I'm looking for a digital SLR camera. Preferably not too expensive. Does anyone have suggestions? Two cameras come to mind when you ask for a DSLR that's not too expensive. Here you go:
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Nikon D40
The Nikon D40 is a great little camera, very easy to use and quite reasonably priced. It has a few "consumer friendly" totally automatic modes that make it very easy to use, but still offers total photographic control when you are ready to take charge. It will get you in the Nikon family which is a great place to be. If you buy accessories and lenses, you will be able to use everything on any Nikon that you might upgrade to later on.
Check out Nikon's "Picturetown" promotion, where they handed out 200 D40's in Georgetown, SC. http://www.stunningnikon.com/picturetown...
Here are a few reviews, in case you have not read them yet. Be sure to note that they are several pages long and some of the reviews also have some sample images that you can look at.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40...
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_revi...
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3756/cam...
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/d40...
I hate to see people slam the camera because it can't autofocus with older Nikon lenses. It is true that there is a "slight problem" with older Nikon lenses not autofocusing on the D40, but if you do not own a bag full of older lenses, it is not going to be a problem. It is barely a problem anyhow. If you check www.nikonusa.com for "AF-S" lenses, which are ALL 100% compatible with the D40, you will find 23 lenses, including 7 "VR" (vibration Reduction) lenses and one true macro lens with "VR". There are another 25-plus lenses in the current catalog that provide all functions except autofocus as well as many (possibly dozens) "out of print" lenses that will work just as well. In addition, although these lens will not autofocus, most of them will still give focus confirmation. From the D40 manual: "If the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 of faster, the viewfinder focus indicator can be used to confirm whether the portion of the subject in the selected focus area is in focus. After positioning the subject in the active focus area, press the shutter release button halfway and rotate the lens focusing ring until the in-focus indicator is displayed."
The D40 only has 3 autofocus zones arranged horizontally at the center, 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. This might be considered a limitation, but realistically, most people will find this perfectly adequate, especially if you are moving up from a point and shoot with only a center zone.
You can get the D40 with the 18-55 kit lens at B&H Photo available through Yahoo! Shopping or at 1-800-622-4987) for $550 (May 2007) and this is with TWO Lexar 1 GB cards. You can get the same kit with one Lexar Platinum (higher speed) card for $560. Or - get the D40 with 18-135 lens and 1 GB Lexar card for $760.
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Pentax K100D - Cheapest Decent SLR
The cheapest DSLR that is worth owning is probably the Pentax K100D, and this is coming from a Nikon fan. This is a decent camera.
You can click on individual user comments on this page:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opi...
You can read the dpreview.com "Highly Recommended" review here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk1...
You can also read this review of the K100D here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_revi...
I used to recommend the Pentax K110D as the best entry level dSLR, but I do not see it for sale at B&H Photo or Adorama. The entry level seems to now be the K100D. The only difference between these two cameras is that the K100D includes "shake reduction," which adds some expense to the camera.
Adorama has the K100D with the 18-55 lens for $489.95, after a $50 rebate. The rebate ends on July 31, 2007. You will still need a memory card and I would suggest at least the 1 GB Sandisk Ultra II SD card, which costs about $30. You can get the 2 GB for $35, so it would be silly not to go for the 2 GB card.
As of this writing (5-9-07), B&H is NOT showing the $50 rebate on the K100D with the 18-55 lens, but they ARE showing it for the body alone. Since this is a Pentax manufacturer's rebate, I would speculate that this is an error on the web site. If you prefer buying from B&H, you can call them at 1-800-622-4987 to inquire about this matter.
If you want "higher" quality and want to spend double the money, get back to me............and I'll tell you about the Nikon D80.
~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks for the vote. Have fun with your new camera! Report It
Everyone has an opinion on this, but before you plunk down any $, be sure you take a look at the Pentax K10D and K100D. You'll find great info on those and other cameras at http://www.dpreview.com
specifically:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk1...
and
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk1...
I think you'll be surprised at the price/feature differences in DSLR cameras. As one having somewhat less than steady hands as the mm start getting long, I've really appreciated the way the shake reduction works with my old telephoto lenses. What do you want? 6mp, 8mp, 10mp?
The more MP's, the more $$$.
I bought a NIKON D50 for $499.00 with a 28-80mm lense.
Then you have to buy a memory card. I reccomend a 2GB for a DSLR.
$500.00 is the least you can expect to spend, and thats just for the camera.
Look at websites:
Ritz Camera
Circuit City
Best Buy
Read reviews of cameras that peak your interest.
Go to the store and feel the displays. They can be a bit complicated. Nobody in the store has the time to fully explain all features.
Took me about six months before I decided on the D50.
I am very happy with the choice.
The Rat I would suggest the Olympus E-500, around $599 with a standard lens. 8 MP and will take an array of add on lenses. My store has stocked this camera for just a few weeks and we have already sold several. i think that canon rebel xti might be good XTi for the price it can match up to higher priced models like the Nikon D80 and the Canon 30D in imagine quality. It has 10MP and is compadiable with the huge range of lenses from Canon. Very versital, light weight and fun to use. |
