Camera

[zeldan]

I want a DSLR.
Questions for you to complete by the end of class:

1. D stands for digital. What does SLR stand for?

2. What are the best cameras out there around $600?

3. How much is the DSLR class at the Shilling?

[zeldan]

Oh hey guys, I figured out what SLR is all by myself. Go me.
Single Lens Reflex.

[dk]

It's not solar?????

[hjcpmeek]

I like the Nikon D40 or 50... I think they have it on sale for $469 or something like that. it all depends on what you want and the money you want to spend
check out www.ritzcamera.com
They usually have good buys with 2 lens
The D60 is a good buy now: http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1189.htm?bct=t1134

[Carl]

I have a D40 at work and it's OK. I wouldn't buy one for myself though because it does not have an auto-bracketing feature (makes HDR pictures much easier). If I was going to spend hundreds on a camera, I'd at least make sure it has that feature.

[P_chan]

I've been looking into a DSLR but probably won't get one for a couple years. I like the canon rebel, and they just released the new XSi which is about 700 bucks. But you can get the older model XTi for cheaper. I'm no DSLR expert but out of all the one's I play with at yamada and best denki, I like the rebel the best. It also constantly gets good reviews on amazon.com.

[slickmetal]

BTW, Single Lens Reflex, means the camera uses a moving mirror to reflect the image into the viewfinder. Where other cameras have a sensor that are exposed to light all the time then sent to a CCD (LCD Screen)- so basically its not a What You See is What You get.


the Sony Alpha 300 (A300) that was on sale at the BX/PX was a mighty of a deal as I have an Alpha 100. The lens that came wit ht he kit for $549 was pretty good too...I think it was 18-80 or so. It even had a retractable LCD screen in the rear, that allowed you to even snap your pics in it, which not alot of DSLR allow you to do.

For DSLRs:

Ease of use, with good quality : Sony/Minolta (Sony bought Minoltas DSLR so they interchange) - but selection of lenses is limited.

Superior Lenses : Nikon - and alot of off brands like Sigma etc make alot of lenses for the Nikon body.

you also might want to look at the weight of the camera, with and without lens. I know some female photographers, who dont like a heavy camera body, like the Nikon D200.

Also it depends on what your shooting, like if you shoot alot of action, sports or things in motion, see how many frames it can snap per/second. 3-4 is usually the average and anything above that is VERY expensive.

Keep in mind how many points of focus the camera has, the more the better.

Its not about what is rated the best camera, its about what feels good and operates good for you. Most cameras are rated and reviewed more than likely a complete professional that can dig apart and get into every function. You also have to be patient and careful, as alot of people like "Zoom" and DSLRs require changing of lenses often to get the shot you want.

Also, you have to see how "shakey" of a shooter you are, espeically when using "Zoom" (in the SLR world its called Telephoto) and if the camera body itself have image stabilization, how good it is if it even has it. Alot of Nikons do not have it, as it is on the actual lens itself, IF the lens even has it (Nikon lenses its called a "VR" lens)

Macro is another great feature - but differs in a DSLR. With the typical compact or ultra-compact digital camera you could get right on your subject, select the "flower" or macro function .. autofocus and get a good macro shot. Alot of the regular lenses with a DSLR, you need to stand back a certain distance to be able to make the shot - its most often labeled on the side of the lens...you can also purchase a lens JUST FOR doing macro shots, and these will allow you to get alot close to the subject. You can also macro "cheat" as I call it, and find filter type magifiers that will basically be a magnifying lens when you macro, allowing you zoom in on the macro subject even greater. These filter type lenses, screw on the existing mounted lens and can even stack to create multiple times maginification. While on the subject of filters, there is a wide variety of filters you can use with DSLR lenses, with that in mind, theres a certain size the lens is, like 58mm or 55mm, which is usally located near the top of the lens near its threaded rings...you can even get adapters to adapt a different sized compoent to fit your ring size.

Another GREAT feature of DSLR is manual focus. Manual focus is great when your autofocus just dont want to work right for ya, or your in macro and the object is moving or swaying in the wind.

