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Shu

I'm looking into getting a real camera...I have my point and shoot Nikon that I take riding but am looking into a digital camera that has changable lenses...Not looking to spend a mint but don't want a POS either...

kdog4130

I was in the same position as you, and decided to go with the Nikon D40. I bought it from Ritz online, and financed it for 12 months no intrest. I got a bundle, and it came with two lenses, and a case that really helps keep everything safe. The grand total.......$860.00. Not too bad. The D40 is one of the easiest cameras (DLSR) I have ever used. There is even a help button that will explain whatever function you are trying to use. Very cool. Some pics:

jeffj

When you're looking into a dslr, it might help to think of it as looking into a lens system and the cameras that go with them.

The lenses are (can be) more of a long term investment and the camera bodies will come and go in comparison.

Of course, Canon & Nikon are the most popular choices these days. but there are a few others if you're one of those that like to have something different.

It would be really difficult to just say that if you want a dslr, that you should just get "X". I would need more info from you before I would recommend something. Just because I have a particular camera doesn't make it right for you. Everyone's situation is somewhat unique. Soooooooooooooo:

What type of shooting do you want to do most of the time?

What other types of shooting do you want to do?

What do you plan to do with the pics? Prints? Large prints? Web?

How picky are you about image quality?

What does your p&s not do that you want to do?

What is your budget for the camera?

What is your budget for lenses?

Is your budget flexible at all?

How often do you plan to shoot?

Would you be willing to pay a premium for some amount of weather sealing?

Jordansrealm

answer all Jeffj's questions and i will help u decide

mtbmichael

d40 is a great camera and it's fairly cheap, but it falls short in many areas. the most important, imo, is that it lacks an autofocus motor, so that limits you to use only AF-s lenses.

also dont fall into the megapixel crap. 6-7 mp is sufficient for most people, unless you make big posters or something.

Trizz

first off, its not what camera you want, its what lens system you want, i would suggest Canon, they have the best glass, so with that, i would suggest the brand new Canon Rebel XSI it new and ships next month, its around 800, and has the latest tech.

OffRoadie

I would suggest Canon XTi or XSi, depending on your budget. Canon has great glass, and these cameras can work with all of the EF lenses (does not have limitations like the Nikon D40 does).

However, if you plan to use flash alot, Nikon D40 has more control over flash, and faster flash sync. It's also cheaper.

Shu

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffj

When you're looking into a dslr, it might help to think of it as looking into a lens system and the cameras that go with them.

The lenses are (can be) more of a long term investment and the camera bodies will come and go in comparison.

Of course, Canon & Nikon are the most popular choices these days. but there are a few others if you're one of those that like to have something different.

It would be really difficult to just say that if you want a dslr, that you should just get "X". I would need more info from you before I would recommend something. Just because I have a particular camera doesn't make it right for you. Everyone's situation is somewhat unique. Soooooooooooooo:

What type of shooting do you want to do most of the time?Vacations

What other types of shooting do you want to do?action

What do you plan to do with the pics? Prints? Large prints? Web?no prints larger then 8x1o...web

How picky are you about image quality?as good or a little better then my p&s....I don't need a 10pixel camera 6 will work

What does your p&s not do that you want to do?adjustability....able to add filters/change lenses

What is your budget for the camera?less then a grand w/ a lens or 2 and tax and shipping(if nesessary)

What is your budget for lenses?will buy upgrade lenses as needed

Is your budget flexible at all? nope the amount of pics I will take won't justify more then a grand

How often do you plan to shoot?had to tell depoends on how many vacations I take and if I get the bug to shoot more stuff at home...I will take mtnbike shots at races and the like when I'm not riding

Would you be willing to pay a premium for some amount of weather sealing?doubt it

I like the idea of the Nikon D40 b/c it's geared towards the beginner photographer....which I am..I took a couple photo clases in HS(long ass time ago) so I kind of remember the basics...

