Have been doing a bit of thinking lately… which isn’t easy, let me tell you! Well, I’ll just spit out….I’m thinking about going DIGITAL!!!
Wow that’s a load off my chest, feel like I’ve just attended my 1st AA meeting, um… not that I ever have, but maybe that’s a future story.
It doesn’t stem from wanting better quality (hell,I’d buy a large format if I wanted that) or the convenience, (I truly am a very patient guy) the real point is my last bill for processing, I was bowled over, $60 to develop and scan one roll of slide film to CD and scan 4 negs that were previously developed to the same CD.
So I ask your advice fellow RedBubblers, what is a good value digi SLR? I’m looking to spend around $800 to $1000AU for a body and looking for something that is:-
Sturdy (will handle the knocks of bush walking)
Minimum 10 mega thingys
Great for landscapes
Great range of lenses, that don’t break the bank
fool proof (that’s me)
Would appreciate any advice
Dave
Michael Walters
I can see trouble here with the canon nikon thing….but i love how sturdy and solid my D200 feels and I do think Nikon have the edge there,the ergs jsut felt so much better to me when i was deciding canon or nikon. I’d look at the D90 or even what i have you could get pretty cheap now. I love it….having said that, i’ve been thinking…flirting with the thought of large or medium format….mmmm
David Henderson:
You’ve read me like a book… yes it is boiling down to a Canon Nikon thing and maybe a little bit Olympus, but I don’t know anybody that has one. If I win Lotto this week it will be a Mamiya ZD 22 megapixal medium format, but alas I don’t have 10 grand today!!! But still with all that in mind your D200 is producing outstanding images and that’s probably the path I will take!
Thanks so much Michael
Dave
Michael Walters
Yeah 10k under the floor board doesn’t seem likely for me eithh to get the ZD 22, nice to dream. I love my D200 and im sure you would too! good luck!
David Murphy
For mine, the Canon400D is very functional……..a 28-105 canon lens started me off…..total bucks 1400…..The 400D is a simple to use camera, like anything else, just read the instructions, and all will be revealed. No handling probs, 10plus megapixels, and can handle rough treatment…………doesn’t freak out if you hit the wrong button!
Not heavy at all……until you add a heavy lens (my 10-22 is nose heavy, but a good old tripod compensates)
What I like most?? The ability to quickly alter settings to suit conditions, light etc in seconds……quicker, when you get into it!
I had that SLR giant, the old Pentax K1000!! What a gem that was……..I drowned it, dropped it from WAY up, drove over it (!)…………….and lost it!! And I still have it (it was returned, minus a lens)
So, for what its worth, useability………..get a Canon!!
David Henderson:
Thanks David, It’s a tough choice! The canon really seems good value. I’ve been looking at a 450D, they seem to be really coming down in price, if you shop, and lens prices seem to be very reasonable. Btw.. do you use any non canon lenses?
Dave
Bev Woodman
David I love my Nikon D80, my husband (Phil Woodman) has a Nikon D70S and another family member (Steve Woodman) has the Nikon D60. My D80 came with a 18-55 mm lens and I have since purchased a 55-200 mm VR lens that I just love (see my gallery to make your own decision), plus a macro lens. Most D80s & D60s these days come with a twin lens deal for less than $1200. Phil likes his Sigma 55-500mm lens but that is huge and heavy. I have heard rave reviews about the newly released Nikon D90 but that’s another story and a bit more expensive again. I know a lot of people who own Canon units and they love what they have so it will come down to money and personal feel.
David Murphy
Hey Dave……
No……I thought that anything I adapted to the 400d should be canon, and that includes a printer……
The 450D would be a great choice…….it came out right after I bought the 400d, bugger it! Still very happy though…..its a good tool, and was my first DSLR…..like Michael, if i had stuff lurking under the floorboards, medium format would be the go, but this is a pipedream!
I was like you, and totally reluctant to go away from the SLR, but, like you again, the costs involved just didn’t add up…….the initial cost of a DSLR is nothing, when you consider the wonderful ability of not having to pay for shite pics!!
And I had oodles of those!!
I have a mate who has a Nikon DSLR, and, just starting out, he struggled for a bit…..as I did with Mr Canon, so, the reality is that you will get to know your camera, whatever it is, and I doubt very much that the quality from brand to brand will vary that much, unless you were an absolute purist…….I just like the canon because I was able to learn it, QUICKLY…….
David Henderson
Thank you so much Bev, I think you are right, I think I might go have a feel at the camera shop, I intend to spend a lot of time with this new baby!!
Dave
Lois Romer
I have the canon 50d and have 2 canon lenses and 2 sigma lenses, all of which im happy with. but its down to what feels good in your hands.
David Henderson:
The 50D sure is a nice very nice camera Lois, I really would like one! Might have to save up a few more dollars first
Dave
Nicole Hastings
I have the Canon 350D (the 450D is the improved one) and It has been great for me, I would like to go to the next level up though as the noise on my highest iso is quite bad, don’t know what it is like on the 450D it might be better. $$$ is always the problem
David Henderson:
OOOOh yeah, the $$$$ are always the big issue! I’m not sure if the 450D is any better with the noise issue, but I suppose I’ve never really ever shot anything over 100 and generally only use 50 speed film, so maybe it won’t affect me too much.
Thanks so much for your help
Dave