Advice on getting a digital SLR

[sinc]

web is full of guidelines and tutorials, and yet, i feel compelled to ask you guys how do you feel about certain things from your own experience.

for a few years back, i've been using compact canon ixus 80is, and it did splendid work, photos were very good and i've been most positively surprised how its video recording turned out better quality than the sound in the concert room

anyways, time has come to level-up, and why not jump in bed with slr's. primarily, i like taking shots of landscapes (and concerts, maybe earn from it one day), but would very much like to take a chance at macro's and city by night. camera having hd video is good option, but not necessary.

so, i'm asking you advices on cameras and lenses that will be great for those motives, and also, are filters and weather protective gear recommended for those conditions (if at all). i have a budget limit of 900 usd.

i've studied few cameras on my own, and what do you think, do canon 550d and pentax k-x meet my needs? i've talked to few of my friends about pentax cameras, and they bashed it for insufficient quality. i googled a little, but could find only few bad comments, and it was on dust removal and complicated video recording.


your opinions will reflect on me greatly, as i hope to plunge into deeper levels of photography as soon as possible

 

[cepwin]

Personally I'm not familiar with Pentax however I really don't think you can go wrong with a Canon. I almost got at T2i but ended up going Nikon D3100 mainly because it fix my tiny hands better. I think the Canon T2i will fit your budget but I'd personally recommend going to a store and holding it and the Nikon D3100 and see which you prefer. (Note Canon's lastest entry model is the T3i but you will pay more for that..the main new feature is a tilt screen which may prove useful for some of your purposes like macro and concerts.) Again, you really can't go wrong with either. Remember, you are buying into a "system" in that all your lenes, etc will be for that brand of camera. (another reason to stick with Canon or Nikon...perhaps sony) Also entry level Nikons have their auto focus motors in the lens itself (no motor in the body) so you'd have to manual focus an older lens...not a big deal for the most part.

As for filters you might want to hold off on that...I bought two UV filters and I'm yet to use them. However they can prove useful if you're shooting in harsh conditions (sand, forest, etc) and are worried about lens scratches...) I just found this and it may be useful to you: Camera Lens Filter Guide – PictureCorrect


My biggest mistake was my case. I got a high quality lowepro case that has a built in weather cover (which I recommend) but I went too small. Remember you'll need to carry several lenes based on your interests so keep that in mind. Not to mention a flash and other accessories.

Finally, check the sales...In the US the T2i/D3100 are going for about $600 US (with a kit lens included) and they are also having sales on Lenses.

Hope this helps!

 

[bcshort]

I'd say if you are planning to shoot concerts and night concerts, forget about the Canon and go Nikon. Nikon hands down for the last couple of years has consistently had the better performing sensor in low light. I'm a EOS 60D user, and the difference in ISO between the EOS 60D and D7000 is noticeable.

Canon T3i vs Nikon D5100 give an easy to understand comparison of some entry level cameras. Actually, have a good play around with the snapsort comparison site - I think its a great resource.

UV Filters are for protection only, but remember you are putting another layer of glass in front of the lens so make sure it's good glass. Bad filters can introduce lens flares and lower contrast amongst other things. Only get them if you really think you need them.

What I would suggest investing in filter wise is a Circular Polarising Filter (CPL) and some Neutral Density (ND) Graduated filters. These will greatly assist you taking photos outdoors and help reduce over-exposure of the sky/underexposure of the foreground.

One last thing - I like to buy one good quality filter for a large diameter lens (e.g. 77mm). It's a lot cheaper to buy step-up rings (couple of dollars) to adapt them to smaller lenses than it is to by filters for each lens size you have.

Hope this helps

 

[KmH]

All lower case.

Skip thread.

Bye. :salute:

 

[sinc]

alas, i forgot about "hands on" feeling, i will definitely have to feel it first. T2i has a sale here (with lenses) too, but its 100 bucks more expensive than in US. if i buy merchendise from anywhere in the world, i'll have guarantee-free repairs, as long there are supporting companies of that manufactorer here, right?
will check on d3100, although it says "The D3100 is exclusively designed for use with NIKKOR AF-S and AF-I lenses that are equipped with an autofocus motor" - does that fact limits choices? and another newbie question - that autofocus, i can shut it off whenever i please?
as i can see, circular polarising filter is a must, others can wait
cepwin, bcshort, your help is greatly appreciated

 

[enzodm]

For low light pictures, lenses are somewhat more important than the body. So start with a kit, but consider that sooner or later you will need some faster lens.
Pentax is not bad at all. Actually, K-r substituted K-x.
However, T2i is slightly less entry level than d3100 (not sure about K-r). If you are interested in video too, go Canon.
In EU you can find the 550D with 18-55IS at 600€ (VAT inclusive: consider that often US prices do not include VAT, which you may pay at customs) .

