Which SLR Camera Should I Get?

[galanthus]

Originally Posted by zachh12

thank you guys. alright, so I think im going to get the Rebel XTi, but i will probably end up going to try some first. I want to shoot landscape, mostly still, but some waterfalls or streams. any suggestions on lenses?

I've had my 400d (xti) for about a year now and couldn't be happier with it. For landscapes a good wide angle is the canon 10mm-22mm, I also have the canon 24-70mm lens which is amazing. Good landscape/wildlife lens is the canon 70-300mm IS, that's nearly always on my camera. Lots of choice out there but was very happy with mine.

[zachh12]

thanks a bunch guys! I now have a good idea of what im going to be looking for. Thanks again!

[koltregaskes]

Just to add my thoughts. I have a Nikon D300 and its great but would not recommend it for a beginner. As previous posts have suggested its great to have a good body but the lenses are equally if not more important.

For landscape, you should go for a wide angle lens. I have a couple: a Sigma 10-20mm ultra wide, which I use a lot for landscape photography and the Sigma 18-50mm which is good for closer shots. Eventually you will probably get prime lenses, such as 30mm, 50mm, etc. which are better quality but of course at fixed at that focal length.

How well do you know your cameras and your photography techniques, do you know about apertures, exposures, ISO, white balances, etc? If so, then a prosumer camera like the D300 is good. If not, perhaps a decent entry level camera like the Nikon D40x is a better one. With an entry level cam you get switched on the command control for 'landscape', 'portrait', 'macro', 'night shots' etc. which basically set up you camera for those situations automatically. With dearer cameras like the D300 you don't get this and need to know how to set these up yourself. If you think you want one camera to last forever, think again. If you get into photography you'll find yourself with 2 or more bodies eventually so don't worry about picking up a cheaper camera for now. Just make sure you get decent lenses.

Sorry don't know much about Canon's but their equivalent cameras are equally good quality. Personally I would stay away from the likes of Olympus, etc. as you're stuck with using their lenses only or a much smaller range of glass.

As for accessories, look at getting a UV filter and circular polarising filter that fits the size lenses you eventually buy. These are fairly essential for landscape photography but I are too expensive to buy. I have Hoya filters but if you want better quality (and I've been told they are easier to clean) then look at B+W filters. UV filters are very useful in blocking out the invisible rays from the such but they also act as a good protective layer for your lenses. Remember to buy filters that fit the size of the lens, so for example, the Sigma 10-20mm is 77mm and the Sigma 18-50mm is 72mm

Bag is a good ideal too. I have a couple, one is a travel bag from Lowepro (a freebie when I subscribed to Digital Photo mag). This has small compartments for the camera and 2 lenses at the bottom and a large compartment for other things you would carry on a day trip. The other is a Kata bag that holds lots of kit, several lenses and accessories, plus the cam. This is very dear though and you probably won't want such a bag from the start.

Also, consider a tripod. If you're taking landscapes or streams then you might need longer exposures and thus either an incredibly steady hand or more likely something to hold up your camera still and avoid camera shake. Manfrotto are my recommendation here. You would want something strong but not too heavy if you're walking about a lot. I have the 190XB tripod and the 390RC2 head that you can buy as a 'kit'. Perhaps look at a Gorillapod from Joby, can be very handy.

Kol

[koltregaskes]

I thought to mention a few more items you might consider:

Memory card: you'll get a small memory card with your camera so if you want to take lots of pics consider something bigger. I'm happy with my SanDisk cards and they come in various shapes and sizes. What type of card depends on the camera. For example, I have a D50 camera (entry level camera from 2006). These use SD format cards but the D300 needs CompactFlash cards. If you already have SD cards, say from mobile phone(s) then there is an adaptor that converts the SD to CompactFlash format but not sure how well this works. Other things to think about is speed and storage size of the card. Raw images generated on the D50 (and I would recommend shooting in raw if you can) are not as large as ones generated on the D300 (for various reasons such as the Megapixel quality) so an entry level cam doesn't need so much space. For example, on my D300 I have a 8Gb card that holds 300 images at the highest quality image you can get. Also, speed. I've not had an issue with any card yet but the speed the card writes the image to memory might be important, for example, in continuous shuttle modes.

