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1st time DSLR suggestions

post #1 of 6
11/3/08 at 12:31pm
Thread Starter 
I am thinking of getting my wife a digital SLR camera for Christmas. I've seen a number of packages for Canon and Nikon cameras. The Nikon D40 package with an extra lens, a flash, and a filter seems like an attractive deal to me (link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....rd96500050000). There is a Canon deal that comes with just an extra lens (link :Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi 12.2MP Digital SLR Camera with Extra Lens) but is slightly more expensive.

Is the Canon a much better camera than the Nikon? We'll be using it primarily for indoor use, some outdoor, and probably printing the majority of our pictures at 3x5 or so.

One thing I noticed with our regular digital cameras is that Canons tend to be faster. With our old Canon, it was pretty much click-clik-click when taking multiple shots. With our current Panasonic, it is more like click-wait-wait-click-wait-wait-click. Is it a correct assumption that all DSLRs are going to be able to shoot much faster, maybe like clicliclick (hope that makes some sense)?

Thanks!
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post #2 of 6
11/3/08 at 1:27pm

Re: 1st time DSLR suggestions

Double post.
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post #3 of 6
11/3/08 at 1:44pm

Re: 1st time DSLR suggestions

Canon and Nikon both make excellent dSLR cameras. While I do not have either of the lenses in that particular Canon kit, both get decent reviews for kit lenses, although neither have a great build quality (both have plastic lens mounts). Someone who is more familiar with Nikon will have to speak towards that kit.

As for speed, dSLRs are much different than a point & shoot camera. You will not experience shutter lag with any dSLR. The number of frames per second will vary with each model, but if you are not doing any advanced action photography any entry level dSLR should be fine -- usually in the 2-3 frames per second range. A step up in models can get you over 6 frames per second, if you have that need for sports or other action photography.

Since dSLRs are much different than a point & shoot, with a lot more capabilities, if you are not familiar with basic photography techniques I would highly recommend the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. You need to learn about using proper aperture, shutter speed, etc. if you want to get the most out of your camera and photography. Here is a link to the book at Amazon.
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post #4 of 6
11/4/08 at 2:12pm

Re: 1st time DSLR suggestions

The D40 package link (from Best Buy?) looks broken, so can't really tell. But my guess would be the Nikon kit probably has slightly better consumer zoom lenses (*IF* they are the VR versions) than the Canon kit, but the Canon kit probably has the better DSLR body.

Without knowing more, it's hard to give a good recommendation.

One thing. You mentioned you already had a Canon SLR? What lenses do you have for it? You might be able to reuse those lenses on the Canon DSLR. If so, it might make sense to either buy a better Canon body or save the $ for better lenses than those in the kit. Both Canon and Nikon often offer some sort of promo deals that let you buy better lenses to go w/ a new body. You might want to look into that, particularly for the lenses, instead of settling for these entry level kits.

_Man_
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post #5 of 6
11/11/08 at 7:55pm

Re: 1st time DSLR suggestions

Agreed with both Scott and Man. If you are a costco member you might look into their D90 kit, its a bit more $$$ at like $1300 but it comes with two decent zooms both with VR.
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post #6 of 6
2/1/09 at 10:04am

Re: 1st time DSLR suggestions

If like me, you are a hobbyist photographer, I recommend the Canon SX. I was able to purchase it for $500. I have had this camera for a couple of weeks and have been very pleased, so far.
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