I found this.....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=002

wheezy

Well, as a professional photographer I could talk about this for days... but I'll just give my completely biased opinion.

D40 only 6MP (nothing wrong with that, I have a body I paid $4000 for that is only 4MP and I can make prints larger than any 12MP point and shoot with the files it produces) similar to computer clock speeds, it's NOT about MP - The D40 had already been replaced by D40x - MUCH better camera, and that has just been replaced by the D60 - light years ahead of the original D40 and a little bit of a bump from the 40x. None of them has a focus drive pin, which means no focus assist on modern lenses, and NO auto focus period on older lenses.

All that being said, I wouldn't buy any of them, especially for taking action shots, which I assume you want to do. The autofocus of the D80 is LIGHT YEARS ahead of any of the previously mentioned bodies. Autocam 530 vs Autocam 1000 (read up on it) You get the drive pin, you get better everything with the 80.

That being said, you can find used D200's right now for the same price as a new D80. The D200 isn't even in the same league. It's a body you could potentially own forever and not need to upgrade unless you're a total techno snob like me.

NOW... ALL of the body decision aside, a body doesn't do anything without a lens. You can take any one of my pro bodies, and put a $200 lens on it, and it's gonna look exactly, and I mean EXACTLY the same as if the shot were taken with a D80 (assuming it's in focus)

Now put a $1,500 lens on even the D40, and take that same shot... WAY HIGHER Image Quality. Now put that $1,500 lens on a pro body and you have the cream of the crop. So, my point is do LOTS of research... go to Samys and rent some stuff before you buy. They will deduct the rental prices paid from the gear when you buy!

I would drop the coin on a good lens... at least $500... notice I said AT LEAST $500 and then buy whatever body you can afford after that.

the 18-200 VR is a GREAT starter lens for any of the bodies mentions in this post. D200 with the 18-200 would be all you ever needed.

Last thing... YOU, or ME for that matter as a working pro CAN NOT tell the difference of image quality at 600x400 on a computer screen. You might be able to tell if it's well exposed, or in focus, but overall image quality can't be judged until printed at a decent size. The larger you print, the more obvious the differences become. So if all you want to do is post up to the internet, the lower end body "could" be the better choice.

OK, my fingers are tired from typing.

Please check out my website when you get a chance. I have LOTS of other stuff (about 2 TerraBytes worth actually) of surfing, dirtbikes, scenery, just about anything you can imagine actually.

One last thing. Do yourself a favor and go lurk around http://www.dpreview.com

Good Luck

Bryguy17

based on what you said, I would go with a Canon XT or XTi. The XT doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the other, and has slightly less resolution, but it still takes amazing pictures. It also has a very good sensor /processor so it will do a lot of work for you if you want to be lazy. just set the dial and shoot.

There's also a lot of really good lenses available for the canon at a good price.

some sample of stuff I've taken with my Dad's XT. These are mostly just using the automatic settings on the camera, as i don't claim to be a master photographer.

mtbmichael

" How picky are you about image quality?as good or a little better then my p&s....I don't need a 10pixel camera 6 will work"

image quality has nothing to do with image size. it's based on a combination of the ccd and lens.

+1 on the d200 w/ 18-200, but not everyone is willing to drop $800 on their first lens.

Shu

Where is the 3rd pic from besides some place WAY colder then here....haha

I have found a website called http://.www.Digital-photography-school.com that is answering a ton of questions for me...
Please don't stop w/ any input and please don't start bashing someone elses comments re: the choice they have made...I don't want this to turn into a "that one sucks..this one is better" thread...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtbmichael

" How picky are you about image quality?as good or a little better then my p&s....I don't need a 10pixel camera 6 will work"

I just learned that on the school site...and they state that is a common misconception that a lot of people(newb's like me) make...

Shu

Niiiiice pics Wheezy....thanks for the info...I'll make sure to pick your brain some more before I make a purchase....

boboso

Nikon D40... so easy my wife can use it

Takes great shots, can act as a point and shoot as it is very fast to go from 0-photo, great lens, easy to use, solid and a good buy.

wheezy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shu

Niiiiice pics Wheezy....thanks for the info...I'll make sure to pick your brain some more before I make a purchase....

