Comments on: How to choose your first dSLR – a complete buyer’s guide http://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/ Design & Photography Tutorials and Resources Sat, 19 Jun 2010 05:49:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1-alpha By: Armand Niculescuhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-576 Armand Niculescu Mon, 10 May 2010 05:55:38 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-576 Hard to give an unbiased answer. I like Sony and they to make some good stuff, with excellent value for money especially in the entry-level area. However, in terms of availability of accessories, you can't beat Canon.So, if think photography will be your main source of income in the future, go with Canon. If not, walk into a store that has both cameras, hold each one in your hand and make a few shots, see which one you like best in terms of handling. Hard to give an unbiased answer. I like Sony and they to make some good stuff, with excellent value for money especially in the entry-level area. However, in terms of availability of accessories, you can’t beat Canon.

So, if think photography will be your main source of income in the future, go with Canon. If not, walk into a store that has both cameras, hold each one in your hand and make a few shots, see which one you like best in terms of handling.

]]> By: cherylhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-575 cheryl Sat, 08 May 2010 20:07:26 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-575 hi!very much interested in buying my first dlsr with focus on 'life' and 'people' photography - am at a toss between canon 1000d and sony a 330 - which would you think is better value for money now and in the long run in terms of features, upragde/lens options, accassories etc?appreciate the advice!! thanks :D hi!

very much interested in buying my first dlsr with focus on ‘life’ and ‘people’ photography – am at a toss between canon 1000d and sony a 330 – which would you think is better value for money now and in the long run in terms of features, upragde/lens options, accassories etc?

appreciate the advice!! thanks :D

]]> By: Armand Niculescuhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-574 Armand Niculescu Sat, 08 May 2010 17:11:43 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-574 Generally speaking, I'd get a Canon 500D for around $800 and spend the rest on lenses and maybe a speedlite. I'd get a fast prime like the 50mm f/1.8 lens; such a lens should be in everyone's camera bag - small, light and cheap (under $100), it's well-suited for indoor candids and much more. I'd also get a tele in the 70-200mm range, it's a good lens to have for sports and more. A mid-range flash like the Speedlite 430EX II should suit you very well. Generally speaking, I’d get a Canon 500D for around $800 and spend the rest on lenses and maybe a speedlite. I’d get a fast prime like the 50mm f/1.8 lens; such a lens should be in everyone’s camera bag – small, light and cheap (under $100), it’s well-suited for indoor candids and much more. I’d also get a tele in the 70-200mm range, it’s a good lens to have for sports and more. A mid-range flash like the Speedlite 430EX II should suit you very well.

]]> By: valhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-573 val Sat, 08 May 2010 13:46:52 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-573 i am currently a canon point and shoot user with 2 small children. i want to move up in the camera world so i don't miss the action and can get more "life" in my pictures. with about a $2000 budget.... what do you recommend? i agree that i'd rather get a lower end slr body and spend the money on a lens/flash... but i don't even know what all i need to start! i think i'd like to stick with canon, just because that's what i've always had. i didn't know if your recs have changed since you wrote this article... thanks in advance! i am currently a canon point and shoot user with 2 small children. i want to move up in the camera world so i don’t miss the action and can get more “life” in my pictures. with about a $2000 budget…. what do you recommend? i agree that i’d rather get a lower end slr body and spend the money on a lens/flash… but i don’t even know what all i need to start! i think i’d like to stick with canon, just because that’s what i’ve always had.
i didn’t know if your recs have changed since you wrote this article…
thanks in advance!

]]> By: Armand Niculescuhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-514 Armand Niculescu Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:04:43 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-514 Bird in Flight - oh man, that's a whole genre - like landscape or glamour. I mean, there are people who only do that and nothing else. The good thing is, Nikon has a very good AF system so you can track moving things with relative ease. For this, the more focus points you have, the better. Then all you'll need is a long, fast telephoto... too bad those tend to cost a fortune :) Bird in Flight – oh man, that’s a whole genre – like landscape or glamour. I mean, there are people who only do that and nothing else.
The good thing is, Nikon has a very good AF system so you can track moving things with relative ease. For this, the more focus points you have, the better. Then all you’ll need is a long, fast telephoto… too bad those tend to cost a fortune :)

]]> By: Tom marshallhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-513 Tom marshall Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:57:28 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-513 Armand; thanks once again for your answer,i had forgot about the 4/3rds system doing that.I guess i new along i would end up with a nikon. Now I have to choose between 11 segment or 3 segment Af metering. D40x with the extra pixels or D50 for more metering and choice of lens ??Etc. etc. etc. But most of all all id really like is to get a shot of an Eagle in flight. something I could hang and frame , you know like the fisherman with his trophy bass. Well ill keep trying. One of these days mabey ill feel that line tugging!!! Armand;
thanks once again for your answer,i had forgot about the 4/3rds system doing that.I guess i new along i would end up with a nikon. Now I have to choose between 11 segment or 3 segment Af metering. D40x with the extra pixels or D50 for more metering and choice of lens ??Etc. etc. etc. But most of all all id really like is to get a shot of an Eagle in flight. something I could hang and frame , you know like the fisherman with his trophy bass. Well ill keep trying. One of these days mabey ill feel that line tugging!!!

