Camera Buff's.. Dig SLR help...

[Warpdrv]

So my GF wants to buy her dad a nice digital SLR for christmas.

$1000 to $1500 range for starters...

I don't know what to look for in features... I don't think there is a name brand pref, and he would be starting out fresh with no transferable lenses.

He's got an old sony, which still takes good pics, but I think he would like to make a move up the ladder, saw him admiring some other cameras at their families Backyard Blues festival we were at last night... or a suggestion for body and lenses deals are welcome as well...

Legend - Bryan Lee was the brought in for one of the bands, they were incredible... http://www.braillebluesdaddy.com/ site is slow..

 

[Mike JL]

She can get a Nikon D90 kit with a couple of lenses and some accessories in that price bracket. There might even be some sales around to bring the price down, closer to the lower end of the range.

The D90 is an excellent camera for the serious enthusiast. Check CNET and other review sites for more details.

 

[Warpdrv]

Thanks Mike, any positives or negatives between the different brands...

Not sure he has any aversion to a specific brand as far as I know...

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

Both my brother and I have Canon Rebels. I'm no expert, but I've been very happy with mine.

 

[aberkowitz]

I went through this exact same thing last year (if you search for SLR, you should find a thread with some great recommendations- it was around May or June 2008).

Regarding brand- Nikon vs. Canon is pretty much a feel/comfort thing. Considering this is such a large priced purchase, and how attached people feel to their cameras, it may be worthwhile to take him shopping with you so he can opine on what he likes best.

My wife and I ended up purchasing a Nikon D80 primarily because we liked how it feeled compared to the Rebel Xsi.

The D90 is a great recommendation- you can get the body from B&H for $800 with free shipping (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=580241&is=REG)- add to your cart to see the price. They also are selling a kit of the D90 along with an 18-105mm VR lens for $1150 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/580422-REG/Nikon_25448_D90_SLR_Digital_Camera.html). That lens is a fantastic all-purpose lens (I have the previous version of it that does not have the VR image stabilization).

If you throw in a couple of SD cards, a lens filter, and a bag, you'll probably still spend less than $1300.

 

[mperfct]

I have a D80 and love it so far. I would like to get a new flash and a quicker lens, as I'm just shooting with the stock lens so far. The d90 seems like a nice upgrade from the d80 too.

 

[mike c]

hey! i'm on camera fever nowadays

Nikon has cheaper bodies but more expensive lenses
Canon has cheaper lenses and more options for lenses

$ for $, nikon has the better body, but since you only buy a body once or a few times and buy lots of lenses, i'd go for Canon.

the latest model Canon has is the 7D (though it might be nearing 1.8k over there)

it's not worth buying the t1i or 50D right now since their replacements will be announced feb 2010.

nikon also hasn't released something new recently (in the price range) so i'm expecting those to be replaced anytime soon as well.

 

[mike c]

oh, and where are the pics of this 'new' GF?

(yes i'm assuming this one is new because: it's you and it's been a few months now)

 

[jliedeka]

I would basically agree that Canon and Nikon are the best choices. There are lots of lenses available for both including older autofocus and non-AF lenses from their film cameras. Canon and Nikon are also well supported by third party lens makers like Tamron and Sigma.

I personally own a Canon 20D which was a step up from the Rebel. I got it for a good price because the 30D had just come out.

I wouldn't sweat too much over which body, they are all pretty good and the glass is the important part anyway. Ideally you could find a good price on a body and put the difference into decent glass.

Jim

 

[Sheep]

hey! i'm on camera fever nowadays

Nikon has cheaper bodies but more expensive lenses
Canon has cheaper lenses and more options for lenses

$ for $, nikon has the better body, but since you only buy a body once or a few times and buy lots of lenses, i'd go for Canon.

the latest model Canon has is the 7D (though it might be nearing 1.8k over there)

it's not worth buying the t1i or 50D right now since their replacements will be announced feb 2010.

nikon also hasn't released something new recently (in the price range) so i'm expecting those to be replaced anytime soon as well.

Uh, hello? D300S! I would go for the D90. Performs better then the competing brands cameras in the same price range, with lots of features. Not to mention Nikon's superior High ISO performance, which is extremely important for low light shooting. Not all of Nikon's lenses are expensive, the AF-S ones are, but you get better, fast, quieter focusing with them, money well spent.

SheepStar

 

[mike c]

Uh, hello? D300S! I would go for the D90. Performs better then the competing brands cameras in the same price range, with lots of features. Not to mention Nikon's superior High ISO performance, which is extremely important for low light shooting. Not all of Nikon's lenses are expensive, the AF-S ones are, but you get better, fast, quieter focusing with them, money well spent.

SheepStar

the D300S is a D300 with video ... not exactly what i would call a new model (though my aunt in toronto just bought that model)

the D90 is a dinosaur (a new model should be imminent, though i don't really watch the timelines of the nikon models) the canon xxxD's are 1 year, xxD's are 1.5 years, xD's are 3 years or more

though i was talking about the D90 when i said $ for $ the better body.

check the prices for:

17-55mm Canon and Nikon (20% more)

24-70mm Canon and Nikon (30% more)

Nikon = more expensive lenses ... at least this time, camera prices are cheaper over here than in North America

the D90 ISO performance is overhyped (my brother has one) it's basically the same as the Canon xxD ISO performance though definitely useable over the lower models' ISO performance.

i've never used more than 3200 on my 5D, and that's the ISO king on the market (save for the crazy night vision 1D and Nikon Dx's)
what i'm learning right now: best upgrade in camera systems ... tripod and lighting.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Sounds like when SVS and Hsu guys used to duke it out!

