Suggest a DLSR for a beginner

sandeep wrote:
> These days i am interested in photography, so thinking of buying a
> DSLR. [...]
> For a novice like me , a beginner with no prior knowledge about cams
> and photography which one can i go for.

Based on your statement that you have _no_ prior knowledge of photography I
would suggest to stay away from SLRs at this time and instead start with a
lower medium range Point&Shoot, maybe in the 150-200$ range.
While lacking the versatility and power of SLRs they do make good photos,
are easier to handle, and require less knowledge. They are good tools to
learn composition and develop an eye for possible motives.

Once you master your P&S you will have a much better understanding of what
to look for in a camera and more important what your needs for your personal
style of photography are and you can then purchase a SLR that fits _your_
needs rather than some generic "I am a beginner" need.

jue
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

sandeep wrote:
> Hi friends,
>
> These days i am interested in photography, so thinking of buying a
> DSLR. But I dont know which one would be a good choice, I cannot go
> for a very expensive one, some where in the mid range would do for me.
> For a novice like me , a beginner with no prior knowledge about cams
> and photography which one can i go for. It would be great if you can
> suggest me something. If this is the wrong place to ask these kind of
> questions, I am sorry for wasting your time.
>
> Thanks and Regards
> - Sandeep
>
Have a look at the Nikon D40, and have a play with it if possible...

Guy
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

"Jürgen Exner" <jurgenex.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> schreef in bericht
news:Yd2Ui.22934$Qj3.4693@trndny01...
> sandeep wrote:
>> These days i am interested in photography, so thinking of buying a
>> DSLR. [...]
>> For a novice like me , a beginner with no prior knowledge about cams
>> and photography which one can i go for.
>
> Based on your statement that you have _no_ prior knowledge of photography
> I would suggest to stay away from SLRs at this time and instead start with
> a lower medium range Point&Shoot, maybe in the 150-200$ range.
> While lacking the versatility and power of SLRs they do make good photos,
> are easier to handle, and require less knowledge. They are good tools to
> learn composition and develop an eye for possible motives.
>
> Once you master your P&S you will have a much better understanding of what
> to look for in a camera and more important what your needs for your
> personal style of photography are and you can then purchase a SLR that
> fits _your_ needs rather than some generic "I am a beginner" need.
>
> jue
And maybe a more advanced P&S with the possibilities to go over to Manual
settings.
It might be a good way to start learning about 'catching light'.
Beside that, a DLSR will benefit from good glas. If you start with a good
body and cheap glass the results can be dissapointing.
The second step for you wil be handling the software.
A P&S wil deliver you 'ready' or 'almost ready' pictures.
A DLSR picture will always need some adjustment/improvement/sharpening with
software like Photoshop (element), Paint Shop Pro, etc.
Succes
Aad
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

Aad wrote:
> A P&S wil deliver you 'ready' or 'almost ready' pictures.
> A DLSR picture will always need some
> adjustment/improvement/sharpening with software like Photoshop
> (element), Paint Shop Pro, etc. Succes

Sorry, but this is just nonsense.
Unless you are shooting in RAW (which cannot be displayed by any standard
devices and therefore must be converted) there is just as much or as little
need to post-process a photo from a dSLR as from a P&S. Actually I would
even argue that SLRs in general are producing better photos (considering
technical aspects), therefore there is less need to postprocess them.

However the typical user of a SLR is likely to be more demanding and
therefore he is more likely to postprocess.

jue
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

Aad wrote:
[]
> A P&S wil deliver you 'ready' or 'almost ready' pictures.
> A DLSR picture will always need some
> adjustment/improvement/sharpening with software like Photoshop
> (element), Paint Shop Pro, etc. Succes
> Aad

If my DSLR pictures always required post-processing, I would regard the
camera as faulty and take it back! I am a believer in the "get it right
in the camera" way of working, and post-processing is usually only
required to repair damage, crop, or make multi-picture wide-angle shots.

Cheers,
David
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

Mr. Strat wrote:
> In article <1193321485.849568.293480 DeleteThis @v23g2000prn.googlegroups.com>,
> sandeep <hyd.sandeep DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> These days i am interested in photography, so thinking of buying a
>> DSLR. But I dont know which one would be a good choice, I cannot go
>> for a very expensive one, some where in the mid range would do for
>> me. For a novice like me , a beginner with no prior knowledge about
>> cams and photography which one can i go for. It would be great if
>> you can suggest me something. If this is the wrong place to ask
>> these kind of questions, I am sorry for wasting your time.
>
> I don't know that a DSLR is the place to begin learning photography.

Manual control is, though.

Unless, of course, learning about composition and getting the eye and
brain tuned for photo opportunities is what photography is really about,
rather than the detailed mechanics of equipment.....

<G>

David
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

On 2007-10-25 07:11:25 -0700, sandeep <hyd.sandeep.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> said:

> Hi friends,
>
> These days i am interested in photography, so thinking of buying a
> DSLR. But I dont know which one would be a good choice, I cannot go
> for a very expensive one, some where in the mid range would do for me.
> For a novice like me , a beginner with no prior knowledge about cams
> and photography which one can i go for. It would be great if you can
> suggest me something. If this is the wrong place to ask these kind of
> questions, I am sorry for wasting your time.
>
> Thanks and Regards
> - Sandeep

If you intend to take snapshots like most casual camera owners, I'd say
buy a point & shoot digital and spend no more than $250-300USD for your
first one. Are you someone who takes a lot of pictures with your mobile
phone? If so, the upgrade in picture quality will likely keep you
interested for long enough to make decisions when and if you feel the
need to upgrade further, or to take a different path.

