Testing DSLR waters

[SharLamb]

With the cost of a "good" DSLR running up into the thousands of dollars, this just hasn't been on my radar. Then I see ads like these from Costco, and wonder how good can these cameras be for such a difference in cost.

I'm also wondering about switching lenses. Thirty-five years ago, when I had a 35mm camera, the big deal was when the bayonet replaced the screw-on mounting system. I assume that is just standard today (or something equally as fast), but no one brags about that.

Can I hope that a DSLR might be in my future?

Thanks,
Shar

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1q6SE0RDlmxQ91bqTfvYWBXtlNxc5n_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1q6SE0RDlmxQ91bqTfvYWBXtlNxc5n)

[ladybug]

Shar , if they keep going it will be in both our futures! :D

[athegn]

If you follow this link you will see the two cameras specifications compared and, near the top of the lists, are links to reviews and samples of images of both cameras:-

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos450d%2Cnikon_d40&show=all

[ricklepage]

Shar,

If you can do it, you'll love it! Both of those cameras are superb, although I would personally go with the Canon XSi over the D40; if you want to expand your lens options, the XSi is a bit more flexible (there are some lenses that Nikon makes - prime lenses, for example - that don't support autofocus with the D40). The XSi also has a dust-cleaning sensor, which the D40 doesn't have.

Changing lenses is a breeze - as you note, the screw-mount makes everything easy.

I'm sure others will chime in, but good luck!

Rick

If you like the look and feel of the Nikons, check out the D60 - it has the dust-

[gcherry]

I was lusting after the Nikon D60 and watched the price keep dropping (hint: if you're shopping at Costco online, put the item in your cart to see the current price - it will often be about $50 less than what's on the product page).

I do a lot of real estate photography and recently started using auto-bracketing to create HDR images (using my Panasonic Lumix FZ-18). Imagine my disappointment to find out that the Nikon D60 doesn't have auto-bracketing! It's now off my list. :(

Just a word of caution to look carefully at the camera specifications to make sure it has all of the features you need. Don't just assume that it has all of the "standard" features.

[SharLamb]

Part of my problem is that I don't really know what features I want/need. I don't understand any of the digi-speak regarding DSLRs (auto bracketing??). So comparing the features doesn't help me much. Guess that's why I'm tossing this out to you folks so you can tell me what to do :D. In any case, I have to convince my DH that this is the way I should spend my Social Security money! ! ! ;) I feel like I need to take a class before I buy a DSLR!

Shar

[gcherry]

Here are some links that might help you out ...

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-buy-a-dslr-camera/
http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/
http://www.pcphotomag.com/cameras/slrs/buyers-guide-2009-dslrs-under-1000.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-prosumer-dslr-cameras/?tag=contentAux;topProducts

And here's a forum called "What Camera Should I Buy?":
http://forums.steves-digicams.com/forums/view_forum.php?id=87

Sorry about not explaining auto-bracketing ... I thought I was the only one who didn't know what it was :) As my friendly Ritz Camera guy explained to me, it's a setting that takes three (or more) pictures in rapid succession at three different exposures. You can then blend those exposures to create an HDR (High Dynamic Range) image.

Happy camera hunting!

[CalamityJanet]

Hi Shar,

I have the XSi and I don't think you'll find a better camera kit for that price. (I wish Costco had offered that price before I bought mine.:mad: ) I'm totally satisfied with it! The lens mount is very quick and easy...line up the marks and give it a quarter-turn.

But there will be a learning curve and a class would help with that no matter which camera you choose. There are also some good books that are camera model specific. Happy Shopping!

[Hankw]

Shar:

If you can learn PSE and any other photo software, you can easily learn how to work with your camera.

I bought a DSlR last month and love it. I love my D40,and my Son-in-Law his Canon. Either one is great,

You might want to write down some of the Spec's of each, that you don't understand and we can explain them for you.

[Chesney]

Shar, I also have the canon XSI and absolutely love it!! There is a book called Canon EOS Rebel XSI/450D Digital Field Guide by Charlotte K Lowrie - it has helped me tons to learn about the settings and what the camera is capable of. I also learned tons from the Scott Kelby books "The Digital Photography book" 1 and 2. I don't think you can go wrong w/ a DSL - thnk you will love it!

