How about just a plain-jane D40 if you want the Nikon? It has plenty of resolution, is way better than a P&S, and is ~$470....

Canon 30D. $650 used. Just save up another $50-75. If you can't do that, get a 20D for around $450.

And, the Powershot 8MP and XT 8MP are definitely different in a lot of respects, I'll let someone with more technical knowledge than me chime in and explain why.

But to be honest, you'll love whatever dSLR you go with. They are all capable of taking VERY good shots when used correctly.

Maybe I was confused by your post, but a PowerShot is not an SLR. The XT has a much larger sensor, so without getting into details, it is much better.

There is a smokin' deal on a used D70 in the For Sale section... That thing is practically new.

Canon XT is a great starting SLR.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-...3532943&sr=8-1

XTi w/ kit lens

Originally Posted by subimatt

Canon XT is a great starting SLR.

+1, that was my first dSLR and I still have it in my bag.

first, do some comparative research:
DPreview Side-by-Side

then check out reviews:
Cnet

then...

buy only through these guys, they're the most trusted in the industry:





Amazon

shop around and find yourself a good deal once you've made a decision!

Does that $600 include your lens?

Not alot of choices there new.

All the 6mp cameras should be there.
Canon XT
Nikon d40
Pentax k100 series....

That XTI beezwax posted would be great.

I got a pentax k10d with lens for $650 new off ebay recently.

Oh and to answer your powershot vs DSLR question- Any DSLR will have better image quality. You'd get better pics out of a 6mp DSLR than a 8MP PS camera like a powershot.

Totally different animals. One is optimized for picture quality, the other is optimized to fit in your pocket.

Originally Posted by b84wm

f

buy only through these guys, they're the most trusted in the industry:





Amazon

What, no BHphoto?

Seriously though there are alot of scam sites out there with camera deals. Beware and check reseller ratings and post here if you think you've found a great deal before buying.

^XT is 8mp btw.

Originally Posted by Geekybiker

Does that $600 include your lens?

Not alot of choices there new.

All the 6mp cameras should be there.
Canon XT
Nikon d40
Pentax k100 series....

Just FYI, the Canon XT is 8 MP.

Also, yeah, if that $600 ALSO includes money for a lens, then go with a Rebel XT or Rebel XTi kit with the 18-55 kit lens. You won't be disappointed.

Originally Posted by emsmap

WOW! This sounds like a good deal! If I go with this one, what type of lense can I get for distant pics such as a 300mm

as others have said to me.. do you NEED it? what will you be shooting?


if this is your first DSLR... you really should learn to use what you have and build up on it from there.


to shoot a 300mm, you really should use a tripod. The camera is tuff to keep still at that range

Originally Posted by Geekybiker

What, no BHphoto?

Seriously though there are alot of scam sites out there with camera deals. Beware and check reseller ratings and post here if you think you've found a great deal before buying.

b&h is there dude, it's the top link!

and yeah, there's TONS of scam sites out there...TONS.

something something if it sounds too good to be true something something

Originally Posted by subimatt

^XT is 8mp btw.

Opps my bad.

Originally Posted by emsmap

WOW! This sounds like a good deal! If I go with this one, what type of lense can I get for distant pics such as a 300mm

Just for future reference, it's "lens".

With that said, you'll also have an added advantage (in some people's minds) with that series of camera. They are "crop sensors" so any focal length is multiplied by 1.6 for the true length versus 35mm.

Like, on my "full-frame" 5D, a 200mm lens is 200mm.
On a Rebel XTi a 200mm lens is 200*1.6 = 320mm.

Sports and wildlife shooters love that. They get extra length in all their lenses essentially for free.

Also, I'd venture to bet 300mm isn't near as long of a lens as you think it is.

Originally Posted by Stime187

Just for future reference, it's "lens".

With that said, you'll also have an added advantage (in some people's minds) with that series of camera. They are "crop sensors" so any focal length is multiplied by 1.6 for the true length versus 35mm.

Like, on my "full-frame" 5D, a 200mm lens is 200mm.
On a Rebel XTi a 200mm lens is 200*1.6 = 320mm.

Sports and wildlife shooters love that. They get extra length in all their lenses essentially for free.

excellent info right here

Originally Posted by emsmap

WOW! This sounds like a good deal! If I go with this one, what type of lense can I get for distant pics such as a 300mm

Yah, it dropped another $50 since I looked at it a couple weeks ago. Probably due to the XSi announcement.

As for the longer lens, yah you can buy longer ones for any of these cameras. You can get a cheapo 55-200ish range one for about $150ish. That is a kit lens quality tele-zoom. I'd stick with the 18-55 kit lenses what every you buy for a little while get used to it for a month or two and then decide what you want. (You may find you really really want a super wide angle lens instead)

Originally Posted by Stime187

Also, I'd venture to bet 300mm isn't near as long of a lens as you think it is.

so you can't see neptune with it?

awww man! :angry:

Originally Posted by Stime187

Also, I'd venture to bet 300mm isn't near as long of a lens as you think it is.

Scotts right, it really isnt that much. Shooting the other day with the 30D 1.4tc and 300mm, I still wanted more reach.

Originally Posted by Geekybiker

Yah, it dropped another $50 since I looked at it a couple weeks ago. Probably due to the XSi announcement.

