Advice on Cameras

[SantaPimp27]

Ok so i have been a fan of photography for a awhile now and i know how to use photoshop a decent bit. However, ive decided that it would be much cooler if i was editing photos that i was actually taking.

Long story short, i need a DSLR.

Im a beginner and do not have any experience taking photos. I am looking for a camera(or if you can suggest a body and a good lens) for less than $700.

I want something that takes good pictures but is not too expensive. Obviously i want Nikon or Canon. Used or new doesn't matter.

Any Suggestions?

Thanks

[ichiban]

depends, if you dont want video, then go with a d40 or d40x and get a 50mm 1.4. If you do, then the t1i is around that range. But you'd have to stick with the kit lens.

[SantaPimp27]

how much of a difference would the lens make for a beginner?

[ichiban]

Me being a beginner as well and i just got the 50mm 1.4 for my t1i, the Image quality is wayy better on the 50 compared to the kit lens. I think you can develop your skills for awhile with the kit lens, and then save up for the 50. That's what i did and what i would recommend.

[SantaPimp27]

Originally Posted by ichiban

depends, if you dont want video, then go with a d40 or d40x and get a 50mm 1.4. If you do, then the t1i is around that range. But you'd have to stick with the kit lens.

whats the difference between the d40 and the d40x?

[rodi]

my advice:

get a used D40 (not the D40x) - for about $300. get a new 35mm f/1.8G ($200). save your money up for when you know where you're going.

why the D40? it has smaller pixel density so the 6MP work to your advantage - better noise in high ISO usage than any of the 10MP+ crop sensor cameras.
it has all the full manual controls you need (and all the auto modes that you don't need). it's a VERY capable camera, and it's cheap if you're just jumping into it. i know an amazing photographer who uses the D40, and you'd NEVER know it.
skip any kit lenses - they're crap.

[Pink Taco]

I believe the d40x is 12mp... and d40 is 6mp...

i'd go for d40 It was a great beginner and STILL a great camera for me. Since I upgraded to d90. You can get them fairly cheap too

[rc'Z]

Don't buy a single fixed size lens, ie 50mm. You will end up buying a 28mm, then a 135mm then a.... Get the picture. Most prosumers can use two good lens, a variable wide angle and a variable telephoto. Unless you have money to burn, or are a professional, this will be some of the best advice you will get here. I ended up with bunches of single size lens before I wised up to the two.

[SantaPimp27]

Originally Posted by rc'Z

Don't buy a single fixed size lens, ie 50mm. You will end up buying a 28mm, then a 135mm then a.... Get the picture. Most prosumers can use two good lens, a variable wide angle and a variable telephoto. Unless you have money to burn, or are a professional, this will be some of the best advice you will get here. I ended up with bunches of single size lens before I wised up to the two.

so which two lenses are you reccommending? and which camera?

[ichiban]

50mm is a prime lens and should be in any photographer's stable. the other fixed, 35, 85 etc are for more specific stuff. Thats just my opinion. And as for the d40, you can't go wrong with it. I started out with the d40, used it for about 2 years, till i traded up to my t1i.

[SantaPimp27]

ok so im going with the d40. now i need the lens. im seeing 3 different 50mm lenses.

AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G - $465
AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4D - $330
AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D - $130

I know the G is the newer version of the D. What is the difference between 1.4 and 1.8 and is the G worth it over the D? (probably could use the G when i upgrade cameras?)

Sorry for all the noob questions

[quagmire]

Get the AF-S one since it is the only one that will get you autofocus with the D40.

[ichiban]

im not sure about the nikon, but here's a pretty good comparison between the canon 1.8 and 1.4, i would think it's similar for the nikon.

http://photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/


edit: here's a nikon one. http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/50-...ison/bokeh.htm

[anthony @ eas]

The D40 is what I would recommend with the 18-55 kit lens. Super cheap, awesome camera. And the D40 seems to be better than the D40x and the D60 because of the sensor.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

[rodi]

i would get the 35mm instead of the 50mm - that way you won't be tempted to get a full-frame camera to know what 50mm is REALLY supposed to be like.

50mm on a crop camera like the D40 is not a true 50mm - it's about 75mm. this focal length was a favorite LONG before digital and there was a reason for it. get the 35mm with your D40 and you'll know why. the 35mm gets you pretty close to the field of view of a 50mm on the D40.

and unless you can fork out $1500+ for a zoom lens, don't bother. some will tell you differently, kind of like how a car salesman would tell you the honda drives better than the BMW to seal a deal because he knows which one you can afford.

just my professional two cents.