Anytime... I'm just about always around, my phone number is on the site.

Lambda_drive

The D40, XT, and XTi have good image quality, but they feel so plasticy, weak, and a bit too light. I guess you have to sacrifice a few things for all the lightweightness. In my opinion they're way too light, I like a camera with a bit more heft and a handgrip that wasn't designed for small japanese hands. The D70/D80 and 20D/30D feel a lot better in my opinion, and they have better features.

Nikon and Canon are good systems to start on, but you should also take into consideration the other camera brands such as: Olympus, Sony, and my personal favorite of them all Pentax.

I may be a bit odd for liking Pentax, but it's a really good camera system. The reason why I like pentax so much is because they make intelligently designed DSLR's with great ergonomics, great sensors, great features, and for a really good price. The other great thing about pentax is that they haven't changed their lens mount at all since they started(unlike Nikon, or Canon) and because of that you can use any lens ever made by pentax, (which is about 24 million lenses).

The Pentax I recommend is the K10D. It has a good 10mp sensor, all the buttons are intelligently placed, and it comes with one of the best kit lenses. The best part about the pentax K10D is that its body is weathersealed with 72 different seals, and it has built in image stabilization. Instead of having lenses with movable lens elements to correct shake, like Nikon and Canon, it moves the sensor to compensate for shake. That means ANY lens you put on it is image stabilized.

Here's a picture of the K10D with a battery grip and a DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited Pancake lens.

The limited lenses are very high quality, and assures exceptional image quality, with high contrast, high resolution, great sense of depth, and minimal aberrations.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/K10D/K10DA.HTM

mtbmichael

lamba- you are not odd at all. I was going to recommend pentax or fuji, but I always tend to be dismissed right when i mention those names.

Bryguy17

the last two pics are from alaska. It was some fjord that we cruised up on our cruise 2 years ago. It was an amazing place though.

Lambda drive, i know what you mean about the cameras feeling a bit light, but its something you get used to. With regards to ergonomics, i believe the XTi is a tad bit bigger/heavier than the XT, which makes it feel more solid. If you're willing to add some coin, a battery grip makes either of those cameras feel REALLY nice. and you look super pro with one

Shu

I have 3 that I've been comparing...
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp..._k10d&show=all

Seems teh more I research the more I get confused

I thought it was difficult picking out my HiDef tv...compared that is a piece of cake...

evdog

I was just thinking of posting to ask what people thought of Pentax. I have been considering a DSLR and when I stopped at a shop near my place to ask some questions the Pentax K10D was what he recommended most. The shop also carried Canon and Nikon but no other brands which he hinted was because they had either had problems with the cameras or distributors of other brands.

I'd be interested to hear what Wheezy thinks of Pentax as well. I'm still doing research so it would help me decide. FYI most of my answers to the questions from earlier would be pretty much the same as Shu, except I might be able to pull off a bit more for price. Initially I would probably just keep the stock lens however til I learned how to use the camera, then get a better one. Just for that the better stock lens would be attractive. My other thought with the K10D is that they will soon be releasing the K20D, so it may be possible to get a better deal on the K10D.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Camera Pou


Shu Goater I'm NOT	Camera of choice I'm looking into getting a real camera...I have my point and shoot Nikon that I take riding but am looking into a digital camera that has changable lenses...Not looking to spend a mint but don't want a POS either... __________________ 07 Bionicon Golden Willow Rat Rod cruiser


kdog4130 Rock it, rip it, shred it	I was in the same position as you, and decided to go with the Nikon D40. I bought it from Ritz online, and financed it for 12 months no intrest. I got a bundle, and it came with two lenses, and a case that really helps keep everything safe. The grand total.......$860.00. Not too bad. The D40 is one of the easiest cameras (DLSR) I have ever used. There is even a help button that will explain whatever function you are trying to use. Very cool. Some pics: __________________ Come and shred some gnar with me


