Topic: Looking to purchase my first DSLR - what to look for?

[fanofthemule]

I'm just starting to do some research to purchase a DSLR.  What am I looking for?  My use for the camera will be about half family camera and the other half concert camera.  Most of the concert photos would be taken about 15-20' from the stage in decent light.  My budget is $750.  It seems like there are some nice Nikon's and Canon's in this range.  How important are the mp's?  e.g. the Nikon D40 is only 6 mp's but many of the others are in the 10 mp range.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[phanophish]

Couple of good threads on this previously...

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,70066.60.html

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,100817.0.html

Basically Canon & Nikon both have good options.  Canon's lower end DSLRs tend to have better low light performance, Nikon is now beating Canon at the top end (D300 +).  One other thing to watch for on Nikon's lower end (D40, D60) models is they do not have a focus motor in the body and so some lenses (non HSM) will not auto focus with them. Most notably is Nikon's 50/1.8 which can be a bread and butter low light lens.  The camera will work fine, you just have to manually focus.   Nikon's higher end models (D50, D70, D80 +) have a motor and will autofocus with non HSM lenses.  Canon's chief drawback is lack of compatibility, even in manual focus mode, with legacy Canon lenses.  Big deal to some, not to others....

Either way you will get a great camera and prices are very good on DSLRs right now.

[Brian Skalinder]

You might also consider Pentax.  One of the threads to which phanoohish linked includes my thoughts - and some excellent posts from pop and others - as I went through the same process, albeit with a slightly higher budget (which I've since blown, of course!).

You could pick up a used K100D (in the $300s somewhere) and have some cash left over for a fast 50mm lens, and have some cash left over for maybe a used Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.0 for some walkaround flexibility and good image quality without breaking the bank.  Or if you really want to stretch your dollar, Pentax has very good (though not perfect) backwards compatibility between their dSLRs and old film lenses, both Pentax and off-brand, and at reasonable prices, to boot.  Most of the older lenses are manual focus, but I find myself preferring manual focus more and more these days.  IMO, the big advantages Pentax brings to the table:  <1>  in-camera Shake Reduction (v. the far more expensive Nikon in-lens Vibration Reduction, or Canon in-lens Image Stabilization), <2> loads of legacy glass with very good backwards compatibility at low-medium prices.  And you get the benefits of SR in every lens you use, new or old, inexpensive or big bucks.

Lots of info and a pleasant user forum, a la TS:  http://www.pentaxforums.com

I strongly recommend finding a local shop that carries Canon, Nikon, and Pentax.  Try the different models in your hands, see how they feel, try the hard-button and software functions to get a sense for how they're used in the field.  I didn't like the ergos and hard-button and software functions of the Canon.  I was familiar with, and liked, the Nikon ergos and functions.  But over both I preferred the Pentax ergos and hard-button and software functions.

Lots of great options, I suspect you wouldn't be disappointed with any camera / lens combo in your price range.  FWIW, my biggest challenges continue to have nothing to do with the camera:  developing my artistic eye (looooong wya to go), and learning how to use the tool effectively and efficiently (getting there, though slowly).

[bruloup]

  i echo the pentax sentiment.   You can get some great lens for very little cost 70-150 dollars for great MF glass.  check out pentaxforums .com there are some k10d s up now for some good prices.  I am anxiously awaiting my 10-17 fisheye to come in the mail !!!! I have LBA bad ha!

[jdawg]

I strongly recommend finding a local shop that carries Canon, Nikon, and Pentax.  Try the different models in your hands, see how they feel, try the hard-button and software functions to get a sense for how they're used in the field. 

I agree with that.  But if this is your first DSLR, you will never really know how all those buttons/menus will work for you down the road, let alone what most of those even do unless you spend some serious time shooting.  In Canon's case, as is probably the case with others, you can re-program buttons to suit your own style; once you get a style that is. It's just matter of getting used to it. But, yes, always best to try them out first and see how they feel, grip, etc. 

