Making my first DSLR Purchase

[ProfessionalDrinker]

Hola everyone

I'm sure by now many of you see this often and are tired of it, But I was looking for some pointers on a first DSLR purchase. I have been interested in photography for a long time and have finally decided to start having some fun. I travel A LOT for my job and see amazing things all the time and ALSO operate a alcohol/cocktail review website at Intoxicology101.net so I'd like to eventually get to the point of taking some amazing photos of my travels and amazing shots of the cocktails I review and/or create. I have a college friend who is a photographer who mentioned I should buy a used Nikon D40 as an excellent beginners camera but I thought before I make my purchase (in the next two or three weeks) I'd get some other opinions. Any feedback would be great ! Thanks.

-Alex

 

[Trever1t]

While limited a tiny bit with the D40 (or D60 like I did) you will learn fast and move up quickly if, after using the D40 you find you need to. I compare it to riding a motorcycle, start on a smaller model....While others may not agree it's what I did, found a good used D60 and when ready to move up I sold it for what I had in it, no loss.

 

[Auriflanos]

Home | PhotographyBLOG

Check this website for reviews on cameras! The best Brands are Pentax, Canon and Nikon.

I, as a beginner, bought a Pentax k-x and I am loving. Check this camera on the website for a very described info about it

 

[ProfessionalDrinker]

Thanks to the two that responded !, going through ebay and craigslist as we speak for a d40

 

[nokili]

Hola everyone

I'm sure by now many of you see this often and are tired of it, But I was looking for some pointers on a first DSLR purchase. I have been interested in photography for a long time and have finally decided to start having some fun. I travel A LOT for my job and see amazing things all the time and ALSO operate a alcohol/cocktail review website at Intoxicology101.net so I'd like to eventually get to the point of taking some amazing photos of my travels and amazing shots of the cocktails I review and/or create. I have a college friend who is a photographer who mentioned I should buy a used Nikon D40 as an excellent beginners camera but I thought before I make my purchase (in the next two or three weeks) I'd get some other opinions. Any feedback would be great ! Thanks.

-Alex

Personally I would stick with the big 2. Nikon or Canon. Not to say other cameras aren't out there that are good too.

My suggestion to you is get something that feels right in your hands. It is SOO important and often over looked

Be careful with the "lower" end Nikons. They don't have the AF function built into the camera so you need to make sure that you purchase lenses with the AF ability built in.

This chart will help with Nikon Lens compatibility

 

[chaosrealm93]

i think you will grow out of the d40 rather fast. (my friend also suggested it when i first got started). get something higher up the product tree

 

[chaosrealm93]

and i agree with nokili, stick with the big two

 

[KmH]

If you want to make amazing photos you're going to have to learn the technical details of photography, and how to use the camera and lens in it's manual or semi-auto modes.

Plan on spending some serious money for good glass, if you want amazing photos.

The only limit to amazing will be your knowledge and expertise, not the gear.

 

[PhotoTish]

My first camera was the D40 and I loved it. I found it straightforward to use while learning about aperture, shutterspeeds etc. It is also a lightweight, small camera so easy to travel with. It is a 6 megapixel camera but still takes good photos unless, of course, you are planning to print poster sized images. I still have my D40 because I like to use it for street photography; people do not seem to notice the little D40 :thumbup:

 

[j-digg]

Hola everyone

I'm sure by now many of you see this often and are tired of it, But I was looking for some pointers on a first DSLR purchase. I have been interested in photography for a long time and have finally decided to start having some fun. I travel A LOT for my job and see amazing things all the time and ALSO operate a alcohol/cocktail review website at Intoxicology101.net so I'd like to eventually get to the point of taking some amazing photos of my travels and amazing shots of the cocktails I review and/or create. I have a college friend who is a photographer who mentioned I should buy a used Nikon D40 as an excellent beginners camera but I thought before I make my purchase (in the next two or three weeks) I'd get some other opinions. Any feedback would be great ! Thanks.

-Alex

Well you did the right thing in researching beforehand.. Canon and Nikon are the most popular, which leads to a better second hand market... whats your budget? Or whatre you willing to spend right now on your first body & lens? Do you see yourself sticking with the hobby? Do you have any positions as a reviewer open for your website?

 

[357mag]

I picked up a Nikon D3100 that I'm very happy with and that is considered an entry-level camera. But don't be fooled by the entry-level stuff. It's quite versatile and powerful and takes great pictures.

 

[j28]

I still love my D40, even now that I have the D7000. It is a great little camera. The size is perfect for traveling and I have been impressed with the wear and tear it has held up through.

 

[scriptkat]

I picked up a Nikon D3100 that I'm very happy with and that is considered an entry-level camera. But don't be fooled by the entry-level stuff. It's quite versatile and powerful and takes great pictures.

I am very near going with the D3100 for my first DSLR, so am interested in hearing what you think of its lowlight capabilities. I want something that will make shooting live music in bars easier for me, but I have read it's not great in low light?? This is why I have found myself interested in the Sony Alpha A33 because of the light capabilities and 7fps, but am not coming across a lot of user feedback on it. I tried them out in the store today, as well as the Canon Rebel T3 (no T1i's in stock, and these are the 3 in my budget I am looking at...), and the Nikon felt more natural to me than Canon. Sony's new extras are making it a harder choice for me. Anyway, I am just a beginner to DSLRs so any input is great. Thanks.

 

[djacobox372]

If you like nikon, I would highly recommend spending the extra $50-75 and buying a d80 over a d40. That way you get an af motor, better external controls and nearly twice the megapixels.

D80s can be had used in near mint condition for as low as $300 on Ebay.

 

[clanthar]

Sony makes great cameras -- well worth considering. Sony has had some bumps in the business because they struggle trying to make up their mind if they're selling a pro camera or a consumer camera. They're kinda schizoid about it and I suspect they're scared the pro market isn't big enough for them so they keep tacking consumer cr*p onto cameras that should appeal to pro users -- like smile recognition. I wouldn't be caught dead with a camera that did that, BUT their electronics are excellent and their glass is respectable. You can turn the consumer cr*p off and the A33 is a keeper.

Joe