 

[sinc]

Yep, I'm aware of VAT. Here in Croatia 550D has the same price. For now, there is a choice of Canon EOS 550D, Nikon D3100/D5100 and Pentax K-R judging by stuff I need. Can you recommend me lens type by the camera brand for the following motives (i haven't plunged deeper in lenses): - landscape (dawn, day, dusk)
- city nightshots
- concerts (mostly clubbing)
- macro

 

[enzodm]

Yep, I'm aware of VAT. Here in Croatia 550D has the same price. For now, there is a choice of Canon EOS 550D, Nikon D3100/D5100 and Pentax K-R judging by stuff I need. Can you recommend me lens type by the camera brand for the following motives (i haven't plunged deeper in lenses): - landscape (dawn, day, dusk)
- city nightshots
- concerts (mostly clubbing)
- macro

mmmm... 4 different lenses?
The best thing is to start with the kit lens, and then see what you may need. There is a lot to learn -better not to invest before having reached a good level of knowledge of what you have.

Anyway, landscape and city nightshots may be done with the kit lens (18-55IS or 18-135IS). Buy a tripod too, mandatory in the night but useful also during the day for crisp shots.
Macro can be done cheaply using extension rings, or reverting the lens (you will not obtain the best in terms of sharpness, but more than sufficient for learning techniques). However, a flash might be very useful in a second time.
Regarding concerts, it depends on how large is the room. If you can go close, 50/1.8 could be good choice. If not, you need a zoom, and fast zooms may be expensive, or some prime lens, not cheap too.

However, this has been made with the kit lens, on a Canon 1000D (the place was sufficiently lit - is the same as the last picture):



I was lucky to find a Sigma 50-150/2.8 for portraits, that I used also in concerts:


This one is made with an old manual focus 55/1.4:

 

[sinc]

mmmm... 4 different lenses?
The best thing is to start with the kit lens, and then see what you may need. There is a lot to learn -better not to invest before having reached a good level of knowledge of what you have.

Ofcourse, you are right First and foremost I should try out with basic kit.

And the photos you posted look decent enough with kit lenses

 

[MLeeK]

I want to jump in here on the Pentax thing... Pentax is not low quality. In fact if you aren't aimed at going professional where Pentax becomes a little limited it's probably the best bang for your buck. They don't strip down their entry level DSLR's like canon and especially Nikon does.
Nikon does a beautiful job of having their cameras distinctly fall into different categories. The D3100 is kind of like a step between the bridge camera and the full blown DSLR. They do not put an auto focus motor in the D3100 and D5100 to keep the costs down on the body which for me is the biggest turn off on those two cameras. You must buy lenses with the motor in them or you will have to manually focus. The d5100 is a GREAT improvement over the D3100 in quality. I would DEFINITELY go at the very least with the D5100 if you do choose Nikon. I'd push even harder to go to the D7000 if you have serious plans down the road.

Canon doesn't do as great a job in blurring the lines between their entry level cameras. The T2i or 550D outside the US is the older of the two main rebel models on the market. HOWEVER-it's the same sensor as the newer model, the newer one has an articulating screen and a few superficial upgrades that don't really make it an absolute NEED to bump up to it. You can definitely save yourself a few bucks with the T2i over the T3i. There is also a T3 on the market which is their very basic entry level. I'd go with the T2i.

What it comes down to when choosing is what FITS you. You need to look at the features on each of the models you are looking at and figure out what you WANT, NEED and can live without. Be sure to think to the future on those "can live without's." Then go to a store and hold one of each brand. Shoot a few frames with it. Change settings on it. See how it feels. One will feel right, one won't.

 

[loopy]

i've studied few cameras on my own, and what do you think, do canon 550d and pentax k-x meet my needs? i've talked to few of my friends about pentax cameras, and they bashed it for insufficient quality. i googled a little, but could find only few bad comments, and it was on dust removal and complicated video recording.


your opinions will reflect on me greatly, as i hope to plunge into deeper levels of photography as soon as possible

I want to jump in here on the Pentax thing... Pentax is not low quality. In fact if you aren't aimed at going professional where Pentax becomes a little limited it's probably the best bang for your buck. They don't strip down their entry level DSLR's like canon and especially Nikon does.

Thanks for pointing that our MLeek, I was just about to say... I've been very happy with not only the image quality but the build quality as well. I own a Pentax KM and a K5. Pentax does have really good bang for your buck, actually the Pentax K5 is one of the best ASP-C cameras on the market right now (DxOMark - DxOMark review for the Pentax K5). I picked mine up for $950 CND.

Just wanted to also note that the KX (and the model up, the KR) are not weather resistant, the K5 is. I've heard the KR has excellent high ISO capability, and if your shooting concerts, this will come in handy.

If you can make it down to the camera store, so hold and test some bodies