]]> By: Armand Niculescuhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-512 Armand Niculescu Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:15:51 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-512 The 4/3 system sits somewhere in between the compact cameras and a "real" dslr. There's definitely interest in compact cameras with interchangeable lenses and all major manufacturers will provide cameras in this segment.In terms of quality however, the rule is simple - the larger the sensor, the better (it's actually pixel density but let's not go into details). That's why even a 5 Mp cell phone will produce crappy photos and a 6 Mp dSLR will produce better pictures than an 8 Mp compact. Micro 4/3 uses a smaller sensor than the usual size in dSLR, which means it won't perform as well at high ISO for example.Personally I'd go with the Nikon as a clear upgrade. You get now an used Nikon but you keep th lenses. In an year you may buy a new lens or a flash or something else, in two years you'd get a new body and so on.Still, do your homework. Walk into a store and try the Evolt. Try to shoot some samples from both kinds of cameras and make an informed decision based on quality, price, ergonomics and so on. The 4/3 system sits somewhere in between the compact cameras and a “real” dslr. There’s definitely interest in compact cameras with interchangeable lenses and all major manufacturers will provide cameras in this segment.

In terms of quality however, the rule is simple – the larger the sensor, the better (it’s actually pixel density but let’s not go into details). That’s why even a 5 Mp cell phone will produce crappy photos and a 6 Mp dSLR will produce better pictures than an 8 Mp compact. Micro 4/3 uses a smaller sensor than the usual size in dSLR, which means it won’t perform as well at high ISO for example.

Personally I’d go with the Nikon as a clear upgrade. You get now an used Nikon but you keep th lenses. In an year you may buy a new lens or a flash or something else, in two years you’d get a new body and so on.

Still, do your homework. Walk into a store and try the Evolt. Try to shoot some samples from both kinds of cameras and make an informed decision based on quality, price, ergonomics and so on.

]]> By: Williamhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-511 William Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:09:11 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-511 Hello Armand,I'm taking a step up from a compact digital camera to a DSLR. I'm planning on taking pictures of landscape, portraits, and of models that I will be building. With the later, I'm guessing that I might need a macro lens, on top of whatever lens may come with the camera. The later is actually the main reason for the switch due to being unable to take decent close-up photos. I figured that I might be better off with a manual focus. The landscape and portraits portion of my plans come from a upcoming wedding that I'm attending where I'll be able to see the Rocky Mountains. Alas, I have not taken any phototography classes, but wish to learn to take good photos in this case, probably through experience. If it matters at all, the compact digital camera I currently have is a 7.2 megapixel cybershot camera. The model number escapes me at the moment. Hello Armand,

I’m taking a step up from a compact digital camera to a DSLR. I’m planning on taking pictures of landscape, portraits, and of models that I will be building. With the later, I’m guessing that I might need a macro lens, on top of whatever lens may come with the camera. The later is actually the main reason for the switch due to being unable to take decent close-up photos. I figured that I might be better off with a manual focus. The landscape and portraits portion of my plans come from a upcoming wedding that I’m attending where I’ll be able to see the Rocky Mountains. Alas, I have not taken any phototography classes, but wish to learn to take good photos in this case, probably through experience. If it matters at all, the compact digital camera I currently have is a 7.2 megapixel cybershot camera. The model number escapes me at the moment.

]]> By: Tomhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-504 Tom Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:36:11 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-504 Hello Armand: Thanks for your quick reply , much appreciated!!! what do you think about the Evolt 500 ? I know i have to start over with the lens but the 4/3 system really intrigues me with the focal range . the Evolt 500 with the 75-150mm i can get close to 300$ to start into digital, hope to move up to their 70-300mm eventually. That lens would be the equivilant to 600mm for about300bucks . And their dust sensor sounds good??? I do know ill be limited by the brand but they do seem to have alot of innovations in their camera. Naturally pic quality is foremost , how do you feel about their lens ? Oh the tortue of picking whats best!!!! Hello Armand:
Thanks for your quick reply , much appreciated!!! what do you think about the Evolt 500 ? I know i have to start over with the lens but the 4/3 system really intrigues me with the focal range . the Evolt 500 with the 75-150mm i can get close to 300$ to start into digital, hope to move up to their 70-300mm eventually. That lens would be the equivilant to 600mm for about300bucks . And their dust sensor sounds good??? I do know ill be limited by the brand but they do seem to have alot of innovations in their camera. Naturally pic quality is foremost , how do you feel about their lens ? Oh the tortue of picking whats best!!!!

]]> By: Armand Niculescuhttp://www.twin-pixels.com/how-to-choose-dslr-buyer-guide/#comment-502 Armand Niculescu Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:34:40 +0000 http://www.twin-pixels.com/?p=348#comment-502 Definitely go with the D40. I think it supports all your lenses (better double-check that if you can). Definitely go with the D40. I think it supports all your lenses (better double-check that if you can).

]]>