As for the longer lens, yah you can buy longer ones for any of these cameras. You can get a cheapo 55-200ish range one for about $150ish. That is a kit lens quality tele-zoom. I'd stick with the 18-55 kit lenses what every you buy for a little while get used to it for a month or two and then decide what you want. (You may find you really really want a super wide angle lens instead)

or a nifty fifty in my case

Originally Posted by emsmap

what type of lense can I get for distant pics such as a 300mm

yeah, the XT or XTi with a kit lens should work for you nicely. As for a 300mm lens you're going to have a tough time getting something with that reach that's good optically for cheap.

the 75-300 is $190
the 100-300 is a better lens and $280.

teles aren't cheap to get quality though.

As for the DSLR -vs- P&S, it really depends on how involved you want to become. For just posting on a blog you're not going to be taking advantage of the resolution of any of these cameras (~800x~600 is what I post to my blog, that's .5mp). But the quality and size of the sensor is key. With a P&S you won't be able to get very good shots in anything other than sunlight. But the auto functions of the P&S should get you pretty decent sharp shots w/o much effort... With a DSLR you do have to commit to learning a bit about them to get good shots. They're bigger, heavier, and more expensive, but ultimately you will get better shots. It's just if you're going to be a casual shooter they are involved. But I would recommend the DSLR.

I'd say get:
XT
kit lens
2~4gb memory card
then maybe a tele if you really feel the need.

Well there is always the sigma 50-500 "bigma" zoom. If I had $1000 to blow I might consider it.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

I'd say get:
XT
kit lens
2~4gb memory card
then maybe a tele if you really feel the need.

I think that's perfect for you to start out with.

Originally Posted by Stime187

I think that's perfect for you to start out with.

Add to that an additional battery, small case, and cheap tripod.

The xt with lens is $450 so that gives you $150 to pick up all the start accesories too.

Originally Posted by Geekybiker

Add to that an additional battery, small case, and cheap tripod.

Batteries = few dollars on Ebay.
Tripod = Wal-mart.
Small case = should be easy to find.

pentax k100d w/ 18-55mm kit lens $385, shipped free

tamrac express 5 bag $25, shipped free

pentax af220t flash $30 plus shipping

kingston 2gb sd card $11, shipped free

sony quick charger plus batteries $20, shipped free

sunpak 9002dx tripod $32, shipped free

__________________________________________
Total: ~$510

that leaves you with $100 bucks to spend on used MF lenses, which is enough for at least 3 or 4.

that's a perfectly capable, highly rated setup for a novice.

Originally Posted by emsmap

WOW!! tHank you all so much for all the info!! Im going to best buy to check a few cameras out today. Ill probably take that amazon link up

bestbuy is overpriced IMHO... retail stores have their mark up... it'd be cool to go look, just don't buy from there.

as far as the XTi link that I posted for amazon... everything I've bought or am going buy is from there... I personally think they have great deals...

Originally Posted by beezwax

just don't buy from there.

yeah, use our affiliate links!!!
http://www.newschoolofphotography.com/?page_id=80

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

yeah, use our affiliate links!!!
http://www.newschoolofphotography.com/?page_id=80

werd

x10000000000000

why not consider the pentax(es)?

for side by side comparisons, look here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp..._d40x&show=all

IMHO, XT/XTi over the d40 ANYDAY.

^ they are both fully capable cameras. try both and see which one you like and is more comfortable to you. heres my review on the XTi.

http://www.newschoolofphotography.co...ead.php?t=2592

I really didnt like the d40 in handling it. The XT/XTi are much better in that price range. (Or pentax!)

They'll all take fine pictures. Go handle them in a store and see what feels good to you. Comfort and well placed controls make more difference than the minor details of IQ from the cameras you'll be looking at.

Canon has the highest MP count if that's important to you.

yeah, the d40 was totally meh to me

Originally Posted by b84wm

why not consider the pentax(es)?

for side by side comparisons, look here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/comp..._d40x&show=all

IMHO, XT/XTi over the d40 ANYDAY.

The way I see it, more people have Canon here, so he'd get faster responses. But then again, the pentax militia is growing for sure. Basically, I bought a Canon dSLR because I knew people that couple help me with it.

totally, you can't argue with canon's reputation either.

*Cough*

Originally Posted by Markitos

*Cough*

I know you have 5D envy, its ok Mark.

http://www.newschoolofphotography.co...ed=1#post58688

$350 is a great deal, especially considering it's shipped!

Originally Posted by b84wm

totally, you can't argue with canon's reputation either.

cant argue with pentax's reputation either.

and nikon is no red headded stepchild either.

do research, find the body that you like in your price range [that inlcudes holding it.. that may be MORE important than minor technical differences] and when you know what you want, its a matter of buying it.

I'll sell my 300d to you for $250 w/kit lens, $350 with kit lens and a 70-300 tele.

Originally Posted by thechickencow

I'll sell my 300d to you for $250 w/kit lens, $350 with kit lens and a 70-300 tele.

That's the original d-rebel isnt it?

yeah
5

i think he's going in the right direction, ie-going to a shop to feel them out.

they're all great cameras, i researched the **** out of all of them before i finally decided on pentax for numerous reasons including, but not limited to; the quality of the construction, the ergonomics, variety of lenses, etc.

Me too. I read reviews etc, went in to handle them for about 3 months before finally doing it.