DSLR Camera Recommendations - General

If you like the 40D, you should try it out. I mean, you should go to the store, hold it in your hand, ask to have it turned on and have a feel of the buttons and menus. The 40D is an excellent camera for beginners as well as more advanced users. You'll have it for many years, playing with it and learning. The thing that DOES cost money, and a lot of it, are the lenses. In time you will want to have a variety of lenses for all kinds of purposes. Tele, zoom, macro, wide, fisheye.. there's really no limit to the awesomeness you achieve! :v: I don't know what a 40D costs you. Make sure you buy it as a kit (it includes a standard 18-55 lens in most cases), or buy the camera house on its own and a good lens. When you're buying lenses, you should look at the Sigma-brand. They make very good lenses in all price ranges.

I'll take a looks at the 40D I'm really impressed with it. I do got a few ideas for lenses too.

If you have the cash, get some primes. They're fucking incredible. [editline]06:34PM[/editline] Like the 24-70mm f/2.4 (? I'm pretty sure it's 2.4, I don't have mine with me right now) macro.

If he buys a 40D kit with the 18-55, there is absolutely no point in buying a 24-70. He will have MUCH more fun and a wider range of use with a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 - Highly recommended! Also, get a Canon 50mm f/1.8 - They are cheap and very, very nice!

[QUOTE=Zaitzev;17498154]If he buys a 40D kit with the 18-55, there is absolutely no point in buying a 24-70. He will have MUCH more fun and a wider range of use with a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 - Highly recommended! Also, get a Canon 50mm f/1.8 - They are cheap and very, very nice![/QUOTE] [quote]no point in owning a high end prime macro lens[/quote] que

Do you even know about crop factor? :p

[QUOTE=Zaitzev;17498205]Do you even know about crop factor? :p[/QUOTE] What are you fucking talking about

[QUOTE=Perfumly;17497963]If you have the cash, get some primes. They're fucking incredible. [editline]06:34PM[/editline] Like the 24-70mm f/2.4 (? I'm pretty sure it's 2.4, I don't have mine with me right now) macro.[/QUOTE] a 24-70 is a zoom lens not a Prime lens. (Assuming that's what you meant by 'primes') [QUOTE=jetlitheone;17495824]The rebel is a nice weight. Trust me I felt complete with this camera. And Canon always has the best lenses made for it. If you wanna pay 400 more dollars for a 40D and take like the same exact pics then get that. Or get a Rebel XS a 50 mm 1.8 lens and maybe a telephoto lens[/QUOTE] Yes, you felt complete which is why it's down to personal preference. So saying 'trust me' is complete nonsense. Although you are right in suggesting the 50mm f/1.8, cheap lens and probably the greatest lens aswell. No camera is complete without it.

I too, have the 50mm f/1.8, also beatz, that was an off the wall suggestion. However a good prime would be an 85mm f/1.2 if you got the cash.

The cameras have something called crop factor. So if you take the 40D, which has a crop factor of 1.6x, you can take the 18-55 and multiply by the crop factor, which basically gives a 29-88mm lens. That's why I said there's no point in having a 24-70 if he buys the kit, but instead invest in the 70-200, which is an exceptional lens. It's in the mid range of prices, it may be a bit expensive to start off with.

[QUOTE=Zaitzev;17499874]The cameras have something called crop factor. So if you take the 40D, which has a crop factor of 1.6x, you can take the 18-55 and multiply by the crop factor, which basically gives a 29-88mm lens. That's why I said there's no point in having a 24-70 if he buys the kit, but instead invest in the 70-200, which is an exceptional lens. It's in the mid range of prices, it may be a bit expensive to start off with.[/QUOTE] There is a lot more to a lens than focal length.

Yeah I finally got a job. I need the 50mm 1.8 because I am sick of not being able to mess with DoF as much as I can. But beatz you are correct. It is personal suggestion but I prefer Canons. And the Rebel XS is the best for cash and quality. Also get a macro lens... Like a Tamron or something.

I might go for a Canon EOS 50D. Still deciding though.

[QUOTE=Bredirish123;17490238]I might go with a good Canon. I have checked a few out at Wolf Camera, next time I go I'll ask if I can give it a test.[/QUOTE] My friend uses a Canon, not sure which model, but it's really difficult to change settings compared to my D80.

[QUOTE=DOG-GY;17544194]My friend uses a Canon, not sure which model, but it's really difficult to change settings compared to my D80.[/QUOTE] Most likely because you're used to the way the settings on your D80 are changed :downs:

[QUOTE=DOG-GY;17544194]My friend uses a Canon, not sure which model, but it's really difficult to change settings compared to my D80.[/QUOTE] I'm sure if I started with a Canon I'd get use to the settings and such.

