I used to have a 35mm SLR camera that had only the basics. Film speed, shutter speed, light meter. I set the aperature and focus by hand( on the lens). I loved it. Now I'm in the market for a digital slr. What are the minimums that I should be looking at? I want a decent camera but not one with so many bells and whistles that I'll never use half of it.
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From the "deep south" part of Canada
Richard in Smithville
http://richardspensandthings.blogspot.com/ -
canon is introducing a new rebel model the Xsi soon, it will be 12 MP, LCD screen viewing (only found on the high end models) and a image stabling lens 18-55mm lens for around $899. You will probably will be about to get deals on the XT (6.3MP??) and the XTi (9 MP??) once the Xsi comes out. I have seen the XT as low as $599 with the lens recently.
I am still using the original rebel and after 19000 pictures, it is still going strong.
You should probably go with a digital SLR with the same brand as your film SLR so if you have a collections of lenses, you can use them with your digital.
I have friends with the Nikon SLR as well as a Sony SLR and both are happy with their digital SLRs. -
i bought the nikon D40 package from costco two years ago. it came with 28-80 and 70-300 lense. i think its a 5 or 6 mp. i paid $800 for it at that time.
i would try to get the same brand camera so that i could use same lenses as mclear6 suggested, otherwise with nikon and cannon, you cant go wrong. both are great quality cameras._________________________
omarComment
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I think that in general, camera's are released in Japan ahead of the US. In the past 4 years, Nikon and Canon leapfrog each other with each new major release, and each release, at the point of release is fairly expensive for the first few months before retailers begin dropping their prices.
I mentioned Nikon and Canon because these, in my opinion do the most R&D and lead the pack. Most others stay about a year behind overall.Hank Lee
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted!
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I think you are missing a major player! Olympus has been pushing both Nikon and Canon to look at some of the inovations that it has released with their sensor cleaning and live view features.
Also don't count out Fuji they seem to test new technology (such as wide gamut sensors) and features in the upper models of F series point and shoot cameras and then come out with solid performance DSLR cameras at reasonable price points.Opinions are like gas;
I don't mind hearing it, but keep it to yourself if it stinks.
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Olympus and Fuji make some fine cameras and I do realize that there is a lot of development going on in the States too. However, over here, while they offer great cameras and have a good following, they are more like a Buick as compared to a Cad.
I have a Canon and really like it but the real leader is Nikon. Nikon got behind by about two years back around 2000 - 2004 because they were so good with the film cameras, they were caught looking, thinking that the digital world was way in the future. When they began to loose sales, and they finally got started, even Sony was better in their early digitals than Nikon. They also let Canon get way ahead. Canon had (arguably) better professional lens. Nikon then moved ahead technologically with their upper end consumer camera over here but the user interface was quite complicated. The Digital Rebel (KISS) over here, took the lead in sales. They are going back and forth in sales now.
I loved the Olympus that I had but I dropped it and it broke. They had moved on to a new model that did not have the same features as the one that I had so, I moved up to the Canon. The Olympus was not an SLR but had a setting to go to F1.4 which took EXCELLENT night shots. I was about to get a Nikon to replace it, but several owners told me not to do that because it was too complicated for occasional use. Nikon has learned from that.
I am not a professional, but I do notice the cameras and what sells when I go into huge (floor area) electronic stores (larger than CompUSA, Best Buy etc). I often go to a salesman and talk about the latest and most popular with who, and what is about to come out new.Hank Lee
Experience is what you get when you don't get what you wanted!Comment
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I'm looking at the Olympus E-510, mainly because I will be able to use my OM mount lenses (with an adaptor and some restrictions). I also like the image stabilization in the camera, rather than in the individual lenses. Would like to get some use out of my old Olympus lenses, if I can. Other than that, Olympus compares favorably with Canon, Nikon, etc., according to the reviews that I've read. The E-410 has all the features of the 510, but with a smaller body and no IS. Don't know if the other brand's lenses interchange with their late film cameras or not(Canon's might), but if a new DSLR is your first SLR, that wouldn't be an issue.Comment
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Let me ask a silly question. What is the advantage of a SLR over say my trusty Canon PowerShot?
