I was looking at different DSLR cameras currently on the market, but cannot decide on which one to get. I heard Nikon cameras are good, but they are also pricey, especially when considering the lenses. The other brands I looked at so far are Canon, Pentax and Sony. Pentax and Sony seem to have more affordable prices. Which digital SLR camera do you have (model) and what are your thoughts on it? If you can, please post a link to one of your better pictures or add the picture here that you have taken with your camera.
What digital SLR camera would you recommend?
- Thread starter Boxer100
- Start date
I am a little biased but I definitely recommend any of Nikon's DSLR's. The Camera's are made with very high quality material, user interface is very clean and they're comfortable in your hands. The Nikkor lenses are second to none.
If you're just wanting a basic DSLR I would recommend the D60. If you want something a little more advanced I would go with the D80. That's what I have and with the D90 out prices for both cameras have come down quite a bit.
It's tough to show you a picture because each lens has its own pros and cons depending on what/how you're shooting.
Here is one of my shots with a basic 18-55mm though which is usually a kit lens. Didn't use my tripod so it's hand held without VR.. basically as basic as you can get.
If you're just wanting a basic DSLR I would recommend the D60. If you want something a little more advanced I would go with the D80. That's what I have and with the D90 out prices for both cameras have come down quite a bit.
It's tough to show you a picture because each lens has its own pros and cons depending on what/how you're shooting.
Here is one of my shots with a basic 18-55mm though which is usually a kit lens. Didn't use my tripod so it's hand held without VR.. basically as basic as you can get.
We have a D60 and a D300. I use the 60 as it's the most basic thing and a lot of fun to use. I just have the kit lenses... but they work fine for me. I'm picking out a new lens today, though so I'm excited! The D60 is just a fabulous camera to use and very easy for beginners. It has auto settings but you can still change things up and play with it. It can take some nice pictures too.
These are all kit lens pics with the D60 most on the aperture setting. I got it in October.
These are all kit lens pics with the D60 most on the aperture setting. I got it in October.
There are lots of threads and discussions on DSLRs... if you search you will find 
I have a pentax K20 that I am in love with (esp for the price)
My pics can be seen here~
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greywynd/
I am a total noob at photography lol
I have a pentax K20 that I am in love with (esp for the price)
My pics can be seen here~
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greywynd/
I am a total noob at photography lol
All those pictures are great, just makes it harder to decide. I may go with Nikon D90, but so far Pentax K20D looks like to be the most feature-packed for the money. Currently, I have a Sony Cybershot point and shoot camera with 4.1 MP. It makes good pictures, especially for its class but I cannot control its shutter speed and aperture as much as I would want to so some pictures I do not even try taking. For the pictures that didn't turn out so well, I used to use AutoEye 2.0 program. I don't know if anybody tried it before? It rebuilds lost detail and color in images with a single click of a button. People used to ask me when I sent them my pictures what camera I used, they thought I had a professional camera since the images looked so good after processing them with that software. Later, I found you can achieve pretty much the same results with Photoshop's built-in tools, but it takes a little more time to get it right.
I may go with Nikon D90, but so far Pentax K20D looks like to be the most feature-packed for the money. Currently, I have a Sony Cybershot point and shoot camera with 4.1 MP. It makes good pictures, especially for its class but I cannot control its shutter speed and aperture as much as I would want to so some pictures I do not even try taking. For the pictures that didn't turn out so well, I used to use AutoEye 2.0 program. I don't know if anybody tried it before? It rebuilds lost detail and color in images with a single click of a button. People used to ask me when I sent them my pictures what camera I used, they thought I had a professional camera since the images looked so good after processing them with that software. Later, I found you can achieve pretty much the same results with Photoshop's built-in tools, but it takes a little more time to get it right.
I have the Nikon D40x (practially just like the D60 except or one or two little things) with the 18-55 lens.
I really like it. It's perfect for a starter like me (well, I've had an advanced P&S for a couple years now, but this is my first DSLR).
You can see pictures from my Nikon here: http://chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1285682#post1285682
I really like it. It's perfect for a starter like me (well, I've had an advanced P&S for a couple years now, but this is my first DSLR).
You can see pictures from my Nikon here: http://chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1285682#post1285682
taken in a dark room with the flash that is part of the camera... A flash scoop would make it much better though.
no flash in a dark room with a single 60 watt bulb.. only her nose is in focus (that is operator error not my camera lol), but it all depends what you want to take a pic off in the 'dark'
I have a D300 and a D60.
I LOVE them both, and I will never go with anything other than Nikon.
But that's just me.
Why not go out to a store and try to hold the DSLRs in your hands, turn them on and mess with them, and see which one you think you like best?
That's what I would do.
I LOVE them both, and I will never go with anything other than Nikon.
But that's just me.
Why not go out to a store and try to hold the DSLRs in your hands, turn them on and mess with them, and see which one you think you like best?
That's what I would do.
You must be an advanced photographer since you own a D300 and a D60. It's true that most pros use Nikon cameras.Oh, there are a few Canon users here.
