SLR

[auwesman]

Hey Guys,
Please excuse my ignorance in the following question, but I was hoping to get some advice.
I've had the itch to get and SLR.  Nothing advanced, just a basic start.  Love nature photogrophy, and have always been frustrated by the limitations of compacts.
So.  I'm ready to buy, but trying to narrow it down.
I've got a buddy who owns a shop and he has a Canon Rebel XTI he is willing to sell me for $399(display model)
However I also like how the Sony a300 feels.  I'm a big Nikon fan, but am not willing to spend the money for a 70 or 90 and don't know that the 40 will make me happy.

So...I'm trying to see if anyone has used a Canon Rebel XTI or Sony a300 or if I'm just wasting my money and need to go for something totally different (Trying to stay near $600.00) 

I also realize that whatever I buy, I'm locking myself into that family of lenses......advi ce

[Joshua Szulecki]

I've owned a Canon 40D, Canon Digital Rebel XT, and a Canon Rebel Ti camera, and I can totally recommend the Canon brand. Canon's lens selection is the widest of any brand, and their quality is great for the money. I own several Canon lenses, and I really feel their lenses are the best part of the brand.

My Rebel XT is almost identical to the XTi, and I can totally recommend the camera for any SLR beginner. It is small, light, and works very well for the price. The XTi is a very popular camera, and comes highly recommended.

[Rob]

I have the Nikon D80 that I really like. Wouldn't you know that they would come out with the 90 which I think is better value for the money. That having been said, I would have to agree with Josh on the Cannon selection. They offer a much greater diversity of lens options and varied affordability. Had I not already had some of the older Nikkor lenses that will also mount on the D80, and had the Cannon 40D been available at the time of purchase, I would probably have gone with Cannon. You may want to consider your upgrade options for the future also. If you go with Cannon, Sony, Nikon etc., what are you upgrade options for the future? Does the Manufacturer have what is considered to be a professional series that will be able to work with your present lens collection? I'll probably never advance to that level but others may want to consider it.

[auwesman]

Thanks for the input guys.  I went for the Canon.  The Sony is pretty much a Minolta with Sonys name on it (uses Minolta lenses).  While both were tempting I couldn't beat the price I was getting on that Canon.  Plus your reviews as well as other online reviews seem to state it's a great SLR to start off with (easy to use, great photos, great lenses, etc)
Thanks!

[Rob]

auwesman, I'm quite certain you will enjoy your new Cannon SLR. I know Josh has really given his a workout! I am looking forward to seeing some of your photos when you get out and give the camera a test run and you are ready to share.

[Lostsheep]

Just  to give you a heads up, I've shot over 7000 photos on my DSLR. When I had the 35mm I don't think I shot near that many.

Let just say the camera has well paid for itself since purchasing it. And, I'm tempted to buy another one It's addicting!

[Joshua Szulecki]

I *think* I took around 35,000 pictures on my Rebel XT in three years. I don't think took that many pictures in all the years preceeding 2005. Then again, digital encourages wasteful shooting practices because the consequences are much more minor, with just a depleted battery and memory card and a worn out shutter being a big concern. I also do a lot of bracketing for exposure.

I can't say that owning a dSLR made me a better photographer than when I shot with a film SLR because my film SLR was a totally manual Pentax K-1000 knockoff, and was fairly unwieldy in inexperienced hands. Had I owned a normal film SLR, I'd probably have gotten better earlier.

[auwesman]

Camera has been fantastic so far!  Does everything I need it too and more!  Thanks for all the input....only problem is now I'm addicted and want(***NEED***) more lenses........sh ould have seen this coming 
I'll post photos soon.  My first "real" trip with the new DSLR will be Maui in 3 weeks.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I'll need to pull up the guide to when you should actually consider buying a new lens, to keep you from getting yourself into trouble.

The point of it is to wait until you will actually benefit from the capabilities of the new lens.

[auwesman]

I just want a lense with a higher fstop and image stabilization for low light photos.........w ell...........an d maybe a telephoto....... ..........and a macro........... ...and a wide angle........... .......but thats all for now! 

[Joshua Szulecki]

See... Dangerous to think that way...

There is a thread that I reference for situations like this. The best advice in the thread comes from another website, and was posted by a guy named Arnold. I've been slowly mulling writing a more detailed version of this thread, but I haven't gotten around to it yet, so for now, I'll link to it. It is mostly centered around when to replace/supplement your kit lens, and not so much on how to prioritize, which is why I'd like to replace it.

The advice with Photo.net commentary, including mine:
http://photo.net/canon-eo...gital-camera-forum/00KuTd

This is the original thread:
http://forums.dpreview.co...1031&message=16309636