Digital SLR

[Deester]

thinking about new camera for holidays. want to upgrade from cannon zr 85 point & shoot to a digital SLR. This is an overwhelming market so if anyone has any tips or personal experence, help me out. Want to stay under 1K, would like it to use sd memory as thats what I have lots of. Should have lens options and be easy to use. Im sure there are loads of things I dont even know to ask, but thanks for any help. dee

[Mikeski]

RE: Digital SLR

Sounds like a call for a Nikon D50. I just upgraded from the D50 to the D80 but in all honesty the D50 is a much better deal. Canon sells lots more SLRs than Nikon but I prefer the feel and layout of the Nikon since I have always used their film camera's.

[Luke]

RE: Digital SLR

Nikon D50 or if you decide buying CF cards isn't a big deal, look at the Canon Rebel XTi.

[Kurpski]

We went from a Nikon N65 SLR to Nikon D50. The D50 is great, easy to use and has more features than I will most likely every use. There are some very ecomomical packages with camera body and lense(s).

[Deester]

Thanks so much for all the input. I on my way to check out the d50.

[Nates78Ski]

Great topic Deester! I've been toying with the idea of getting an SLR also & for some reason never though to ask around here...

Nate

[Mikeski]

The D50 is a really fun camera to set in auto or sports mode then hand to somebody with no experience and tell them to start snapping pictures. The D50/D80 camera is the most enjoyable camera that I have ever owned. I am sure the same might apply to a Canon Rebel too. One of the most rewarding purchases I have ever made.

[wake_fun]

Check out this site for very indepth reviews on cameras:
http://www.dpreview.com/

[PARA]

Just upgraded to a cannon eos 30d awesome bit of kit.My partner is np photographer but has come out with great results

[JoeCos]

I have been using my Canon 20D for over a year now and have been very pleased.

Canon has lots of rebates going on right now, so you can definitely get a nice body / lens kit for under $1k

[LT206]

I borrowed a friends Nikon D50 the other day to take some night shots - and having never touched it before, I found it very user friendly. I was able to take professional quality pictures with it within just a few minutes of messing with the camera and reading the user manual for a few of the more advanced features.

[clubmyke]

dont know your budget... but canon has some really good deals on their gear...

i just bought a xti and returned it for a 30d....the xti was a little dark and "slow"...i am not a expert by no means but discovered this pretty quick..

much to my surprise, the lenses get pretty $$$$... i would really investigate the body and the lens available for your intended use (system approach before you buy.... i have always been a nikon guy but the wife wanted the canon...i dont think you can go wrong with either... in really looking at the current situation..nikon has the edge with the d200 body while the canon has the lens quality and selection (imho...tak e it with a grain of salt)..

would also consider, costco since they have a pretty liberal return policy

[WakeSlayer]

I love my Canon 10D. I get great shots every time I use it and I am not, by any means, a good photographer, but the equipment makes it seem as such. A couple pointers, Do not get knock off lenses even though the Canon EF catalog is expensive, they are worth every nickel. You really need 3 lenses to take virtually any picture. It will give you a bit of sticker shock. Secondly, watch out for the NY or NJ based "discount houses" that you will find on the web. They generally are the biggest ba$tard$ on the planet to deal with and will get you coming and going on the accessories, and handling fees. most of that stuff is not priced with US warranties, but in house ones that will be a huge pain in the rear. Not saying they are all bad, but all the ones I have used or tried to use have made it a nightmare. Got to a specialty shop and pay the extra money, save yourself the headache. Wish I had..... Lastly, I believe that cameras in the range of the Rebel and such are fairly limited on the lenses you can use, not 100% but if that is the case, you may find that you enjoy doing this with a nice camera, and suddenly not be able to use a particular lens or acccessory that interests you.

[M3Fan]

I own a Rebel 300D and have generally been a "Canon guy", however, I just bought a Nikon D80 for the company and I'm amazed at how much nicer of a camera it is in almost every way relative to the Canon ~1000.00 line (Rebel xTi, even the 20D). Clearly a higher quality build than the newer Rebels and loaded with features (spot metering for one). I don't know about the Nikon glass but it seems like in the non full-frame ~1000 range Nikon is on top all around with the D80. Amazing camera. If I were to get a 1000.00 camera right now, I would not hesitate to get the D80. And that's coming from a Canon guy. Dpreview's comments on the camera are also aligned with mine in their review of the D80.

[clubmyke]

tried the canon 30d today...

incredible...simply incredible (loss of words).. blows away the xti in every way shape and form... they are $950 when you buy a qualifing lens with the canon rebate program (got mine b&h photo).