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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Digital SLR, Anyone?

    I'm planning on spending under $650 on a new digial SLR... So -

    The main problem is that I'm out in the middle of nowhere Maine until the end of august, so there's literally nowhere to get the camera I want local, or to check one out before buying... so that's kind of a bummer, but life moves on...

    Dell seemed to have a pretty good handle on the Digital SLR's, and from reading a couple of reviews around the web (Cnet, a few other random ones off google, and a friend of mine), I've pretty much decided to go with the Olympus E-410. The 420 is newer, but it's also not in stock anywhere I can get it online for a reasonable price, and to be honest there's really not that much difference between them... it has .2" bigger screen size and that's about it, so meh. I can get this from Dell (Yes, I hate dell computers too, but they don't manufacture the Cameras so I'm not too worried) for $500.33 with a 14-42 mm lens (in which I'd probably grab a better lens in a few months or when I need it).

    Does anyone have any specific recommendations as to which SLR to go with? Has anyone tried the 410 out "in real life", or does anyone possibly own one (or the 420 or 510)? Your input is greatly appreciated =]
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
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    You can check reviews of cameras at
    http://www.dpreview.com
    http://www.dcresource.com
    http://www.cameralabs.com

    Many lenses are reviewed at http://www.photozone.de

    Some reputable places to buy cameras online are Amazon, BHPhoto, and Adorama.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Kuwait
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    I am also in the market for a DSLR, but my eye is on the Canon/Nikon models.

    The D40 ... mmm .... just waiting for the right excuse to buy it

    +1 on dpreview. Excellent resource (and I believe now bought out by Amazon). Check out the forums, they are especially helpful.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
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    4,332
    I would recommend you to have a look at Sony Alpha Digital SLRs.
    I personally have a few models and their fantastic, especially A350 which has the fastest and most stable Live View among all DSLRs.
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  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2006
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    San Francisco
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    I have a Nikon D40X. Excellent camera.

  6. #6
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    Jun 2008
    Location
    Hamburg, Germany
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    13
    I've been using my Olympus E-300 (8Mpix) for almost 4 years now and am quite satisfied with both Olympus and the "four thirds"-system.

    But the whole debate on which brand to choose is more or less a question of your personal preference. I would just try different models.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    San Francisco, CA
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    I really wish I could go with a local company of some kind, but the reality is that my only real option is buying it through Dell...

    I went ahead and bought it through dell - The guy that was helping me was really nice, ended up calling him back today from the extention on the email he gave me... For $505.04, I got the Olympus D-410 with a single 14-42mm lens and next day shipping, which is pretty good, because on the Olympus site they estimate $650 for the retail cost

    As a note: He also said there's a 1 year warranty direct from Olympus, which is good...

    I appreciate the recomendations - Something about canon isn't appealing to me, I'm not quite sure what... And as for Nikon, it's all a bit chunky looking, which if I get an SLR camera, I want it to look good (because I'm super picky like that).

    I'll be sure to post up how it is once I get it either tomorrow or the next day in the mail =]
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2001
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    Cheltenham
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    DSLR's are a very personal thing. I am a pentax fan and have several of the (k100d, k20 etc). I also have a Sony, and i can't recommend those highly enough, especially with the long lense deals you can get on them.

    the olympus as you mention is incredibly light, too light for me with my big hands, but thats a personal view. It takes good pictures and the lens range is excellent.
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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
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    Philadelphia, Pa
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    When shopping for DSLR's, you're really shopping for a lens, and getting a camera body that can use those lenses. Lenses are where you're going to spend the majority of your coin if you ever get to even light scale amateur photography. The camera if you handle it well and take care of it can last you for a good 5-10 years before it becomes obsolete. Lenses are an investment that will end up costing you much more, and that you'll end up keeping for longer, so it makes sense to take a good look at each manufacturers lense collection before making your decision on the body.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
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    Boston
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    Quote Originally Posted by derek.bodner View Post
    When shopping for DSLR's, you're really shopping for a lens, and getting a camera body that can use those lenses. Lenses are where you're going to spend the majority of your coin if you ever get to even light scale amateur photography. The camera if you handle it well and take care of it can last you for a good 5-10 years before it becomes obsolete. Lenses are an investment that will end up costing you much more, and that you'll end up keeping for longer, so it makes sense to take a good look at each manufacturers lense collection before making your decision on the body.
    I agree completely. I have a Nikon D40 with the Nikon 18-200mm VR lens. The lens cost double the camera body...
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  11. #11
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    Jun 2006
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    Most lenses cost much more than the camera body. When I bought my Canon 400D I regretted getting the kit lens because of it being basically rubbish for what I wanted.