If you have enough money, the Canon EOS 7D comes out soon and it shoots some mighty sexy video. Is it out yet? Confirm/Deny?

I have the 500D with 18-55mm IS kit, loving it so far, I'm content with the video capabilities, I'm not that concerned with the fps differences between 1080p and 720p, I'm just happy with the ability to shoot video. I may also get the 50mm f1.8 next, for added speed and DoF stuff. Can anyone say anything about the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 HSM? I might get it as an upgrade as a walk-around lens, I just don't have the money to go and get the Canon 24-70L

[QUOTE=BoosLee;17546555]I have the 500D with 18-55mm IS kit, loving it so far, I'm content with the video capabilities, I'm not that concerned with the fps differences between 1080p and 720p, I'm just happy with the ability to shoot video. I may also get the 50mm f1.8 next, for added speed and DoF stuff. Can anyone say anything about the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 HSM? I might get it as an upgrade as a walk-around lens, I just don't have the money to go and get the Canon 24-70L[/QUOTE] You won't regret buying the 24-70, but it depends on what exactly you are going to use it for. The 18-55 and 24-70 is very similar, if only in focal length. I borrowed that exact lens from a friend of mine, and it is very good, but when I got my hands on a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM, I quickly learned how much more I could do with it. I now have the 18-55, 50mm and the 70-200mm, which gives me great options in many different conditions.

[QUOTE=Perfumly;17544238]Most likely because you're used to the way the settings on your D80 are changed :downs:[/QUOTE] Not really. It's that with his camera you have to contort your hand into some crippled up to change, if I recall correctly, the ISO. I could understand a logical layout but it was bad ergonomics. Probably designed with small hands in mind or just cramming stuff in.

[QUOTE=DOG-GY;17593297]Not really. It's that with his camera you have to contort your hand into some crippled up to change, if I recall correctly, the ISO. I could understand a logical layout but it was bad ergonomics. Probably designed with small hands in mind or just cramming stuff in.[/QUOTE] with the 40D you hit the iso button and move a dial, you don't even have to move your hands from the picture-taking position. You may be thinking of the 20D, which is really fucking old and had a less ergonomic design because instead of using the index finger dial to change the iso you had to use the thumb dial.

[QUOTE=onox37;17545883]If you have enough money, the Canon EOS 7D comes out soon and it shoots some mighty sexy video. Is it out yet? Confirm/Deny?[/QUOTE] The 7D comes out the first of October. Tomorrow. I'm planning on getting it in a couple weeks, I'll sell my XS and the kit lens for a couple hundred and put that towards it. The video features really impress me. The sensor does rather well in lowlight with 18mp. [QUOTE=jetlitheone;17491360]AND ITS AMAZING IN LOW LIGHT. I love night pictures with this shit.[/QUOTE] It's better than a point and shoot, yes, but it's still cheap for a reason, it's a cheap DSLR. Lowlight is rather bad on that camera to be honest. I've had mine since early January. If I go above 400ISO, the noise is rather noticeable, even while viewing with it scaled down. [QUOTE=DOG-GY;17593468]He just texted me telling me it's a rebel-xs. No idea how it ranks on the dslr scale as I don't know Canon very well.[/QUOTE] XS or the 1000D is Canon's Lowest level dSLR.

[QUOTE=Perfumly;17593375]with the 40D you hit the iso button and move a dial, you don't even have to move your hands from the picture-taking position. You may be thinking of the 20D, which is really fucking old and had a less ergonomic design because instead of using the index finger dial to change the iso you had to use the thumb dial.[/QUOTE] He just texted me telling me it's a rebel-xs. No idea how it ranks on the dslr scale as I don't know Canon very well.

[QUOTE=Brt5470;17593455]The 7D comes out the first of October. Tomorrow. I'm planning on getting it in a couple weeks, I'll sell my XS and the kit lens for a couple hundred and put that towards it. The video features really impress me. The sensor does rather well in lowlight with 18mp. It's better than a point and shoot, yes, but it's still cheap for a reason, it's a cheap DSLR. Lowlight is rather bad on that camera to be honest. I've had mine since early January. If I go above 400ISO, the noise is rather noticeable, even while viewing with it scaled down. XS or the 1000D is Canon's Lowest level dSLR.[/QUOTE] Well I tend to get good shots with it. And im not gonna spend 10000000000000$ on a damn camera if I can use photoshop to remove the noise for a lot cheaper then just being impressed with an in-camera shot. It might be the cheapest DSLR but its certainly doesn't have low quality. If you look up the reviews it has the same image iso quality as the XSI and XT/XTI with 100% crop. And besides. It's not the camera that takes nice pictures. It's the user. So if you suck at taking pictures and you get a 21mp DSLR well your pictures will look a lot clearer but still shitty nonetheless. I've seen amazing pictures with a damn iPhone.