Canon and Nikon kind of run neck to neck as far as quality and popularity are concerned.
If I had all the money in the world, I'd probably buy a Pentax DSLR, too.
And, no, I am not really advanced in photography at all.:lol-sign:
I am just an enthusiastic amateur, who started out with a D60 and went with a D300 because I wanted higher ISO functions and my D300 will meter my old manual lenses, whereas the D60 does not.
The D300 has a larger LCD screen, more frames per second, and various other features that the D60 doesn't have, that I cannot remember off the top of my head right now.
Canon and Nikon kind of run neck to neck as far as quality and popularity are concerned.
If I had all the money in the world, I'd probably buy a Pentax DSLR, too.
And, no, I am not really advanced in photography at all.:lol-sign:
I am just an enthusiastic amateur, who started out with a D60 and went with a D300 because I wanted higher ISO functions and my D300 will meter my old manual lenses, whereas the D60 does not.
The D300 has a larger LCD screen, more frames per second, and various other features that the D60 doesn't have, that I cannot remember off the top of my head right now.
Most professionals will use a Canon or a Nikon. I think it somewhat depends on what they are doing. I believe a lot of sports professional photographers tend to go with Canons. I know a lot of my photography professors used Canons. But I also read from a professional recently who switched from Canon to Nikon, and loves the Nikons. And heard from professionals who shot with Canons at work because that's what provided, but use Nikons personally.
I shoot with a Nikon D70. I am planning to get a D300 someday when I can afford it.
The Nikons kit comes with better lenses. So while the Canon may be a bit cheaper, you will probably want to spend the extra money on a new lens.
I shoot with a Nikon D70. I am planning to get a D300 someday when I can afford it.
The Nikons kit comes with better lenses. So while the Canon may be a bit cheaper, you will probably want to spend the extra money on a new lens.
Interesting how nobody talks about Canon. I was sure that someone would recommend a Canon, but I guess no Canon lovers here. You must be an advanced photographer since you own a D300 and a D60. It's true that most pros use Nikon cameras.
You must be an advanced photographer since you own a D300 and a D60. It's true that most pros use Nikon cameras.
Interesting how nobody talks about Canon. I was sure that someone would recommend a Canon, but I guess no Canon lovers here. You must be an advanced photographer since you own a D300 and a D60. It's true that most pros use Nikon cameras.
You must be an advanced photographer since you own a D300 and a D60. It's true that most pros use Nikon cameras.
We couldn't afford the Nikon so we went with the Sony instead. Not to mention that Best Buy was throwing in an additional lense, which was ordinarly another $100+. As I'm just a beginner with cameras (always used them, but just hoped for the best really ), I really like it. And the pictures I've take so far have come out great. And that's just on the Auto settings! lol
), I really like it. And the pictures I've take so far have come out great. And that's just on the Auto settings! lol
I've got a Nikon D50 and love it, though I'm at the point where I need a couple of better lenses. Or the D300. I need more ISO options than just 200, 400, 800 and 1600. There's a whole range in there I want/need and the D50 just doesn't offer it. Wonderful camera to learn on though and we'll see if it still holds up once I get some better lenses and a new flash.
For people who are interested in ISO ranges..
Pentax K20- Auto - 100-3200 ISO (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps), Bulb mode up to ISO 1600, expanded range ISO available to ISO 6400; Manual - 100-3200 ISO (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps), Bulb mode up to ISO 1600, expanded range ISO available to ISO 6400
A lot of people get Nikons (which are great cameras) because thats the most common. I agree go play with some at a shop and decide what features you need/want and what feels best in YOUR hand.
Pentax K20- Auto - 100-3200 ISO (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps), Bulb mode up to ISO 1600, expanded range ISO available to ISO 6400; Manual - 100-3200 ISO (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps), Bulb mode up to ISO 1600, expanded range ISO available to ISO 6400
A lot of people get Nikons (which are great cameras) because thats the most common. I agree go play with some at a shop and decide what features you need/want and what feels best in YOUR hand.
A more expensive option is the D700. It's extraordinary at low sensitivity and also has unbelievable noise reduction even at ISO 6400. Just something to consider if you can jump over the D80/D90/D300. That's my next camera in a couple of years.
Just make sure that whichever camera you purchase, keep in mind what you'll be upgrading to in the future. You don't want to get a good collection of glass going only to decide to switch from the Nikon brand to Canon or vice versa.
Just make sure that whichever camera you purchase, keep in mind what you'll be upgrading to in the future. You don't want to get a good collection of glass going only to decide to switch from the Nikon brand to Canon or vice versa.
The pictures with no sun streaming in were taken at dusk and then a few others like picture number one, were taken on a very cloudy day with absolutely NO sun light shining down on us (it was actually starting t sprinkle LOL!) and NO flash.
But like Dekka's pics show the built in flash (for Nikon and Pentaxt atleast) are great!
But like Dekka's pics show the built in flash (for Nikon and Pentaxt atleast) are great!