If you find a nice high mega-pixel point and shoot is easier for you, unles sit holds you back from some certain feature, then maybe thatys all you need. But remember, every good photographer with a DSLR has a point and shhot digital camera with them too ;)

Hope all this helps

[mikersoft]

Wow. As if zeldan's photos haven't already been good, she's about to "kick it up a notch" ;)

-Mike

[Trail]

I like the canon rebel, and they just released the new XSi which is about 700 bucks.

I concur. I have loved/love all my Canons and can't wait to get the XSi. I just have to save up.

[P_chan]

I concur. I have loved/love all my Canons and can't wait to get the XSi. I just have to save up.

I really want one right now. But I got the panasonic FZ18 around christmas time last year. It's an awesome camera and it's too soon to get a new one. Maybe in a couple years:(

[Trail]

I really want one right now. But I got the panasonic FZ18 around christmas time last year. It's an awesome camera and it's too soon to get a new one. Maybe in a couple years:(

We have 2 Olympus digitals right now but a 35mm Canon Rebel. I do not mind Olympus, but if I am going to spend that kind of cash I am going with Canon. A Nikon would be sweet but pricey.

[Bones]

Yeah, I have been a long time fan of both Canon, as well as Nikon cameras.

Here is a link to one of my favorite sites relating to digital cameras. Lots of good information.

http://dpreview.com/

Before I buy a camera, I try to find out as much about it as I can.

Bones

[zeldan]

BTW, Single Lens Reflex, means the camera uses a moving mirror to reflect the image into the viewfinder. Where other cameras have a sensor that are exposed to light all the time then sent to a CCD (LCD Screen)- so basically its not a What You See is What You get.


the Sony Alpha 300 (A300) that was on sale at the BX/PX was a mighty of a deal as I have an Alpha 100. The lens that came wit ht he kit for $549 was pretty good too...I think it was 18-80 or so. It even had a retractable LCD screen in the rear, that allowed you to even snap your pics in it, which not alot of DSLR allow you to do.

For DSLRs:

Ease of use, with good quality : Sony/Minolta (Sony bought Minoltas DSLR so they interchange) - but selection of lenses is limited.

Superior Lenses : Nikon - and alot of off brands like Sigma etc make alot of lenses for the Nikon body.

you also might want to look at the weight of the camera, with and without lens. I know some female photographers, who dont like a heavy camera body, like the Nikon D200.

Also it depends on what your shooting, like if you shoot alot of action, sports or things in motion, see how many frames it can snap per/second. 3-4 is usually the average and anything above that is VERY expensive.

Keep in mind how many points of focus the camera has, the more the better.

Its not about what is rated the best camera, its about what feels good and operates good for you. Most cameras are rated and reviewed more than likely a complete professional that can dig apart and get into every function. You also have to be patient and careful, as alot of people like "Zoom" and DSLRs require changing of lenses often to get the shot you want.

Also, you have to see how "shakey" of a shooter you are, espeically when using "Zoom" (in the SLR world its called Telephoto) and if the camera body itself have image stabilization, how good it is if it even has it. Alot of Nikons do not have it, as it is on the actual lens itself, IF the lens even has it (Nikon lenses its called a "VR" lens)

Macro is another great feature - but differs in a DSLR. With the typical compact or ultra-compact digital camera you could get right on your subject, select the "flower" or macro function .. autofocus and get a good macro shot. Alot of the regular lenses with a DSLR, you need to stand back a certain distance to be able to make the shot - its most often labeled on the side of the lens...you can also purchase a lens JUST FOR doing macro shots, and these will allow you to get alot close to the subject. You can also macro "cheat" as I call it, and find filter type magifiers that will basically be a magnifying lens when you macro, allowing you zoom in on the macro subject even greater. These filter type lenses, screw on the existing mounted lens and can even stack to create multiple times maginification. While on the subject of filters, there is a wide variety of filters you can use with DSLR lenses, with that in mind, theres a certain size the lens is, like 58mm or 55mm, which is usally located near the top of the lens near its threaded rings...you can even get adapters to adapt a different sized compoent to fit your ring size.

Another GREAT feature of DSLR is manual focus. Manual focus is great when your autofocus just dont want to work right for ya, or your in macro and the object is moving or swaying in the wind.