Pleading ignorance.Ted KitchComment
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I guess it would depend on how much you are into photography. Lots of things you can do with interchangeable lenses and all the other features of an SLR. You can experiment with macro photography, portrait photography, etc., using various lenses, accessories, equipment, etc., that you wouldn't be able to use with a normal camera. On the other hand, when my wife and I went to Europe, in the interest of traveling light, we left our SLRs at home, and took a point-and-shoot still camera with a zoom lens, and a video camera (8mm), so we wouldn't have to drag camera bags full of lenses and accessories with us.
But they do look cool, next to a point-and-shoot.Comment
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I own a Panasonic FZ50 and i like it a lot.
Lots of features and you don't have to break the bank
Details.Nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that! -Rocky Balboa-Comment
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tedkitch, forgot to mention the most important aspect of an SLR camera. When you look through the viewfinder, you are looking directly through the lens, so basically, what you see is what you get, as far as composition is concerned. That eliminates what they call parallax error, which is a mis-alignment between the viewfinder and lens on a standard camera. This is not noticeable in distant shots, but is more evident the closer the subject is to the camera. The elimination of the parallax error phenomenon is also the reason an SLR camera lends itself to the use of interchangeable lenses, because, no matter what the image is that appears on the focal plane, that is what your eye sees in the viewfinder. However, in a digital camera, if you use your display to frame your picture, you have the same effect as an SLR. Also,Comment
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Need to think beyond the camera too
If you have not already discovered this, the software is also an important part of the digital SLR package. Think of it as a digital darkroom. The camera maker will have their own toolset included, so check out the reviews of the software too. If you don't already have Photoshop, that is a another good tool and may be bundled with the camera package. I bought the original Digital several years ago (just before the XT came out) and have not been disappointed. At the same time I also purchased the lens below and it is always on the camera.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...9&modelid=7337
Be aware that the lens that is included as a part of the bundle will probably be so-so and you may want to put an upgrade in your budget.
Here is a great site...at least I found it most helpful when trying to make the purchase decision.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/default.htmDon't ever ask a barber if you need a haircut.Comment
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I agree with Rich P.. I have the same lens and you can definitely see the difference with a quality lens vs. the standard lens the camera comes with. If you notice, the higher quality camera don't come with a lens just body only.
I would also recommend a zoom lens of some sorts.. They come in handy.Comment
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You can find great editing software that traverses the different manufacturers. I use Gimp with great success.
I purchased a Pentax k110d a while ago. I love it. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the dslr's really.
I would just encourage looking at what type of lenses you are going to want or already have. The camera is just teh tip of the iceberg
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Olympus is rumored to be releasing an e-520 soon. The e-420 is just out, and has better image quality than the e-410.
For the OP:
Canon will work with all Canon EOS lenses, but no manual Canon lenses. Most Nikons will work with most Nikon lenses, but lower end bodies don't support most features on older lenses. They work, but become fully manual lenses. Pentax has the best lens compatability.
One comment about lenses is that kit lenses are only so-so, and that is true for most, but they are getting better. Olympus has good quality kit lenses comparted to the rest.
Canon has the most pros using it. Canon and Nikon have the widest range of lenses of all brands, but many are expensive, small volume pro lenses that you would never be able to use. Having to buy IS for each lens can be expensive. Olympus, Pentax, and Sony have IS in body.
Lots to think about, and different people have different needs, so it's good to have all of these choices. Right now, I think that Olympus is probably the best buy in DSLRs, unless you need a Pro camera, although Pentax comes close. I find Canikon entry level cameras to be lacking in features (for me, anyway), with the others being better. I also didn't like the way any Canon bodies that I picked up at some stores felt in my hands. Either controls I didn't like, or too big and heavy for my smaller hands. They take good pictures though. It's really hard to go too wrong with any of the brands I've mentioned, you need the one that feels right to you.
JimComment
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