jeffj Slow Rollin' SuperClyde	When you're looking into a dslr, it might help to think of it as looking into a lens system and the cameras that go with them. The lenses are (can be) more of a long term investment and the camera bodies will come and go in comparison. Of course, Canon & Nikon are the most popular choices these days. but there are a few others if you're one of those that like to have something different. It would be really difficult to just say that if you want a dslr, that you should just get "X". I would need more info from you before I would recommend something. Just because I have a particular camera doesn't make it right for you. Everyone's situation is somewhat unique. Soooooooooooooo: What type of shooting do you want to do most of the time? What other types of shooting do you want to do? What do you plan to do with the pics? Prints? Large prints? Web? How picky are you about image quality? What does your p&s not do that you want to do? What is your budget for the camera? What is your budget for lenses? Is your budget flexible at all? How often do you plan to shoot? Would you be willing to pay a premium for some amount of weather sealing?


Jordansrealm Im lost	answer all Jeffj's questions and i will help u decide __________________ "Gene, let me hold on to your nuts for you" - CC "You think you're smart cuz you know words" - Benchwarmers


mtbmichael Senior Member	d40 is a great camera and it's fairly cheap, but it falls short in many areas. the most important, imo, is that it lacks an autofocus motor, so that limits you to use only AF-s lenses. also dont fall into the megapixel crap. 6-7 mp is sufficient for most people, unless you make big posters or something.


Trizz I'm a Machine	first off, its not what camera you want, its what lens system you want, i would suggest Canon, they have the best glass, so with that, i would suggest the brand new Canon Rebel XSI it new and ships next month, its around 800, and has the latest tech. __________________ “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Benjamin Franklin A Woman told Winston Churchill you're a drunk his reply was "well your ugly and i'll be sober tommorow"


OffRoadie Roadie in Exile	I would suggest Canon XTi or XSi, depending on your budget. Canon has great glass, and these cameras can work with all of the EF lenses (does not have limitations like the Nikon D40 does). However, if you plan to use flash alot, Nikon D40 has more control over flash, and faster flash sync. It's also cheaper.


wheezy DH Gorilla	Well, as a professional photographer I could talk about this for days... but I'll just give my completely biased opinion. D40 only 6MP (nothing wrong with that, I have a body I paid $4000 for that is only 4MP and I can make prints larger than any 12MP point and shoot with the files it produces) similar to computer clock speeds, it's NOT about MP - The D40 had already been replaced by D40x - MUCH better camera, and that has just been replaced by the D60 - light years ahead of the original D40 and a little bit of a bump from the 40x. None of them has a focus drive pin, which means no focus assist on modern lenses, and NO auto focus period on older lenses. All that being said, I wouldn't buy any of them, especially for taking action shots, which I assume you want to do. The autofocus of the D80 is LIGHT YEARS ahead of any of the previously mentioned bodies. Autocam 530 vs Autocam 1000 (read up on it) You get the drive pin, you get better everything with the 80. That being said, you can find used D200's right now for the same price as a new D80. The D200 isn't even in the same league. It's a body you could potentially own forever and not need to upgrade unless you're a total techno snob like me. NOW... ALL of the body decision aside, a body doesn't do anything without a lens. You can take any one of my pro bodies, and put a $200 lens on it, and it's gonna look exactly, and I mean EXACTLY the same as if the shot were taken with a D80 (assuming it's in focus) Now put a $1,500 lens on even the D40, and take that same shot... WAY HIGHER Image Quality. Now put that $1,500 lens on a pro body and you have the cream of the crop. So, my point is do LOTS of research... go to Samys and rent some stuff before you buy. They will deduct the rental prices paid from the gear when you buy! I would drop the coin on a good lens... at least $500... notice I said AT LEAST $500 and then buy whatever body you can afford after that. the 18-200 VR is a GREAT starter lens for any of the bodies mentions in this post. D200 with the 18-200 would be all you ever needed. Last thing... YOU, or ME for that matter as a working pro CAN NOT tell the difference of image quality at 600x400 on a computer screen. You might be able to tell if it's well exposed, or in focus, but overall image quality can't be judged until printed at a decent size. The larger you print, the more obvious the differences become. So if all you want to do is post up to the internet, the lower end body "could" be the better choice. OK, my fingers are tired from typing. Please check out my website when you get a chance. I have LOTS of other stuff (about 2 TerraBytes worth actually) of surfing, dirtbikes, scenery, just about anything you can imagine actually. One last thing. Do yourself a favor and go lurk around http://www.dpreview.com Good Luck __________________ Wheezy Todd TODD AVERY PHOTO Referral fee of at least $500 for local weddings!


