Caitlin
I'm looking for a digital SLR camera. Preferably not too expensive. Does anyone have suggestions?
Answer
Two cameras come to mind when you ask for a DSLR that's not too expensive. Here you go:
~~~~~~~~~~
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_reviews/nikon_d40.html
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3756/camera-test-nikon-d40.html
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/d40-recommendations.htm
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
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_opinions.asp?prodkey=pentax_k100d
You can read the dpreview.com "Highly Recommended" review here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk100d/
You can also read this review of the K100D here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/k100d.html
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
Two cameras come to mind when you ask for a DSLR that's not too expensive. Here you go:
~~~~~~~~~~
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_reviews/nikon_d40.html
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3756/camera-test-nikon-d40.html
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/d40-recommendations.htm
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
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_opinions.asp?prodkey=pentax_k100d
You can read the dpreview.com "Highly Recommended" review here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk100d/
You can also read this review of the K100D here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/k100d.html
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.
~~~~~~~~~~
any good DSLR cameras that work well for close up/Abstract photography?
Rachel
i have been using just a digital camera with auto focus but i appreciate the close up work it can do. on problem is that the auto focus doesn't focus on the subject i want (sometimes it will focus in the background or go from blurry to sharp back to blurry) i was looking for a price range 300-400 dollars but i am open to other price ranges if need be. any suggestions of good cameras. im a beginner level "photographer" so i dont know much about lenses or anything too technical. thanks so much!
i was looking at the sony alpha dslr. the reviews were pretty good and i saw it in the store *good size and all* but at the store i wasnt able to take any sample pictures or see how everything worked since it wouldnt turn on. would this camera be good for what i need?
Answer
Any dSLR will do, they are all much the same at that price. They all take EXCELLENT pictures in the right hands.
If you like the Sony, buy it.
You'll get all sorts of nonsense and misinformation from Canon and Nikon users about Sony, that's all it is, nonsense. Ignore it.
The 18-55mm lens isn't a macro lens (they cost a lot). But it will focus at 25cm (10 inches).
Edit: as I predicted, the anti-Sony nonsense has started about a lack of lenses, well I actually do macro on a Sony and here is a list of lenses. As you can see, people here are generally anti-Sony and clueless:
Sony 30mm f2.8
Minolta 50mm f2.8
Sigma 50mm f2.8
Minolta 50mm f3.5
Tamron 60mm f2.8
Sigma 70mm f2.8
Sigma 90mm f2.8
Tamron 90mm f2.8
Sony 100mm f2.8
Cosina 100mm f3.5
Voigtländer 100mm f3.5
Minolta 100mm f2.8
Tokina 100mm f2.8
Sigma 105mm f2.8
Voigtländer 125mm f2.5
Sigma 180mm f2.8
Sigma 180mm f3.5
Tamron 180mm f3.5
Sigma 180mm f5.6
Minolta 200mm f4 G
Minolta AF 3x-1x f1.7-2.8
These are all macro lenses, the list doesn't include the MANY zooms that also have a macro capability.
Any dSLR will do, they are all much the same at that price. They all take EXCELLENT pictures in the right hands.
If you like the Sony, buy it.
You'll get all sorts of nonsense and misinformation from Canon and Nikon users about Sony, that's all it is, nonsense. Ignore it.
The 18-55mm lens isn't a macro lens (they cost a lot). But it will focus at 25cm (10 inches).
Edit: as I predicted, the anti-Sony nonsense has started about a lack of lenses, well I actually do macro on a Sony and here is a list of lenses. As you can see, people here are generally anti-Sony and clueless:
Sony 30mm f2.8
Minolta 50mm f2.8
Sigma 50mm f2.8
Minolta 50mm f3.5
Tamron 60mm f2.8
Sigma 70mm f2.8
Sigma 90mm f2.8
Tamron 90mm f2.8
Sony 100mm f2.8
Cosina 100mm f3.5
Voigtländer 100mm f3.5
Minolta 100mm f2.8
Tokina 100mm f2.8
Sigma 105mm f2.8
Voigtländer 125mm f2.5
Sigma 180mm f2.8
Sigma 180mm f3.5
Tamron 180mm f3.5
Sigma 180mm f5.6
Minolta 200mm f4 G
Minolta AF 3x-1x f1.7-2.8
These are all macro lenses, the list doesn't include the MANY zooms that also have a macro capability.
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