Or just cut to the chase and get a Canon     http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

[evilchris]

For $750, the stock recommendation (IMO) is a Digital Rebel (shop around for an XT, maybe), the kit lens, and the 50mm f/1.8 lens.

[live2496]

I don't know too much about the Pentax or Nikon models, but I bought a Canon XTi 10 megapixel for my wife  last year and I gotta say that it's a great camera. Our first digital SLR. I have used film SLR cameras for years. Certainly it's very easy to use and takes great pictures. Pretty much anything you point and shoot at turns out quite good without having to know a lot about photography. As well the internal sensor autocleans itself when you turn it off. The stock XTi is about $750. We got a telephoto lens for it as well. That was under $300 (maybe $249). You can also find the camera bodies themselves for under $500.

edit: just did some looking around and they now have an XSi model that uses the same lenses and is 12 megapixels. Amazon shows it for $809

[Jimna]

FWIW, my biggest challenges continue to have nothing to do with the camera:  developing my artistic eye (looooong wya to go), and learning how to use the tool effectively and efficiently (getting there, though slowly).

this is my problem right now.  it seems like the more i shoot the worse im doing.  its like everything at first was luck and now that im making a (un)educated effort im blowing everything i do.  

this hobbie is in some senses is much more intensive than audio recording.  im banking on the rewards being equally intense.

good luck on the camera shopping, these guys are the perfect group to talk too so take heed to the advise. 

[fanofthemule]

Thanks for the feedback, +t's

I'm still undecided and am taking my time on making a decision.  I'll pull the trigger on something in the next few weeks.

[stirinthesauce]

Or just cut to the chase and get a Canon     http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

 

played around with a d300 the other day.  Had some bling factor to it, lots of bells and whistles.  However, I was more than happy to hand it back and grab my full frame 5d   

Not to hate too much, it is a nice camera. 


Like others have said, technique is most important.  Lens and bodies are secondary.  Once you learn technique, then, you will start to notice a difference between the tools.  And learn to use differring tools effectively.

[Frank in JC]

played around with a d300 the other day.  Had some bling factor to it, lots of bells and whistles.  However, I was more than happy to hand it back and grab my full frame 5d   

Not to hate too much, it is a nice camera. 

I only have one thing to say: D700

 

[stirinthesauce]

played around with a d300 the other day.  Had some bling factor to it, lots of bells and whistles.  However, I was more than happy to hand it back and grab my full frame 5d   

Not to hate too much, it is a nice camera. 

I only have one thing to say: D700

 

Haven't been over on fm or dgrin lately.  Is that the new nikon coming out?  Or the rumored?  Like the 5d markII 

I should just sell my taping gear and buy a 1ds mark III 

[Jimna]

played around with a d300 the other day.  Had some bling factor to it, lots of bells and whistles.  However, I was more than happy to hand it back and grab my full frame 5d   

Not to hate too much, it is a nice camera. 

I only have one thing to say: D700

 

Haven't been over on fm or dgrin lately.  Is that the new nikon coming out?  Or the rumored?  Like the 5d markII 

I should just sell my taping gear and buy a 1ds mark III 

easy there cowboy!  lets not jump to extremes here!

[stirinthesauce]

played around with a d300 the other day.  Had some bling factor to it, lots of bells and whistles.  However, I was more than happy to hand it back and grab my full frame 5d   

Not to hate too much, it is a nice camera. 

I only have one thing to say: D700

 

Haven't been over on fm or dgrin lately.  Is that the new nikon coming out?  Or the rumored?  Like the 5d markII 

I should just sell my taping gear and buy a 1ds mark III 

easy there cowboy!  lets not jump to extremes here!

nah, not doing that anytime soon.

It was nice though, walking into my local gallery with some new work, and a guy buying all my my previous stuff and most of what I walked in with.  Makes me want to go slut it up! 

[Jimna]

that great!  maybe its not slutting if it pays for itself...