If your interest is in actually learning to be a good photographer, and
if you are just assuming a digital SLR is the only way to learn, it
isn't. Start by enrolling in a basic photography course. If you are
fortunate, the instructor will steer you towards black and white film
and a basic, all-manual camera. You'll learn to see in terms of
composition, texture & lighting. At the same time, you'll begin to make
images that tell a story, express an emotion, or capture a moment of
time.

As you acquire some mastery of the medium you'll have a better idea
what equipment works for you. If you start off with too much
technology, it will only get in the way of expression. If you buy a new
tool only when you actually need it, you'll be in charge, not the
marketing department of Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc.
--
Cease then to grieve for your private afflictions, and address
yourselves instead to the safety of the republic
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

sandeep wrote:
> Hi friends,
>
> These days i am interested in photography, so thinking of buying a
> DSLR. But I dont know which one would be a good choice, I cannot go
> for a very expensive one, some where in the mid range would do for me.
> For a novice like me , a beginner with no prior knowledge about cams
> and photography which one can i go for. It would be great if you can
> suggest me something. If this is the wrong place to ask these kind of
> questions, I am sorry for wasting your time.
>
> Thanks and Regards
> - Sandeep

Sandeep,

The lowest price end of the Nikon range is the D40, sold with an 18 - 55mm
lens. You can get very good results with such kit, and there is a 10MP
variant with better resolution, the D40X. Canon offer something similar -
400D. Try handling both in a shop and seeing which you prefer, as
handling is an important aspect. Both major brands (Nikon and Canon) can
produce excellent results.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/

If price is very important, maybe a refurbished or second-hand camera
would be a possibility?

DSLRs typically cost more, and weigh more than compact cameras, and if
taking photos (rather than simply owning a DSLR) is your aim, you should
also consider the better compact cameras such as the Panasonic FZ18 and
TZ3. They are very good value for money, but don't have quite the same
speed of response, or the ability to work in low light levels as a DSLR
(because the sensor in the compact camera is smaller, and the auto-focus
mechanism is different).

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmcfz18.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz3/

Cheers,
David
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

On Oct 25, 12:11 pm, sandeep <hyd.sand... DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi friends,
>
> These days i am interested in photography, so thinking of buying a
> DSLR. But I dont know which one would be a good choice, I cannot go
> for a very expensive one, some where in the mid range would do for me.
> For a novice like me , a beginner with no prior knowledge about cams
> and photography which one can i go for. It would be great if you can
> suggest me something. If this is the wrong place to ask these kind of
> questions, I am sorry for wasting your time.
>
> Thanks and Regards
> - Sandeep

If I were you, I would opt for one of the better point&shoot dcams. I
just purchased my wife the Canon G7 after weighing it against the
Ricoh GX-100 and the Panasonic LX-2. This is one sweet camera, even
if it cannot deliver raw files ... but its succesor, G9, can.

I also suggest you hang out at DPReview.com for a couple of days and
browse the forums.

cheerios from a Oly E-300 owner.
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

On Oct 26, 2:42 am, "Yvon Travailler" <ytravail....TakeThisOut@chomage.qc> wrote:
> > The lowest price end of the Nikon range is the D40, sold with an 18 - 55mm
> > lens. You can get very good results with such kit, and there is a 10MP
> > variant with better resolution, the D40X. Canon offer something similar -
> > 400D. Try handling both in a shop and seeing which you prefer, as
> > handling is an important aspect. Both major brands (Nikon and Canon) can
> > produce excellent results.
>
> go with a Nikon or a Canon, avoid Pentax and Olympus.
>
> The problem with the D40 and the D40x is the incompatibily with older lenses
> (manual focus only).

They also do not autofocus with screw-driven AF lenses (such as the
50mm f/1.8 or the 85mm f/1..

>
> Revel XTI (aka 400d) or Rebet XT are probably the bests deals right now.
>
> Skip the kit lens and get yourself a Sigma 18-70 instead.
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

On Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:08:28 -0700, "Mr. Strat"
<rag DeleteThis @nospam.techline.com> wrote:


>
>I don't know that a DSLR is the place to begin learning photography.

I certainly do. Before digital, there was little choice between SLR's
and point and shoots (except for the almighty instamatic <g>). If you
were interested in learning photography, you bought an SLR. I think
the same holds true today. Before you learn, you can always set a
DSLR to auto to get the shots you really must have. As you learn, you
have more latitude to advance with typically more features and more
latitude to expand your options with better lenses. Most Digital
cameras are backward compatible with their lenses and this investment
can be carried forward should you decide to upgrade the body.

With a point and shoot, your investment is lost should you decide to
move up, IMHO.

Bill
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

"Aad" <no.DeleteThis@spam.invalid> wrote


> A P&S wil deliver you 'ready' or 'almost ready' pictures.
> A DLSR picture will always need some adjustment/improvement/sharpening
> with software like Photoshop (element), Paint Shop Pro, etc.
>

Have you got this the wrong way around?
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner 

>
> The lowest price end of the Nikon range is the D40, sold with an 18 - 55mm
> lens. You can get very good results with such kit, and there is a 10MP
> variant with better resolution, the D40X. Canon offer something similar -
> 400D. Try handling both in a shop and seeing which you prefer, as
> handling is an important aspect. Both major brands (Nikon and Canon) can
> produce excellent results.

go with a Nikon or a Canon, avoid Pentax and Olympus.

The problem with the D40 and the D40x is the incompatibily with older lenses
(manual focus only).

Revel XTI (aka 400d) or Rebet XT are probably the bests deals right now.

Skip the kit lens and get yourself a Sigma 18-70 instead.
 >> Stay informed about: Suggest a DLSR for a beginner