that it comes with it is garbage in my opinion. I suggest you get the xti just body only ($529 at amazon.com) and invest your money in a great lens.

I do not personally own this lens but I find myself barrowing my uncle's 17-40mm F/4L lens quite often (Canon's L line of lens carries a better build quality [weather proof] and captures very beautiful contrasting colors). If you are going to be taking pictures of your car, a wide angle lens like the 17-40mm is great especially since the xti does have a 1.6 crop factor. Even if you're not going to ALWAYS be shooting pictures of your car, keeping this lens on your camera is great when you're at family gatherings and such.

HOWEVER, Canon's L line of lens do not come with a cheap price. the 17-40mm lens is $630 at amazon.com. Yes is more expensive than the camera itself, but you have to understand that the lens will not depreciate in value as much and as fast as the camera does. But in my Opinion, $630 for this lens is a GREAT value. For what you get out of this lens, it's worth every penny.

The reason why I went with the Canon 20D was because they didn't have the xti at the time; only the Rebel XT. I knew if I went with the rebel I would have to upgrade really soon. However the xti pack a lot more heat compared to the xt and I really recommend the xti for people getting into the dlsr world. but you really have to get to understand how your camera works and all the functions of it to produce better pictures(so no staying on that little green box that stand for automatic mode). Having a DSLR doesn't give you better pictures; The photographer makes the pictures.

If you really aren't sold on going with the canon xti. dpreview.com is a GREAT website for giving you everything you need to know about all different types of cameras and brands. They tell you all the features of the cameras and compare the image quality of rival companies in a studio set-up. This site has helped me so much when I was picking out my camera and still helps keeps me updated with the latest equipment.

(I keep referencing amazon because I believe they don't tax their camera stuff so that will save you quite a bit of money)

here are the links to the 2 items:
xti:

17-40mm L lens:

(sorry this was so long; thought I'd throw in more than just 2 cents ) if you have any other questions go ahead and message me and ill be sure to do my best to help you!

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Namir

"best DSLR camera" Canon 1D MkIII

LOL, you mean the Canon 1Ds MkIII

[OC Guy]

Canon Headquarters (U.S.) is about 10 minutes from me. I chose Canon.

Do you have any friends with DSLRs?

[Etnies]

Don't get wrapped up in a Canon vs. Nikon war. Both make several good cameras. Nikons are generally more user-friendly, and a lot of newcomers choose Nikon over Canon because of that, and perhaps how it feels in their hands. The best advice I can give is to go to a store and play around with different models. Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, there are many options. Personally I prefer Canon.

I have started out with the Canon Rebel XTi. I like it, but I'm already so wrapped up in aspirations for my photography that I'm considering buying a 5D or 1D MKIII. And in retrospect, wish I had chosen the 30D to start with. But you need to consider what kind of money you're willing to spend.

Generally, entry-level DSLRs are not going to perform very well at high ISO. I guess it depends on the individual, but I can't stand to shoot above ISO 400 using my XTi in low-light.

Also, lenses are very important. For a starter, I would recommend the Canon 40D, but the XTi is still a solid choice if most of your shooting is not done in low-light. Maybe look at the 30D as well if the prices you see are a big factor. The 30D has a successor on the market, but that doesn't mean that all of the sudden it takes bad pictures.

[e92phreak]

These days, you can pick up a Canon 5D for a great price. Even though it has been on the market for a couple of years, and an update to the 5D is due out sometime this month, it is still a very good buy, since it is a full-frame camera.

If you are a newbie to the DSLR world, it may be best to start off with something like an XTi for now, then upgrade. However, the problem with buying DSLRs are the investment in hardware. The non full-frame cameras use different lenses than the full-frame ones. Your lenses will end up costing more than the camera itself.

[spacemonkey1112]

hahaha I always though of canon being a lot more user friendly (especially w/ the Dial knob)

but on e92phreak's comment, Canon's line of lens can work on all their cameras. Canon has a special line for the Rebel series and the 30d and 40d called the EF-S series which is design to compliment these camera's crop factor. the EF-S line of lens do not work on cameras like the 5d and Mark III series because they carry a full frame sensor (mark III has a 1.3x crop factor)

[SCTexas]

I recently had the same question and decided upon the Canon 400D (Xti). I chose it for several reasons, smaller frame so it is easier for me to carry around, self cleaning, and the people I know carry Canon's so I have access to more lenses. I also found a lot of good information on dpreview.com as well.

Another point that I liked was that Canon designs their own imaging processor for their digital cameras while Nikon utilizes a Sony imaging processor.