best entry level/advanced amatuer dslr

im looking to enter the photography industry as a hobby/job... event photographer...

what dslr's would be good for me to start with? i have a budget of about $800 dollars max for a camera with lenses and accessories

 

Subscribed. I am very interested as well.

 

Subbed also...

 

X2

 

I use a Nikon D80.

 

Take a look at the Canon Rebel XSi. It will leave you some room to get a few accessory's, and is a great camera.

 

I had the Canon Rebel XT (older SLR, about 3 years old) and it only had 6.1MP but it took amazing shots and I love it. It took a crap this month and Im getting the new Xsi with my tax money but Id highly recommend an entry level canon as they perform great.

 

If you plan on advancing later down the line i would reccomend the Canon XSi or Nikon D5000 to begin with. each you can probably find for about $700 with a lens kit if you look for sales such as on B&H photography.

If you want a light camera that has video, the Pentax K-x is a good starter one as well. you can also use almost every Pentax lenses (digital or 35mm film lenses) with it.

the difference is Canon and Nikon have the image stabilization in their lenses and Pentax has it in the body.

The choice comes down to personal preference and whether you want to move up to more advanced or not. Most people don't need a Canon or Nikon but they have the name behind it and most all pros use them.

 

I've always been extreamly pleased at the quality that Canon puts into their lenses. I have a small asortment of lenses (3) that are canon, so I'll probably stick with them from here on out. I just bought my dad a Canon XS so he'll stop using that damned 35mm of his. Took it out for a spin this weekend and was very impressed with its quality of pictures despite being the base model DSLR that Canon produces.

 

Nikon D40 was designed as an entry level dslr. It's got all the features you need to learn photography, but it doesn't have some of the highly specialized features.

it's a great camera and you'll never feel limited by it's functions....but they just stopped making them, so you'll have a hard time finding a new one. but used ones are very easy to come by and they are also cheaper

 

Here are a couple of links that may help...

http://gizmodo.com/5422004/giz-explains-what-everyone-should-know-about-cameras

http://gizmodo.com/5160891/giz-explains-why-lenses-are-the-real-key-to-stunning-photos

 

Canon or Nikon are the only choices worth considering, unless you want to remain at a hobbyist/amateur level. Between the two, it's a matter of taste. I'm with Canon because that's what my friends use, and I can borrow $1800 lenses from the guys with deep pockets If you have no photography friends, I'd almost lean more towards Nikon because it seems they give you more stuff for a lower price tag.

Buy a good but inexpensive body, and sink every last dime into quality lenses. A lens you will keep forever. A body is like a computer - it's going to be obsolete by the time you buy it.

Without even thinking, my vote would be a used Canon 40D or an XSi with a 24-100 F/4L lens. The reason I chose these is because the 40D is pro grade at a reasonable cost, and the lens is pro grade with enough range to cover most situations. If the 40D can't be had, an XSi is a good level new, even though it's not a pro-grade body (no biggie). However, that's already above your budget... but gives you an idea what to focus on.

Within your budget and buying new... a Canon XSi with a Tamron 18-200 will be your best bet, and put you right at $780. Nikon people can chime in on the other side of the fence.


What exactly do you mean by event photographer? Weddings or action?

For weddings, you will want to head down the path towards
-lenses that have very low f-stops. This is both for low-light capability and for dramatic depth-of-field.
-bodies that feature full-frame sensors.

For action, you want
-lenses with high zoom range and stabilization
-bodies with high shutter speeds. You can go either full-frame if you like, but something with a crop factor will give you an increased zoom factor.

 

I also have a D80 and have been shooting for about 3 years now. Either way you go you wont be disappointed. Both Nikon and Cannon make great cameras and it all comes down to personal preference. I chose my nikon just because it felt better in my hands. The Nikon D40/D40X, D90 and a few of the other ones are great entry level cameras. You can get any of those for less than $800 and they will come with a lens kit. Where you spend all the money is upgrading your glass and getting new lenses. Most of the lenses you look at will range for $400-$500 all the way up to $5000 to $10000 just for a lens. So you can normaly get the body for a good price and than pick out what lens you want.

 

just bought a nikon D5000 about 800 out the door

 

right now i'm leaning towards the Canon Xsi because it fits my budget and the specs look decent where i can move up above amatuer but i know i won't go totally pro.
If you want to go that route, Amazon has a great deal for it where you get the Canon Xsi with lens kit plus another lense 55mm - 200mm for under $650. right now til january 16, 2010, canon has an instant rebate where if you but that pair you get $200. you can't beat that.

 

according to canon... the 200 dollars is only valid with the f.4-6 IS, Amazons is the 3.4-5.6 IS... will contact canon to confirm

 

if you get canon stay away from the rebel ive heard nothing but bad news and people wanting to upgrade instantly... if you want canon look at the 40D or 50D

but i say go nikon (because im biast)... i have the D60 and im in love with it but i would save up the extra cash and get a D90

 

right now they are out of stock. i put it in my cart to do a mock order to see if it would take it off and it did. the problem with Amazon, is that the price keeps changing. last week the xsi camera was only$509

 

what about the D5000? what do you think of that one? honestly the more i wait, i keep on thinking about canon vs nikon. both are great so hard to decide. still leaning towards canon xsi. but would like your take on the d5000 if you have an opinion on it.