    Canon used to produce a lens (the EF 1200mm L series) which cost somewhere in the region of £95,000 (~$190,000). I believe some of their top of the range L series lenses go for a few thousand pounds now.

    I currently have a Canon 40D which I think is awesome. A little heavy but with the EF lenses I use it is perfectly balanced.

    One of my favourite pictures I took was actually done with my 400D. http://coldkil.deviantart.com/art/Nice-kitty-80748886

    Mike

  12. #12
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    Nov 2001
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    I agree completely. I have a Nikon D40 with the Nikon 18-200mm VR lens. The lens cost double the camera body...
    Yeah. The camera really is a small initial investment when you compare it to what you can/will pay on lenses. I've resisted the urge to buy the multiple thousand dollar pieces of glass I want, but have still bought lenses over double what I paid for the camera.

    I currently have a Canon 40D which I think is awesome. A little heavy but with the EF lenses I use it is perfectly balanced.
    I have the 30d. when I went to buy mine, I looked at the rebel/xt line, and besides missing a few features I wanted (ISO 3200, faster fps, etc), the 30/40d just felt better in my hands. Not so much the weight of it, but with my big paws, I was able to grip it better.

    One of my favourite pictures I took was actually done with my 400D. http://coldkil.deviantart.com/art/Nice-kitty-80748886
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  13. #13
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    Sep 2007
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    The way I typically recommend which camera for people to buy is to assess their past history with cameras. If they have had Nikon all their life, and have tons of lenses, then it would be very unwise to switch and start to pour money into lenses all over again.

    Honestly up until recently Nikon DSLRs were very lacking in my opinion. They did not make nearly as many strides as Canon, but luckily Nikon has caught up a bit.

    If someone doesnt have a camera at all, I would assess their uses and needs before even recommending the leap to DSLRs. Most people wont carry a large camera around, especially if it is more expensive than a cheap car.

    I tend to recommend women (in general) to start off with a Canon, something small like a Rebel XTi to test the waters before diving into something really pricey. I recommend the same for just about anyone with smaller hands as well, since it is smaller and easier to grip than most DSLRs.

    Olympus makes a very good camera, but they vary quite a bit from generation to generation. It is probably one of the more hit or miss brands out there. They had one model that was solid steel a few years back that was virtually indestructible and very nice, but very heavy.

    Pentax is probably my least favorite, since I have seen an equal number break (literally fall apart, battery door falls off while in use, lens just drops and cracks on floor) than work properly.

    Sony is hands down the most hyped brand out there, especially considering they do not make such a large portion of their own products. I dislike Sony mainly because they package everything very nice, but seldom perform anywhere near expectations (if you have ever used a T series you probably know what I mean). They do have excellent DSLRs though, but until you get into their higher end they are not the best choice in my opinion.

    I guess at the end of the day it boils back down to the two biggest contenders, Canon and Nikon. I personally prefer Canon overall, since their ENTIRE range of digital cameras are excellent, instead of Nikon's unbelievably crappy low end cameras which do nothing but tarnish their reputation. I guess it makes me more apprehensive to recommend Nikon overall.

    Wow that is a lot of rambling on about cameras...


    ~Ryan

  14. #14
    I think Sony SLRs are WAY too overhyped. And for Live view - You are buying an SLR, why would you ever want the live view? It wastes power, and it's not as accurate as the view finder. You want a live view on the compact cameras because that's not coming from the same source. Plus, having the mirror flip up and down unnecessarily is definitely not a good thing.

    Live view is a very good concept, don't get me wrong, but wait for it to be developed better. Give it time.

    Anyways, my opinion on Sony cameras? They got a pretty good set-up going on (having bought most of their camera technologies from Minolta, and lenses made by Zeiss), but like all their other things, way too overpriced.

  15. #15
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    I just read in Consumer Reports, surprisingly, that Nikon is actually the worst reliable DSLR camera with the highest calls for service within the first year.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Coldkill View Post

    I currently have a Canon 40D which I think is awesome. A little heavy but with the EF lenses I use it is perfectly balanced.

    Mike
    Jeff Keller of dcresource.com posted his recent vacation pictures at http://lostworld.pair.com/blog/archi...aska_2008.html
    What camera does a camera reviewer take on vacation? I downloaded a few and right-clicked to check the properties. It was a Canon 40D.

  17. #17
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    Oct 2005
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    Stick with an Olympus. Although I don't have the 420 I do have the E1 and I wouldn't trade it for any C/N.

    I wish is had the Live View of the E3 as I really like the design and feel of the E1.


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