DSLRs

[Manwariel]

I'm interested in getting a DSLR. I'm thinking about the Nikon D60 but would like to know if there's anything better for around the same price (or anything as good for less) and what your suggestions are for a camera & lens for $600 or less (less is good). I'd like something with a lot of options, simple enough for someone who's never used a DSLR but something I won't want want/need to upgrade for a long time (the longer the better). Or whatever is closest ;p

[renfairephotog]

here's the best place to get a ton of info and do side by side comparisons.
http://dpreview.com/

Get an ideal of what you want then go to a store and test then to see haw they feel in your hands.

[Damien Ryan]

I always say spend less on camera, and more on good glass....You can find used Rebel Xt-XTI's for relatively cheap on ebay and they are a good camera, then buy a 50mm 1.8 lens for 80$ (kit lens are crap)...better to save for better glass (good glass can be very very very expensive more so then camera).

[CapnFayeCutler]

I'm still on the fence about getting a digital SLR. Nothing wrong with them, I just have a huge tendency to never get pics off of my digital... There's just something about film cameras that warms my heart. Nothing's really automatic like a lot of digital cams nowadays. I LOVE my Minolta and Kodak SLR's. Too bad it's getting harder and harder to find film these days.

But! I remember the Bio dept back at school has a Nikon D80 and it was really nice to use while taking photos of critters out in the wild for Field Zoology.

[Damien Ryan]

Once you make the plunge to digital you will most likely never go back to film, i shoot some fashion work for a bunch of modeling agencies in NYC...and digital really has sped up my work process, even if i have to adjust some tonal values in photoshop it is still a quicker process then sending film to lab to be developed and then scanning in slides from a high res scanner.

[Manwariel]

Thanks.

I have a digital point-and-shoot right now. I prefer digital to film.

[dbaldock]

As the others have said, spend what it takes to get good lenses (they last many years) --- rather than spending a lot on a camera body that will be superseded in 6 - 12 months by the newest model.

One good place to read the views of a professional photographer who actually uses Nikon DSLR's is KenRockwell.com.

In the middle of June, I bought a Nikon D90 from Adorama for $770. (It's Nikon USA Factory Reconditioned, but it appears to be Brand New.)  In less than 2 months, I've already shot around 500 pictures --- and there aren't even any Ren Faires on right now!

Adorama doesn't have that deal any longer, but you can get a Nikon USA Factory Reconditioned D90 for cheaper than I did - $699 at Samy's Camera right now.


Take Care,
David Baldock

[Mandrake Von Sets]

Canon EOS Rebel XS for $548.19 (free FedEx ground)

Canon's refurbished eStore.  If you can spend the extra $50.00, consider the XSi.

[Jon Foster]

Once you make the plunge to digital you will most likely never go back to film, i shoot some fashion work for a bunch of modeling agencies in NYC...and digital really has sped up my work process, even if i have to adjust some tonal values in photoshop it is still a quicker process then sending film to lab to be developed and then scanning in slides from a high res scanner.

So true... I waited for years to try a digital body. When I did give it a try I couldn't believe I waited so long.

A good body is important but glass really makes the difference between the two. Then the next most important thing to me is light. Gotta have good light. And the right lighting for each specific shooting condition.

Jon.

[Manwariel]

Okay. I'm thinking either the D40 or the D60...it's a $50 difference on Amazon.com. These UV filters, what do you suggest about them? What mm should I get? Do you have to get a different one for every mm setting on the camera?

[Mandrake Von Sets]

Okay. I'm thinking either the D40 or the D60...it's a $50 difference on Amazon.com. These UV filters, what do you suggest about them? What mm should I get? Do you have to get a different one for every mm setting on the camera?

Assuming you'll only have one lens on either camera, you only need one that will fit that particular lens.  A UV filter will simply protect your primary lens from minimal damage (scratches).   If you want a little more protection, you'll probably want to get a lens hood.   There are other filters that create different effects.  A circular-polarizer is a good one to take out on sunny days where you can make the sky bluer & give the clouds more pop.

[dbaldock]

Okay. I'm thinking either the D40 or the D60...it's a $50 difference on Amazon.com. These UV filters, what do you suggest about them? What mm should I get? Do you have to get a different one for every mm setting on the camera?

