entry level dslr

[unix04]

this is my first dslr purchase, and i could use all the help i can get! thanks!

Budget
$1000~1500

Size
as long as it has a good grip, i dont really mind

How many megapixels will suffice for you?
6MP+

* What optical zoom will you need?
Standard (for now)

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
8

Do you care for manual controls?
no preference, since i have dont have much experience. manual controls may be a good learning experience for me.


* What will you generally use the camera for?
1. pictures of people
2. scenery: beach/sunset, random buildings in the city, view of the NY skyline...

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
probably no bigger than 11x17


Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
very likely, i'd say maybe 30~40% of the time

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
seldomly

Are there particular brands you like or hate?
i've been caught in the crossfire in the canon vs nikon war...and im getting sucked in really fast...unless someone can get me outta this black hole...i'd prefer a canon or nikon. (plus i have a couple of their point and shoot cameras...and i've no real complaints)


Are there particular models you already have in mind?
d70s, 20D

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
Wide angle and IS would be nice

other:
lens recommendations would be great. i'd like to purchase 2, 1 as a walkaround and 1 prime. but im open to other suggestions for a starting lens set.

final:
thanks in advance for your help. i've learned alot lurking around these forums in getting information, but i'm still a newbie dslr user and on top of that, only in theory. (i guess that makes me a pre-newbie? hehe) i will need some hands on experience, but i dont know anyone among friends/family that use a dslr. but before going to the local shop, i'd like to go in with as much info as possible so i can get the most out of the experience.

[edit]D70s, 6.1 MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with AF 18-70mm DX Zoom Nikkor Lens for $929.95 <~ is this a good deal? i saw it at the local shop...and im not sure how long this deal will last.

[DonSchap]

Canon EOS 20D (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=10464)
TAmROn SP AF17-50mm f/2.8 XR DiII LD Asherical (IF) (http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/1750_diII_a016.asp)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=152&modelid=7306)

This combination is within your budget and should provide you with the potential of shooting excellent work. Remember, the art that comes out of this camera is strictly based on your understanding and knowledge of how light works. Knowledge is power... so go make a powerful statement with your camera!

BTW: When you get a couple of extra bucks, I would recommend adding this one, too:
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=150&modelid=11922)

[Riley]

check this link out

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/20dd70.htm

be advised, people who are biased tell me hes biased, I just forget which way it was

Riley

[Phill D]

That's an interesting link Riley thanks. Haven't read it all yet but there are some very interesting views in it. Yes I'm sure there is some bias but from what I've read so far it's well intentioned & fairly obvious. I was interested in the coments about P&S image size vs DSLRs & the fit to a "normal" pc screen, oh & the 4/3rds comment :confused: Not sure about that bit I'll have to think about it some more. Generally there seem to be some bits up to date for 2006 & some bits still left as 2004 comment. I presume the author is updating as fast as he can, this game is a nightmare to keep up to date with. Anyway thanks again for the link & if Ken Rockwell ever reads this forum thanks Ken for being brave enough to pull your articles together.

[BonjiB]

Canon EOS 20D (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=10464)
TAmROn SP AF17-50mm f/2.8 XR DiII LD Asherical (IF) (http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/1750_diII_a016.asp)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=152&modelid=7306)

Don... you described my current setup. This is an excellent way to spend 1500 bucks. The only thing i'd recomend differenly from you is for the telephoto. I'd go ahead and save up for the sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX. It's 750 and worth the extra cash for that constant 2.8 in my opinion. :-) IS is great but it won't stop motion blur so i'm not all that interested in it unless i could afford the canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS which is a ways down the road.

