My First DSLR

Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 52 Location: Ontario, Canada

Ok.. so im new to photography and want to buy a camera that will take good pictures but doesn't cost too much money. I was looking at getting either a Canon 20D or a Canon Rebel. I like shooting pictures of nature and I would love to learn how to take good macro photo's. Which camera would be best for me?

Thanks, Heckler

Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Posts: 268

Basicaly.....any. I use an Olympus E-500 and love it. What you need to do is go to a good camera store and touch and feel the different cameras and see what feels good in your hand. Picture quality is so good with any current model its hard to pick one over the other for that. For good reviews, go to http://www.dpreview.com/ but in the end, dont buy anything you dont touch first.

Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 52 Location: Ontario, Canada

All right, thanks for your help.

Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 56 Location: Atlanta Georgia

As an avid canon fan what I would point out between these two...

1) the rebel is VERY tiny - at least to me. If you have large hands it is not (in my opinion) going to be comfortable to use. I don't have very large hands and a good 1/4 of mine hangs off (the MAIN reason im considering changing to a 30D)

2) the 30D definitely feels stronger. its quite a bit heftier too. (and the 30D is not much different from a 20D I've used both)

3) The rebel Xti is 10.1 MP but on a smaller sensor. I don't see any real problems with the images I have shot with it.

4) if you are thinking of a 20D might want to look at the 30D too. I have seen them online for a very reasonable $500 for the body alone. and it gives you a real spot meter not just center weighted. And will go to iso 3200. (although you get some noise there - nikon still rules in the noise department much to my chagrin)

If you are just getting started I would probably suggest the Rebel. Its pointed square in your corner. Its a good camera, plenty of images here will attest to that in almost any incarnation. (XT or Xti - the plain rebel is aging but still out there too in 6MP). The 20D/30D just basically adds a metal undercarriage and some extra features that you probably won't truly need for a couple years anyway. And honestly if it wasnt for the features size I wouldnt get it just for the heaftier body - like a car - the frame might be where everything sits but its how everything works together that gets you there, and the rebel has about 90% of the features of the 20D/30D.

Just my .02 :)

Al

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 1:17 am

kerryg wrote:

What you need to do is go to a good camera store and touch and feel the different cameras and see what feels good in your hand. Picture quality is so good with any current model its hard to pick one over the other for that.

Don't overlook any brand. Sony, Pentex, C & N or Oly to name some.
Visit dpreview and read their reviews but also go to the individual forums for different Mfg. Cameras and read user reviews too as these tell the true story.

http://www.phototakers.com/forum/ftopic64502.html

Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Sydney

I love my 20D. The 20D fits much better in the hand for most people. 350D is just too small. The battery grip can help. Also changing settings is much quicker, easier on the 20D. Direct via the dials, not hidden in menus.

Feel free to have a look at my blog article on first DSLR selection. It goes into more detail. In the end you have to decide for yourself, but you will get good hints what to look for!

http://tr-photo-blog.blogspot.com/2006/12/buying-digital-slr-camera-canon-or.html

On lenses
http://tr-photo-blog.blogspot.com/2006/12/what-lenses-glass-to-choose-for-canon.html

Regards,
T

Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 51

Heckler wrote:

Ok.. so im new to photography and want to buy a camera that will take good pictures but doesn't cost too much money. I was looking at getting either a Canon 20D or a Canon Rebel. I like shooting pictures of nature and I would love to learn how to take good macro photo's. Which camera would be best for me?

Thanks, Heckler

Canon Rebel is a good one. Take it.

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:27 am

I am with KimR - don't overlook the other brands. Try and go to a store that has most of the brands. Try out the cameras in your hands. Go with which ever is more comfortable to you. If it fits better in your hands, get it. You won't regret it. It will make you want to shoot soo much more.

Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 224 Location: North Wales, UK

If your primary use is going to be nature then you will be shooting in good lighting pretty much all of the time, therefore don't take any notice regarding comments on "image noise" - it won't be an issue on any DSLR at low iso, in fact the same goes for a high end "prosumer".

As already mentioned make your decision based upon handling / useability & also if going the DSLR route then it's also worth considering the range of lenses you might require & which manufacturer meets your requirements

simon

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 8:03 am

EOS MAN wrote:

I am with KimR - don't overlook the other brands. Try and go to a store that has most of the brands. Try out the cameras in your hands. Go with which ever is more comfortable to you. If it fits better in your hands, get it. You won't regret it. It will make you want to shoot soo much more.

agreed, the best camera in the world wont take a good picture if it stays in your kit bag. Every model on the market today is capable of superb results. Pick your camera based upon the feel in your hands and the view through the finder and you'll never be disapointed.

Make sure you try the small ones like the Canon Rebel and the Pentax K100, some people think they are too small, others love the compact size. I have a Pentax *istDL2 and dispite being the smallest on the market at its release I really don't find it cramped at all.

Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 1:50 am

I heartily recommend the Rebel series, they are tried and proven
quality workhorses that will take you a long way on the Photographic
Path. And after shooting umpteen thousand photos with it, you will then
have a really good idea of what it is you really want/need for your kind of
photographic work. You can't go wrong with a 300/350/400D.
Whichever camera you do end up with, do yourself a really big favor
and sit down with the manual and the camera and work your way through
all the menus, buttons, switches, settings and accessories slowly but surely...
about 30 minutes a day for a week will truly pay you some really big dividends.
He who can work the organ, gets to play the tune he wants...
Best wishes...and good luck!

Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 191

I second that ALL DSLRS are great now, its all about feel. also, if you have a bag full of nikon lenses from a 35mm why buy a canon? same goes for all others. thats the most logical things to do. I dont like the feel of my moms canon xt, the olympus 500 feels nice and is laid out good. Myself have no lenses right now, im shooting with my fuji 9100 and I love it. I will be getting 2 Fuji DSLRs this summer as well as a Nikon 35mm film camera so all my lenses work with all my bodies...

Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 34

I had to do a lot of detective work to find it as it's no longer sold by Nikon, but I just bought a new Nikon D70s. You can find them cheap now that they've been replaced by the D80. This is an absolutely fantastic camera with intuitive controls, an amazing kit lens. (18-70mm f3-5.4)

My only complaint with the D70s is that it doesn't support USB 2.0 so it's slow as molasseses when copying over a 4gb card full of photos. This however is easily corrected with a $15 card reader.

Now on to my most important advice:

Whatever camera you choose you need to remember that you're the one who takes the great photos, not the camera. You could have the most expensive camera on the market but if you're not willing to learn you will end up with photos no better than a $100 point and shoot digicam.

Joined: 30 Dec 2006 Posts: 224 Location: North Wales, UK

Forchu Photos wrote:

Now on to my most important advice:

Whatever camera you choose you need to remember that you're the one who takes the great photos, not the camera. You could have the most expensive camera on the market but if you're not willing to learn you will end up with photos no better than a $100 point and shoot digicam.

Best piece of advice anyone can give you !!

Joined: 04 Jun 2006 Posts: 52

If you are going to make photography a lifetime hobby, I HIGHLY suggest you invest in a LENS system and not a camera system. Choose from the makes with the best selection of avaliable lenses, both new and used. As your skills grow and as your wallet regains it content, you will be able to purchase new a different lens' that will allow you to diversify your abilities as a photographer. You'll have access to a huge library of used lenses and you will be able to make up a decent amount of your purchase price should you decide to sell your lens at a reasonable date.

Invest in a good lens system, you won't be dissapointed. I'm going with Canon myself.