Photoshop can't fix everything.

[QUOTE=onox37;17594113]Photoshop can't fix everything.[/QUOTE] True. But I looked at the sample shots of the 7D. And it's not amazing at all. I think its way too much shit in one camera. If you are buying an expensive camera like that you should have a job as a photographer.

Hello, I'm a salesman at a specialty camera store. I would be able to narrow it down for you a bit more If I had more specifics about what you want to accomplish with your camera, but what the hell. Your looking for a dSLR because you got tired of the limitations of a advanced compact, want more control, ext? I see that pretty frequently, so I'll give you my usual rundown and why. I would stick with the two big names in dSLR technology so... [b]First[/b] Nikon>Canon, Why? Canon's customer support is the worst I have ever dealt with, they don't give a fuck about their customers. We have a horror story about a pro camera that was out for 2 months. Thats a very long time for a photographer not to have the tool that pays their bills, and because of this canon has photographers certify themselves and their pro cameras to get line jumping perks and special service. A bit of bureaucracy caused these perks to not be initiated, we contacted them about it and they said flat out they would do nothing to resolve the situation and the camera would not be jumped ahead, that the error was the customers fault, and they would do nothing to help remedy the registration error. We contacted them a couple more times before the guy basically told our repair girl to fuck off. That is not the kind of company you should buy from. [b]Second[/b] Canon has a 1 year warranty on bodies and lenses. Nikon has a 2 year warranty on bodies, and five years on lenses. Both customer service plans do not leave the country in which you bought the camera. If you purchase in Canada and need support, expect to have to return to Canada to sort it out. This is unfortunate, but it happens with a lot of things. [b]Third[/b] Nikon is reputed for quality, they use the top materials in the top processes to build excellent optics and cameras. This is reflected in their warranty system's length. Low end lenses in canon's line use plastic rather then glass, this causes *name I can't seem to spell* blur in high light situations (A purple halo shows up). Your 18-55mm kit lens would be one of these with a canon (unless it has a stabilizer, the presence of which usually ups the overall quality of the lens materials.). It is also a good idea to upgrade from Nikon's 18-55mm lens, as they are also on the low end of Nikon's spectrum. Take that with a grain of salt mind you, the photographer makes the picture, the tools are just tools. I personally shoot a discontinued D40 with a 18-55mm kit lens, and I frequently out do my friends and co-workers who use expensive cameras and post processing (lots-a-photoshop). [b]Fourth[/b] Stabilizers! Canon - In body. Less efficient, less cost in lenses down the road. Lenses with stabilizers can be purchased, the camera defaults to the lenses' stabilizer when these are mounted. Nikon - In lens. Most effective system, most expensive system. Lenses can be purchased with or without stabilizers. Also when using a tripod always turn the stabilizer off, otherwise it will soften rather then sharpen. [b]Finally[/b] As a salesman, I would highly recommend going with a Nikon. My customers all return to me, ask questions, buy parts and accessories, and I have to deal with them rather frequently (imagine that). I wouldn't sell them anything that would have them coming back to ruin my day with. In the end its your choice though, this was just a pitch. [b]Bonus:[/b] Pentax - Kind of a under represented these days. They have used their k-mount system for ages, allowing customers to use keep using their lenses with every jump in camera model. Awesome feature. Sony - No lens selection. They might not even roll with the dSLR thing long enough to widen it to anything remotely as large as Canon or Nikon. Sony is a funny/strange company, you never know. Panasonic - Their dSLR is a piece of crap. Their advanced compacts are Ok. Their 'point and shoot' cameras are top of the line. Olympus - Use their pop-up flash as a AF assist. This irritates me (and probably your subjects) to no end. Their newest model seems pretty decent though. [i]I've been writing this for awhile now, hope its both helpful and low on typos.[/i] Also layout! Canon is button happy, nikon uses many internal menus. This is void with high end models, which are button, switch, and dial happy in both lines.

