Recommend a DSLR

[NewMom2007]

With baby #2 on the way, I am finally getting serious about buying a nice camera and lens. I have every intention of going to a local store to see cameras in person, get a feel for the controls, etc. I will say that the last time I went to a local store, I was totally overwhelmed and intimidated by a salesperson who didn't get that I am a novice - he started throwing out photo jargon and lost me immediately. And everyone around me seemed like a pro - maybe I need to go during an off time during the day when it's more empty.

I have a couple friends who are excellent photographers and each has recommended a different brand. One recommends the Canon Rebel XSi and if I want to upgrade the lens, the 70-300mm. The other recommends the Nikon Coolpix or D40 and, if I want to go top of the line, this lens: http://tinyurl.com/6pd89n (the Nikkor 18-200mm). And, because I adore her photos on her site, I'm intrigued by what www.soulemama.com uses, which is the Nikon D80 and the 18-200vr (is that the same as the Nikkor? I don't even know!).

Ideally, I will get the camera, be able to take gorgeous pics from day one and eventually get into a 101 class (after the baby is born since the next day long class pre-baby is full) :-) Of course, I'm flexible on the gorgeous pics from day one :-) I'll settle for reading the manual and bugging my friends for tips/tricks until I can get to a class.

Cost is not a huge issue at this point - everything I listed is within my budget. However, I don't want to go overboard and get something that is more than I can handle if I can get away with something less expensive. Basically, I don't want to be so intimidated by the equipment that I never use it....

Thank you for any and all input!

[becca_g]

We recently purchased the Canon Rebel T1i (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/613613-REG/Canon_3818B002_EOS_Rebel_T1i_Digital.html) (with the stock lens) and love it! It's a slightly upgraded version of the XSi (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542180-REG/Canon_2756B003_EOS_Rebel_XSi_a_k_a_.html) and offers great image quality as well as HD video (not as good as an HD camcorder but works well in a pinch). We were considering a separate camcorder purchase and would have gone with the XSi in that case because of excellent reviews for image quality.

The other DSLR we were considering, which is closest to the T1i in features, is the Nikon D5000 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/615725-REG/Nikon_25454_D5000_Digital_SLR_Camera.html).

We knew nothing about DSLRs when we started doing research. There are tons of detailed reviews online for the various cameras, and depending on which you read any of the 3 cameras above may come out slightly ahead depending on the feature being analyzed. Overall, from the reviews we gathered that the Canon T1i has better HD video than the Nikon D5000 (the XSi has none). The Nikon may have slightly better image quality than the T1i using a stock lens, and we found nothing negative about image quality with the XSi. However, to us photos taken with the Nikon all seemed darker than with either Canon, which was a negative. Also, the T1i has the highest megapixels of the 3 and with an upgraded lens has the potential for the best image quality.

What we finally decided after much, much agonizing is that any differences in image quality among the 3 cameras using a stock lens were minor and most likely not something we would even be able to detect in our novice state. We ended up going with the T1i because of the HD video (nice to not have to carry around a separate camcorder) and the higher megapixels.

We only have the stock lens for now (planning to upgrade in future), so I don't have any advice regarding lenses yet.

We ended up purchasing the camera and accessories online through B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) at the recommendation of someone here on the board. They had the best prices we found online (be sure to actually add items to your cart to see the final sale price) as well as compared to any of the physical stores in our area. Shipping is free on most items, and customer service was excellent.

We weren't planning to purchase a photo printer, but ended up getting the Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II Inkjet Printer (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/609356-REG/Canon_3295B002_PIXMA_Pro9000_Mark_II.html) because there is a $400 mail-in-rebate (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/Rebates_Promos/013110_CANON_8190469.pdf) with purchase of the T1i and the printer. The printer was on sale for $449, so we essentially paid $49 for it. Excellent photo print quality!!!

Also, if you're looking for a camera bag, we went with the Lowepro Slingshot 200 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/392368-REG/Lowepro_LP34737_PEU_SlingShot_200_AW_Camera.html) (again after much research). We love, love, love it! It's used by photojournalists for easy access and wears similar to a backpack but slides around for camera access without having to actually remove the bag. It comes in different sizes (e.g., 100, 200, 300, 350), and the 350 has space for a laptop. Reviews in general for the Lowepro camera bags (http://www.lowepro.com/) are excellent, and they are very reasonably priced. There are lots of other styles to choose from as well.

Finally, here's a mail-in-rebate for SanDisk Extreme (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/Rebates_Promos/010210_SANDISK_T-00003527.pdf) memory cards.

That's probably way more information than you were looking for, but I hope it's helpful anyway. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.

Best of luck!

[jenny]

The Nikon D40 is on the lower-end of the scale in terms of performance. I would get the Canon.

[alirebco]

I have the Canon XTI and love it. I would recommend the XSI.

[m448]

I bought the xsi back in May/June and love it. I was torn between that and the next model up but since my canon s3 has the video capabilities and pretty good one at that I decided for the xsi. I've loved it since the first day but I had already maxed out my superzoom's abilities so was ready for the next step. Next I plan on getting the 55-250mm IS lens and the 50mm 1.8.