[unix04]

thanks for the suggestions and links. the 20d/tamron setup does seem very appealing, and i think i'll try to plan on getting that set up.

i've run into a small obstacle, however...and that is in my budget. i made a last minute decision to go on a quick vacation with a few friends who will be moving far away, and there's no place to cut my funds except for the camera budget.

considering that glass > body, i was wondering if i can stick with the tamron lens, but a different body. perhaps an xt or a d70s/d50. and a year or two down the line, upgrade to the 30d. (im sure by then 30d will be outdated as well, but i dont think i'll be earning enough to just splurge anytime soon, especially since im looking to buy some property as well)

however, i can try waiting a little longer until something better comes out. but the thought of getting a dslr...makes me real impatient :)

[DonSchap]

then by all means... XT! If you have a pair of oven mitts... well, not so much. :rolleyes:

Personally, I'd put the vacation on hold. The world will always be there... unless the CO2-levels get too much more out of hand or unless you live close to the Middle East. There, they have big changes on a daily basis. Your hotel is there, one minute... rubble the next. The cute little taxi was there a second ago... the roadside bomb removed it. Then you'll be asking the favorite question... "Goodness gracious, where is my camera? This is a shot that CNN cannot miss."

Yes, photographic opportunities abound, thanks to our natural and political climates. If you do not have your camera, you simply...

MISS THE SHOT!

my apologies to "JTL"... but, I just couldn't help it. :rolleyes:

[unix04]

then by all means... XT! If you have a pair of oven mitts... well, not so much. :rolleyes:

Personally, I'd put the vacation on hold. The world will always be there... unless the CO2-levels get too much more out of hand or unless you live close to the Middle East. There, they have big changes on a daily basis. Your hotel is there, one minute... rubble the next. The cute little taxi was there a second ago... the roadside bomb removed it. Then you'll be asking the favorite question... "Goodness gracious, where is my camera? This is a shot that CNN cannot miss."

Yes, photographic opportunities abound, thanks to our natural and political climates. If you do not have your camera, you simply...

MISS THE SHOT!

my apologies to "JTL"... but, I just couldn't help it. :rolleyes:

hehe...i know what you mean on the vacation, but i dont know when the next time i will see them. just like missing the opportunity to take the perfect shot, i might miss a different type of opportunity to spend good time and make some great memories with them. (a slight contradiction considering a good camera can hold such memories...hehe)

but ultimately, i figure capturing a clear vision of a memory can only come second to the memory itself, no? :)

anyways...i'll see what i can do to gather the extra funds...
maybe start pickin up all those pennies people drop on the streets...haha

[unix04]

alright...so i think it's gonna come down to this...

i have 2 setups right now.

setup#1 (budget):
nikon d50 (sans kit lens)
Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC
____________________________
estimated total: ~$800

setup#2 (splurge it!):
canon 30d (sans kit lens)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 Mark II
Tamron SP AF17-50mm f/2.8 XR DiII LD Aspherical (IF)
____________________________
estimated total: ~$1700 (after rebate)

peripherals/accessories (memory card, case, etc): ~$200

i can afford both setups now. i fortunately ran into an acquaintance who needed a freelance web developer/designer, and taking the job was a no brainer. :D

now, the dilemma is...
considering this my first dslr, im wondering if i should start small with the nikon setup, and work my way up after a few years of hands on experience. if i choose this path, then i can get good experience and be able to make the most of the next dslr i purchase. plus, maybe the premiums on canon lenses may go down at least a little over the next few years (or nikon steps up it's game). *crosses fingers*

if i take the other path, there are benefits as well. for one, im getting a really great deal if i get the $240 rebate for the 30d+50 f1.4. it's almost like getting a 30d body at full price, and the 50 f1.4 for the price of the f1.8 version. plus, the canon prime and the tamron seem to be keepers, and therefore possibly a better long term investment.

there are also factors, like investing in just one maker and going down that route, and the compromise in image quality and flexibility associated with either setup, and personal needs, like using pictures mainly for web publishing. etc etc.

im greatful for the advice given so far, and i havent tossed your suggestions aside. but im still lookin out for 'whats best for me in the bigger picture.' thanks in advance for reading through all this, and i hope to get more feedback soon!