Entry Level SLR Camera

[ThomD]

Hey! I like my Rebel!

Sorry man. Didn't mean to offend. But coming from a 1 series body it just felt funny. There is no question that they can be fine cameras for many people, I'm just spoiled.

 

[nwoods]

Well, I agree totally with Photog, and he summed up exactly what I was posting about regarding off road durability in the body's. I have pushed my 20D to the max on an indoor sports shoot, but for everything else, it's been more than I need. I would like a 40D simply for the larger screen on the back, the mildly improved menus, and the self cleaning sensor, but none of those factors are worth plunking down serious cash for right now. I am getting quite adept at cleaning my own sensor, and have a nice large screen monitor at home, so who needs one on the camera anyway

For Super Doody or whoever else is still reading this forum, I wrote a bit about how I maxed out the 20D on my blog. This might be useful reading if you think you will be shooting in similar environs. Otherwise, the 20D will make a great first camera. It's simple, powerful, durable, and flexible, allowing you to use a variety of lenses. It's great on battery length too. I can shoot over 800 px without even thinking about battery charging.

Here is the blog post about the indoor sports event:
http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?p=54

70-200mm f2.8L with 1.4x extender:

ThomD: How are you liking the 70-300DO? I LOVE my 70-200 F2.8L, it is by far the crispest tool in my bag, but the compact DO lens has some usefullness that I could use. Is it dust proof? I have a few EF and EF-S lenses, and with the exception of my 10-22mm, they all are filled with dust from the trail. Now I shoot ultra wide or superzoom all the time, I don't have that middle range. My day to day lens is the new 16-35mm F2.8L MkII, which I really like. It's *almost* as sharp as my 70-200 F2.8L

16-35mm F2.8L MkII shot:

Good point Photog, I forgot we started with the question of "Entry Level".

You, me and Michael Reichmann can whine about no ML button, but Canon don't care.

Here's where I'm at - had a 1D2, a handful of "typical" L lenses, filters, flash, etc, - the whole kit. One burgulary later I had nada. I went for about a year on a Pany FZ-50. Tried to live without an SLR, but got tired of the noise. OTOH, that long reach was addicitve and for outside, good light shots, it is hard to beat the convenience.

I decided the 1 series was too heavy, so now I'm trying an experiment in minimalism - 40D, 70-300DO and 17-55 (and the flash and the tripod, etc,etc). We'll see how it goes this summer. I miss my 70-200/2.8 I loved that lens because it was like parting the Red Sea in a crowd: Mom to daughter - "Honey step aside so the photographer can get a good shot."

 

[ThomD]

I haven't used the DO enough to say how much I like it; I only got the whole kit a couple of weeks ago.

I don't shoot indoors much, so I'm hoping I won't miss the 2.8 The build quality on the DO feels better than the 17-55. It only weighs 720 g, so it'll be easier to lug around. It won't be as sharp as the 70-200.

 

[PhoenixGSU]

Ebay?

Worth a shot I guess.

 

[TrailBlazer03]

Ebay?

Worth a shot I guess.

DSLR on Ebay? I mean is that really the best way to go?:yikes:

 

[ThomD]

DSLR on Ebay? I mean is that really the best way to go?:yikes:

I wouldn't do it. Fred Miranda and dgrin both have active B&S forums.

 

[adventureduo]

We just picked up a Canon Rebel XTI 10.1 D400 on sale. We are super pleased with it.

anyways, here's a great shot of a bull dog we saw on the beach yesterday.. with the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lense. We love the camera so far.

And yes, im well aware of the pros and cons of this camera (including the plastic body).

 

[tibaal89]

Well, I just picked up a D40...

I'll post up my n00b experiences with it.

 

[gearbox]

I'm happy with my Canon XTi. It does A LOT for it's price-point and the most limiting factor is the kit lens, which isn't even all that bad. I've now gotten a 430EX flash, nifty fifty, 100mm Macro, and 28-135, so all I'm missing is a medium-wide. To spend a few hundred dollars more I wouldn't get significantly more camera anyway. Unless you are going to abuse it or turn pro very quickly, the XTi will work just fine long enough to tide you over until you become fully addicted, and by that time the "new" camera-of-the-month will be out and therefore you will not have wasted anything because you will have all the lenses you have been collecting.
I'd say the same thing about Nikon bodies.

 

[Super Doody]

Just in case if anyone is wondering what I bought....

I went with the Nikon D40 for the following reasons:

-Its a solid proven entry level camera.
-I got it for $469 shipped.
-I was going to with a cheap body and a good lens but good lens were are a lot money.
-The bottom line is that I'm such a noob that I don't really know whats a good camera or what I really need. I just thought this is a good way to start.

Thanks for everyone's suggestion:26_7_2: . You guys made me realize that I don't need the latest and greatest. A friend with a photo journalism degree said the same thing.

It should here tomorrow. I missed the UPS man on friday and was kicking myself. I'm going on a week long surf trip to a bay in baja sur for a week. It will be a good opportunity to test out the camera. I might need to get the 200 nikkor VR lens.

BTW: If anyone is looking for a very good point and shoot:

http://www.amazon.com/Leica-Digital...6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1213573327&sr=8-6

 

[Reata Rover]

I have been lurking on this thread as well, but pulled the trigger today on the Nikon D60 kit with the 18-70 and the 70-300 lenses. Really wanted to get the D80, but just couldnt spring for it. I'll let you all know how it works out.

 

[tibaal89]

I've got the D40 with 18-55 and 55-200... VERY happy with it so far.

A few examples from the last couple weeks: