DSLR cameras......any suggestions

[soundofrockets]

considering buying dslr camera....use will be mostly family and hometheater pixs.....some outdoors.....wanted some feedback and directions.....also any good guide/dvd to help take good pixs........tia

[ben9732]

[cburbs]

May want to read thru this recent thread - http://www.chasehometheater.com/foru...ead.php?t=4130

[Fatcat]

I personally am a Nikon guy. It stared in high school with my first good film camera through to now with digital. I currently use a D90 and I love it. If there was a complaint it would be that it doesn't do autofocus when shooting video. The newer models like the D3100 and the D5100 do have this feature plus a number of other creative shooting modes. Conversely my buddy is a Canon guy through and through. They also have several good models but I am less familiar with them. My advice would be to go to a camera store and hold the cameras in your hand to see how they handle and get a feel for the controls. Ergonomics and comfort go a long way to helping capture great pictures.

Best.....Carlo.

[soundofrockets]

tx for the link and other advice... i was looking at the d3100 and its at a decent price.........what lens if any is recommended.........i do plan to visit some camera store in san fran hopefully this weekend

[Fatcat]

I have two lenses, both zooms. A 35-70mm f2.8 and a 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 which cover most of my shooting needs. If you need to keep it to a single lens for now then one of the zooms that cover the 24-120mm range would serve you well. Get as nice a piece of glass as you can afford. Paying for a better quality lens wil get you improved low light performance, better construction and durability and smoother operation.

Best.....Carlo.

[spuzio]

I bought the D3100 with the 18-55 lens, and loved it and took some amazing photos. I recently returned it however, as i was able to upgrade to the D5100, which has a better sensor and features. Two great resources that i use is dpreview.com and also

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3100.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5100.htm

[soundofrockets]

wow that 5100 also looks very impressive........now back to reading.......are most cameras mountable ?? i am also looking at upgrading our video camera. (with two newer babies we would like to capture lot of things).....mount the cameras and take studio quality pixs and video them in their original moods.....

[rsa]

Coincidentally, I took delivery on a Nikon D5100 kit today, upgrading from a D40. :woo:

My motivation was that I broke my D40's kit lens. :doh! 1: I splurged and added a Nikon 18-200mm to my order, in part since Amazon is offering $250 off the price of the 18-200mm when you buy a qualifying Nikon body. Ken Rockwell's reviews helped my choose both the D5100 and the 18-200mm.

Even with just a few minutes with it so far, I expect to be very happy with my choice. It's a big step up from the D40.

[soundofrockets]

i too am leaning towards the d5100.......do you have to have that particular lens or can you get the job done with the regular lens.......i need to understand the lens part little bit more.......

[Fatcat]

One thing to keep in mind is that some of the higher range Nikon cameras have autofocus motors in the bodies which will allow you to use some older autofocus lenses if you have some already in your collection. Otherwise most of the midline Nikon bodies require you to get recent vintage lenses that have the AF motors built into the lens itself. Not really a huge deal unless your someone like me who had some nice AF lenses already from my film SLR. It just made moving to digital a little less painful.

Best....Carlo.

[soundofrockets]

i am just starting now. i have past investment in equipment or experience....and before i spend a whole lot money i want to make sure that i like the lobby and learn how to use the dslrs to maximize the benefits.....

[Mike4AU]

Gosh, I almost hate to give any advice because when I do that translates to spending a fair amount of money. Given what I read between the lines, you want to hold down the cost, but,at the same time, want decent stuff.

I am a Nikon guy, but never trash any other cameras. There are some great ones out there that are not Nikons. The D3100 and 5100 Nikons are nice. Get one of those. Then get a Sigma 18-200 OS lens. Make sure it is OS! It will do you a nice job, wide and long. And it cost a lot less than the Nikkor 18-200 (which I have).

Ultimately, the best advice I can give about the camera is to go to a B&M store and hold the ones you are considering in your hand. When I was looking, I held a D300 in my hand and knew right out of the gate that it was made for me.

Lastly, order stuff from B&H Photo or Amazon (when sold by Amazon, not a third party vendor).

Good luck.

Mike

[soundofrockets]

went to the store yesterday.........tried some........nikon 3100, 5100 and 7000, also the canon t3.......but the guy recommended the sony a55.........better bang for the value.....anybody tried the sony cameras ?

[soundofrockets]

ended up getting the sony a55 along with the 18-250mm lens...haven't taken any pixs yet. hope to take some shots this weekend.