If you find a nice high mega-pixel point and shoot is easier for you, unles sit holds you back from some certain feature, then maybe thatys all you need. But remember, every good photographer with a DSLR has a point and shhot digital camera with them too ;)

Hope all this helps

Thanks! I actually read up a bunch last night about the pentaprism system of DSLRs.

I'm thinking of the Canon that someone mentioned earlier. And, I have a decent point and shoot, already, so I'm good there =)

[jerky656]

Don't pass over Panasonic's Lumix series. I put my DMC-FZ7 thru hell when I was there last year & it performed! Check out the Lumix website for info.

[js9234]

I didn't know they had a DSLR class at the Schilling. When you find out how much and when, let me know too. I would love to take it but I don't get my camera until end of Dec or beginning of Jan. Still debating between Canon XSI and Nikon D90...

I want a DSLR..
Questions for you to complete by the end of class:

1. D stands for digital. What does SLR stand for?

2. What are the best cameras out there around $600?

3. How much is the DSLR class at the Shilling?

[js9234]

They have classes on Sat and Sun at Arts and Crafts Center. They have Intro to Photography for $25 and DSLR for $99. I also just realized how old this thread is. Hopefully someone else can get some useful info...


http://kadenaservices.com/artsandcrafts/Class-Desc-Dec08.pdf

[whyisitso]

Thanks! I actually read up a bunch last night about the pentaprism system of DSLRs.

I'm thinking of the Canon that someone mentioned earlier. And, I have a decent point and shoot, already, so I'm good there =)

P_chan mentioned the Canon digital rebel XSi, which is a great choice for your first DSLR.

If you go either Canon or Nikon, you should DEFINITELY check out this very recently released lens: Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3

The Canon L-series lens snobs in the crowd, of whom I am admittedly one, typically don't consider Tamron as a good option, but this one lens is actually quite good and is an extremely good value. It has a very wide 15:1 zoom range, is totally decent through the whole range, and has image stabilization (helps diminish hand shake), although most of us mortals have trouble actually snapping a good shot hand holding their camera on a long (200mm+) zoom.

Check it out:
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/tamron_18-270_3p5-6p3_vc_n15/

If you haven't spent time on dpreview.com, do so! It is a tremendous resource for all kinds of photographic products. Their review page format is a little quirky - it's not obvious that there are several pages of info there - click on "1: Introduction" to see a pop down menu with additional pages.

The nice thing about this lens is that you won't need to get another lens for quite a while because it replaces two or three normal lens ranges. Eventually you will identify certain types of shots that just need another lens and you can get a lens for those shots later on. But for now, get one lens that covers a really wide zoom range and covers it pretty well.

[I Am Luna]

...Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3...
Have you tried this lens out? In the real world I mean...
While I haven't tried out super walk around zooms like this one, I would be iffy on getting it unless I have tried it for a week or two. Then again, I'm using a 5D so I tend to stay away from consumer lenses. Having said that, if you get an XTi or XSi or any entry level dSLR; Tamron, Sigma, or Tokina are a good route to take one some ranges that you may need.
Oh, and +1 on the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. This was my favorite lens on my XTi set.

[whyisitso]

Have you tried this lens out? In the real world I mean...
While I haven't tried out super walk around zooms like this one, I would be iffy on getting it unless I have tried it for a week or two. Then again, I'm using a 5D so I tend to stay away from consumer lenses. Having said that, if you get an XTi or XSi or any entry level dSLR; Tamron, Sigma, or Tokina are a good route to take one some ranges that you may need.
Oh, and +1 on the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. This was my favorite lens on my XTi set.

Yes, for a day on an old Canon 20D. And it's not bad. Given the budget constraints zeldan set forth, she'd be better off punting on a kit lens and just get a camera body and this lens separately. If she wanted to spend several times more, I'd have to recommend something else altogether.

The Tamron 18-270mm lens has one drawback that I personally don't like: the lens is not inner-focus/inner-zoom. But none of the zoom lenses in her suggested price range (~$1.?K total) meet that requirement. So, as a first DSLR body+lens combination I would still stand by my original recommendation.

I would not get the Canon 18-55, it's crap. The Canon 17-85 is actually pretty decent - a MUCH better choice than the 18-55 if you HAVE to get a combo kit.