Which DSLR for a beginner?

Question

Well, I am taking photography classes, and I decided since Im 17 it's better now to spend a little extra money and get a decent DSLR and I've come up with these two.

Should I get a cheaper camera to get used to like this Rebel

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=73%2C268%2C371,4576&webid=768386&affixedcode=WW

or should I save a little extra and get the D90?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10113241&catid=26657

There is also another one on the site with a lens included however it's a couple hundred more, I have no problem saving the money but I figured I should see if I should buy the cheaper to get used to or just be patient.

Answer 1

Here is a link to a site that is designed to help people find an appropriate DSLR for their purposes -



http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/



It uses a step by step approach to select something that will meet your needs. Keep in mind that DSLR cameras generally involve TWO major decisions: 1) The camera BODY and 2) the LENS system. In most cases lenses will have a useful life far in excess of camera bodies and the best "glass" can easily cost many times more than a body.



The choice is very personal and often comes down to such things as "What feels comfortable in your hands", "What you want to photograph" and "How comfortable are you with the control system". Various brands and models can be better suited to specific needs or requirements.



Some good brands of DSLR in alphabetical order are - Canon, Fujifilm, Leica (big $$$, limited options), Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony. Any of these brands produce "professional grade" cameras and have unique advantages. (Despite what some users on this and other forums say about particular brands).



HTH.



Email if you have specific questions.

Answer 2

If I would you I'd go for the Nikon D40. It's a fantastic little entry level DSLR, and at less than half the price of the D90, it won't put nearly as much of a dent in your bank account. The extra features that you'll be missing from the D90 don't really justify the extra cost for someone who's just starting out with DSLR's. So get a D40 and use the extra money to buy yourself some nice lenses.

Answer 3

You want to take great pictures. We all do, but for some reason we all go out and buy these fancy Digital camera's that produce shots in the 1:1.5 ratio.



We talk about things like full frame sensors and which one is better Nikon or Canon. The D90 or the Rebel ( neither has the full frame sensor by the way).



Everyone ask these questions, but the truth is your not learning anything at all buying these cameras. You'll just be like anyone else taking boring old pictures of lakes, trees and friends.



Not only will you not learn anything but your using a format (1:1.5) that is used up and on it's way out. So what do you do? You start with a 200-300 dollar 120 format film camera. You master composition, the zone system, aperature, shutter speed, ISO.



By the time you have these things down you'll know what you need to know and when you finally do go digital you'll be looking for things that you probably aren't aware of yet. Digital is wonderful but taking this leap into technology is not doing you a service, you'll be a nobody that is depending on what you can buy instead of knowing how to take a great picture.



Many new cameras these days that shoot 120 are very pricey so start with a holga, ( 20-30 bucks) even pro's use a holga for their " crazy you never know what you'lll get abilities" then check out ebay and get a twins lens reflex "tlr" they run 200-300 bucks. You'll drool at how much fun they are. On your way to learning about photography you'll be putting tools in your bag of knowledge that your friends have no idea how much you'll have learned. Then when you have it all buy a nice camera, you'll be ready for it and finally be ready to leap way ahead of all the boring old lakes, trees and friends that you thought was so cool at one time.



Did you know that many pro's won't even go near a digital camera?



You can't buy a good picture? ( technology isn't the answer)



If you think you took a great picture, ask yourself if someone would buy it, if not it's not a great picture.



The people who do take great pictures know the things that you should know too. Forget the fancy digital stuff for now. The biggest problem people face is that since they can take 100's of pictures without development cost( buying expensive digital) before they know how to shoot is they take 100's of crappy pictures. There are actually pro's out there that take 300 pictures an hour and spend hours and hours throwing every last one of them away- that is beyond stupid, if they had only taken a few months and learned how to shoot in the first place,sigh....

Answer 4

Either or would be fine. It really comes down to what feels best in your hands. Nikon and Canon both make excellent cameras with plenty of lenses and other Accessories. The cameras I would look at would be Canon Rebel XS or XSi or the Nikon D40 or D60. Go down to a good camera store and play around with them. Have the clerk show you where all the controls are and choose the one you find most comfortable.

Answer 5

Here's a better alternative which combines Leica lense quality and HD720 quality video with sound capability.



If you are really on a budget and want the best quality for the money, check out the P&S Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 [with a Leica lense] which has more features than most pro DSLRs that require auxiliary lenses not even equal to the single initial full-range lense that comes with the FZ28. It is reviewed at:



http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/panasonic_fz28.html



It just came out on November 4, 2008.



It's an all-in-one 10.1 megapixel digital camera which includes (i) built-in image stabilization; (ii) HD720 quality video [Quicktime] which permits zooming while videoing skateboarding, action sports; (iii) a 18x zoom [27 - 486 mm (35mm equiv.)] "Leica" lense for nature and concert photography; (iv) up to 0.39 inch macro option; (v) up to 6400 ASA; (vi) takes up to 380 pictures per 120 min. battery charge; (vii) has a "burst speed" of 13 fps; and sells new for $320 at amazon.com. in the U.S.



Here's an actual handheld picture of the moon:



http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/bf/1b/a83ac060ada0881604bad110.L.jpg



Good luck!

Answer 6

Your first link isn't working for me, so I can only speak to the D90, it's a solid system and a good direction if you really plan on using it to its full capabilities.



http://www.adorama.com/Search-Results.tpl?page=searchresults&searchinfo=d90



Check out that link for some more pricing and package options, also be sure you hit up bhphotovideo.com their prices are often on par or a little better/worse than adorama.

Answer 7

If you think this is something you are going to stick with then go for the better camera now. The camera body is not something you are going to want to replace all that often so you want to be able to grow into it instead of getting one that is not as advanced.