Battery/charger: You'll get both with any camera but if you're trekking for long periods and/or taking lots of photos a spare battery could come in handy, allowing you to use your camera for longer periods. With the D300 things get a little complicated. You can a standard battery in the body but you can also get a grip that attaches to the bottom of the camera giving you a grip, shuttle release button and command dial for portrait-format shots as well as extra battery capacity. Again this is for the pro to prosumer needs more than beginners.

A lot of info, so hope I haven't blinded you with science too much? :-)

Kol

[Karellen]

I chose the Olympus E-510 over my initial choice, the D300. I never thought I'd leave Nikon SLRs, which I've used since buying a Nikon FE 30 years ago. But I sold a D80 and three lenses, and months later am still confident it was the right decision.

If you're wondering whether such a humble camera can produce worthwhile images, these E-510 photos provide the answer. good enough? :~) For $650 USD I purchased a camera with Live View, in-body IS, an effective sensor cleaning system, plus *two* high quality zoom lenses covering 28-300mm (35mm equivalent.)

The savings went where it will make a real difference: optics.

It's true the Olympus lenses line is small, but how many lenses does the average user need? Olympus' Zuiko lenses cover 14-840mm (35mm eq.), more than adequate for most users. Most important, Zuiko optics are fast and of superb quality, as the breathtaking NWP photos demonstrate beyond what words can express.

Best of luck in your quest.
jan

[Bub-les]

Suggest you look at Steve's digicams loads of reviews of all kinds of digital camera with recommendations.

[GerryNick2]

Originally Posted by zachh12

I want to get a new SLR camera, but im not sure which one to get. I want to stay at least below the $3000 for the body, if not $2000. Any suggestions?

I've looked at the Nikon D300, and Canon 5D and Rebel XTi. anything I should know about those?

The Canon 5D is a full frame sensor and as such makes it an expensive camera. A further consideration is that it will not take the new range of Canon EF-S lenses.

Within the budget you mention I would seriously consider the new Canon 40D.
You don't mention what sort of photography you specialise in but I guess the 40D would meet most of your requirements.

The 40D would give you a top notch camera and the saving against the 5D would finance a L class lens.

Gerry

[Seajay]

Originally Posted by zachh12

I want to get a new SLR camera, but im not sure which one to get. I want to stay at least below the $3000 for the body, if not $2000. Any suggestions?

I've looked at the Nikon D300, and Canon 5D and Rebel XTi. anything I should know about those?

This is a decision only you can make. Everyone is going to say their particular make of camera is great! If you've narrowed it down read the reviews, handle the camera and decide. Remember to take into account range of lenses available, the price, though it is not so bad for you paying in dollars (half the price we pay) and what you want it for. Look at samples of images produced by the equipment too! All can be found on the internet.
Do your homework and apply commion sense. Whatever you decide enjoy!

[big bill]

Myself personally would go for the Canon Rebel XTi or Canon 5D depending on what you are going to shoot if its for landscape then the full frame formatt of the 5D would suit best if its for alround then I would go for the Rebel XTi but I would stick with the Canon as you have a better supply of lens for Canon compared to the Nikon I will be getting the Canon 400D/RebelXTi within the next couple of weeks ,noithing personally against the Nikon its just that the variety of lens does not campare as to Canon sorry if I offend anyone its just my opinion I use the Nikon D40 at present good camera but longer lens are a problem with full auto mode so its back to Canon for me

[RichBrew]

Originally Posted by big bill

....noithing personally against the Nikon its just that the variety of lens does not campare as to Canon sorry if I offend anyone its just my opinion I use the Nikon D40 at present good camera but longer lens are a problem with full auto mode so its back to Canon for me

I've seen you state this before, big bill, and I don't know where you get the notion that long lenses are not compatible with the Nikon D40/D40X.
The link gives you a list of lenses (marque, or otherwise) that are fully compatible with this camera.

RichBrew

Discussion Forums @ Nikonians - D40/D40X - Fully Compatible AF-Lenses