Digital SLR

[steveie85]

I am looking to get a new digital camera. I was thinking about getting a Digital SLR. I know the top makers out there are Sony, Nikkon and Cannon. What I want to know is what people think is the best and why. It doesn't matter the cost. Also what accessories are recomended, ie. filters, lenses, flashes and the sort. Any help here is appreciated.

[Dan18960]

Steve,

I got an Olympus Evolt 300 several years ago and LOVE IT! There is definitely a learning curve over the mainstream point and shoot cameras with the SLR digital cameras. But if you want to get true quality and the ability to make large pictures suitable for framing - that is the only way to go.

The only regret I have had is not getting an extra battery pack, several lenses for taking a more variety of shots, and a tripod stand. But those are in my future.

I think Rich said I could use either the Cannon or Nikkon lenses with my Olympus.

[writeco]

I have always use the Nikon cameras and currently have Nikon 40x. It's not the top-of-the-line of Nikon's camera but, when it comes to photography, neither am I. Fairly simple to operate in auto mode but every setting can be manually set. Ritz Camera has great specials usually including zoom, vibration reduction lens. Their photography classes are great. They have introductory and advance courses that regularly tour the country.

[steveie85]

Cool, I will look at those and all the little add on bells and whistles.

[mylanta]

Yeah I have always used Nikons, but there really is little difference between Canon, Nikon and the other major brands.
The Slr gives you true distance viewing close up and afar like no point and shoot can and of course the value of interchangeable lenses add so much to quality. As for enlargement quality as long as you are 5 megs or above, you can do up to 16X20 nicely and beyond that is really overkill and prestige.

One suggestion is the lenses they sell with the camera are generally useless as they are zooms like 30x50mm or 30x80 that really are little help for most situations. If you buy the body separately and buy a good range zoom for your main lens, you will get by without needing to buy more lenses in most cases. An 18x135 or 24x124 is what I use for my main lens and frankly that gives me decent wide angle and telephoto without the need to change lenses all the time as it is the perfect lens.
http://www.epinions.com/Nikon_Nikkor_18_135MM_F_3_5_5_6G_ED_IF_AF_S_Lens_0 0018208021628

[steveie85]

Rich, is there one Nikon that you recommend more, like the D40 or D80?

[mylanta]

Steveie I have a D70 which was the first of these lower priced series...I had a D100 and it was so annoying I sold it on ebay and bought the D70 which I have had for about 3 years now and I love it.
I would suggest the D80 which seems to be the successor to mine with 10.2 meg and I love everything about my camera.

[steveie85]

Cool, thanks Rich. I am going to check it out and all the goodies for it. I will probably do what you recomended and get the one main lens and maybe one or 2 others and the filters.

[mylanta]

Cool, thanks Rich. I am going to check it out and all the goodies for it. I will probably do what you recomended and get the one main lens and maybe one or 2 others and the filters.

Good Steveie, keep us posted.

[Sam Ceccola]

Steveie: About 3 years ago I purchased an Olympus E-300 SLR. Great camera. That model is out of production but I would suggest looking at the "E" line of cameras produced by Olympus.

One other thing, I bought this camera at Sam's Club and saved myself about $150.00 over the nearest price of retail stores.

Sam

[steveie85]

I will give them a look over Sam. Dan mentioned about his Olympus camera. Just one more to look at and another potential option.

I will keep everyone posted.

[steveie85]

I have done a little research. I have narrowed it down to a couple choices. Here they are:

Nikon D80 (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25412/D80.html)

Sony DSLR-A700 (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665227951)

Those are the choices I have narrowed it down too. I am open to other suggestions. I haven't decided on the lenses I am going to get. For right now a telephoto lens and a regular zoom lens and maybe a macro lens. Any suggestions are welcome.

[mylanta]

I have done a little research. I have narrowed it down to a couple choices. Here they are:

Nikon D80 (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25412/D80.html)

Sony DSLR-A700 (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665227951)

Those are the choices I have narrowed it down too. I am open to other suggestions. I haven't decided on the lenses I am going to get. For right now a telephoto lens and a regular zoom lens and maybe a macro lens. Any suggestions are welcome.


No comparison. Nikon has been making cameras for 68 years, and Sony for 8 years. Want to buy a dvd burner then choose Sony. For a camera choose Nikon.

[writeco]

I was going to add a comment similar to Rich's. Nikon is primarily known for cameras. Sony is known to TV's, computers, DVD, and, by the way, cameras. Nikon does one thing well and it's cameras.

[steveie85]

Ok, I will be getting the Nikon. May not be the D80, but more then likely it will be.

[mylanta]

Good move Steveie.