Questions… First SLR!
- This topic has 10 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated Jun 18, 2009 at 10:24 am by
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Ok, I hate to admit it, I am a point and shoot guy. I want to jump headfirst into using a SLR and looking for advice on my first camera and where some good information is on the internet to read about all of the technical aspects of shooting with one. I dont really have a budget as far as pricing my first SLR, I just don’t want something that I am going to have to upgrade in the first 6 months. I would like to possibly not upgrade for a couple of years if that is possible.
With any of the current SLRs they won’t be out of date within the next 6 months or even 6 years most likely. I am using Canon 20D and 30D. The 20D is 4 years old and is still a fine camera and has high enough resolution for me to make a 8×10 print with no problems. The only thing that would be out of date is me wanting more features. Hell my Graphlex 35mm rangefinder from 1956 isn’t even out of date at this point! Until film goes the way of the Dodo, it will still be relevant.
If I were just getting in to shooting I’d probably look at Nikon. I’m a Canon shooter myself, but have recommended Nikon to friends and they have been more than happy with the cameras. The reason I say Nikon, is because their quality lenses seem to be cheaper than Canon’s. To be honest, I would probably just look at those 2 manufacturers because they have the track record that gives an indication that their systems will still be around in 10 years when you do move on to other camera bodies. Go to a local camera shop or two and test out both manufacturer’s cameras that are in your price range. Find out which feels best in your hand, which controls you like best, etc.
http://society6.com/grainfarmer Fly Fishing and Landscape open edition Photography prints.
http://grainfarmer.vsco.co/ iPhone photos
http://instagram.com/chad_simcox InstagramI agree with Chad about the Canon / Nikon thing – they’re the yardstick.
Olympus, Sony and Pentax make some nice cameras as well, but don;t have the big range of stuff you might need if you really get into it.
The little Canon 500 (not sure of the name where you are – might be a Rebel?) is a great thing, and if you paired it up with a good zoom like the 17-85 IS it would be a good bit of kit for fishing stuff.
Here’s a good website for reviews.
(the forum is nuts – don’t bother)www.dsaphoto.com
A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.
Thanks fellas, I know I want to stick to Canon or Nikon. I am one of the guys that likes to buy now instead of buying later if you know what I mean. I hate purchasing things just to find out I should have spent more money for a better product the first time.
What Chad and David said, with a couple exceptions.
I just don’t want something that I am going to have to upgrade in the first 6 months. I would like to possibly not upgrade for a couple of years if that is possible
If you buy their entry level camera’s you run the risk of outgrowing it. How fast you outgrow it, depends on how much you get into “it” You could outgrow it in 6 months year or it might be 2 years.
Re Canon/Nikon.
Close your eyes and pick one. Each has very slight advantages over the other. For whats its worth, I went Canon because their high end lenses are cheaper and theres slightly more of them.I’d love to know why Pentax is so often the “red headed step child”??
Cole,
I was in your shoes about 6 months ago and bought a Canon Rebel XSi. It’s a great camera for on the water and isn’t too large for me to carry on stream without any worries. It takes great pictures and I’ve already learned a lot about the style of stuff I like to shoot. In terms of Canon, if you care about HD video, the new Canon T1i is essentially the same as an XSi, but allows you to shoot HD vids.
Like everyone said, it’s basically preference on the brand you pick.
The one change that I would have made is probably to buy a body only, and then pick up a nicer lens to act as my go-to. I’ve found that the 18-55 IS kit lens is a good starter, but it has its limitations. That’s just me.
This all depends on budget of course, and I’m not as experienced as any of the guys that already posted. Just a rookie who was in a similar spot.
Also, there’s nothing wrong with shooting on a point and shoot – I’ve taken some of my favorite shots with them.
Cole, You probably won’t outgrow a camera too quickly, instead you’ll want to upgrade your selection of lenses. There are people making amazing photos with Canon Rebel cameras and high end lenses that will blow away photos coming from a 5D with lower quality lenses. So it’s not about the camera so much as it is about the glass (lens) on the front of it.
If you’re just starting out, you’re not going to miss features that you never had in the first place. Just figure out what you actually need and then find a camera that fits those needs. You’ll probably have to make some compromises when fitting your budget, but that’s how it is.
My camera body choice was made on frame burst speed, high ISO expansion, noise handling at high ISO, how the camera felt in hand (I like bigger/heavier cameras), durability, MP size (at the time it mattered), and of course price range.
http://society6.com/grainfarmer Fly Fishing and Landscape open edition Photography prints.
http://grainfarmer.vsco.co/ iPhone photos
http://instagram.com/chad_simcox InstagramOh, also with Nikon, I believe their older lenses have the same mount as the new ones, so you can get a used high quality manual focus lens pretty cheap. Canon changed their lens mount so you can only use their modern lenses.
http://society6.com/grainfarmer Fly Fishing and Landscape open edition Photography prints.
http://grainfarmer.vsco.co/ iPhone photos
http://instagram.com/chad_simcox InstagramYou have to be careful with high rez cameras and lenses, any sensor over about 12 MP’s is going to start showing up average lenses.
A lot of lenses designed for film look a bit crap on digital.Nikon make some great wide zooms, like the 14-24 and the 24-70 2,8’s, but their 70-200 VR is average and a lot of their primes like the 50 1.4 and 85 1.4 pretty shabby as well from my testing on a D3x.
Canons wide zooms are left wanting on high rez, but the L primes like the 24 1.4 II, 35 1.4, 50 1.2, 85 1.2 and 135 F2 are awesome.
Both companies are VERY busy designing new lenses for their higher and higher MP sensors.
With lenses, you get what you pay for to a point, though there are always some exceptions – do your research before spending to avoid disappointment .. 😉
www.dsaphoto.com
A picture is thousand words that takes less than a second while a thousand words is a picture that takes a month.
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