I am thinking of buying an SLR camera and I need some opinions on what camera to get and what lenses should I consider. Which kind of camera is the best to use? Also, which lenses should I start considering to purchase, and when will it be most useful?
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Buying SLR Cameras
- Thread starter LeaveALegacyGuy
- Start date
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
You will probably want to go with either the Nikon N75/N80 or Canon Entry level series stuff. Both usually come with like a 28-70 or a 35-70 lens, which isnt bad. They both should have a build in, pop up flash.
Both manufacurers are about equal when it comes to quality, theyre both fighting to be about top dog.
For the aveage person a good all purpose zoom (like a 28-200) is pretty handy. It covers all the ranges that most people will ever need, and it keeps you from having to change lenses all the time. Those lenses usually top out at an Fstop of 5.6, so to effectily use them at night, you'll have to use some faster film, like 800.
Bear in mind this advice for the general person, not the pro stuff that Pumbas and myself usually use.
I'd need to know more details on what youre looking for, what youre intending to use it on, basically what you're looking to get out of it to give you very specific advice.
Both manufacurers are about equal when it comes to quality, theyre both fighting to be about top dog.
For the aveage person a good all purpose zoom (like a 28-200) is pretty handy. It covers all the ranges that most people will ever need, and it keeps you from having to change lenses all the time. Those lenses usually top out at an Fstop of 5.6, so to effectily use them at night, you'll have to use some faster film, like 800.
Bear in mind this advice for the general person, not the pro stuff that Pumbas and myself usually use.
I'd need to know more details on what youre looking for, what youre intending to use it on, basically what you're looking to get out of it to give you very specific advice.
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
My first SLR
Before you make any big purchases, the best thing to do is get out there and research. You may want to pick up a few different photography magazines which often run comparisons and reviews of newer camera models. That way you can get an idea of features and prices.
While there are many great camera makers out there, the nice thing about going with a dominating company such as Canon or Nikon is that they make countless products within their own brand-line. This means that if you start off with, say, the newest Canon Rebel, and next year you invest in an expensive Canon lens, that lens will (most-likely) be compatable with your next Canon camera. And so on. Once you invest in one brand, it's usually economically efficient to stay within that brand. Not to mention that camera features and functions are usually quite similar within one brand. So once you've gotten used to the workings of a Nikon camera, their newer models will work very similarly.
Hope this helps,
Tk
Before you make any big purchases, the best thing to do is get out there and research. You may want to pick up a few different photography magazines which often run comparisons and reviews of newer camera models. That way you can get an idea of features and prices.
While there are many great camera makers out there, the nice thing about going with a dominating company such as Canon or Nikon is that they make countless products within their own brand-line. This means that if you start off with, say, the newest Canon Rebel, and next year you invest in an expensive Canon lens, that lens will (most-likely) be compatable with your next Canon camera. And so on. Once you invest in one brand, it's usually economically efficient to stay within that brand. Not to mention that camera features and functions are usually quite similar within one brand. So once you've gotten used to the workings of a Nikon camera, their newer models will work very similarly.
Hope this helps,
Tk
donaldduck1967
Member
a good source for info is Seves Digital camera review
Thanks for all the ideas so far. :sohappy:
EpcoTim
Well-Known Member
Just a few quick notes that might help. This is just my thoughts, not set in stone...
1. If you buy the slr "kits" also buy a cheapy 50mm lens. Canons and Nikons 50 1.8's both retail for 100 bucks, but you can get them online for around 60. This will allow you to use a slower film (ie less grainy) and still be able to capture good low light shots.
2. Dont get the entry level camera. They are usually cheap plastic, and dont stand up to constant abuse and bangiong around. I use a Canon EOS 3 as my main camera, but find it to bulky sometimes, so I take my Elan 7 backup. Its a tad heavy, but has with stood an absolute ton of abuse (falling off mountain bikes, down mountains, dunked in lake michigan)
C. Get a camera that not only feels good in your hands, but that also has the lenses, in your pricepoint, that you will want in the future. I know a few people who are die hard Minolta fans, but they end up paying for their lenses. And the used market isnt as large.
