[pit1]

I've noticed quite a few of you are rather photo savvy. My wife and I are looking into purchasing a new DSLR. We're both fairly novice aside from a few photo classes back in the day. But we're simple P&S users. In anticipation that we'll be blessed with a child in the near future, we'd like to learn and pick up some good hardware to record the memories...and of course document my current babies, 1er and Duc. :wink:

My sister-in-law is a professional photographer and lives by her Nikons. We've been leaning toward the D60, carry longevity but friendly for a noob. But there are plenty of other options out there, I was impressed with Sony's new line as well, user friendly and solid body.

Can you guys lend some advice or guidance for a good DSLR purchase...Nikon, Sony, Canon.

Thanks in advance....

[DTNJNQ]

I have been happy with Nikon. I have had a Nikon D70 for over 3 years now.

I think you cannot go wrong with either Nikon or Canon.

I have not had any experience with Sony DSLR. The Sony DSLR were Minolta cameras until Sony took over Minolta.

Most professional photographers stick with either Canon or Nikon. Not many use Sony DSLR cameras

[Sephiroth]

I too have a Nikon, just bought the D90 a couple weeks ago. I've owned Pentax systems before. Heres what i think you should do:

1. Almost any DSLR will satisfy your needs since you are just now getting into the market. Don't worry so much about the brands.

2. Go to a local camera store, not best buy but a specialty camera shop, where you can hold and shoot some cameras. IMO 50% of a camera is all about how comfortable you are using it. Check the menu system, the weight, and the feel. You will likely start to have a preference.

3. The other 50% of DSLRs is about lenses. Do you want a single all purpose lens like on a P&S or do you just want to stick with portrait?

If you feel more comfortable with Sony, i would go with that.

[DTNJNQ]

Also check out www.dpreview.com

This is one of the best digital camera web sites with reviews of many cameras and also an extensive forum.

[RobLS]

Yeah, really check out cameras at a shop if you can first. That being said I know someone selling his D80 body + nikkor 18-70mm (f)3.5-5.6 lens for 850 plus shipping, but I can probably get it for less if I picked it up in person. You should also check out the above link, dpreview.com. A lot of good info there as well. And if this is your very first dslr, D40 is great from what I hear, and has a really nice starter kit lense. A lot of people swear by this cam so don't put it out of your options. And just remember, its glass first, body second, as the glass is what you keep to go to future bodies. They are forever such as diamonds are forever

[warmtoes]

Am I the only Canon guy here? I have a 40D and it really kicks a$$. It really depends on how much you spend as the glass (lenses) is what really eats up your budget.

[RobLS]

I have a D300 and it kicks some ass too, but the lenses is what really helps you out. You can have a D40 and I really nice lense and take amazing pics.

[warmtoes]

^^^Agreed. I have a good selection of L lenses for my Canon and the difference between these and the regular lenses is night and day. Clarity, sharpness, lack of vignetting, colour accuracy are all better with L lenses. But, the price is not cheap.

[RobLS]

Yup. I'm still using the 18-200 kit lense for the D300 and I have to say its an amazing lense for most of my applications for it. I do wish I could drop it down to f2.8, but I'm looking into finalizing a wide angle soon for the parts where the 18-200 isnt real good in (still good but not real good :P). As for the wide angle, I think I've found the one.

[john970]

I have a D70 and love it, although it is a bit bulky and I have been waiting to replace it with something smaller. I was ready to jump on the D90 and might still do so but my D70 still works great and it's hard to justify the cost, and the micro four thirds system looks very promising.

Any DSLR is so much better than a point and shoot it is hard to go wrong. If you don't need a depth of field preview button I would get a D60, very small and excellent image quality. Ken Rockwell's site is the best site on the net to get a feel for the different cameras (http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech.htm)

Alternatively, you might want to look at the new Micro Four Thirds system. It is not a true DSLR as there is no mirror, however you get 1) interchangable lenses and 2) large sensor size for good image quality. The advantages are the much smaller body and lens size, and a downside is the replacement of the prism with a high quality lcd that would be less desirable in very low light situations.