Your best bet is to buy a D40 kit.  If you don't already have a camera bag, consider the $520 D40 Outfit. (Nikon D40 Camera, Nikon 18-55mm Lens, Nikon Gadget Bag, Transcend 4G SDHC Memory Card (holds way more than 1000 pictures), USB Memory Card Reader, Microfiber Cleaning Cloth)

u]Ken Rockwell on KenRockwell.com[/u]"]
Best Serious Camera: $450

If you don't have the time to read the rest of this page, you want a Nikon D40.

The Nikon D40, the answer to most people's camera questions.

For the best possible camera for just about anything, fun or serious, I use my Nikon D40.

Sure, I own more expensive cameras, but whenever I grab a camera for my own personal vacations or family photos, it's almost always my remarkable and super lightweight Nikon D40. There isn't anything reasonable I can't do with Nikon's least expensive D40. There is no real reason to pay more for a Nikon D60 or D80. Save your money for more important things, like another lens or flash, or just pocket the difference and enjoy a vacation.

For $449 or less, complete with an exceptionally good 18-55mm lens, it's a no-brainer. (I paid $600 for my D40 in 2006 and still love it.)

I wouldn't bother with the more expensive Nikons unless you really want to spend money, or will be using it all day, every day, or just have to have a bigger screen on the back. Don't worry about durability: I've made 25,000 shots on my D40 and it still looks and works like new.

I only use my more expensive cameras when I'm shooting all day. If I'm spending more time carrying it than using it, I grab my Nikon D40.

...

Flash

Nikon SB-400, about $110.

The built-in flash of the D40 is excellent, but can't be pointed to bounce off the ceiling to improve your indoor photos. Since I just saved you at least $200 with the D40 instead of the D60, let me suggest an excellent accessory flash, the SB-400. I own more expensive flashes, but I almost always have my SB-400 on my D40 when I run out the door. Even if you don't bounce it, the SB-400 lets you shoot fast with flash since it recharges much faster than the D40's built-in. I use my SB-400 even on my more expensive Nikons. It's that good.

As "Wildabeast" said, you need just one UV filter to protect the front element of each lens.  The Nikon 18-55mm lens sold in the Amazon kits with the D40, needs a 52mm UV Filter.  If you can afford it, the Hoya HD Filters are recommended by Ken Rockwell.

I've used Hoya Filters for years, so I bought and installed Hoya HD UV Filters on both of my new Nikon lenses (10-24mm and 18-200mm).


Enjoy Taking Pictures!


Take Care,
David Baldock

[Manwariel]

I'm definitely leaning toward the D40 after that website and other research I did. What lens do you recommend for sports/action, namely the joust?

Is this accessory kit worth $40 more than this one?

[Woodland Artisan]

I got the Nikon D40 kit as my first DSLR.  It was free from a professional photographer friend, so I can't complain.  It seems to do a fine job and is absolutely a major step up from the Canon point and shoots we've used in the past.  However, I can only guess at how well this camera kit could be ... because I stink as a photographer.       I know that I need to upgrade from the lense that came with the kit but I'm planning to do a whole lot more learning with this one before that.

Most of the pictures I really want to get good at are of the three dimensional furniture, sculptures and woodturning/woodwork that I make.   I don't do landscapes or portraits or anything like that very much.  But, when I do, I REALLY like the fact that the D40 is really really quick when snapping pictures.  No more of a lag between pressing the shutter release and it snapping.  That's really nice!

Before the 4th of July, I did a lot of reading, researching and asking advice on photographing fireworks.  Was very excited that night and took hundreds of pictures.  None of them turned out well at all.       Oh, well. There's always next year.


Anyway, I just wanted to chime in and say that the D40 is a nice DSLR and I know that they can turn out some really great photos in the right hands.  Just not mine. hehe

[Mandrake Von Sets]

Before the 4th of July, I did a lot of reading, researching and asking advice on photographing fireworks.  Was very excited that night and took hundreds of pictures.  None of them turned out well at all.       Oh, well. There's always next year.

http://www.popphoto.com/Features/How-to-Photograph-Fireworks?cid=10