[Vesta]

Part of my problem is that I don't really know what features I want/need. I don't understand any of the digi-speak regarding DSLRs (auto bracketing??). So comparing the features doesn't help me much. Guess that's why I'm tossing this out to you folks so you can tell me what to do :D. In any case, I have to convince my DH that this is the way I should spend my Social Security money! ! ! ;) I feel like I need to take a class before I buy a DSLR!

Shar
Shari check out this site (http://www.michaelthementor.com/forum/index.php?board=2.0) and also this one (http://www.michaelthementor.com/).

[gcherry]

You have to check this out ... graphs showing the most popular brands of cameras in the Flickr community:

http://www.flickr.com/cameras/

[ljameso1]

If you really want to save money, buy the previous model(in this case the xti). They often drop to half price after the next latest greatest comes out. In fact, that's how I buy all my bodies. The xti I bought after the xsi came out and got a great deal and works well.

[Danudin]

Shar you won't need lessons, start on auto then go to manual gradually.

Word of warning though, what ever takes your fancy, borrow one for a week so you can feel it in your hand, this is paramount if it don't feel good you will not use it.

Another idea, look at second hand, I just bought a real value Nikon D70s (My second D70s) for under $600 Australian which must be a cuple of dollars US only (with the exchange being like it is -Ha Ha). I am using it the same amount as my first DSLR and it functions well. Ask every question you can think of and it may have all the features others think you must have ie the D70s has bracketing but no dust cleaning (I bought an Artic Butterfly). What you pick up on the swings you miss on the Hurdey Gurdey - as the saying goes. But feel before you buy, I have no doubt that the canon is great but it didn't fit my hand now I am commited to Nikon, which is your first lead the lenses you have may not fit any other type of camera. I have used an old 50 film lens on my D70s and it works well just no auto focus but I expected that as I asked questions first.

You will love a DSLR believe me I am a car salesman (Ha Ha)

Ron

[mariangela]

I think Ron's comments about how the camera feels in your hands is good advice. I tried out the Canon D40 and after a few minutes my wrists were almost hurting, as it was a bit too heavy. (OK, I'm a weakling). That's the main reason why I'm looking for the XSi. I'm saying "looking for" because none of the local camera shops seems to have one in stock! By the way, at our last "Morning Macs" meeting, we all brought our point & shoot cameras and exchanged hints and information. Almost all of the cameras were Canons.
AGG

[w7vp]

Hi shar
i am also in a Seattle Suburb and have been usung SLRs for many years. I am now on my third DSLR and 4th Digital camera. here is a shot of Mt, Rainier I did in HDR,

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ciDeOELx8tZFOiOKw9T5V6tv5pc9k_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ciDeOELx8tZFOiOKw9T5V6tv5pc9k)

I will PM you with my phone number if you want to talk about the advantages of DLR, Also the Mountauneers has a great class coming up.:):):)

[TonyK]

I might be "Old School" but it seems with all the gadgets that cameras offer nowdays most people get lost trying to use the options and forget about composition , lighting ,etc. Look at the work of famous photographers who had nothing more to work with than shutter speed and f-stops. Yes , I own a DSLR but I try/learn more in taking a photograph, than making a photograph. I guess what I'm getting at , is with some thinking /planning you can take a stunning photograph with a disposible camera. I think its possible anyway. So dont get too caught up in chasing equipment to buy, teach your eyes !
Tony

[lowbone]

Here are some links that might help you out ...

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-buy-a-dslr-camera/
http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/
http://www.pcphotomag.com/cameras/slrs/buyers-guide-2009-dslrs-under-1000.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-prosumer-dslr-cameras/?tag=contentAux;topProducts

And here's a forum called "What Camera Should I Buy?":
http://forums.steves-digicams.com/forums/view_forum.php?id=87

Sorry about not explaining auto-bracketing ... I thought I was the only one who didn't know what it was :) As my friendly Ritz Camera guy explained to me, it's a setting that takes three (or more) pictures in rapid succession at three different exposures. You can then blend those exposures to create an HDR (High Dynamic Range) image.

Happy camera hunting!
As usual Ritz Camera has an idiot working there. Exposure bracketing is used to ensure a correct exposure in a difficult exposure environment. You can set the camera to bracket one half stop or one full stop above or below what your camera is calling an average exposure. HDR usually involves the use of five or even seven different exposures which is beyond the bracketing capabilities of starter DSLR cameras. Study your products before you buy. Get your information from reliable sources and not from some dolt in a camera store who will give any answer to make up for his lack of knowledge.