[BMW F22]

IMO you should pick up something that you can grow into. So perhaps get a Nikon D60 or D90 (a bit more than your budget so maybe you can buy it used). If you're into Canon then get an XSi or T1i for about that price. If you decide to go with Canon though, I highly suggest the 40D (a little more "professional" grade than the Nikons and Canons I've mentioned).

Unless you just want a DSLR to take better pix than a P&S, get something that's easy enough to learn but also have features that you can later grow into. In other words, don't get a camera that has just enough bells & whistles that are only good for right now (especially if you're into photography).

[SantaPimp27]

ok so im almost positive im going to get the D40. its highly recommended and the price is perfect.

however, now everyone is confusing me on which lens to get.

Rodi is saying the 35mm
anthony is saying just get the the 18-55mm kit lense(and if im keeping the kit lens would you recommend stepping up to a D60 or D5000)
and a few others said get a 50mm

what are the differences between them? im assuming there all general photography lenses?

thanks

[Vudoo4u2]

35mm=closest to 50mm on a D40 body (or most crop bodies)...50mm is a medium range distance which was popular as a prime focal length on film cameras.

18-55 is a kit lens, which is okay, its not bad, but not great...certainly nothing to write home about, but more than ok for someone starting out not looking to spend much on a lens...the 18-200 would be a much better lens...but its also more than the total amt you're looking to spend. The 18 end is "wide", but not too wide since a D40 is a crop sensor, wide gives you the ability to see a larger frame vs the 35 or 50, but likely adds some edge distortion

50mm is the longest choice of the bunch, and is probably an ideal portrait focal length, but for an everyday walk around on a crop sensor, it will be too long and will limit your frame if you have no other lenses.

[Dr_Jones]

What Vudoo4u2 said

50mm is far from ideal on crop sensor...Im looking at 28-35mm primes right now.

[rc'Z]

The kit lens for the Nikon are really good lens for a hobby picture taker. I've been taking photographs for for the better part of 45 years, all over the world. You don't need a $5,000 camera and lens to take great pictures. I've a D5000 with two kit lens and it does a great job for the money. And yes I also have Canon cameras with the expensive Canon lens (50k/1.2 and 100/2.8, and various other wide and telephoto) but happy with with the job the Nikon does. I also get some marvious shots with my Sony cybershot. YOU are an important piece of equipment when it comes to taking pictures, as much so as your equipment. Use your spare money learning how to take good photographs. Don't buy a bunch of single mm lens unless you are in business and only then if you have a specific use for the lens.

[rodi]

if you're gonna get a kit lens, might as well get a prosumer point and shoot like the Canon G10.
better yet, if you're gonna use any lens that has f/3.5-f/5.6 in the name, just get a point and shoot.

i only say that because i have a thing against zoom lenses. they inhibit creativity. when you're forced to use a single focal length all the time, you start to think of how you can capture what you want creatively - you'll think more about angles and points of view. it expands your mind and how you think about composition. a zoom is like a lazyboy recliner.
however, this doesn't apply to certain situations where a zoom is beneficial - like sports photography and studio work.

not trying to offend anyone that uses zooms or sound like a pompous ass - it's just something i've learned from experience and has been proven in the results of students when i used to teach university photography courses.

[SantaPimp27]

Originally Posted by rodi

if you're gonna get a kit lens, might as well get a prosumer point and shoot like the Canon G10.
better yet, if you're gonna use any lens that has f/3.5-f/5.6 in the name, just get a point and shoot.

i only say that because i have a thing against zoom lenses. they inhibit creativity. when you're forced to use a single focal length all the time, you start to think of how you can capture what you want creatively - you'll think more about angles and points of view. it expands your mind and how you think about composition. a zoom is like a lazyboy recliner.
however, this doesn't apply to certain situations where a zoom is beneficial - like sports photography and studio work.

not trying to offend anyone that uses zooms or sound like a pompous ass - it's just something i've learned from experience and has been proven in the results of students when i used to teach university photography courses.

ok well since your picture in your sig is baller and you seems to know what your talking about im gonna listen to you.

you recommended the d40 with a 35mm lens. ill start looking

thanks