Bryguy17 SLO Rider	based on what you said, I would go with a Canon XT or XTi. The XT doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the other, and has slightly less resolution, but it still takes amazing pictures. It also has a very good sensor /processor so it will do a lot of work for you if you want to be lazy. just set the dial and shoot. There's also a lot of really good lenses available for the canon at a good price. some sample of stuff I've taken with my Dad's XT. These are mostly just using the automatic settings on the camera, as i don't claim to be a master photographer.


boboso Back on a bike...	Nikon D40... so easy my wife can use it Takes great shots, can act as a point and shoot as it is very fast to go from 0-photo, great lens, easy to use, solid and a good buy. __________________ "Welcome to All Things Scottish, if it's not Scottish, it's craaaapp!! Can I help ye?" - Stuart Rankin


Lambda_drive λ_drive	The D40, XT, and XTi have good image quality, but they feel so plasticy, weak, and a bit too light. I guess you have to sacrifice a few things for all the lightweightness. In my opinion they're way too light, I like a camera with a bit more heft and a handgrip that wasn't designed for small japanese hands. The D70/D80 and 20D/30D feel a lot better in my opinion, and they have better features. Nikon and Canon are good systems to start on, but you should also take into consideration the other camera brands such as: Olympus, Sony, and my personal favorite of them all Pentax. I may be a bit odd for liking Pentax, but it's a really good camera system. The reason why I like pentax so much is because they make intelligently designed DSLR's with great ergonomics, great sensors, great features, and for a really good price. The other great thing about pentax is that they haven't changed their lens mount at all since they started(unlike Nikon, or Canon) and because of that you can use any lens ever made by pentax, (which is about 24 million lenses). The Pentax I recommend is the K10D. It has a good 10mp sensor, all the buttons are intelligently placed, and it comes with one of the best kit lenses. The best part about the pentax K10D is that its body is weathersealed with 72 different seals, and it has built in image stabilization. Instead of having lenses with movable lens elements to correct shake, like Nikon and Canon, it moves the sensor to compensate for shake. That means ANY lens you put on it is image stabilized. Here's a picture of the K10D with a battery grip and a DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited Pancake lens. The limited lenses are very high quality, and assures exceptional image quality, with high contrast, high resolution, great sense of depth, and minimal aberrations. http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/K10D/K10DA.HTM __________________ Avatar: Great Horned Owl


evdog Member	I was just thinking of posting to ask what people thought of Pentax. I have been considering a DSLR and when I stopped at a shop near my place to ask some questions the Pentax K10D was what he recommended most. The shop also carried Canon and Nikon but no other brands which he hinted was because they had either had problems with the cameras or distributors of other brands. I'd be interested to hear what Wheezy thinks of Pentax as well. I'm still doing research so it would help me decide. FYI most of my answers to the questions from earlier would be pretty much the same as Shu, except I might be able to pull off a bit more for price. Initially I would probably just keep the stock lens however til I learned how to use the camera, then get a better one. Just for that the better stock lens would be attractive. My other thought with the K10D is that they will soon be releasing the K20D, so it may be possible to get a better deal on the K10D.

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