Looking to get my 1st digital SLR.

Hi all, I'm looking to take the leap into getting my 1st digital SLR.
I have a Nikon L22, which I absolutely love, but want to step it up.

I'm looking for something basically entry level (inexpensive), that is easy to use.

Basically, under the $400 range. If that will only get me something that I will not be happy with, I will have to wait.

I tend to make the mistake of getting the bare essentials when it comes to technology and end up regretting it later and don't want to repeat that again.
But, money, or lack thereof always ends up being the deciding factor.

Can I get something decent for that amount of money, or should I just wait?
TIA!

 

Thanks for the links. I guess that I will have to wait and save a few more $$$.
I have a Nikon P&S and so does my daughter and we have never been disappointed with either.
Thanks again. :wave

 

That's usually the case. My wife has been giving me static about spending a little more and getting better quality.
She would rather wait and not settle. I'm the anxious one, who usually regrets not being patient and putting out the extra $$.
However, she has no idea that I want, yet another digital camera.
May have to ask Santa for gift cards to Best Buy. :-D

 

I decided that I'm not quite ready for the SLR, so I picked up this:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/FUJIFILM+-+FinePix+12.2-Megapixel+Digital+Camera+-+Black/9766755.p?id=1218170029241&skuId=9766755

I've had a few Fuji cameras before and they all treated me well. Besides, I still have the Nikon L22 and a Vivitar 5355.

The Nikon goes away with me on trips and the Vivitar goes in the car, just in case I need a back-up or something in an emergency.

 

The Fuji actually didn't excite me as much as I thought it would. :zzz

Not bad, just not for me.

Returned it and ordered this puppy: http://www.dcviews.com/_olympus/sp800.htm

That zoom is going to be great on my next vacation.

 

Hi Halo, the Fuji felt a little flimsy and kind of slow. Slower, in fact than my Nikon L22.

I did alot of research and comparison and decided to up the budget and get that Olympus.

I watched a few Youtube videos and was pretty much sold on it.

I came close to the Nikon L110 in red and Kodak Z981, but the Olympus really caught my attention.

That Red Nikon L110 is a stunning looking camera and almost had me, but after some more research, I decided that I wanted performance over looks.
http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/ProductImageCompressAll300/30-113-258-02.jpg

I have a tendency to set a budget and pretty much stick with it.
The problem is that I don't ever really get what I want, more like what fits the bill.

My wife has been giving me grief about settling and is insistent that I be more patient and get what I actually want.

Damn, I got a good wife! She must have patience to put up wit me. :-D

 

I got the Olympus today. As soon as I figure out how to use it, I will post some pics.

This thing if beefy. You really feel like you are holding a camera and not a toy.
I have a Canon EOS Rebel XS 35mm that I have had for about 12 years or so and that is the best camera that I have ever used.

This one has the feel of some serious hardware and looks like it can stand up to heavy usage.

Luckily for me, when I get a serious toy, I'm pretty much the only user.

Wifey bought me the Eos and paid over $400 for the kit at BB, and I can honestly say that I can't remember her ever taking 1 pic with it.

We have an understanding. She doesn't play with my toys and I won't try on her undergarments.

 

Hi
it sounds like you are leaning towards Nikon but let me throw another idea your way. As a pro shooter i have shot many cameras in my time and find the Canon and their sensors and optics to be always just a step ahead. The CMOS sensor was developed by Canon and has been the sensor of choice since. As far as stepping up into the SLR market, the Canon Rebel is by far one of the best cameras out there for the $ and if I was to go throwing $ around for a toy for myself( no offense, just meaning not a higher end SLR) this would be the one I would run and buy in a heartbeat. In fact I have seen pro shooters use them and tape over the 'Rebel" so no one would know what they were using because THEY ( the shooters) thought they were high enough in quality to use in studio operations.To me that says one of two things, the camera is that good or the shooter is cost conscious . Well I say the camera is THAT good and NO I do not work for Canon, just know their camera quality inside and out after 30 years. And their IS lens (image stabilization) cannot be beat. That is why you see all of the guys with Nikon with the big white lens attached to their cameras on the side lines, those white lenses are Canon. And let me tell you, it is funny but the public must equate a white lens with importance because I( and I have tested this theory) have had a 200 mm Canon (white) lens on my camera and a 200mm Tamron and people MOVE out of the way when you are toting a white lens. i even shot in the White house and NO ONE asked for my credentials. ( I had them but that wasn't the point! lol)

So if you are serious about image quality and your photography, go Canon. 90 % of the pros I know are .

Good luck!
Sunnyphotochick
www.sunshinesphotos.com for examples

 

Hi Sunny, I just rec My received the Olympus yesterday.

I was basing my choices on my $200 budget and there was the Fuji S2700 Nikon L110, Canon SX130 and Kodak Z981.

Based on web comparisons for what I was looking for, they fell into this order:
(1) Kodak Z981
(2) Nikon L110
(3) Canon SX130
(4) Fuji S2700

I decided to up the budget when I found the Olympus and read the specs and reviews.

I have found that when comparing apples to apples, You have to step up a few $$ if you want the Canon quality.

It seems that in the $200 range, the other 3 manufacturers are more towards their higher end and Canon is in their lower range.

Almost like buying a new car. $25k will get you alot of car from most manufacturers, but speaking about a BMW or Benz, and you are most likely out of luck.

I did take a quick look at your site and they are some stunning photos.

I take pics. You take photos! :cool

Apples to Oranges!!!

 

well, I then stand corrected, but wasn't Canon the first to utilize said chip? None the matter, you do not debate Canon optics! I need a lab manager, you aren't in Ohio are u?

 

hey Big Furry,
thanks for looking at the site
newer work on facebook daily I am without a lab manager at studio,working 20 hrs a day 7 days a week and find it much quicker,easier and reaching more there (we have over 2600 fans now yea !) I am not sure if it is against rules to say name of business here but you know it and town is Middletown if you ever want to visit for newer work.
What do you fix? computers? i sure need someone that knows Photoshope/IT /graphics if you know anyone here
thanks and nice to meet you
happy shooting

 

Hi again Sunny and welcome. I was in the automotive industry for almost 30 years. I spent my last few years as a service manager for a dealership, but had to take early retirement due to illness.

One of my favorites is when someone would bring in their car for an estimate, don't like the price and then tries to fix it themselves.
They either can not handle the job, or manage to make matters worse and then bring it in for my shop to fix. Ka-ching!

Where I live, there are alot of backyard mechanics that fit the bill.

Anyway, back to the topic on hand. I took photography in vo-tech back in high school and have always been a bit of an amateur photographer.

I love cameras and taking pics. Nothing quite on your level.

With early retirement and some travel plans, I just may bust out the 35 and take it along with me on some trips. That and my new Olympus.

 

hi again Furry,
my husband is in car sales,just went back after 3 years off to work for me in studio. First three years of marrige together 24 seven,2 2 .much.He has been in it 30 yrs also ! what state r u n ?

 

Hi again Sunny, I'm in Pa. Just waiting for the nice weather to return, so that I can get out and take all of my cameras with me.
It appears that I will have quite a bit of time on my hands, so I'm going to need a hobby or two.

 

How long ago did you work for Kodak Halo?

 

Ahhh ok

 

The zoom on this Olympus rocks. :dood

I've only played around with it a little, but can't wait to take it out and really put it to use.

There will be pics. Oh yes, there will be pics! :cool