4. Look very closely at the metering features and focusing capabilities of the camera. Some you may not care about now, but down the line youll kick yourself for not getting.,
The Nikon and Canon debate will go on forever, much like the Ford/Chevy battle, the Pepsi/Coke, etc....I prefer Canon. They felt better to me. The lenses, your not going to notice a difference tin the pictuer quality either brand gives you. Good luck with this, I know it can be a terrible nightmare sometimes, but youll get through it, post any other info you may have and well see if we cant help you narrow this down some more.
1. If you buy the slr "kits" also buy a cheapy 50mm lens. Canons and Nikons 50 1.8's both retail for 100 bucks, but you can get them online for around 60. This will allow you to use a slower film (ie less grainy) and still be able to capture good low light shots.
2. Dont get the entry level camera. They are usually cheap plastic, and dont stand up to constant abuse and bangiong around. I use a Canon EOS 3 as my main camera, but find it to bulky sometimes, so I take my Elan 7 backup. Its a tad heavy, but has with stood an absolute ton of abuse (falling off mountain bikes, down mountains, dunked in lake michigan)
C. Get a camera that not only feels good in your hands, but that also has the lenses, in your pricepoint, that you will want in the future. I know a few people who are die hard Minolta fans, but they end up paying for their lenses. And the used market isnt as large.
4. Look very closely at the metering features and focusing capabilities of the camera. Some you may not care about now, but down the line youll kick yourself for not getting.,
The Nikon and Canon debate will go on forever, much like the Ford/Chevy battle, the Pepsi/Coke, etc....I prefer Canon. They felt better to me. The lenses, your not going to notice a difference tin the pictuer quality either brand gives you. Good luck with this, I know it can be a terrible nightmare sometimes, but youll get through it, post any other info you may have and well see if we cant help you narrow this down some more.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Last i had heard he was looking at some of the Canon Rebel series cameras. I think i pointed hom in the right direction.
Yup PhotoDave219
I got a Canon Rebel Ti, and it is the right choice. Thanks!:sohappy:
I got a Canon Rebel Ti, and it is the right choice. Thanks!:sohappy:Well Right now I have a 28-90mm lens with it and I have a circular polarizer and lens hood for it.
kevlightyear
Well-Known Member
Pardon my inexperience, but. . .
What does the polarizer do?
What does the polarizer do?
I'm not experienced, but what I have heard from my dad, is that it would take away glares. I would ask PhotoDave for the answer.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
What it does is filter out polarized light, much like polarized sunglasses do.
In english, this means that that it cuts down on glares and makes the sky look much more dramatic. Anyone who photographs the SADCT parade, i highly recommend it, less you get some really nasty reflections that just tend to make you go @^%^!!!!!
kevlightyear
Well-Known Member
LeaveALegacy,
Just wondering how you like your Rebel Ti. How are the features? Does the included lens work for your purposes? Was it easy to learn all of the technical matters of photography (i.e aperture, f. stop, etc), or did it just take some experimentation?
I'm just curious, because I'm looking to get into SLR photography myself, and the Ti looks like a good camera.
Oh, and the does the included lens have a manual focus ring?
Thanks for your help!
Just wondering how you like your Rebel Ti. How are the features? Does the included lens work for your purposes? Was it easy to learn all of the technical matters of photography (i.e aperture, f. stop, etc), or did it just take some experimentation?
I'm just curious, because I'm looking to get into SLR photography myself, and the Ti looks like a good camera.
Oh, and the does the included lens have a manual focus ring?
Thanks for your help!
Woody13
New Member
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Kev.... National Geographic just issued their 2nd edition of their 'Photographers Field Guide' which runs for under $30. Its the best basic, introductary book to photography i've ever seen and highly recommend it to everyone.
As for the technical side of things, all Canon & Nikon (and most other) have fully automatic modes, wherein you dont have to worry about it - but have the option of flipping it to manual if you want. (As well as shutter-priority and Apature-priority modes)
It doesnt really make a difference what brand camera (even if its a medium format swiss POS) you buy, its the photographer that makes a picture 'great' - not the camera. The cameras just a tool in thatt respect.
What ever you end up buying, make sure you play with it some first, and for god sakes, go to a real camera store and not best buy....
kevlightyear
Well-Known Member
Thanks for your help everyone! I'm still looking around.....