Digital camera recommendation

[karmapolice]

I would look for a used setup, I am a Canon guy but Nikon is good and I have some buddies who shoot Nikon. Best would probably be a Canon DSLR rebel like 400 xti or something usually you can find deals for them.

[memberonly]

Both Canon Rebel and Nikon D series are good choices. What type of photography do you prefer? Portrait, landscape, or micro? A 50mm lens is always a good start point.

Don’t invest too much of your money on a digital SLR bodies. The price of digital photography drops fast. You should concentrate on quality lens. Don’t ignore some used equipment for a starter. KEH.com is a very reputable vendor. Depending on your location, some local camera stores are excellent places to visit as well.

On the other hand, don’t fall into the trap that expensive gears will produce better pictures. I am sure people like stickman or mfingar can still produce pleasing pictures with a cheap P&S.

[Honu]

remember its the person not the gear !!!!
a great set of pans wont make you a great chef !!!!

a great amount of photo gear wont make you a great photographer so dont get to hung up on things to much at this price point you are getting basics so I would lean toward a new over used setup
things are still moving forward so more modern cameras have better noise handling and the movie thing going for them which might be more beneficial to you


now that being said the top lens stuff like canon L glass is much nicer than other canon lens and it shows if you know how to use them but with some being 2x your budget that wont help you

also I will ask WHAT do you want to do with this DSLR ?

I have seen some DSLR packages like the Nikon D5000 ? I think thats the model at costco for about $800 with two lens's ?
(no idea about that model I would check some review sites like DPreview and fred miranda and a few others
do some reading in their forums find out the pros cons of the models you are looking at etc.
those who swear by only one system like nikon or canon to me are not the top pros but people who get hung up on gear more than the image
kinda like the person who says only a noveske will do ? but then never gets any training and only shoots at the range once in a while ? vs a person who might have a nice rifle he built and trains hard trains with others etc..
would Larry Vickers say something like I would only shoot a LMT cause they are the best ? or would he think their are many tools in a tool kit you use the one that fits the job and fits you and your style

something like that might get you into it and see what you like and use the lens I am sure are nothing special but if you find yourself shooting a certain thing alot you can them pick up a lens that is nicer that will give you better images as you grow
then if you outgrow the camera the glass can go to your next body

I am a photographer for a living and also a post production company for pro photographers

[the Bamster]

Look at a Sony A700. The image stabilization is inside the the camera body itself, not the lense. This will allow you to buy older minolta lenses and still have the same capabilities of more expensive lenses. Minolta made some very good glass, and can be had at bargan prices on ebay.

[kwelz]

Look at a Sony A700. The image stabilization is inside the the camera body itself, not the lense. This will allow you to buy older minolta lenses and still have the same capabilities of more expensive lenses. Minolta made some very good glass, and can be had at bargan prices on ebay.

With respect I disagree. While it is true this gives you image stabilization on all lenses it is also an inferior system. In Camera stabilization works by moving the sensor to compensate for camera shake. This is not as effective as in lens systems that adjust with the lens no matter now far out you are zooming.

What this means is that the farther you get into telephoto ranges the less effective the stabilization is. This is also the range when you need stabilization the most.

Now I am not saying that in camera stabilization sucks, but it isn't as effective were you need it. I would still suggest a Cannon or Nikon over a Sony or Minolta.

[Hoss356]

That's funny, because everyone I know that shoots nikon or canon always comment on how easy the controls are on my A700 with less crap stuffed into menus not how the image stabilization in the lenses they can't afford is superior to my in-camera stabilization that I can enjoy with all my lenses. From my experience it can be worth around 2 stops in lower shutter speeds with my telephotos.

[the Bamster]

The reviews I have read on the A700 have been very positive. One draw back I have to admit would be if there is a problem with the image stabilization you would be without the camera instead of a lens for the amount of time that it is being fixed.

[Stickman]

Canon EOS Rebel T2i

Thats probably the best bang for the buck setup thats out right now.

Canon and Nikon both make great cameras. Personally, I like Canon better, but its also what I'm used to. I tend to pay a lot more for my cameras than I do my AR15s, but it becomes a matter of what you are looking for in a camera.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/stickgunner/4347592049/

[the Bamster]

I recommend Colts new camera.
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