Entry Level DSLR
- Started
- Last post
- 32 Responses
- sherm0
used XTi in my opinion
- BaskerviIle0
Is there a good alternative to the Canon 5DII. I really want to start shooting HD with slr lenses, I've seen some amazing footage.
Is there a cheaper option?- Canon 7D and 550D do 1080P, slightly more depth of field, 1.6 aps-c sensors, but very nice too..vaxorcist
- 5D II has better low-light, but even the 550D has a good low light sensor compared to most video cameras...vaxorcist
- just beware DSLR video is very different to shoot, need tripod, manual focus, carefulnessvaxorcist
- http://www.qbn.com/t…Miguex
- you can shoot without tripod with slr no problem, I mean unless your lens is super heavyMiguex
- vaxorcist0
you can compare camera image sensor scores for RAW files at:
http://www.dxomark.comthis may or may not matter to most people, but for critical work, it's nice to know how a camera's sensor does in low light, dynamic range, etc....
- high_touch0
A good friend bought the Canon 550D, and was so blown away by it, he went and bought a 2nd one for his wife. Despite my endorsement of the Pentax k-x, I think the 550D is how I'm going to go.
- vaxorcist0
for non-photo geeks, I'm leaning Nikon these days, after shooting a few gigs with D300s comparing to Canon 5D and 30D........ and even an old Nikon D50, once I got used to it....
Both the Nikons seemed to require less carefulness in making sure your focus is really correct.... shooting casually, like most people would, I found a slightly higher number of correctly focussed images for both Nikons....
the Canon's seemed more likely to demand that I use only the center point and focus/recompose to get a nicely high ratio of correctly focussed shots in the varyingly random conditions I was shooting....
- interested to hear that, never anyone give that feedback. (i shoot nikon)Samush
- you know that canons have a 9 point focus system right? and all of these work to focus your subject, not just the center oneMiguex
- I have a 5D and I agree the focusing points outside the central one are less reliable esp. in low light.raf
- Hombre_Lobo0
taxiguerrilla
That is a very sexy E-P2 you have their. Did you not get the electronic view finder with it? or did you go for the body only? i hear its extremely capable, high res and comparable to DSLR view finders, save up for it! :D
- Yeah, I got it, but 1. it is really different from an optical viewfinder; 2. I always forget to take it with me when I go out :)taxiguerrilla
- plash0
Canon EOS 300D Rebel or Canon EOS 350D Rebel XT
i *love* mine and the parts/accessories you can get are limitless.
Now, they are older models but you can get them for under 500bills
and at least with the 300D you can do a firmware upgrade to update it.350D
300D
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- BannedKappa0
get a second hand canon 500D
- 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