Digital Camera (SLR) for beginner

[Houston_2010]

Originally Posted by Malvie

This is EXACTLY why I chose the Nikon. I tried both and the Nikon fit like a glove; the Canon was fine (and I used exclusively Canon products for years, all my other cameras---three SLR's and 3 point and shoots---were Canons. I tried hard to like the Canon better, but the Nikon just fit my hand better.

I hope you took him with you.


Oh, a couple more things:

1. Avoid Sony.
2. If you really, really want movies, get a standalone movie camera. DSLR's take movies, movie cameras take stills, but neither does a very good job of the other's specialty. I.E., you'll get crappy, jerky movies from DSLR's and grainy, low-res stills from movie cameras. Maybe one day they'll have those cameras in "affordable" ranges---but not right now, at least not what I think of as "affordable".

Can you elaborate on why avoid Sony?

[jfre81]

There's a guy who takes stuff I wish was mine and he swears by his Sony DSLRs, FWIW. No experience personally with them. The entry level stuff seems good anyway, but the pros I know seem to do either Canon, Nikon or both.

Amazon.com: Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black): Camera & Photo

This is what I just picked up, and I do like it so far. Then again I was fairly familiar with the EOS Rebel line.

DSLRs are not for video. Get a video camera/camcorder for that, or if quality is no issue, the latest point-n-shoots are just fine for that and it's a camera too.

If he's serious, get one. You could also get a "prosumer" camera that are something better than the typical point-n-shoot but not quite DSLR quality. All of the photos after the first one in this thread were shot with one such camera, also a Canon, the Powershot S3 IS. It's a few years old but in its day I think it was the best piece Canon was selling at the time that wasn't SLR.

I'm not really much of an expert here, just a somewhat knowledgeable beginner. I'm learning just like most of us.

[newtothisplace]

Originally Posted by Houston_2010

Can you elaborate on why avoid Sony?

Can I?

I have used more than half a dozen high end brands of cameras (SLRs & non-SLRs).

I like Nikon the most ( I agree it might be little complicated with it's features and buttons on some models, but I am still biased towards Nikon)

I also like Canon SLRs very easy to use, user friendly.

I do not like (I don't want to use strong words) Sony SLRs; bad pictures (too grainy pictures), very slow and the worst part is their batteries. It started to drain after three months of use; tried few other models same result. Customer service was a nightmare ( I had excellent experience with Nikon Customer service)

Just my opinion, you can google or browse through other camera forums to make your decision.

[jfre81]

^Fair enough.

And to be sure, my friend who shoots Sony tends to do a lot more post-processing (including HDR) than I do. I don't think I've ever seen anything he's shot straight out of the camera for comparison.

Of course if you have talent, you can make something look pretty good coming out of anything.

[ethanw]

And if you have an iPhone "photocaddy" is the application to download and use for your manual settings with your DSLR camera. Trust me is worth the money.
I am not a profesional but I used the manual mode for about 20 years now. Automatic is nice but is a huge limitation in your ability to take great pictures. I now remember most of the camera settings by heart but if you're a beginner photocaddy is the way to go.

DSLR photography guide for the iPhone - aspyreapps.com

[captain_hug99]

I tried out Sony as well, what I didn't like was that in order to change the aperture or anything using their front of the camera wheel, instead of actually changing what I wanted I turned off the camera, EVERY STINKING TIME!!! But that could have been my fingers.

I loved how the Nikon D80 and D90 have a separate dials on the front and back to change aperture and shutter speed. Excellent in full manual.

One word about Live View though, if you are shooting in manual mode, it will NOT give you a true view of what your camera is going to do based on your settings (I guess really high end models will, but the beginner and medium ones will not). So if you are outside and have a long shutter speed, the picture is going to be completely blown out while you'll see what your eye does in the live view.

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by captain_hug99

One word about Live View though, if you are shooting in manual mode, it will NOT give you a true view of what your camera is going to do based on your settings (I guess really high end models will, but the beginner and medium ones will not). So if you are outside and have a long shutter speed, the picture is going to be completely blown out while you'll see what your eye does in the live view.

Right, my Rebel XS is the same way. Although having shot in manual on the S3 IS which does show on the viewfinder more or less what you will get, I have an idea of what I need for a particular job...it comes down to experience.

Also, the shutter speed and aperture are moved by the same wheel but to switch to aperture you have to hold down a button. Took me a good 30 minutes to figure out. Maybe I should read instructions.

Getting one of the "prosumer" cameras that are basically advanced point-shoots but have many of the features of DSLRs might be a good transition.

[Sampaguita]

Originally Posted by jfre81

Right, my Rebel XS is the same way. Although having shot in manual on the S3 IS which does show on the viewfinder more or less what you will get, I have an idea of what I need for a particular job...it comes down to experience.

Also, the shutter speed and aperture are moved by the same wheel but to switch to aperture you have to hold down a button. Took me a good 30 minutes to figure out. Maybe I should read instructions.

Getting one of the "prosumer" cameras that are basically advanced point-shoots but have many of the features of DSLRs might be a good transition.

Hah! That's something I realized with my Rebel XS, too. DH says I need to stop menu-bashing and read manuals for a change.

As pp's have suggested, getting a prosumer camera is a good transition and the way I decided to go again. I've had the G1 and S2 IS but I never really "learned" either of the cameras - relied on "auto" which gave me some very decent shots without much effort. I have the G11 now and have been playing around with it outside of auto and boy...my shots are LOUSY. Which is great because I'm learning a lot more than I did previously. When I am ready to go to a dSLR, I'll have a much better understanding of the equipment and its capabilities than I've had to date.

psst...My goal is to take photos like jfre81.