[SharLamb]

Thanks so much to everyone for your help. Bill, that photo of "my mountain" is almost enough incentive for me to take out a second mortgage on the house if necessary! It is just gorgeous.

Shar
hunkered in against the snow, ice, wind, and cold

[dmrdm]

While I'm a Nikon person, I would agree with a previous poster that you wouldn't want the D-40 because the limitations of the lenses. Following you the last year and how you adapt to scrapbooking and all of this fun stuff, I would think after a couple of months after you learned about how to use it, you would be longing for another model.

My advice would be to first go to a REAL camera store and talk to the people there and hold a variety of cameras in your hands. Some feel better than others, some are heavier than others, etc. I have the Nikon D80 and my husband has the D300. While I like my D80 (it shoots good clear photos) (it was a handme down when my husband got the D300), wouldn't mind at all if I lost or dropped it into a puddle of water (and no, I don't have an insurance floater on it). They have a replacmeent for my camera now - D90 that is wonderful! It even has movie mode and I believe the sensors that are in the D300. The D300 is to die for. It has the best senors and shoots perfect pictures. It is a little bigger than the D90. If I had to buy a new camera today, I'd probably buy the D90 since they have better senors now and I like the size/weight, etc, but I really like the D300. Would have to think long and hard about the differences. The D90 fits my hands real well....so I would really, really have to think about it.

Either a Canon or Nikon will do you fine. Once you start reading stuff at DP review and talking to camera store people and getting a feel for it, what you want will become clearer. Just like versions of Elements and PS, these cameras are getting updated pretty quick now also.

[Not4wood]

Anbody who is interested in purchasing a DSLR has to go and try it out in your hands. Some of the bodies are too small, hard to work the knobs and switches. Too heavy, and bulky. I originally wanted a Canon XTI, and at the Photo Store it was too small for me. I held a few bodies but I didn't like any of them. I then held a Nikon D80, and it was love at first site.

Now, you are all comparing apples and oranges. a D40 is a much lower level camera then a XTI or an XSI. The D40X brings the D40 up to but closer but still doesn't quit make the grade. If your comparing the very nice XSI or XTI you have to go to the D80 or D90.

I made my decision, and got the D80 and I have two pieces of glass with it so I am commited to Nikon. Thats the great decision maker, you hold and try a camera and then once you feel you like it its the glass after that will make your heart sing.

One fast note, that HDR Image is absolutely wonderful BTW, you not only take between 3-7 images for HDR you bracket the Shutter Speed. Most bracketing in camera as far as I know is for Aperature and not shutter speed. But, I could be wrong.

Fast note to Tony, you are 100% correct about taking a great image. Its the creative eye that does it. For this thread everyone here is above your statement and there talking about the creative tools as DSLR's go.

Shar, in the end your the one who has to make a decision on what to get. I wouldn't just jump in, I would do the research first. Look at the Lenses on the Market. Nikon Glass is very expensive. Canon Glass pricewise is a drop lower in price and still has excellent quality like it always has. If your looking at the Nikon D300 then you might want to check out the Canon 50D. Same great quality, same Pro Level offerings and a drop cheaper in Price, but still takes a great picture.

[TonyK]

Mark, Sorry, I thought the "thread" was a discussion and didn't know it had guidelines.
Tony

[gcherry]

As usual Ritz Camera has an idiot working there. Exposure bracketing is used to ensure a correct exposure in a difficult exposure environment. You can set the camera to bracket one half stop or one full stop above or below what your camera is calling an average exposure. HDR usually involves the use of five or even seven different exposures which is beyond the bracketing capabilities of starter DSLR cameras. Study your products before you buy. Get your information from reliable sources and not from some dolt in a camera store who will give any answer to make up for his lack of knowledge.

I should have clarified ... the Ritz Camera guy showed me how to set the auto-bracketing on my camera; he didn't say that it could be used for HDR. That was me being an idiot. So sorry to have offended you with my lack of expertise ...

[Chuck S.]

