DSLR for me(?)

[Daubs]

Budget: * What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
Looking to spend in the $1,000 range, but not more than $1,500

Size: * What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
Already have a "point and shoot", looking for a DSLR this time around

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you?
Ten seems to be a good starting point...have a 5.0 megapixel camera and shoot most of my photos at 3.

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10):
Probably 8.5-9 range.

Do you care for manual controls?
Yep, that's why I'm looking at DSLR's

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?
Outdoors, sports, family/kids, holidays, wildlife

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
Probably not too many, but would be nice to have that ability

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Probably 50/50, indoor/outdoor

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
Hell yes!

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?
I'm partial to Sony, already own a DSC P10 5 MP point-&-shoot and DCR-HC46 camcorder (and three Sony TV's, a Sony home stereo, DVD etc.). Also have an old-school Minolta X-700 SLR with 50mm and 70-210 lenses (although this hasn't been used in over four years).

Are there particular models you already have in mind?
Read several magazines and on-line reviews and I'm learning toward the Nikon D80 at this point. The Sony Alpha would be nice if I could use my old lenses on the new body, but from what I've read that isn't going to happen (correct me if I'm wrong). And the Sony being a new model/release, well, i'd rather stay away from it at this point. Right now it's between the Nikon, Cannon and Pentax, with Nikon getting most votes. (side note, I'm outdoors-guy and hunt/fish a lot. Nikon optics are very good [rifle scopes, nocs, etc.] so they win points with me in same way Sony wins points for electronics).

Wondering about lenses for the D80? 18-135 seems to be a good all around(?). Suggestions here?

So talk me out of or into the Nikon D80...Looking forward to the replies here. Thanks a bunch. D.

[speaklightly]

Daubs-

I would be the last person to talk you out of the Nikon D-80. No, I truly believe that it is a very fine camera. However, in all fairness I must admonish you a bit, as a professional digital camera instructor. There is indeed a very real learning curve to the Nikon D-80. Initially you will not get your very best photos, simply because of the so called, learning curve. As you increase your skills, you will get better photos.

So, give it a bit of time please. You will have a great camera, but as far as learning goes, initially you will be running to catch up with the D-80. Then it begins to happen. You begin to see really great photos.

That result will be due to your increased experience, as well as the vast potential of the Nikon D-80. The Nikkor 18-135mm lens will just be the starting point. For landscapes consider adding the AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm lens. From there, you are on your way. Good Luck and enjoy the experience.

MT/Sarah

[Daubs]

There is indeed a very real learning curve to the Nikon D-80. Initially you will not get your very best photos, simply because of the so called, learning curve. As you increase your skills, you will get better photos.

So, give it a bit of time please. You will have a great camera, but as far as learning goes, initially you will be running to catch up with the D-80. Then it begins to happen. You begin to see really great photos.

MT/Sarah

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I really cherish the learning curve / challenge of trying something new. That spirit drove me to start building my own computers years ago (on my third build now), and working on vehicles (auto restoration, pulling engines, maint work, body work, mods, etc.). I have a lot to learn (and really enjoy the process of learning).

[DonSchap]

The SONY A100 can do a lot for you, as an intro-dSLR.


Large sensor (10.2MP)
Uses well-established glass (Minolta; Third-party {SIGMA, TAMRON, TOKINA}; & SONY)
Large LCD screen, and, oh yeah ...
In-the-body stablization. What? Oh yes ... no expensive lens to buy to get stabilization. It's on every lens you slap on ... even the primes and macros.


Its a camera that doesn't have to break the budget ... who'd have thought?

Check one of these $800 Alphas out, before submitting to Canon or Nikon, because once you step off that slippery slope ... the $$$ are soon to follow ... right out of your wallet. :cool: