DSLR Fustration (Which One?)

[DP Knewby]

Hey Guys & Gals,

First off I would just like to take the time to introduce myself. My name is Chris, and as my user name implies I am a Digital Photography Knewby. For the most part I have owned only one digital camera and a very bad one at that. One of the major reasons why I'm looking to jump directly into DSLR because if I'm going to do something, I might as well do it the right way and a DSLR is the best way to go in my opinion, plus I'd like to think I'm a fast learner. Now onto the questionnaire!


Thanks In Advance!

---------------------------------------------

Budget

$800

Size

Well for the most part all DSLR are fairly larger then most cameras so I'm not expecting it to fit in my pocket. My main concern with having the camera though is how well the camera feels in my hands. If it doesn't feel good I'm not going to like taking pictures with it.


How many megapixels will suffice for you?

Enough to make the occasional 8 X 10 print, but for the most part I'd be uploading the pictures taken with the camera to a website, so if you got any good picture uploading sites better then photobucket, send them my way!

How important is “image quality” to you?

About a 9.

Do you care for manual controls?

After using the camera for awhile and getting use to them I'm sure I will.

General Usage

My general usage for the camera would be for taking pictures of my mask collection. This just happens to be another hobby for me, as I have an affinity for horror movies and collectibles. So displaying the masks, and showing them off to others in the hobby is considered a pride and joy. Being able to set up a background, getting the perfect light or very little light, and getting excellent photographs of them would be very pleasing to me and the others that view it and showing all the hard work that went into creating the piece. I'd also be using the camera for whenever I go on trips. As of now I plan on attending an Auto Show that is set for April so having a camera by then would be fantastic!

Just to show you an example of what I will be photographing, this piece is huge and was created by a Special Effects Artist. Please excuse the quality of the picture. :(

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/krazedkilla/Picture004.jpg

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?

Indoors, with some overhead lighting.

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?

Nope, but it wouldn't hurt to go to a Football game or Boxing event and get some nice shots.

Are there particular brands you like or hate?

Nope.

Are there particular models you already have in mind?

I was looking at a Nikon D50, but it was just recently discontinued, major bummer on my part.

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features?

Image Stabilization would be a great feature to have but it is to my understanding that I can get this in a lens as well? Plus the subjects I will be photographing (masks) I would just use a tripod.

Guess that is it folks. Once again thank you for taking the time to read my post and hopefully you can be able to help me out.

[JTL]

Clever screen name!

Yeah...D50...probably the best all around "out of the box" DSLR for the hobbiest. Who cares if its' "discountinued"? All that means is that you can pick one up for around $500 with the kit lens...

[DP Knewby]

Clever screen name!

Yeah...D50...probably the best all around "out of the box" DSLR for the hobbiest. Who cares if its' "discountinued"? All that means is that you can pick one up for around $500 with the kit lens...

Do you happen to know where I'd be able to pick one up? It seems that I've searched a majority of websites for it and it wasn't listed. I don't trust people on ebay so that route is pretty much out of the question.

[JTL]

Do you happen to know where I'd be able to pick one up? It seems that I've searched a majority of websites for it and it wasn't listed. I don't trust people on ebay so that route is pretty much out of the question.Hey you're right, they've pretty much disappeared...they were around a few weeks ago...oh well...

Only the "rip-off" sites are still advertising them...sorry to give you false hope. :o

If you're going to look at the D40x instead, at that price point, you've got some serious comparing to other brands to do...

UPDATE: Found a D50 for you at a fairly reputable store (a lot of mixed reviews, though), but for $699...borderline price for a discountinued camera:
http://www.willoughbys.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=pricegrabber&sku=1000NIKD5018T55Z

Reseller Ratings info here:
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Willoughby_s

For $100 less you can pick up a Canon XT...not as user friendly and ergonomic as the Nikon, but a great camera none-the-less. It does have it's quirks, though...I should know...I live with them! ;)

http://www2.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?omid=122&utm_id=17&ref=pricegrabber&utm_source=PriceGrabber&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=CNDRXT1855S&sku=CNDRXT1855S

[DP Knewby]

I was actually looking to buy a Digital Rebel XT, as it is one of the most popular Pro Sumer DSLR out on the market, that is until I held it in my hands. I went out to a local Best Buy and they happened to have it on display. I just found the camera to be very small and in my opinion suffered from button clutter. It just didn't feel right in my hands.

Anyways, I happen to come across the Nikon D50 but it was a Body Only for about $520. The only problem is now that I will have to find a lens for it and honestly have no idea what lens to get. Also keeping in mind that I have around $280-$300 left to spend on a lens.

[mcenut]

The Rebel XT is available at Adorama as a refurbished model (in my opinion still a good buy) for $449.95 (USD) with the 18-55mm kit lens. LINK (http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Refurbished&cat2=Digital%20SLR%20Cameras)

They also have the Nikon D50 for around $400 without lens.

Either would be a good choice. It all comes down to what you like the feel of. I didn't buy the XT because of it's small size. I bought the Canon 20D and like it very much.

[JTL]

That XT price at Adorama is for a refurb...not a new camera....

