Do you own a DSLR camera?

lattefairy

17 years ago

I am in the market for one and right now I am leaning towards the Sony Alpha series (300 or 350)

Which DSLR camera do you own? Are you happy with it?

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Comments (21)

User
17 years ago
I have a Canon DSLR. It's the Rebel Xti and I LOVE LOVE it! There's a few others here who own the same camera and I know they agree with me. I'm a huge Canon fan. I'll never own a Sony product again, so you won't get any praises from me for that brand. I'd even tell you to go Nikon over Sony. We had a huge problem with Sony a few years back, it was over a stereo and the awful customer service we got from them. (not the store who sold it to us, as I worked for that store. I sent it directly to sony figuring it would be the best way to get it repaired. NOT! Six months later I finally had to threaten them!).

Anyways, I love my camera and use it daily.
kickypants
17 years ago
Love my nikon....I agree...stay away from sony products unless it is an incredible deal.
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I realize that my comments may be falling a bit late to be of any value to okwriter, but I am sure this thread is of interest to others, and to be honest, this question has been rolling around in my head for a week, so I feel I need to interject my 2 cents worth here. While it might be possible to find a DSLR body that would accept that Konica 80-200mm in my humble opinion based upon the information in the original post it would be a fools errand to do so. Okwriter emphasized two key points, (1) he/she needs a "good zoom" and (2) he/she is not into photography and seldom tinkers with the settings. Lets begin with the topic "Good zoom". on a 35mm film camera a 200mm zoom is a 4X zoom, Handy, easy to handle and perhaps good in the context of shooting family snapshots in the back yard, but by no means a Good Zoom in the context of bird watching or wildlife photography, and for sports it is merely marginal. Understanding that Digital sensors are slightly smaller than the film format of a 35mm negative when we use 35mm film camera lenses on digital cameras there is an expansion factor which is typically about 1.5. That means that if the 200mm film camera lens is used on a digital camera it would yield an equivalent to a 300mm on a film camera. 300mm is generally considered the longest lens that we can effectively use in hand held mode, it would then be a good all around choice, as opposed to using a tripod for all the shots, however: Okwriter also noted that the Konica & 80-200mm is 20 years old and has spent most of that time just sitting in the closet, no doubt because, as Mongoct has pointed out, it is no doubt a manual focus lens and to use that camera you simply must tinker with the controls so to speak. Let us be brutally honest here, not everyone is into photography, and regardless of how great the camera is, if it is beyond the scope of the operator sadly it will be relegated to little more than an expensive ornament adorning a closet shelf. This does not even take into account the many advanced features of the modern state of the art digital cameras, which simply would not be usable with that lens on a modern DSLR body. I was professionally trained as a Still Photographic Specialist in the U.S.A.F. back in 1966 and in those days manual cameras with match needle metering was the best we had so I am very comfortable with fully manual cameras, but I am afraid even I might find it difficult to use that lens on a modern body. I certainly would not wish that on a beginner. On the other hand, out of curiosity I went to the WalMart website and did a quick review of some of the cameras they have to offer and I was really impressed. First off, I would like to express a minor pet peeve. In recent years the industry seems to have adopted the notion that the term DSLR identifies cameras with interchangeable lenses, which is not true. The term "SLR" means "single lens reflex" which means that when you look through the viewfinder by means of an internal mirror you are looking through the primary lens and you are seeing exactly what the camera is seeing, as opposed to box cameras or rangefinder cameras that had a separate optical system for the view finder. The term DSLR simply means a "Digital SLR", or more precisely, a digital camera in which the image in the viewfinder is exactly the same as the image that will be projected to the digital sensor. Back in the days of film cameras it was exceedingly rare to see an SLR with a fixed lens, but today it is common to see advanced compact cameras that have a fixed lens, yet they have the same mirror system as an SLR and the image in the viewfinder is the same as the image being projected to the sensor and although they do have a fixed lens, none the less they are in every sense of the word a true entry level DSLR although some of their features are not as sophisticated as the top end DSLR's with interchangeable lenses and accessories. Although I would not want to go on record as endorsing any camera dealer, out of curiosity I did a quick search of cameras on the Walmart website, and I must say, I was very impressed with what I found. For my search I set the same basic parameters as what okwriter was looking for. 1. easy to operate 2. good zoom 3. easy on the budget and this is just a sample of what I found: Canon Powershot 12.1mp 12X optical zoom $199.00 Nikon Coolpix L110 12mp 15x Optical zoom $249.00 Fugifilm Fine Pix 12mp 15x zoom $169.00 Kodak Easyshare 14mp 26x optical zoom $199.00 All of these cameras can be operated in a simple point & shoot mode, yet they all have the advanced user overide features found on more expensive DSLRS. While these cameras still do not have the total versatility that I have with my Pentax DSLRS, never the less, I think people such as okwriter who need a good camera, but don't want to get seriously involved in the technical aspects of photography would be well served with a camera of this type.
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iowagirl2006
17 years ago
I don't have a DSLR (yet..) but I do love my Canon powershot.

I would have a tough time deciding between the Canon Rebel or the Nikon D90. The Nikon D90 is the only DSLR camera that takes video - high quality video. It is $$, but I think that is the one I would go for.

