Help with a camera to grow with...

[starting_out_slow]

Hi. Thanks for all the posts on this forum, and for the main site being such a great resource for a beginner.

Background Story:
I am looking into buying a DSLR and would greatly appreciate some adivice. I have been using a Canon PS S230 for several years now, and as a result have caught the D-photography bug. Recently, a friend bought a Canon D30 and has been nice enough to let me borrow it on occasion. As you might expect the "bug" is now systemic, given the incredible boost in quality and diversity of pictures I took with the D30 vs my little P&S. If I had the $, I would definitely buy a D30, but as a student I am hard pressed to afford a camera even half the price.

Using a D30 I've come to realize that it will take me several years (and an increase in income) to become a decent photgrapher. This will not be a career for me, but more of a hobby (I don't ever expect to make money as a photographer). Basically, I'm looking for a camera that I can grow with, so that my camera will not limit me as I become (hopefully) more experienced.

Here's my thought process on "starting slow":
1. get a decent DSLR with a kit lense
2. beef up on skills/experience
3. get better glass and more skills/experience
4. ultimately use the skills/experience and glass to justify getting a really nice DSLR like the D30 or better (job willing).

Right now, I am stuck between spending more than I can honestly afford on the XTi or the XT vs. the Nikon D40 price range. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Budget

Realistic: $5-700. Stretching the budget: $6-800

Size

I have meaty paws, but realize that cost is limiting so no preference here.

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you?
Not a priority, but > 6 would be nice.

What optical zoom will you need?
Starting out, I will be happy with a kit lense, but ultimately will want a broader range.

Image quality:
10, this is very important

manual controls:
Very important as I hope to experiment a lot.

General Usage

What will you generally use the camera for?
The majority of my shots will be weddings this year but I would really like to be able to take a lot of nature shots when I backpack, so I think this would fall into the "everything" category. The only pictures I don't see myself taking a lot of are portrait-type shots.

Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
I hope to be blowing up a lot of the nature shots I get while backpacking. Maybe some the wedding shots if they're good (nothing better than a nice photo as a cheap, well appreciated present!)

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Yes, in varying conditions.

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
Some at first, more when I can afford the glass for those shots.

Miscellaneous
Are there particular brands you like or hate?
I'd have to say I'm partial to Canon based on how much I love my point and shoot. That being said, I really don't have one.

Are there particular models you already have in mind?
Canon XTi, Canon XT, Nikon D40, and any other above average, entry level DSLR

THANKS!


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[toriaj]

Hi, and welcome to DSLR world! :D

Have you considered the Nikon D50 or D80? I would strongly recommend them against the D40, because the D40 doesn't have an autofocus motor. That means that you will end up spending more on your lenses later on, or else manually focusing all the time (which wouldn't work for subjects like flying birds.) The D50 and D80 are larger than the XTi, which might feel better in your hands. The D50 is a slightly older model, but still very relevant and almost as cheap as the D40 now. And, of course, the XTi is a strong contender.

The Pentax K100D also comes highly recommended, but I'm not familiar with it. The best thing you can do is to go to the store and play with the cameras. See which one "feels right." You can't go wrong with these excellent cameras.

[SpecialK]

In my shopping around I found that Canon = small hands, Nikon = big hands.

Also, if you are on a budget as you say, either brand will put you over your limit almost from the git-go. Don't forget you'll need a memory card, good dust blower, perhaps a spare battery, and probably some type of carrying bag.

I have the 6 MP Pentax K100D which I like a lot. There is the newer 10 MP K10D that could be an upgrade (at almost twice the price). MP is not as big an issue as marketers would have us believe, and it affects noise ("grain") as well.

One factor of the K100D is a small buffer which limits how many shots you can take in a row, generally 5 jpgs or 3 RAW, before you'll have to wait a few seconds while the camera writes to the card. I don't shoot sports action "bursts", so it does not affect me at all.

An advantage is the in-camera stabilization, so you can get old lenses, or third party lenses, and they will all be stabilized.

I recommend looking at the first 3 lenses you want (not counting the kit) and then get the body that holds them.

Pentax lenses are about 50-75% the cost of Canikons, though they are coming out with some $800+ lenses (D* designation) to match up better with the more expensive K10D.

[starting_out_slow]

Thanks to SpecialK and toriaj. I will definitely look into those suggestions.

[jcon]

Tori really hit it on the head, for what you plan on shooting, the D40 would not be your best option. The D50 can be had for the same price, but may prove hard to find. The D80 is a bit more but will give you room to learn and grow. Also, you dont have a small selection of lenses, like you would with the D40.

Your own words you said you dont want to be limited, the fact is the D40 WILL limit you. I suggest you explore other options.