Here's a better price at a better store for a new D50.

http://focuscamera.com/sc/froogle-lead-1.asp?id=964672468&rf=froogle&dfdate=03_23_2007&sid=519508662

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Focus_Camera

I would go for it...immediately...before its gone for good!

And, there's really nothing wrong with the Nikon kit lens to get you started. It may feel like a plastic piece of junk, but it takes very nice photos...

[mcenut]

That XT price at Adorama is for a refurb...not a new camera....

And your point is? I clearly stated it was a refurbished camera. I buy a lot of refurbished equipment and have never once had a problem. Buying new I can't say my track record has been the same.

[Rooz]

have you looked at the sony alpha ? pretty decent dslr and lots of lens options.

as for the d50, did you see it at a local store ? don;t they sell lens' aswell so you can bundle something up ? getting a lens isn't an issue at all, you can buy the kit lens, 18-135mm pretty cheap which will more than suit your purposes.

i would also seriously consider a flash. i know this will stretch your budget but judging from the photo you put in this thread, if that is the sort of stuff you will be shooting alot, a flash is going to improve your photos quality for subjects like that by 100%.

[DP Knewby]

have you looked at the sony alpha ? pretty decent dslr and lots of lens options.

as for the d50, did you see it at a local store ? don;t they sell lens' aswell so you can bundle something up ? getting a lens isn't an issue at all, you can buy the kit lens, 18-135mm pretty cheap which will more than suit your purposes.

i would also seriously consider a flash. i know this will stretch your budget but judging from the photo you put in this thread, if that is the sort of stuff you will be shooting alot, a flash is going to improve your photos quality for subjects like that by 100%.

I have seen the D50 at a local store, and played around with it for quite a bit. The build of the camera was excellent and it felt great in my hands. I just recently read a review on the Sony Alpha and was pretty impressed with all the features it had, Dust Reduction System; Image Stabilization and DRO. The only thing that bothered me was the fact that it had Noise at High ISO but haven't compared it to the D50 as of yet.

As for the flash, I haven't even considered it. Most people in the hobby don't use it to take the photo's of their masks because it drowns out a lot of the detail like veining, drool, glossy eyes etc. etc. But then again no one in the hobby photographs their collection with a DSLR with a high quality flash, so I'm unsure.

And so the frustration continues...

Here's the best picture to date that I've been able to take of one of my masks. Natural light makes for the best light when taking pictures of these things, as far as I can tell. This shot was handheld and I wish the background was a bit more blurred out.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/krazedkilla/Masks/EyeShot.jpg

[Rooz]

the results you will get with a sb-600 bounced of the ceiling will be far better than that. it will actually bring alot more detail and a more even exposure to the pic. by using a flash in this way you can put it up against a solid background, (say a dark coloured sheet or something), and you get the mask completely isolated from background noise. the issues you are talking about result from a direct, (normally the onboard), flash light.

generally speaking for shots of an isolated product/ item like that mask, flashes are almost essential for a high quality image.

back to the subject, if you have seen it at a local store, see if they can do you a deal with the body and a kit lens, (and a flash if you want). there are a few decent lens' around and it doesn;t sound like you're after anything too fancy.

[JTL]

And your point is? I clearly stated it was a refurbished camera. I buy a lot of refurbished equipment and have never once had a problem. Buying new I can't say my track record has been the same.My point was clearly stated...it's a refurb, not new...or was that somehow not clear? And that's a problem because...?

Jeez, now I remember why I stayed away from this loser site for the last six months! :rolleyes:

[T06]

Another thing to consider is for the money as in bang for buck you won't find a better valued lens than a prime 50mm f/1.8, either Canon or Nikon, doesn't matter, these lenses are dirt cheap, of the highest quality in sharpness & bokeh, (you mentioned in the post above about 'background', well it's actually called bokeh in camera speak,;) :) ), with the said lenses the pic above would have been very very sharp & the 'background/bokeh a pleasing blur.

[DP Knewby]

Just like to thank all of those that replied to my thread. In the end I was indeed able to snag a Nikon D50 with the kit lens! Great camera but I do have a lot to learn. Anyone recommend any digital photography books and or guide to the Nikon D50. There was someone that offered books online, very thorough guides to the camera but I forgot his name. Anyways just like to post two of the many pics I took. These were all taken on full auto. I tried taking acouple of manual shots but they came out a bit blurry, I hate having bad eyes :mad: Comments welcome on the pics!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/krazedkilla/Picture007.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/krazedkilla/Picture003.jpg

[SpecialK]

Here's a D50 book list:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/102-0056599-9306501?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=nikon+D50&Go.x=8&Go.y=6

I have the Magic Lantern series for my camera. It expands a little on the manual, and has a bit of reference material.

All the photos are B/W however, so the "examples" of color balance are useless, as are the "pocket reference cards". Blindly fumbling through the menus is far easier :)

Lot's of people highly recommend Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure". I finally got it, and it has some handy info mostly about outdoor exposures, but overall I give it only a weak thumbs up.

Have fun.

[Rooz]

thom provides the best guide around
http://www.bythom.com/d50guide.htm