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Photo Forum / Digital Photography / DSLR Cameras / August 2006Amateur seeking advice
Hi there. This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good place to start. I'm a beginner planning to buy an SLR camera in the next few weeks as I'm going to Canada in September - some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet. I'd like some advice about the best camera for someone who hasn't handled an SLR in almost 20 years and wants to go digital (of course), so any info would be gratefully received, about cameras suitable for someone nervous at the prospect but keen to give it a go. Thanks alot. >Hi there. This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good >place to start. You're in the right place. > I'm a beginner planning to buy an SLR camera in the >next few weeks as I'm going to Canada in September - some of the most >beautiful scenery on the planet. I'd like some advice about the best >camera for someone who hasn't handled an SLR in almost 20 years and What brand camera did you use before? It might be easier if you see about a model from the same company, if possible. There will be a familiarity with the same brand. If you don't have any reasons for specific models, I suggest you visit a camera shop and take a look at the Nikon D50 and Canon Rebel XT. Handle them both and see if you have a preference. If you have a budget, that helps to define models and lense choices too. And also what you intend to shoot, aside from the obvious vacation shots. According to Bill <bill@c.a>: > >Hi there. This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good > >place to start. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > And also what you intend to shoot, aside from the obvious vacation > shots. And for scenery, you proably will want a wider lens than you think you will from the film days. Unless you go to a full frame sensor (very expensive, and only from Canon so far), your lenses will be behaving as though they were longer in terms of coverage. For example: Actual Nikon Canon FL Sees as Sees as ============================== 35mm 52.5mm 56.0mm 28mm 42.0mm 44.8mm 20mm 30.0mm 32.0mm 18mm 27.0mm 28.8mm 16mm 24.0mm 25.6mm 12mm 18.0mm 19.2mm This is a result of the cameras' "crop factor" -- how much smaller than a 35mm full frame film image the sensor really is. This is 1.5 for Nikons, and 1.6 for most *affordable* Canons. Of course -- while this works against you when you are trying to get wide angle coverage, it *helps* you with telephotos, if you need really long lenses. For example, a Nikon will make a 200mm lens cover what a 300mm would on film, and on a Canon what a 320mm lens would cover on film. I consider the wide angle problem to probably be more pressing if you are after scenery photos. Enjoy, DoN.  SignatureEmail: <dnichols@d-and-d.com> | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564 (too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html --- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero --- > According to Bill <bill@c.a>: >> [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] > Enjoy, > DoN. And 2.0 for Olympus Eddie I'm am in the same boat, except it's only been about 10 years since using my last film SLR, a Canon EOS 1000. Just purchased a Canon 350 (Rebel XT) a couple of weeks ago along with a 17-85 IS Lens as well as the kit 75-300. Didn't have any trouble converting - It was just like an old friend. Even better than before in the fact it performs a lot better in low light. The only minus is that the 17-85 IS lens is not exactly compact and you do need power supplies both for the camera and any backup devices you may be carying, especially if is an extended trip. See the following url for first attempts at low light shooting. http://www.poseruniverse.com/Photography/Canon/IS_1600/Canon_1600_IS.html We are off to Wyoming/London/Prague/Austria and Singapore for a vacation and it will I am planning on taking lots of photos. It will be interesting to see how it goes. My wife is taking a pocketable P&S for back up. Be sure to budget for xtra rechargable batteries, memory cards and backup solutions while you are on the road. Hope this helps. Richard > Hi there. This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good > place to start. I'm a beginner planning to buy an SLR camera in the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > received, about cameras suitable for someone nervous at the prospect > but keen to give it a go. Thanks alot. Let me put my 2 cents worth here Fran, I too also have recently converted to DSLR from film, mine was over 25 years ago, a Cannon AE-1, I went with the Nikon D-50 with the 18-55 lens, and I love it, get a 1 gig card, and a spare battery, although the battery that comes with it is great, long life and rechargable, and you will be set, I also agree with the others, go and try and see how they feel and work for you, but I love my Nikon. > Hi there. This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good > place to start. I'm a beginner planning to buy an SLR camera in the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > received, about cameras suitable for someone nervous at the prospect > but keen to give it a go. Thanks alot. I'm using the Nikon D70s and love it. It has an exceptionally long battery life. I've heard that it can take 2,500 photos on a single charge. I haven't tried that yet, but it is usually over a week between charges for me. I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. You certainly don't want to miss taking pictures in the Banff and Lake Louise area in the Rocky Mountains. This place will take your breathe away. I went to Niagara Falls, Ontario for my vacation last month and that is another nice place that you won't want to miss. Anyway, enjoy your visit to Canada. There are a lot of interesting places to visit. > Hi there. This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good > place to start. I'm a beginner planning to buy an SLR camera in the [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > received, about cameras suitable for someone nervous at the prospect > but keen to give it a go. Thanks alot. Canon 350D Canon 50/1.8 Canon 85/1.8 Canon 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS Canon 70-300/4-5.6 IS Canon 17-55/2.8 IS Canon 70-200/2.8 IS Canon 1.4x Canon 2x Canon 135/2 Canon 300/2.8 IS http://digitcamera.tripod.com/#slr > > Hi there. This might be the wrong group but it seems like a very good > > place to start. I'm a beginner planning to buy an SLR camera in the [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > http://digitcamera.tripod.com/#slr Thanks everyone, I appreciate your advice very much. I was finding all the models/options quite overwhelming and only have limited time in which to purchase and familiarise myself with a new camera before I depart for BC from Sydney, Australia. Kind regards Fran |
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