SLR questions

[toddnbecka]

I'm wanting to upgrade from my Panasonic Lumix FZ5 point-and-shoot to a digital SLR. My main complaint with the Panasonic is the lack of manual focus and shutter speed settings.
So far I've only looked at Canons, and have been wondering what the difference/s are between the Powershot and Rebel XT?
Also wondering whether it's worth the extra $$ for the Rebel XTi w/more megapixels?
Should I be looking at different brands than Canon? (Confusing enough for me with just that one...)
I definitely want something suitable for macro pics. What sort of lens would be good for that?
Would it be better to buy a used camera body and new lens/es, look for a combo, or just buy everything separately new?

[MCHRKiller]

I cant speak much for Canon, other than when I went looking for a SLR last summer I found its settings to be awkward and the body and controls didnt feel as high quality to me as a Nikon. To me the Nikon's controls were much more user friendly and I found it to be simple to use just by playing with it.

My D60 was very moderately priced, I got the kit 18-55mm lense, body, charger and battery for $550. This lense is a great general lense especially when taking fish pics. I have just recently added a 55-200mm lense that allows me to shoot more shy fish species by simply being away from the tank across the room and works great when taking pics outdoors especially in subjects more than a couple of feet away.

You wont see true macro abilities in the 18-55mm, but you can of course buy macro specific lenses for the model...they are very expensive. Cheapest I have found used is around $400, that is mostly due to the fact the entry level D40-60 dont have focusing motors built in body, instead its in the lenses(AF-S). Outside of adding a couple of lense hoods, spare batteries, and picking up a studio light and tripod Ive bought very little for the camera.

From my experience, megapixels arnt everything unless your printing subway posters. Look for how well the camera handles high ISO values, if it has an anti-dust system, see if it does vibration reduction, has on-camera touch ups. And most importantly buy which camera feels most comfortable to you, also do some research on how long the manufacturer intends to support that camera model and if accessories and lenses will be readily available for it in the future. :22:

[rich311k]

I would recommend going to your local camera store and playing with the various bodies. See how they feel to you.

Both Nikons and Cannons are fine machines. I use a Pentax and have no complaints.

Mega pixels do not matter. Unlesss you want to print wall size prints.

The lens depends on what you want to shoot. If you want to take picture of the family a kit lens will do the job. If you are shooting lions in Africa you need a super tele.

I use a macro lens for fish pictures. Both my lens were made in the early 70's bought off of Ebay. They do just fine. The real key to good fish picture is lots of light. A speed flash over the tank will do wonders.

[BirdOfPray]

Nikon and Canon both make excellent cameras, although I personally can't stand a Nikon. I know excellent photographers who can't stand Canon, too. Before you buy, definitely go get your hands on one of each and fiddle around with the controls, even if you don't know what they do. Just see which ones feel more intuitive, easy to reach, and comfortable in your hands. A friend of mine compared it to the Mac vs. PC thing... you can do most of the same things on both, but most people love one and hate the other.

As for figuring out the difference between models, check out [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]. Over on the left you should be able to get to their reviews, and find the cameras you're interested in. They have multiple-page reviews, starting with a broad overview and moving into incredible detail. Unfortunately I'm out of touch enough that I don't really know the difference between the more recent models... amazing the difference two or three years out of the professional loop can make, they come out with new and improved models so fast. Do bear in mind that whatever you get will soon be last year's model, so don't worry too much about the latest greatest features, extra .1 megapixel, or whatever -- just look for what you'll use and be comfortable with. Chances are good you'll never need all the megapixels you can get anyway -- even most professionals don't.

You could look into a macro lens converter, I believe... don't remember what they cost, but may be a decent alternative to a more expensive lens.

I agree with Jenn that you should check out how the camera performs at high ISOs, since you'll probably need that to a point for photographing fish. DPReview should have sample images you can compare. In my personal opinion and experience Canon handles high ISOs better, but that's just me -- what really matters is what looks good to you. There's a very subtle difference in the feel of Canon vs. Nikon images... I don't know that I can define it, but I know it when I see it. One or the other may appeal to you, or you may not care.

[rich311k]

A camera that produces noiseless pictures at high iso is going to be expensive. Use a lot of light and you stop the fish and you can shoot at ISO 100-200. I never go over 400 even for tank shots.

[Padams]

Use cnet.com and look at their review of all the slr's

I chose the Rebel xs as the 2mp wasn't worth the $$. Now IS image stabilization is a beautiful thing for even up to 300mm. Unless you can use a 'pod of some sort it will be a great asset.

One thing to think of is how important framing the picture in the lcd is to you. Some do some (cannon) don't. A lot of p-n-s folks really hate using a viewfinder, but once your used to it is about the same as lcd.

Also consider the cost of upgrading the lenses and if you're willing to accept 3rd party or not.

Best of luck and we hope to see the fruits!!!

[Owlbehere]

This has been helpful to me as I'm looking too. My friend has a Rebel and that thing can not take a bad photo :) I'm thinking of getting one of those.

[Cascade]

I have a Canon Rebel XTi. I've always had Canon cameras and have had very good luck with both the product AND their customer service. I can't speak for Nikon customer service because I've never owned one, but I know they make a good product and you really can't go wrong with either one.

Canon has been very good to me - I've made two different warranty requests on my point and shoot cameras. These were things that were very clearly my fault (impact, dirt, etc.), but I sent them in anyway with an explanation and hoped for the best. They have always been very gracious and have gotten everything back into working order free of charge. Now they have a customer for life, hence why I stuck with Canon for my "upgrade" to a dSLR.

I just bought a 100mm macro lens off of Craigslist for $400. I'm totally thrilled with it. I've spent hours in the backyard looking at things with a totally new perspective - I think my husband is concerned that I've lost my mind!

In case you aren't ready to make the jump into dSLR though, I can also vouch for the Canon Powershots. I have the Powershot SD780 IS and it takes AWESOME pictures. I take it everywhere with me, especially when I don't want to lug around the dSLR. Also it has a Titanium body, which is very important to me (it survived a slam in the car door...very long and painful story...the LCD screen was damaged hence the warranty work, but the body itself was totally unscathed).

One last thing, another consideration for the # of MP is if you intend to do a lot of cropping. A higher number will mean your pic can survive a hefty crop better than one with fewer pixels. Just a thought.

Good luck! thumbs2:

[toddnbecka]

I took the relatively cheap compromise and went with a used Powershot Pro 1 w/8 megapixels. I may yet upgrade to a Rebel, but the Powershot does have manual focus which is my main hangup (lacking) with my Panasonic FZ5. That's a great point-and-shoot camera, and the 5 megapixel has been pretty decent for my purposes, but I'm frustrated with trying to work around the autofocus. If I don't like the Powershot I'll sell it and buy a Rebel, but I got one with a 7x zoom lens included for under $200 shipped.

[Mith]

I have the Canon Rebel XSI 450d. If I do say so myself, I take decent pictures. I believe it's 12mp. I have quite a few pics in the photo section if you want to check them out.

[toddnbecka]

Even if I had the spare $$ for a higher-end SLR Becka would never agree to spending it on a camera (at least before I got her a new diamond ring...) She's quite happy with the Panasonic FZ 5 P&S, though I told her the Canons also have full auto settings. Guess I'll have to see how it goes when the new one arrives.