I love using the video function of my Canon S3, and wouldn't get a camera without it.
ashelton80
17 years ago
I own the Canon Rebel XTI and think its the bee's knees.

That said I have heard great things about the Sony line, but have no personal experience with them. I have owned a TON of Sony electronics, and have never had a CS problem with them so it really shocked me to read that. Been a while since I had to use them though...
daveinla
17 years ago
I have owned 3 Canon DSLR
30D, 1DMkIIN and 50D....excellent, especially the "L" lenses with super resale value(until recently)'It is a big change from P&S to dslr and you will have to do more post processing and be more critical in you shooting as depth of field is very different

stick with Canon or Nikon IMO
daveinla
17 years ago
excellent used deals here....Canon 30D as low as $400 some days and that's over a $1000 body.

Here is a link that might be useful: FM Buy & Sell forum
bigbaby
17 years ago
What is the difference between a regular digital camera and a DSLR camera?
velleen-2207
17 years ago
I have a canon rebel and several lenses. We love it. I have had canons since my first one in 1958 just kept getting newer ones. Now at 84 I think this will be my last.
pattico_gw
17 years ago
I also have the Canon Rebel xt and love it.

patti
grinch_gut
17 years ago
I too have the Canon Rebel XTI and love it....I am still not great at it....still using mostly the auto. part but do try and do some manual focusing with it...have a ex. zoom lense for it also and it is super.......Stacy
JoanMN
17 years ago
I also have the Canon Rebel XTi, I love it, too. I would like to upgrade to the 50D, but don't think that will happen. In the meantime, this works great for me!
JoanMN/FL
vicki_lv_nv
17 years ago
I have a Nikon D60, which I love. I have 3 lenses for it, but use my 70-300 mm the most.

I also carry my Kodak Easy Share camera in my purse, in the event there is a "photo op" that I really want. LOL
lindyluwho
17 years ago
We have a Pentax. We got it because we already had a film Pentax and wanted to be able to use the telephoto lens we already had. It's a great camera.

Linda
lattefairy
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you so much, everyone! Your input has really helped a lot.

Would it be too much to ask to see a few pictures taken with your cameras?

Also - Do you have a 'dream' camera that you would LOVE to have in the future?

Thanks again! :)
JoanMN
17 years ago
I will post a link to my webshot pics, the newer ones mostly taken with the XTi.
Canon 50D is probably my dream camera. But really, since I have a great lens, the XTi does a good job for me.
JoanMN

Here is a link that might be useful: My webshots pics
lattefairy
Original Author
17 years ago
Your pictures are so beautiful, Joan! Thanks for sharing them with me.
lattefairy
Original Author
17 years ago
Dave - How do you like your Canon 50D? Has it lived up to your expectations? Any negatives?

Also - I like previewing the picture I am about to take in the LCD rather than be forced to use the viewfinder. Can you do that with the 50D?

I am considering this camera too, but I am still trying to figure out what would be the perfect lens for it while trying to keep the lens at a reasonable price too. I would like to start out with one piece of good glass and then eventually add more. My main use would be for pet portraits, nature shots & scenery while on hiking trips.

If you had to pick one initial lens for the Canon 50D, which one would you recommend?

Thanks again! :)
nycefarm_gw
17 years ago
An SLR is single lens reflex, which ultimately means that what you see in the viewfinder is what will be "photographed". As opposed to cameras that use two lenses, AKA rangefinders "or the little automatic cameras), one is the viewfinder, the other is the lens which can cause a little disparity in what you shoot vs what you are seeing.
The D-DSLR is just the digital version of the SLR camera.
I have mostly Nikons, the D-40 which is lighter and smaller than the regular DSLRs and the D70, D100 & D200.
I also buy last years model, which are perfectly fine and usually on sale. The D60 is the newer, smaller version available and often comes with a two lens package. Best thing you can do is actually do some hands on shopping.
You will probably find that ultimately there won't be a whole lot of difference in quality/price between Canon & Nikon and you just have to decide and stick with it.
Also you might consider buying an extra battery, an extra card, external flash and neutral density filter to protect the glass on the lens.
And don't forget to backup your photos! Use DVD or external hard drive.
nycefarm_gw
17 years ago
You won't be previewing the shot on the LCD with a DSLR, you have to use the viewfinder...
User
17 years ago
The Canon Xsi allows you to preview your shot in the viewfinder.

Here is a link that might be useful: Xsi
lattefairy
Original Author
17 years ago
Nycefarm - Thank you so much for your input! :)

About previewing the shot in the viewfinder, I know you can do that with the Alphas and some Canon models, but wasn't sure if the 50D was just one of them. I just got too used to the LCD (maybe spoiled with it? lol) so even though I wouldn't mind using the viewfinder, I'd still love to have the option of previewing it with the LCD.

'Best thing you can do is actually do some hands on shopping.'

Absolutely. In fact, I've been to a local Best Buy store at least twice to get a first hand look at each camera. Unfortunately, I haven't seen a Canon 50D at this store and I am not sure where else to look for it to go check it out.

I've been reading tons of reviews and still have a hard time making up my mind.

Debby - Thanks for the link to the Xsi! :)

Do you own a DSLR camera?

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