[Frank in JC]

played around with a d300 the other day.  Had some bling factor to it, lots of bells and whistles.  However, I was more than happy to hand it back and grab my full frame 5d   

Not to hate too much, it is a nice camera. 

I only have one thing to say: D700

 

Haven't been over on fm or dgrin lately.  Is that the new nikon coming out?  Or the rumored?  Like the 5d markII 

I should just sell my taping gear and buy a 1ds mark III 

The Nikon D700 is for real, announced on July 1st... hard to believe actually.  It looks almost identical to the D300 but it's full-frame.  At $2k less than a D3, it's not that far out of reach.

[stirinthesauce]

played around with a d300 the other day.  Had some bling factor to it, lots of bells and whistles.  However, I was more than happy to hand it back and grab my full frame 5d   

Not to hate too much, it is a nice camera. 

I only have one thing to say: D700

 

Haven't been over on fm or dgrin lately.  Is that the new nikon coming out?  Or the rumored?  Like the 5d markII 

I should just sell my taping gear and buy a 1ds mark III 

The Nikon D700 is for real, announced on July 1st... hard to believe actually.  It looks almost identical to the D300 but it's full-frame.  At $2k less than a D3, it's not that far out of reach.

Yup, I haven't been keeping up with the new stuff.  Got my full frame so I'm happy for the time being.  Start reading about the new stuff and I start lusting! 

[fanofthemule]

I finally made a decision and purchased the Canon EOS Rebel XSI w/ the 18-55mm zoom lens

I also purchased a 55-250mm zoom lens to get some longer shots

Any basic advice for settings?  I'm going to a show tonight and would like to get a couple of decent pictures of the band.  The venue is decent to low light and I'll be 20-25' from the stage on average.

Thanks again for everyone's responses, t's all around!

[evilchris]

^ Av mode w/ the Aperture stopped down as far as it can go.

[fanofthemule]

^ Av mode w/ the Aperture stopped down as far as it can go.

thanks for the quick response.  av mode w/ apeture down to -2.  should i mess with the white balance or leave on auto.  will the av mode also leave the flash off?  i don't want to use the flash at all.

[evilchris]

^ double-check what you're doing.

Av mode is on the dial (along side M, Tv, P, etc.) and it sounds like you're setting your exposure compensation instead of your Aperture.

[fanofthemule]

Some pictures from my first time out.  I'm still learning the settings but a few came out pretty good.

Any advice on what other settings I should be using?

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,107644.0.html

[jdawg]

Try shooting in manual mode next time. Keep the aperture to the lowest number you have for those lenses. Then bump the ISO way up! I see many of those shots are at iso320, 200, etc. Should be no less than 800, and you might as well try some at 1600 to see how well it handles the noise. My 40D is always on 1600 for concerts. Other than that, great start, keep it up!

[restevezes]

another first timer here.... looking for good prices, spotted what it looks to me a great deal, the good old Canon 350d (XT) plus a EF 28-90mm f4-5.6 Lens for 400$
What is your advice? Is the 350D still a good option (that lens looks great range to me), or better save money for a superior model?

thanks

[divamum]

Congrats!

I just got a 55-250IS and I am BLOWN AWAY by the clarity on this lens - I find it even sharper than my 50mm 1.8.  I have a Rebel XT, fwiw.

If the 18-55 EF-s lens is even half as good, I'll be trying to score one of those as well - what's your feeling, since you have both lenses?

Cheers!

[evilchris]

^ if this is true, either for aperture is too low (DOF @ f/1.8 is razor thin) or you got a bad copy of the 50/1.8.

[divamum]

It's not so much that the 1.8 is soft, but that the 55-250 is sharper. The speed on the 1.8  is obviously a huge plus, and I'd have to say it offers slightly (but only slightly) richer colour and contrast, but the actual clarity on the zoom is consistently sharp beyond any other lens I've tried on this camera.  I'll try to post some comparison pix between it and the 50mm at some point.