Entry Level DSLR
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- rosem
probably a few posts about this, but the filter is junk...
I'm thinking about getting my sister an entry level DSLR for a graduation present. what's the general consensus on the best out there? I'm looking to spend around $500.00 (give or take $100).
thanks!
- idiots0
used 30d
- rosem0
I was thinking D3000, as I have a D90 and it would be nice to potentially share lenses down the road.
I heard they have some problems though, or was that another model?
- I've had one for six months now and it's spot on. No concerns or issues. Can't recommend it enough.luckyorphan
- Search for a good price - got mine new for <$500.luckyorphan
- akrokdesign0
3 frames per second continuous shooting.
...sounds great. you find 10 mp to be enough?- its entry level. more than enough. people were shooting with 8mp and they didn't complain.pango
- true.akrokdesign
- unless you're producing massive prints 10mp is always enough.
Hombre_Lobo - i reckon 5% of photographers actually 'need' 12mp+Hombre_Lobo
- Meeklo0
^
Mine has 6mp and while I would love more, for my level of experience is more than enough, and I've been using that camera for at least 4 years now- good to know.akrokdesign
- but I dont really do prints, just web mainlyMeeklo
- ya i don't think rosem's sister does print as well.
or does she?pango
- pango0
i think she would be happier for a Canon PowerShot G11 or similar caliber. it can be full manual and very similar to a DSLR. compact size good for traveling. *view finder. learning to take photo without the monitor is a must. video, anti shake, interchangeable lens. none-photography enthusiast would love these type of camera more.
- pango0
- DO IT.
love mine. incredible 20mm 1.7 lens.
much more compact too.Hombre_Lobo - also the GF1 and Micro four thirds cameras allow to use old very cheap Four thirds lens via an adapter.Hombre_Lobo
- look at the E-PL1Hombre_Lobo
- Me got the E-P2, it's great.taxiguerrilla
- DO IT.
- shoto_can0
canon 500 or 550d
films and shots good with decent lens
- rosem0
she's wanted an dslr for a while now, so I think I'm going that route. she'll most likely be sharing on web and printing 6X4 photos.
- autoflavour0
40d
- pango0
just saying....
i got my sister a Canon 500 for her birthday cus she said she really want a dslr as well. it takes nice photo way more than enough for 4x6 but she hardly takes it out of the house. cuz it doesn't fit in her puny purse.
i would have gotten her a compact. if i know what she really want is not a dslr but a good looking camera that takes nice photos and fits in her purse. (preferably easy to take self-portrait)
got damn it! i want that camera back!
*shakes fist in the air.- size is important to some people.... especially women...vaxorcist
- stewart0
i had a 40d, nothing wrong with that to start with. upgraded to 7d recently.
- AVAVA0
Your best bet is a used 30d, with a good prime lens.
The 30d got the good stuff from the 20d, and the difference between that and the 40d is negligible. The 30d was made with far more solid materials - feels like a real dslr in other words, and not as plasticy as the 40 or 50d.
- I have to admit I love my 30D in a zen-like way.... it does feel like and old-school film SLR more than most others...vaxorcist
- BannedKappa0
get a second hand canon 500D
- high_touch0
This past year I sold my Pentax K200d to buy something a little more carry-around friendly - the Lumix LX3. Huge, huge mistake. I love everything about the LX3, except that it's NOT a DSLR in any way, which I knew going into, but thought somehow it would match up to my Pentax. The truth is, once you learn to take photos with a DSLR, there's no turning back. I miss my Pentax so damn much, and the SMC P-FA 43mm F1.9 limited prime lens I'd bought for it. I realize now what a great DSLR set-up I had.
Ok, enough of my whining. You'd do right by your sister with the Pentax k-x. It goes toe-to-toe with most of the popular entry level DSLRs, but it costs less and is available in eye-catching body colors (not my thing, but appealing to some). The entry level Pentax DSLR is easy to use right out of the box, and will grow with your sister as her photo taking skill level advance.
- raf0
Have Pentax finally learned to do AF that isn't slow and useless in evening light? I hope so.
I went through 3 different models for 2 years until I said fuck it and bought a Canon.
- lnu0
Get her a Olympus E-PL1 or a Pentax K-X. Or spend a little bit extra and get her the Canon 550d/Rebel T2i. Best bang for buck IMO.
- Hombre_Lobo0
Yeh saving up for the 550d is a very good idea. Highest camera rating on dpreview and they know their stuff. That cam is amazing, takes incrediby good video as a bonus too.