Recommend me a DSLR

[Stan the Man]

Do-it-all DSLR?

I've been looking to get a DSLR camera for a while now, and have put it off long enough. I never had the money to pick one up, but my parents are willing to help me out and chip in on one as a birthday present. Something like a Nikon D60 fits my bill perfectly; does anyone have any experience with this camera?

This camera would be a do it all type of deal. Expedition photos, photo journalism, family/social events, etc. I'd something durable and safe to take on the trails. I'd hate for me to get sand in my camera while I'm out in the dunes.

With that said, how does the Nikon D60 stack up to its competition in the same price range and which one would make me happiest for the buck?


Here's some of my photos with my Canon SD1000 P/S :sombrero:

 

[78Bronco]

I don't think you can go wrong with a Nikon DSLR. I have a D50 and D80 and I love them both.

 

[DiploStrat]

Few Wrong Choices

There really aren't any bad ones out there.

-- Canon and Nikon have the widest ranges of pro lenses and gear. This may or may not matter to you.

-- The Olympus 4/3 system is physically smaller across the board, but is still very high quality

-- Sony will use old Minolta lenses. Nikon can use just about any old Nikon lens. Canon doesn't do as well, but can use old Pentax lenses with an adapter. You may want to do some homework if you have legacy glass.

That said, it has been joked that Canon makes the best camera ever designed by an engineer and Nikon makes the best camera ever designed by a photographer.

I have a Nikon D200 and Beloved Spouse has a D60. Both share the same sensor (made by Sony), the D60 probably has better image quality due to newer processors.

Go to the store and handle 'em all. One may speak to you. Buy that one.

WARNING: It's gonna get expensive!

 

[mauricio_28]

Some insights that hopefully will inform your decision

* More than buying a SLR camera, you are buying into a lens system.
* A good camera stays with you for a couple of years. A good lens stays with you for a couple of decades

 

[SunTzuNephew]

Check out dpreview.com for some evaluations

 

[DrMoab]

One thing I really don't like about the D60 is that it doesn't have a lcd screen on top. To check all your settings you either have to look at the screen on the back or through the view finder. That REALLY bugs me.

It actually kept me from buying one when I first got a DSLR.

 

[acsimon]

Better Choice

Well worth the upgrade cost.....Nikon D90......a truely awesome camera.

 

[Stan the Man]

Well worth the upgrade cost.....Nikon D90......a truely awesome camera.

Really? Why's that?

 

[Aggie]

Canon T1i. Only because I have one and love it.

 

[Superu]

I've had the Olympus E-500 for almost 2 years and have been very pleased with it. I like the fact that I can be as controlling of settings as I want or not! Sometimes it's nice to just point and shoot.

 

[LilKJ]

If you do much for action shots... check out the Canon 40D. The body is a little more durable/sealed and it shoots an obscene fps. The LiveView stuff would be cool if you used it (I don't). Have fun though, anything you choose will take some good shots and some bad ones:coffeedrink:

 

[tdesanto]

This camera would be a do it all type of deal. Expedition photos, photo journalism, family/social events, etc. I'd something durable and safe to take on the trails. I'd hate for me to get sand in my camera while I'm out in the dunes.

The D60 or D90 will serve you just fine. The D90 has more user-friendly controls…like the ability to control both the aperture and the shutter speed with separate dials all within reach of the primary hand. I believe the D60 forces you to use the menu to set a lot of features. Both will do most of the same things, but the D90 is faster at it.

The more important question given your list of “do it all” types of photography is which lenses you need. If your budget is tight, focus your efforts on getting the right lense(s) and get the D60 for now. You’ll grow into it and can replace it in 3-5 years when money allows or you find the camera lacking in speed or features you think you’ll use.

For expedition photos, I think a wide-angle will serve you well. For photo journalism style photos, a 70-200 or 70-300 will serve you well. You can also use some of these on journeys to compress the image or get tight crops for detailed images.

For just family/ social events, the kit lens or the even better 18-105 will serve you fine, but at some point you may find it lacking and wanted something more at either end of the range.

Good luck in your search.

 

[78Bronco]

Even consider buying a used D50 for hundreds less from a dealer. Then invest in a good lens. I truck around with a 18-200 VR (jack of all trades).

*edit* Another piece of advice is buy a slr body with the built in focus motor.

 

[Stan the Man]

Do you all prefer Nikons or Canons more or is it a mixed bag? I'm now looking into the Canon XSi, from what I've read its comparable to the D60. I can't swing the extra money for the D90 or T1i, plus I think I'd rather put that extra money towards a new lens and upgrade the body later when I'm more experience with real photography.

 

[78Bronco]

Do you all prefer Nikons or Canons more or is it a mixed bag? I'm now looking into the Canon XSi, from what I've read its comparable to the D60. I can't swing the extra money for the D90 or T1i, plus I think I'd rather put that extra money towards a new lens and upgrade the body later when I'm more experience with real photography.

I don't think you can go wrong with either Canon or Nikon. When I was looking a few years ago I chose the Nikon because it had a larger/better display over the comparable Canon but they have both been competing on an equal platform lately. Either camera will serve you well.

This website has good information from a hands on perspective for most of the major brands.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/