I'll get my popcorn.

 

[mike c]

 

[Sheep]

the D300S is a D300 with video ... not exactly what i would call a new model (though my aunt in toronto just bought that model)

the D90 is a dinosaur (a new model should be imminent, though i don't really watch the timelines of the nikon models) the canon xxxD's are 1 year, xxD's are 1.5 years, xD's are 3 years or more

though i was talking about the D90 when i said $ for $ the better body.

check the prices for:

17-55mm Canon and Nikon (20% more)

24-70mm Canon and Nikon (30% more)

Nikon = more expensive lenses ... at least this time, camera prices are cheaper over here than in North America

the D90 ISO performance is overhyped (my brother has one) it's basically the same as the Canon xxD ISO performance though definitely useable over the lower models' ISO performance.

i've never used more than 3200 on my 5D, and that's the ISO king on the market (save for the crazy night vision 1D and Nikon Dx's)
what i'm learning right now: best upgrade in camera systems ... tripod and lighting.

The D3S is the ISO king. Canon stuffs more megapixels into is sensors and suffers at the higher ISO range. This is simple facts. More Pixels, More Noise.

The Nikon lenses have the HS motors in them. That is why they cost more. It's money well spent. The D90 isn't a Dinosaur, and is PERFECT for what this guy needs. Stop giving advice based on what you need (like you even have a grasp of that, Mr. 10000 subwoofers).

Sorry, you can't win here.

SheepStar

 

[mike c]

The D3S is the ISO king. Canon stuffs more megapixels into is sensors and suffers at the higher ISO range. This is simple facts. More Pixels, More Noise.

The Nikon lenses have the HS motors in them. That is why they cost more. It's money well spent. The D90 isn't a Dinosaur, and is PERFECT for what this guy needs. Stop giving advice based on what you need (like you even have a grasp of that, Mr. 10000 subwoofers).

Sorry, you can't win here.

SheepStar

well, like i said, 3200 is as high as i go. and i don't pixel peep.

don't know much about HS motors (hyper sonic?), but it sounds just like another brand specific term equivalent to canon's ultra sonic motors which all those lens models have.

it's mega old in terms of SLR's (half age til it's replaced)
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=nikon_d80,nikon_d90&show=all

looks like nikon D90 series have a 2 year life, it's replacement will be announced aug. 2010 or if they can wait that long since canon will be announcing the 60D this feb.

my advice was given based on the need of: money ... i'm guessing everybody needs those canon is simply the cheaper way to go and with a lot more lens options.

camera bodies are not just chosen based on objective specs, but also how they handle to the user both physically and it's functions.

i've personally handled the D60 and D90 ... and so has my brother handled my canon 300D/T1i/5DmkII ... i didn't like his Nikon, he didn't like my Canons ... but he's stuck right now (cant' upgrade) because of the uber-expensive lenses.

FTW!

but seriously though ... I win if they choose canon and you win if they choose nikon? hmmm ... sounds a bit too much fanboyish to me. everybody here knows i'll try both before deciding which to ride. i could have gone nikon since my brother already has some lenses and equipment, but i decided to go another route that fits my path.

 

[mperfct]

Seems to me this is a lot like buying a computer. You just have to jump on the train at some point, because there is always going to be something faster/cheaper/cooler down the road.

 

[Warpdrv]

Seems to me this is a lot like buying a computer. You just have to jump on the train at some point, because there is always going to be something faster/cheaper/cooler down the road.

I agree, but one should have a general set of basics in their head to know what to look for and whats worth or not worth buying...




I appreciate all you guys popping in here with more experience to help guide the way, neither of us really know much about the next level of camera's beyond a point and shoot.... These small comparisons from different perspectives certainly help, obviously some bias's may be from a users point of view, but that add's to the helpfulness of the discussion...

One thing I found very helpful is the shelf life before the next models come out, and even though the next release won't be until feb and later in aug of next year, I'm sure he would be more then thrilled with any upgrade...

I think this is the model he is still sportin... looks identical... http://www.adventuresinastrophotography.com/images/astronomy-equipment/Sony-DSC-F717-Digital-Camera.jpg



Maybe someone could lay out and narrow down the few models of the Nikons and the Canons we should be checking out... with a small idea of the differences in the same name brand line... if thats possible...

Thanks

 

[mperfct]

This is one of the articles I read while choosing my camera. Apart from being a terrific photography website, it has lots of great articles, many aimed at people in similar situations; graduating from P&S to a "real" camera. The amount of technical knowledge required is kind of intimidating at first, but it all makes sense...

http://photo.net/equipment/choosing-a-dslr-camera/

This article might be of interest as well:

http://photo.net/gift-guides/2009-holiday-gift-guide/

 

[mike c]

-Canon 7D body only 1700USD++ 8 frames per second, newly released, has HD video
-Nikon D90 (should be less than 1000 bucks, even with kit lens i think) cheapest fully functional pro SLR, has HD video as well

Spoiler

but then sheep would win

-Canon 7D with any lens except the kits ... even the 100USD 50mm 1.8 should be better than the kit lenses ... but if cost is of no consequence, it'd be the 1100USD 17-55 f2.8 IS EFS lens
-Canon T1i with kit lens 700++ it doesn't have PRO-type controls, a replacement will be announced (not available) by feb 2010, has HD video
-Canon T1i with 17-55 lens above 1800USD

 

[Warpdrv]

Well just looking over the basics of what was posted, I'm thinkin it'll likely come down to the Canon T1i and the Nikon D90 - more then enough camera for his needs and keep it at a decent price... with an decent extra zoom lens....

I guess we'll see what we can find when were shopping around...