I might be "Old School" but it seems with all the gadgets that cameras offer nowdays most people get lost trying to use the options and forget about composition , lighting ,etc. Look at the work of famous photographers who had nothing more to work with than shutter speed and f-stops. Yes , I own a DSLR but I try/learn more in taking a photograph, than making a photograph. I guess what I'm getting at , is with some thinking /planning you can take a stunning photograph with a disposible camera. I think its possible anyway. So dont get too caught up in chasing equipment to buy, teach your eyes !
Tony

Tony, that's excellent advice. I'm trying more often now to concentrate on the basics (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and - most important - composition). One thing that helps is turning off all the extra icons that appear on the LCD or in the viewfinder when taking a photo; they're okay when first trying to establish lighting conditions, but very distracting when visualizing what you want to capture.

To the original poster, simple controls are a real plus in a DSLR. More complexity isn't necessarily an asset when trying to focus (no pun intended) on the total photographic experience.

[TonyW]

I made my decision, and got the D80 and I have two pieces of glass with it so I am commited to Nikon. Thats the great decision maker, you hold and try a camera and then once you feel you like it its the glass after that will make your heart sing.

One fast note, that HDR Image is absolutely wonderful BTW, you not only take between 3-7 images for HDR you bracket the Shutter Speed. Most bracketing in camera as far as I know is for Aperature and not shutter speed. But, I could be wrong.

It did take me a while to find out how to do it but the D80 lets you bracket up to 2 stops both ways with either aperture or shutter speed. Not sure I could do it again without having the manual in hand :)

Tony

[JulieM]

Hmmm. I always thought bracketing adjusted the shutter speed only. I'll have to check and see if mine can be switched to aperture.

[Chuck S.]

Julie, for HDR, you generally want to bracket by changing shutter speed rather than aperture. That's because changing aperture changes depth of field, which could throw some of the scene out of focus at the widest aperture. The sharpness of the photo could therefore be compromised.

Of course, if everything is at a substantial distance, the depth of field issue may be moot.

[JulieM]

It did take me a while to find out how to do it but the D80 lets you bracket up to 2 stops both ways with either aperture or shutter speed. Not sure I could do it again without having the manual in hand :)

Tony

Tony, your comment about auto-bracketing for aperture prompted me to learn something about my camera. The xTI does indeed allow for auto-bracketing by either shutter speed or aperture but it is dependent on the shooting mode used. When using auto-bracket in either AV or M modes, auto-bracketing adjusts the shutter speed. When using auto-bracket in TV mode, auto-bracketing adjusts the aperture. I never noticed this before, probably because I almost always shoot in Manual mode. Thanks for helping me learn something new today!

[Chuck S.]

Julie, my 40D user manual is very vague about AEB and silent about its use in Manual mode. Thanks for the clarification on how Canon handles bracketing in Manual mode, i.e. shutter speed adjustment at fixed aperture.

[JulieM]

Julie, my 40D user manual is very vague about AEB and silent about its use in Manual mode. Thanks for the clarification on how Canon handles bracketing in Manual mode, i.e. shutter speed adjustment at fixed aperture.

Try it when you get a chance and let me know if you get the same result. And, Merry Christmas to you....

[Chuck S.]

Interestingly, my Canon G10 doesn't permit Automatic Exposure Bracketing in Manual mode. I guess that's because in Manual, the camera doesn't have control of either shutter speed or aperture - the photographer does.

Hmmm....I'm going to try the 40D and see what it does. :confused:

[Not4wood]

Mark, Sorry, I thought the "thread" was a discussion and didn't know it had guidelines.
Tony

Tony, Sorry. I had thought you were lecturing about someone who was looking to better there equipment so they could better there education and skill by upgrading there ability to be able to create with the minds eye and not be limited to a simple P&S. Its the creative ability that is able to create a Masterpiece, and it doesn't then depend upon the Paint Brush.

A more advanced camera (DSLR) shooting on manual, will still give you better choices and much more quality then a simple P&S in the finished product. Sure, like you had mentioned a skilled Photographer can capture a wonderful image using a P&S. But, taking the same image with my lowly D80 vs my small Canon Elph 5mp I would choose the D80 100% of the time. Too bad, I wish I had my D80 when we were in Alaska two years ago.

[troush]

Shar,

I agree with others - go to a local camera shop and hold them in your hands. I held a Cannon (XT at the time, I think) and the Nikon D50. The Cannon just didn't feel right in my hands, the D50 fit perfect.

I've been thinking about a P&S to carry around in my purse, but can't get used to how small they feel...

-Trish