entry level DSLR advice
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- johnny_wobble
I've got a bit of extra cash and was considering an entry level DSLR. I want to spend less than $600 on it. Mostly just for shooting family, vacations and random shit, so not for working.
Video capabilities are a plus but not necessary. Variety of lens compatibility would be a big plus.
Anybody got opinions on a Pentax K-x or Nikon D3100?
What about these Sony Alphas? Any experience with them?
- boat0
I know you said entry level DSLR, but I would go for a micro four thirds instead. Like a pen or a gf. For what you are shooting, plus they are great cameras and better than entry level DSLR imo.
- Terrible idea. Then you're investing in a limited lens system. Toy cameras.antagonista
- Miguex0
- http://www.google.co…Miguex
- thats what i got as a starter DSLR, has 1080p HD video too and ligfht weight.
HijoDMaite - i love it!HijoDMaite
- yup, love this thingmoldero
- in answer to the video, the answer is yes. the 5D blows it out of the waterautoflavour
- i have this... great, great entry-level camera... the sensor on this one is big too... better lenses, and you can make some sick looking stuff...showpony
- love it!jfletcher
- ok_not_ok0
T1i - $650
- vaxorcist0
Try before you buy.....
Try the Nikon D3100 and the Canon T1i
I prefer the Nikon, but don't be too hard on yourself....
And I'd get a 35mm F1.8 or 50mm F1.8 lens in addition to the kit lens.... if you're experimental, an old manual flash with a bounce-head too..you don't need to spend $500 on a flash, but any flash without a bounce head is not worth getting...
The 4/3rds cameras are interesting, but I haven't used one much...
- I hear the D3100 doesn't have a back-button AF, which is a big let down for low light/ sports situationsMiguex
- akrok0
mmm...candy.
- sweet or salty?Miguex
- i go with the client answer.
YES!akrok - http://photo.stackex…vaxorcist
- Hombre_Lobo0
the pentax k-x will produce the best images for the money. Its image quality and high iso / low light performance is on par (infact some reviews says it better) with the more expensive 550d(t2i).
You can get kits with 2 lenses here in the UK for £400. thats £200 cheaper than the 550d (t2i) with an extra lens!
BUT the video on it is not great. It also takes double AA batteries, which doesnt sound great but they last for ages and the people ive spoken to with k-x's say they thought it would be annoying but its really not a problem in any way.
- do you have one? sample pics? so do they make battery packs for it? lolHijoDMaite
- nah, nearly bought one though. high iso - http://www.dpreview.…
(choose the k-x in the drop down boxes)Hombre_Lobo - ...boxes). Review -
http://www.dpreview.…Hombre_Lobo - also note its lack of AF points in the VF, but give it a try, thats the best thing to do :)Hombre_Lobo
- ok_not_ok0
- is Leica still owned by Hermes?vaxorcist
- not_okmonospaced
- Beverly Hills entry levelPixter
- epic_rim0
didn't the t2i just come out? Now the t3i?
- only diff i see so far is articulating lcd screenHijoDMaite
- yeh me too. t2i is an awesome cam though.Hombre_Lobo
- Hombre_Lobo0
Also if i were you i would take a look at 'micro four thirds' cameras AND compact system cameras in general - these produce DSLR results in a smaller package. In fact the e-pl1 and e-pl2 produce better pics than a lot of the entry level dslr's, the e-pl1 and e-pl2 beats out the nikon d5000 in IQ and at high iso.
Often these compact system cameras sacrifice burst shooting speed, optical view finder and fast auto focus. But the auto focus speed of them is far better than compact cameras, nearly as good as DSLR's, but not quite.
The compact system cameras often have electronic view finders built in (like the G2, Gh1, GH2 etc) or they accept elevtronic view finder attachments (like the gf1, e-pl1, e-pl2)
The GF1 (i have one and love it) -
Olympus e-pl2
Also check out the Sony Nex 5, it has some interface issues that have been updated in the firmware, but its an ace camera, but it lacks attachable electronic view finder.
- I got a GF1 too, after reading your recommendations here, and I love it! Thanks for the info you gave.left_right_out
- By the way, did you get extra batteries for it yet? Can you recommend any?left_right_out
- ah you're welcome dude! third party batteries? not tried any no. i think some firmwares restrict 3rd party...
3rd partyHombre_Lobo - battery use. BUT you can get firmware hacks that are very easy to install. They give higher quality video and...Hombre_Lobo
- ...manual control in video too. which is essential for DOF control. if you want more info lemme know :) Enjoy! :DHombre_Lobo
- johnny_wobble0
I'm settled on the T1i, body only for $550. I didn't even think of this until last night, but I've got an EOS Rebel 2000 35mm, so I dug it out and it has an EF 28-80mm kit lens I can use. Then I can use the rest of the cash towards a 35 or 50mm prime lens. Thanks for the advice. Guess I shouldn't have even needed it though. :)
- Hombre_Lobo0
^nice! its a solid cam.
the nifty fifty i think is the next conventional installment. 50mm f1.8, cheap too.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF…enjoy! post some pics!! :)
- ********0
composition.
composition.
composition.- what? you sayin' my composition is no good?johnny_wobble
- i'm saying it's the most important part of photography********
- no. the most important part of photography is having a camera with you.pango
- canuck0
You could probably go second hand and get like a canon 40 > 50d or something in that range these days. No video though.
- rusty_ace0
if you get the T1i by the body and lens separate, the typical lens that comes with it, if you by the set, is a pretty bad lens...soft images seems to be the main issue. just a little bit more gets you a much better lens.
- gregmwashington0
Subject matter is THE most important thing when talking about good photography.