In my view 90% of the point of a dslr is the lenses... giant zoom one day and super wide angle the next depending on what you are using it for. All of the Canons and Nikons are excellent, I happen to prefer Nikon, but any camera with a mid range zoom, a wide angle, and a telephoto lens for your kit will do you just fine.

At the risk of making this post way to long, I wanted to point out eventually almost all cameras will drop the prism and mirror and go for a live view screen. The issue in the past and to some extent today is that it is hard to make an lcd small enough and with enough resolution and quality to equal a mirror and prism. I can see some special use studio cameras for purists never losing the lens/prism, where space isn't an issue, but I would imagine in 10 years or so a mirror and prism field camera will be a relic of a bygone era.

[RobLS]

True there is the new micro four thirds, looks promising in a way. But as with all new technology, its a gamble. As john970 also stated, you're moving up from a p&s so basically any dslr will make you amazed and happy. I also agree, that site is great as well.

[john970]

Originally Posted by warmtoes

Am I the only Canon guy here? I have a 40D and it really kicks a$$. It really depends on how much you spend as the glass (lenses) is what really eats up your budget.

I'm a nikon guy but I'll admit the new 5D Mark II kicks serious ass. 1080p video in a camera...

[RobLS]

Originally Posted by john970

I'm a nikon guy but I'll admit the new 5D Mark II kicks serious ass. 1080p video in a camera...

I believe it said 720p, and 1080i.

[1050Wien]

Originally Posted by pit1

I've noticed quite a few of you are rather photo savvy. My wife and I are looking into purchasing a new DSLR. We're both fairly novice aside from a few photo classes back in the day. But we're simple P&S users. In anticipation that we'll be blessed with a child in the near future, we'd like to learn and pick up some good hardware to record the memories...and of course document my current babies, 1er and Duc. :wink:

My sister-in-law is a professional photographer and lives by her Nikons. We've been leaning toward the D60, carry longevity but friendly for a noob. But there are plenty of other options out there, I was impressed with Sony's new line as well, user friendly and solid body.

Can you guys lend some advice or guidance for a good DSLR purchase...Nikon, Sony, Canon.

Thanks in advance....

We have a few things in common. My son just turned 1 a few days ago, I ride a Duc and drive a 1 series... :thumbup:

Anyhow, I was in the same boat a few years ago. I ended up going with a Nikon D40 and absolutely love the camera so far. Great beginner's DSLR. I have played with my buddy's D70 and liked that as well. Nikon's products are generally well liked and I am willing to bet that the D60 is a great camera also.

Someone recommended a book called Understanding Exposure (by Bryan Peterson) and I read it a few times. That is what got me going in the right direction.

[Heinzftw]

Nikon Rebel here.
Next camera is a D90.

[RobLS]

There you go, word from an actual D40 user.

[john970]

Originally Posted by RobLS

I believe it said 720p, and 1080i.

Nope, 1080p just double-checked. All of the still camera video modes I've seen are progressive.

[RobLS]

Ah my apologies, guess facts were changed soon after release. Just read on dpreview now.

[EmeraldRx]

I'm actually in the market myself, I've been looking at the D90, do you guys think the video feature is worth it?

[ChrisK]

I have a P&S Canon G9 and I love it, but I am thinking of jumping ship to the Nikon D90.

[pit1]

Originally Posted by 1050Wien

We have a few things in common. My son just turned 1 a few days ago, I ride a Duc and drive a 1 series... :thumbup:

Anyhow, I was in the same boat a few years ago. I ended up going with a Nikon D40 and absolutely love the camera so far. Great beginner's DSLR. I have played with my buddy's D70 and liked that as well. Nikon's products are generally well liked and I am willing to bet that the D60 is a great camera also.

Someone recommended a book called Understanding Exposure (by Bryan Peterson) and I read it a few times. That is what got me going in the right direction.

Congrats... x3, life must be good. :wink:

I just read up on the D40 on kenRockwell.com. He actually recommended that over the D60. Save the $300 and spend in on lenses and a flash. Commended the faster D40 flash sync over the greater MP of the D60.

I'll certainly have to go play with them all. Thanks for all the input guys. Appreciated.

[BEAMERBOI]

I use Nikon D3
http://www.curtissmithphotography.com