guarf1
Hello!
I need some help on choosing a DSLR camera for myself. I have previously used the Sony Alpha A200 with a 18-70mm lens at school for the yearbook class. The camera was great, it was easy to use and took good photos in many different locations and lighting levels. The size of the lens was perfect. It could take close ups with ease, but it also zoomed up to 70mm which is just right for further distances.
There is one thing that bothers me about some cameras. I DO NOT want an electronic viewfinder, I hate seeing a little screen in the eyepiece. I want to actually look through the lens.
For my price range I don't want to go too much higher than $500. This is my first DSLR and I don't want to drop a bunch of money yet. I will be using the lens that comes with the camera for a long time before investing in a different lens.
I hear that the Canon Rebel XS is a good starter camera, however I don't know if there's something more new and improved over it...? I also see the Canon EOS Rebel T3 is widely available and recommended it's $500 at most places like Best Buy, Future Shop and local cameras/photography stores.
Any helpful advice, suggestions, websites, info and reviews will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Answer
Your budget is going to limit your choices. Look at Canon's T2i, that's a bang for the buck dSLR. It will shoot video, unlike the older Sony you mentioned. The XS is fine, but it's a big old. Your only choice from Nikon would be a D3100. However, it has no auto focus motor. Not all Nikon lenses have motors, so that can be a headache.
Sony's entry level dSLRs are moving away from using the optical viewfinder to electronic viewfinders. I know you don't like them, but you should know that when you lose something, you gain something else. Entry level Sonys like the A35 and A33 use electronic viewfinders, but they gain fast auto focus when shooting video. You can't get that with Canon or Nikon at any price, they all use slow contrast detection for auto focus when shooting video. The Sony A33 and A35 also shoot more still frames per second compared to cameras in the same price range.
But if you want a dSLR that shoots video and has an optical viewfinder, the Sony A580 delivers fantastic image quality, but it's over your budget by 200-300 US dollars. To save money, you might want to research some Sony alphas that are newer than the A200, like the A330, and A380, but again they might run 100 or more dollars over your budget.
Canon T2i 499 http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T2i-3-0-Inch-Body-Only/dp/B0035FZJI0
Nikon D3100 599 http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3100-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B003ZYF3LO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1329632058&sr=1-1
Sony A33 about 500 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/11/09/the-sony-a33-digital-camera-review/
Your budget is going to limit your choices. Look at Canon's T2i, that's a bang for the buck dSLR. It will shoot video, unlike the older Sony you mentioned. The XS is fine, but it's a big old. Your only choice from Nikon would be a D3100. However, it has no auto focus motor. Not all Nikon lenses have motors, so that can be a headache.
Sony's entry level dSLRs are moving away from using the optical viewfinder to electronic viewfinders. I know you don't like them, but you should know that when you lose something, you gain something else. Entry level Sonys like the A35 and A33 use electronic viewfinders, but they gain fast auto focus when shooting video. You can't get that with Canon or Nikon at any price, they all use slow contrast detection for auto focus when shooting video. The Sony A33 and A35 also shoot more still frames per second compared to cameras in the same price range.
But if you want a dSLR that shoots video and has an optical viewfinder, the Sony A580 delivers fantastic image quality, but it's over your budget by 200-300 US dollars. To save money, you might want to research some Sony alphas that are newer than the A200, like the A330, and A380, but again they might run 100 or more dollars over your budget.
Canon T2i 499 http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T2i-3-0-Inch-Body-Only/dp/B0035FZJI0
Nikon D3100 599 http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3100-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B003ZYF3LO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1329632058&sr=1-1
Sony A33 about 500 http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/11/09/the-sony-a33-digital-camera-review/
Good telephoto lens for sony alpha dslr?
Pedro
I recently purchased a Sony SLT-A35 and I've been very pleased with it thus far. I only the supplied kit lens and I'm interested in purchasing a telephoto zoom lens for it. Right now I'm looking at the tamron 75-300 mm lens due to the low price and the good reviews. There's also the Sony version of the tamron which is more expensive. Finally there is also the Minolta "beercan" lens that can be purchased used at a reasonable price although I believe that one is a 70-210 mm lens. Which of those is the best option? Feel free to offer more suggestions but keep in mind that I can't really afford anything more than the Sony which is $250.
Answer
Unless you absolutely positively need the extra "reach" of 300mm (the Tamron 75-300mm) I strongly suggest the Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm f4 simply because its a constant aperture zoom. Also, I own and use the older manual focus 70-210mm f4 "Beercan" and the optics of the AF version are identical to mine. Its one sharp lens.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drifter45h/6217155698/ My camera was mounted on my tripod but this was taken using my 70-210mm zoom.
Unless you absolutely positively need the extra "reach" of 300mm (the Tamron 75-300mm) I strongly suggest the Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm f4 simply because its a constant aperture zoom. Also, I own and use the older manual focus 70-210mm f4 "Beercan" and the optics of the AF version are identical to mine. Its one sharp lens.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drifter45h/6217155698/ My camera was mounted on my tripod but this was taken using my 70-210mm zoom.
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