[NewMom2007]

I bought the xsi back in May/June and love it. I was torn between that and the next model up but since my canon s3 has the video capabilities and pretty good one at that I decided for the xsi. I've loved it since the first day but I had already maxed out my superzoom's abilities so was ready for the next step. Next I plan on getting the 55-250mm IS lens and the 50mm 1.8.

-- Thanks! I need to educate myself on lenses, too...so I'll be sure to look at those you mentioned.


The Nikon D40 is on the lower-end of the scale in terms of performance. I would get the Canon.

--Would you recommend the Canon over a higher end Nikon, like the D80 or another?


We recently purchased the Canon Rebel T1i (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/613613-REG/Canon_3818B002_EOS_Rebel_T1i_Digital.html) (with the stock lens) and love it! It's a slightly upgraded version of the XSi (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542180-REG/Canon_2756B003_EOS_Rebel_XSi_a_k_a_.html) and offers great image quality as well as HD video (not as good as an HD camcorder but works well in a pinch). We were considering a separate camcorder purchase and would have gone with the XSi in that case because of excellent reviews for image quality.

We ended up purchasing the camera and accessories online through B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) at the recommendation of someone here on the board. They had the best prices we found online (be sure to actually add items to your cart to see the final sale price) as well as compared to any of the physical stores in our area. Shipping is free on most items, and customer service was excellent.

--I really appreciate all the detail you posted! I may take you up on your offer to PM as I educate myself more. I didn't even think about video - I use a separate camcorder now and I love my Flip cameras for really quick on-the-fly video. I'll admit I rarely do anything with the video once I capture it on my camcorder. I almost think I'd be better off not worrying about video capabilities - if you think I should consider it, let me know.

Again, I really appreciate all your detail! Now if only you'll accompany me to my local store so I don't feel like such a moron when I'm there! :)

[codex57]

The 18-200 lens is awesome. Great do everything lens.

As for Canon or Nikon, well, do you have friends with dSLRs? If so, get whatever brand they have so you can borrow their stuff.

Check out www.kenrockwell.com (http://www.kenrockwell.com) He shoot both but prefers Nikon. However, I like him cuz he's blunt and is brutally honest. He's very opinionated and not everyone agrees with his opinions, but at least he cuts the crap.

If you can swing it, I'd go for the D90 and the 18-200. Or, see about the 18-70 and 70-200 together (might be cheaper, but you'd have to switch lenses on occassion).

Nikkor is just Nikon's "lens" company. Nikon and Nikkor are pretty much interchangeable. I shoot a D200 with an 18-200, 50 mm 1.4 prime lens, and borrowing my neighbor's 35mm prime lens.

[Tondi G]

we have a Canon XTi and love it! Just got a great 50mm 1.8 lens for it that was cheap (around 100 bucks) and takes beautiful portrait pics! My DH has been having so much fun taking pics lately.... his new hobby!

[becca_g]

--I really appreciate all the detail you posted! I may take you up on your offer to PM as I educate myself more. I didn't even think about video - I use a separate camcorder now and I love my Flip cameras for really quick on-the-fly video. I'll admit I rarely do anything with the video once I capture it on my camcorder. I almost think I'd be better off not worrying about video capabilities - if you think I should consider it, let me know.

Again, I really appreciate all your detail! Now if only you'll accompany me to my local store so I don't feel like such a moron when I'm there! :)

The only video capability we had prior to purchasing the T1i was with our point-and-shoot camera and wasn't great quality. It sounds like you have other good video options already, so I think it's a really a matter of personal preference whether or not you want video capabilities on your DSLR. HD video with DSLRs is a fairly new option, and the quality and video features will most likely improve with future models. We're planning to get a separate HD camcorder in a couple of years when DS is more mobile, but for now the T1i meets our video needs. The final factor that tipped us in favor of the T1i was the camera/printer $400 rebate (not available for the XSi).

The Nikon D90 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/580422-REG/Nikon_25448_D90_SLR_Digital_Camera.html) that someone else mentioned is supposed to be an excellent camera but was out of our price range. My nephew has the Nikon D60 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542463-REG/Nikon_25438_D60_SLR_Digital_Camera.html), which takes excellent photos as well.

It may help to visit the Canon (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=111) and Nikon (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Digital-SLR/index.page) sites if you haven't already to help sort out the differences in the various models. I would definitely recommend one of those 2 brands, though.

[jenny]

I'm a canon snob so you shouldn't ask me canon or nikon :P

[TaChapm]

I have a Canon XSi and I LOVE it! I also just purchased the Sigma 18-250 OS lens and I have to say it was worth every penny. I love the range of the lens and I am not constantly having to change out my lens. I wish I had skipped the 70-300 lens and just went straight to the 18-250 (although I don't think it was available at the time). With kids they would run far away and I would need a zoom lens but then they would come close and would be too close for the 70-300 range. It was a nightmare trying to change out the lens to meet my needs with them. I also HIGHLY recommend you the the IS/OS/VR versions of the lenses. It really does help cut down on the image noise.