Thinking about entry level DSLR, looking for suggestions

[Star Alliance]

Hi there everyone,
I think I'm finally fed up with the low quality of the standard P+S sensor, and I so I'm gonna start working up the money and gumption to spring for a DSLR. What sort of package would be easiest on my skill set and on my wallet?
Also, what kinda price am I looking at for a body and lense? Would Amazon, EBay, or a store like Ritz be best for something like this?
Thanks in advance,
Mitch

[Leftseat86]

I'm not up to date on all the newer packages, but I strongly suggest looking at 2nd hand Canon D60/10D/20D bodies as I'm sure their prices have gone down dramatically. The 10D and D60 especially should be pretty cheap, add maybe another 200$ for a shutter replacement and they will be as good as new. They are EXCELLENT cameras which will have all the functions you'll want once you have the basics down and want more control.

[ollieholmes]

Have a look at the Nikon D50, D70, D80 or maybe the D200. All very sound bodies. If you can give us more of an idea of budget it would help. My best advice would be to try and have a go with the various cameras and decide what you like. Both Canon and Nikon are very good makers, theres nothing between them.

[JSchraub]

Canon 350D with 18-55 lens and a EF 75-300 lens will run around $950...

[gusty987]

Would Amazon, EBay, or a store like Ritz be best for something like this?

FWIW, I've had good luck aquiring camera gear, including lenses, from eBay. YMMV of course.

Canon 350D with 18-55 lens and a EF 75-300 lens will run around $950...

Looking at B&H, you can actually get that setup for about $750 plus shipping.

This is the setup I'm currently shooting with and I couldn't be happier!

[Top_Gun]

B&H is usually cheaper than Ritz by $100. I just bought my D200 body from Amazon because no one else had it, but it shipped from Adorama.com

I started out with a D70 kit, not bad, I wouldn't suggest lower as you will really want to upgrade quick

[Leftseat86]

Have a look at the Nikon D50, D70, D80 or maybe the D200. All very sound bodies. If you can give us more of an idea of budget it would help. My best advice would be to try and have a go with the various cameras and decide what you like. Both Canon and Nikon are very good makers, theres nothing between them.

Agreed, sorry to have a Canon bias, but that's all I've ever used

Also, remember that whatever body you choose will determine the lenses you can use, so be sure to check out the offerings for the Canon mount and the Nikon mount.

I started out with a D70 kit, not bad, I wouldn't suggest lower as you will really want to upgrade quick

Not really. I still use a Canon D30, and it does fine for uploading shots to a site like this, especially if you're into the more standard styles of shooting (not that I am).

Unless you want to do magazine covers or print poster size copies of your photos, beyond 6-8MP on a DSLR is pretty much useless for purposes of uploading to the internet.

Don't get me wrong, it's nice to own fancy equipment and the latest stuff, and having that kind of power is fun, but it certainly isn't necessary, especially for someone starting out, and on a tight budget. Also, upgrading to a better lens is a far better investment than getting an expensive body.

[JordanD]

Might have a pretty hard time of it trying to find a D30 or D60 these days though.

[Leftseat86]

Might have a pretty hard time of it trying to find a D30 or D60 these days though.

I havn't seen a D30 in the past few years, but I'm sure there might be some D60s and 10Ds still around. The photographer I work for just sold her 20D and upgraded to a 5D, she sold her 10D about 1.5 years ago.

[Star Alliance]

Thanks for all of the replies, and in such a short amount of time.
Ollie, I didn't really have a set budget yet. I'm gonna start to a part-time job in January, and since most of it will be going toward car insurance and flight time, I'll be bringing in an expendable amount of about $50/mo. And since my birthday and Christmas fall within about two weeks of each other, so by about next April, I figure I'll have about $500-600 usable to spend, and by about that time, I'll be on the market.
From what Clovis said, I guess that 6 or so mp will do fine for uploading here. That's about all I'm looking to do in the present time. A question though: even though the S3 IS (which I presently use) is 6 mp, will the higher quality sensor of a DSLR have less noise, even though the amount of pixels is the same?
So, with that said, I think I'll be leaning toward Canon, as I've used Canon before (currently), and have actually tried a Canon DSLR, and (hate to say it, Nikon guys) have heard better things about Canon. So I'm thinkin Canon will be it. Thusly, for about $500 or $600, what can I get for my money? Would it be better to just wait a few more months for $700/800?
Thanks alot for everything,
Mitch
EDIT:
Taking a quick look at the 350D, it's lookin pretty good. What would you say about this package from amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KBF8D8/ref=nosim/?tag=mysimon-ce00-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B000KBF8D8&linkCode=asn

Thanks.

[Leftseat86]

Thanks for all of the replies, and in such a short A question though: even though the S3 IS (which I presently use) is 6 mp, will the higher quality sensor of a DSLR have less noise, even though the amount of pixels is the same?

Definitely. I went from 3.2MP on my Olympus point & shoot to a 3.2MP Canon D30, and the cleanliness and vivid colors of the Canon blew me away compared to the old camera.

For example, a shot like this just wouldn't have been possible with the old camera...

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=367749

Mind you I had to keep the ISO below 200 to get that level of clarity, but the newer Canon models do better and better at higher ISO settings.

[Star Alliance]

What a shot, Clovis! That's some nice panning...
Anyhow, thanks for the clarification.
Mitch

[Greg]

I reccomend the older Canon or even Nikon bodies. I still use a 10D and frankly I have no real desire to upgrade. Sure you could go for the Rebel's but why would you when you can get a nicer camera for the same or cheaper?

[Christobal65]

So, with that said, I think I'll be leaning toward Canon, as I've used Canon before (currently), and have actually tried a Canon DSLR, and (hate to say it, Nikon guys) have heard better things about Canon. So I'm thinkin Canon will be it. Thusly, for about $500 or $600, what can I get for my money? Would it be better to just wait a few more months for $700/800?
Thanks alot for everything,
Mitch
EDIT:
Taking a quick look at the 350D, it's lookin pretty good. What would you say about this package from amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KBF8D8/...8&linkCode=asn
Thanks.

Im not just saying this cause I shoot Nikon, but I'm saying this so you are an informed shopper.

I too heard 'better' things about canon from guys who only shoot canon too, but in reality they are both better then each other in different ways. I for one loved the size and the build quality of the D70 over the Digital Rebels.

Shop both brands find out what feels good in your hands. Find out which menu system you like. Find out which picture scrolling you like. Find out which Glass you want, how expensive is the Glass. Just be Informed and dont be a sheep

If you would like me to go into more reasons why i choose my D70 I would be happy to share. Hell i will tell you what i dont like about it too lol.

[b777]

Yup... 2nd hand DSLRs are the way to go for your budget range. Trying looking at both Canon and Nikon and the their perspective lenses. I got a 2nd hand Canon D30 as well as a new S3 IS (haven't used it to shoot planes though) and they are both great cameras for the price. Research twice and buy once!