Topic: Camera newbie...bear with me

[heath]

I am looking to enter the world of Digital SLRs.  My current digi is a canon powershot digital elph and i hate it.  Want something that I can actually utilize a zoom on, interchange lenses, and take pictures worth a damn with. 

I've been doing a little homework, but am looking for some hand-holding here.  Is this a decent buy?

http://www.fotoconnection.com/p51857-canon-eos-350d-digital-rebel-xt-package-5.html

[dgodwin]

I'd suggest going to your local camera store (if any in your area still exist) and see what they have to offer.  They might be able to put together a similar package if that's what you want for a similar price.  If you're just starting out with a SLR, the knowledge they can share with you would be worth paying a little more. 

[stirinthesauce]

I am looking to enter the world of Digital SLRs.  My current digi is a canon powershot digital elph and i hate it.  Want something that I can actually utilize a zoom on, interchange lenses, and take pictures worth a damn with. 

I've been doing a little homework, but am looking for some hand-holding here.  Is this a decent buy?

http://www.fotoconnection.com/p51857-canon-eos-350d-digital-rebel-xt-package-5.html

pretty decent buy.  If your doing any lowlight, your gonna want some different lenses.  Lenses are like mics, pricey and addictive.  

Another option is to buy just the body, and get the lenses seperate.  Of course, if your doing mainly day time shooting, those lenses in the package will be adequate.  You can always re-sell.

[heath]

For the most part, I want to be able to shoot sports from a distance (hockey in particular) and landscapes, etc (leaving in a month for Hawaii and want to take pictures that I will be proud of).

h

[stirinthesauce]

For the most part, I want to be able to shoot sports from a distance (hockey in particular) and landscapes, etc (leaving in a month for Hawaii and want to take pictures that I will be proud of).

h

Both of those lenses will do the job you want.  You will definitly get the upgrade bug (don't we all    ) but you have your wideangle lens and your tele zoom so you should be fine with that kit.  Good price, I paid just under 6 for my old rebel XT and it's 18-55 kit lens.  Your getting an additional lens and paying just over 6.  Dooeeet 

Oh, and if your going to Hawaii in a month, get out and practice, practice, practice every day.  Find out what every auto and manual setting does, your iso's, your apertures, all that jazz so you can get the end result you desire out of each situation.  Thanks to others posting links to sites, I have found www.dgrin.com and www.fredmiranda.com very helpful

[heath]

Any reason why this would be better or worse? 

http://www.expresscameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=621005&up=620700&start=1

[stirinthesauce]

Any reason why this would be better or worse? 

http://www.expresscameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=621005&up=620700&start=1

Not familiar with Nikon bodies and lenses.  I'm a canon guy. 

[heath]

gotcha.  thanks for all the help thus far

[heikki]

I bought my D80 at release, almost a year ago now, and paid a bit more than that but that price STILL seems a bit too low - ?  I haven't watched the prices in a while but shop around.

I am also picky about USA models vs. gray market cameras - the latter having no MANUFACTURER warranty in the USA.  You may want to beware.  A lot of these Brooklyn basement camera shops sell gray market cameras, often offering a 1 yr. warranty (through them, NOT the manufacturer).

Another thing to be careful of are online retailers with very low prices.  They will often call to "confirm your order" and in try to talk to you into high mark-up accessories.  If you don't buy them, all of a sudden your order is canceled, the camera is back ordered, etc...


I am personally a Nikon shooter but I would recommend Canons for many DSLR beginners. The bodies are usually a bit cheaper but the lenses are often considerably cheaper (than Nikon).  This can be especially true when you get into the lenses with vibration reduction, etc...


Your kit lens (the ones that come with the bodies) will serve you well for a while but they aren't going to make you happy when you want to start shooting sports or concerts.


http://kenrockwell.com/
Many consider this guy to be an arrogant ---- and he is very heavily Nikon-biased but when you cut through to the material his site and articles contain a LOT of useful information.


Good luck!

[eric.B]

not that it matters that much, but cameras do come in "flavours" like microphones/rec. equip.  I have heard that the canon sensor is better in low light, and canon makes their own image sensors..   while nikons are more ergonomic for male shooters, have more features, and they use sony image sensors.  remember, minolta doesnt make digitalslr's anymore, however sony will service them AND the new sony alphaSLRs can use the older minolta lenses..   some of which I hear are quite good.     

[phanophish]

Canon & Nikon are both great cameras.  Canon tends to have better low light sensor performance, and I'm a Nikon shooter saying that.  Nikon's flash metering and color performance are slightly better in general.

Watch out for that store..  There are tons of scam online camera stores.  B&H, Adorama are a few of the better known legit places.  Check a site like Reseller Ratings for store reviews.  FotoConnection sounds like another one of the bad sites....

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/FotoConnection_1

[heath]

the more I have been reading (spent a lot of time on fredmiranda and such last night and this morning) it seems that a Digital Rebel XTi might be a good fit for me as a beginner.  Currently pricing those out   Thanks a ton for suggestions, sites, etc.  I am a slow learner, so hand holding is appreciated

[heath]

+t's to all

[heath]

Just got back from the Camera store, and I have to say that the Nikons felt better in my hands.  Now I'm reeling.  Going to price some D40's and D80's and see what kind of chart I can come up with to help me figure out what to get.

Time to start a new slutty hobby

[dgodwin]

Glad you made it to a camera store.  I'd be cautious with a D40 and D40x, as you're limited in the lenses you can purchase, as it does not support Auto-Focus in older lenses (non AF-S lenses)   If you don't have access to any older lenses, and only plan to buy new ones, then it shouldn't be a problem.  I have a D100, and enjoy it, but I'm even tempted to look seriously at a D80 as a replacement in the future.