[QUOTE=JamesonZane;17596251]Hello, I'm a salesman at a specialty camera store. I would be able to narrow it down for you a bit more If I had more specifics about what you want to accomplish with your camera, but what the hell. Your looking for a dSLR because you got tired of the limitations of a advanced compact, want more control, ext? I see that pretty frequently, so I'll give you my usual rundown and why. I would stick with the two big names in dSLR technology so... [b]First[/b] Nikon>Canon, Why? Canon's customer support is the worst I have ever dealt with, they don't give a fuck about their customers. We have a horror story about a pro camera that was out for 2 months. Thats a very long time for a photographer not to have the tool that pays their bills, and because of this canon has photographers certify themselves and their pro cameras to get line jumping perks and special service. A bit of bureaucracy caused these perks to not be initiated, we contacted them about it and they said flat out they would do nothing to resolve the situation and the camera would not be jumped ahead, that the error was the customers fault, and they would do nothing to help remedy the registration error. We contacted them a couple more times before the guy basically told our repair girl to fuck off. That is not the kind of company you should buy from. [b]Second[/b] Canon has a 1 year warranty on bodies and lenses. Nikon has a 2 year warranty on bodies, and five years on lenses. Both customer service plans do not leave the country in which you bought the camera. If you purchase in Canada and need support, expect to have to return to Canada to sort it out. This is unfortunate, but it happens with a lot of things. [b]Third[/b] Nikon is reputed for quality, they use the top materials in the top processes to build excellent optics and cameras. This is reflected in their warranty system's length. Low end lenses in canon's line use plastic rather then glass, this causes *name I can't seem to spell* blur in high light situations (A purple halo shows up). Your 18-55mm kit lens would be one of these with a canon (unless it has a stabilizer, the presence of which usually ups the overall quality of the lens materials.). It is also a good idea to upgrade from Nikon's 18-55mm lens, as they are also on the low end of Nikon's spectrum. Take that with a grain of salt mind you, the photographer makes the picture, the tools are just tools. I personally shoot a discontinued D40 with a 18-55mm kit lens, and I frequently out do my friends and co-workers who use expensive cameras and post processing (lots-a-photoshop). [b]Fourth[/b] Stabilizers! Canon - In body. Less efficient, less cost in lenses down the road. Lenses with stabilizers can be purchased, the camera defaults to the lenses' stabilizer when these are mounted. Nikon - In lens. Most effective system, most expensive system. Lenses can be purchased with or without stabilizers. Also when using a tripod always turn the stabilizer off, otherwise it will soften rather then sharpen. [b]Finally[/b] As a salesman, I would highly recommend going with a Nikon. My customers all return to me, ask questions, buy parts and accessories, and I have to deal with them rather frequently (imagine that). I wouldn't sell them anything that would have them coming back to ruin my day with. In the end its your choice though, this was just a pitch. [b]Bonus:[/b] Pentax - Kind of a under represented these days. They have used their k-mount system for ages, allowing customers to use keep using their lenses with every jump in camera model. Awesome feature. Sony - No lens selection. They might not even roll with the dSLR thing long enough to widen it to anything remotely as large as Canon or Nikon. Sony is a funny/strange company, you never know. Panasonic - Their dSLR is a piece of crap. Their advanced compacts are Ok. Their 'point and shoot' cameras are top of the line. Olympus - Use their pop-up flash as a AF assist. This irritates me (and probably your subjects) to no end. Their newest model seems pretty decent though. [i]I've been writing this for awhile now, hope its both helpful and low on typos.[/i] Also layout! Canon is button happy, nikon uses many internal menus. This is void with high end models, which are button, switch, and dial happy in both lines.[/QUOTE] That's a really good post.

Another alternative however tempting might be to get a second-hand DSLR from eBay or something. I'm split on this. Guilty of it myself, with my current 350D, its a damn cheap way to get a body/lens kit with some extras for under £300, some auctions even through in a CF card, a UV filter and a camera bag, with change from £300. If the seller has good feedback and it indeed has had "little use" as advertised, then it can be quite the bargain... BUT, I've been made aware of the camera shutter life. I take a tremendous amount of pictures with my 350D, to get the best result possible, and if I were to sell it on five months from now, I don't expect the new user to have anything more than 2-3 months life expectancy on it. Shutters wear out, and I've known a guy who has a 40D and the shutter has had to be replaced 2 times in total, costing near enough £200 a pop. Just something to consider. Buying second hand bodies has its advantages, but also its downside.

Good post JamesonZane But I am a Canon fanboy. And I know there cameras are cheaper and all that. But I think they have the most lenses available and the best too. I'm pretty sure this guy has enough info to purchase a camera now, lol.