Hello all,

I'm looking at getting into photography using a DSLR type camera and was looking for some recommendations as to what camera to start with and how much I'd need to spend to get into the hobby.

Thanks,

Mike

Mike,
if you go for a Canon I'd suggest the 400D. If you go for a Nikon you can go with a D50. Do not forget that you'll have to invest some money on good lenses. The body of the camera is important as much as lenses are...

Ciao

I would suggest a Nikon D50 with the Nikkor 18-200 VR lens.

Hands down, 400D. Great price, great specs.

http://www.adorama.com/ICADRXTIB.html

Both Nikon and Canon have good offerings for the beginner. Perhaps going to a local camera shop and getting a handle on their controls might be useful in your decision.

Regards
Colin

You can get used 350D /XT body at 8.2MP compared to 10.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...?O=UsedHomePage&A=buyUsed&Q=371188

This'll give you another nearly $300 to spend on lenses compared to the 400D at $690.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

What lenses should I buy as a start up? Do I need any filters?

I'm trying to put together a decent camera bag to begin pursuing the hobby but I'm just clueless on what to start. When I go to the local store, I just get the impression that they're trying to sell me on the latest and greatest.

Quoting Pope (Reply 6): Do I need any filters?

Some would say only for when you're not taking photos.

As for lenses... depends on what you'll be taking photos of and how far away. I'd guess that most people here have lenses in the from (70-100mm) to (200-400mm) range for most aircraft shots. If you've got money to spend there's the Sigma 50-500mm. But if you're taking photos of landscapes or flowers the requirements are different.

For a reasonable lens I've got a Sigma 70-300mm DG.

http://focuscamera.com/sc/froogle-le...e&dfdate=01_30_2007&sid=1052245284

no need to click...but these were taken with it and a 300D

View Large View Medium

Photo © Andy kennaugh

View Large View Medium

Photo © Andy kennaugh

Quoting Maiznblu_757 (Reply 3): Hands down, 400D. Great price, great specs.

I would second this recommendation, although the Nikon D50 is cheaper - but only 6MP.

Quoting Oly720man (Reply 5): You can get used 350D /XT body at 8.2MP compared to 10.

Also a good idea (the 350D is actually 8.0MP), and as stated, leaves more cash to invest in decent lenses. Whatever you go for, I'd get body only (I'm not much for the kit lenses), leaving even more spare cash. Remember, good lenses aren't a bad idea but some of the budget ones will capture very nice images.

Quoting Pope (Reply 6): I just get the impression that they're trying to sell me on the latest and greatest.

Don't shop there then! In reality I think you can narrow it down to the Canon 350/400D, Nikon D50 or (slightly more expensive but still possible?) D70/80.

Quoting Pope (Reply 6): What lenses should I buy as a start up? Do I need any filters?

Depends entirely on your budget and level of enthusiasm. If you've got lots to spend and you are sure your hobby will develop then I'd say go for the best lenses money can buy. Sure beats spending money on budget lenses only to find after a few months you want something better. I recommend anything in Canon's L or DO series. Be aware, though - these lenses are seriously budget-busting!

If, on the other hand, you want to start casual and aren't bothered about immediately having all-singing, all-dancing equipment, go for a couple of budget lenses, such as Canon EF28-105 USM II and EF75-300 USM III.

As for filters, Skylight 1As will do you, more to protect the lens than anything else.

Hope this helps. Don't forget, opinions differ.

Karl

[Edited 2007-02-02 18:27:00]

I love my d80, but my suggestion is seach the DB for the cameras you can afford. Make your decision on the camera that you think takes the best shots here, then there is no doubt.

Quoting TedTAce (Reply 9): I love my d80, but my suggestion is seach the DB for the cameras you can afford. Make your decision on the camera that you think takes the best shots here, then there is no doubt.

My problem is that I'm not sure what separates a good picture from a great one. I've been lurking around the Photography forum here on a.net for a while and I'm blown away at the pictures that get rejected. I mean I can figure out the ones rejected for bad cropping but some of the nuiances related to too soft or too sharp are just beyond me.

I'm amazed at the quality of photographers and screeners on this site and the eye that they have for this.

Can anyone point me to a pure photography based website with good forums for beginners?

Quoting Pope (Reply 10): Can anyone point me to a pure photography based website with good forums for beginners?

http://www.dpreview.com/

The above site did an INFINATELY better job of explaining my d80 to me then the manual from Nikon  

Quoting Pope (Reply 6): What lenses should I buy as a start up? Do I need any filters?

I'd suggest for sure some image stabilizer lenses...
I do not think filters are something to begin with...Just begin with a good dose of curiosity and patience : you'll need more than you think...  
Good luck.

Ciao

Quoting LIPH (Reply 12): you'll need more than you think...

   I went to MCO the other day and it was mostly 'clear' but there was so much haze in the background (not evident when looking through the lens) that the things that looked awesome while shooting; looked ABSOLUTELY horrible on the monitor.   

If you want an "entry" level DSLR, don't just consider Canon and Nikon. I just bought the Olympus E-500 which has some excellent reviews. It's price is also very competive. I got a promotional kit which came with 14-40mm and 40-150mm lenses. It cost me significantly less than th cheapest Canon or Nikon with a single lens kit.

Quoting Zarniwoop (Reply 14): I got a promotional kit which came with 14-40mm and 40-150mm lenses.

Yeah, but how much is a 300MM lens?

See The Key here is aviation photography in the US, lots of long shots; and a 150 just ain't going to cut it.

Quoting TedTAce (Reply 15): Yeah, but how much is a 300MM lens? See The Key here is aviation photography in the US, lots of long shots; and a 150 just ain't going to cut it.

I take your point and this is the dilema that I had when I was choosing which camera to buy. I decided in the end that I would probably not be able to afford a 300mm lens even for a canon or nikon so just took advantage of the offer on the Olympus.

I guess you need to decide what you want to do long term, even if you want an "entry level" DLSR.

Quoting Zarniwoop (Reply 14): I just bought the Olympus E-500

Does anyone apart from Olympus make lenses for the E-500?

Quoting Oly720man (Reply 17): Does anyone apart from Olympus make lenses for the E-500?

Not to my knowledge...

http://www.olympus.com.sg/e_world/lenses/lenses_.htm

Quoting Zarniwoop (Reply 18): Not to my knowledge... http://www.olympus.com.sg/e_world/le..._.htm

This is not true, Sigma makes lenses for four-thirds as well. You can get the Bigma, for example, in four-thirds. Check out B&H's listing.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont.../home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=8457

Do note that four-thirds has a 2x crop factor, as opposed to Nikon's 1.5 or Canon's 1.6.

[Edited 2007-02-06 16:05:18]