I need a new digital SLR

[Morden2004]

My trusty old (5 years) Fuji 2700 digital camera is not so trusty any more. The CPU is stalling intermittently and sometimes I can't get it to fire up. As it's 5 years old I guess I can consider it done after perhaps 10,000 frames. Damn fine camera though.

Now, the big question is what to buy. I am partial to the SLR format having spent 30+ years using SLR's (Olympus). What new digital SLR-type camera in the 5-8 Mp range is getting rave reviews?

I've been considering the Kodak DX-7590 camera which is not too expensive (meaning < $600). It seems to have a good quality lens and has software that gets good reviews.

Any thoughts from my AK friends?

Paul

[wrwoods]

Just last week I bought a Nikon D70 on Ebay. What a camera!!! I have used two Sony digicams for the past several years, and I did not think I could find anthing that would satisfy me as much as my DSC-707. It has an incredible lens and since the lens is so large for the body, you would think it would be hard to use. I found just the opposite. It handled very well for me, but I digress.

I had several Nikon lenses from my film camera days, and that sorta drove me to a Nikon DSLR. I got the new 18-70 mm DX lens with the camera and it is a honey. The body looks large, but feels more natural than my N6006 did. It is somewhat lighter, and has every bell and whistle I can think of. It will be some time before I use some of the features. One feature that really intrigues me is the program setting. Used to be, since the ISO was set by the film and was constant, you played off aperture against shutter speed to trading depth of field for freezing motion. Or visa versa. The D70 has adjustable ISO from 200 to 1600, so now you can set whatever depth of field you want and what ever shutter speed you want and as long as there is an ISO that will provide correct exposure, you get the shot. As always, if you just want to take snapshots, it is a fantastic point and shoot camera. Will be leaving for New Mexico and Colorado for three weeks in mid September, so expect to give this camera a really good workout. I recommend http://www.dpreview.com/ for an excellent review of this camera and they have a very active forum for this model with lots of outstanding photos users have taken.

The camera is not cheap, but the main reason I bought it was because Nikon has removed all the delays I had so much trouble getting used to with my Sonys. It is ready to shoot as soon as you turn it on. The autofocus is incredibly fast, and it processes the picture in parallel with taking the next shot so it is ready to shoot again almost immediately after the first shot. There are some minor limitations, but you can shoot three frames per second with this thing untill your memory card fills up. My Sonys were always failing to snap the shutter just when the shot was right for one reason or another. Sometimes it took several seconds before the shutter finally tripped. I have a lot of pictures of "white tails" that were supposed to be of White Tail deer.

Hope this has helps some. Not sure what you are looking for, but the D70 is a lot of camera for a lot of bucks. But then the best audio gear is not cheap either.

Cheers,

Bill

[radioactive]

sticking with nikon you might want to look at the new d50 which is getting good reviews.it's a little bit cheaper than the d70 and has a few features missing that the d70 has.its also a little bit smaller than the d70.i've had mine for a about 2months now and just love the feel and the performance of it.although the stock kit lens that comes with it may not be as good as the one you can get with the d70 you could always just buy the body and a seperate lens of your choice.
funny you should mention the kodak 7590 as a camera you were looking at getting as it was also the same one i was looking at not too long ago when i was about to upgrade.needless to say i went the dslr route with the d50.
chris

you might also want to check out the forums heredcrp (http://www.dcresource.com/news/index.php?date=2005-08)

[ProAc_Fan]

I think the price point of the new DSLR's has finally reached the point where the average consumer should seriously consider one over a new P&S. The Nikon D50 and D70 are nice, as are the Canon 350D or the 20D. Of course if you're lucky enough to alraedy own AE lenses from a particular manufacturer it would be a good idea to buy that brand of camera. Olympus is one exception though as they use a fixed lens on their DSLR's.

Mike

[Kahuna]

My choice was made pretty easily for me. I had owned a Canon slr (Elan IIE) along with a couple of EF lens. I presently own a 20D and am having a great time with it!

[radioactive]

nice camera :thmbsp: there's another ak'er "John Eh" that has the exact camera.
chris

[WildWest]

I have been real happy with the quality and function of my Canon G2. I mean, it really takes a lickin and keeps on tickin. It has been great on battery life and I've been able to get good shots of my lighting fixtures installed in night landscaping which can be tough for some cameras to pull off. It's been tossed around at the ocean and it works the 110 plus desert heat here and just doesn't have a glitch.

[ProAc_Fan]

I also have a G2 and its a fantastic camera. Nowadays you can score one used in very nice shape in the $200 range. That is a serious bargain. I would never spend money on a new P&S when the used G series Canons can be had for less.

Mike

[Morden2004]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and experiences with these DSLR's. It seems that most of the major manufacturer's DSLRs are well liked.

This will be a tough choice - although cost may play a big part. :sigh:

I'm going to review those cameras mentioned above and compare them to my needs with cost as a limiting factor.

Paul

[uofmtiger]

I also have a Canon 20D and love it. You can see some of my shots here (http://www.pbase.com/uofmtiger/popular_photo_gallery) .

Right now I am mainly using a flexible, fairly inexpensive lens (Quantaray 70-300mm). I am looking to buy a couple of specific purpose lens (400mm and 100mm macro), but still have to wait a while.

[Morden2004]

a Canon Digital Rebel XT! I looked long (and longingly) at the Canon 20D but decided that Rum and the occasional burger would keep me fueled up so that I could use my RebelXT so I opted for the less expensive XT.

I purchased the camera on eBay for a great price. It should arrive Wednesday.

I am delighted as this will be my re-entry into SLR photograhy since my last Olympus OM-1s Program body died (it was my 5th) last year. I have been using a nice (but limited) Fuji MX-2700 digital and now it too is showing signs of old age.

I have 1 Gb card with the Rebel XT and it comes with a standard 18~55 f3.5-5.6 zoom.

Any hints or recommendations for additional lenses? I like to work in the 20-24mm range (35mm) so I may purchase a fast single focal length Canon lens.

Paul

[ProAc_Fan]

Paul here's a Sigma 15-30mm that might go very cheap.
Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sigma-15-30mm-EX-DG-CANON-EOS-20D-Digital-Rebel-XT-LENS_W0QQitemZ7544123845QQcategoryZ4687QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem)

My heart would say just buy a Canon L series lens and be done with it but for the money a Sigma or a Tokina would make more sense.



Mike

[radioactive]

congradulations on your purchase paul im sure youll enjoy it. :thmbsp: nice camera .it's been getting kind of a hard lately to make a deciscion with so many great dslr's out there now for under$1000.
chris

[theodoric]

The NY Times just went nuts over the Nikon D50. Bodies available around $450.

[uofmtiger]

Canon Digital Rebel XT Great choice! It is hard to go wrong with any of the Canon or Nikon DSLs!

[Rickster]

I have a Canon 20 d - great camera - spend the money - it is worth it.

- 50 2.5 Macro terrific. Get "L" 17-40 f4 also wonderful - 70-200 f4 long lens astounding



I have been a professional photographer for 40 years - finally went digital -
I researched this stuff for months

Canon is way ahead of everybody else

trust me

Really

Rickster

[uofmtiger]

Rickster,
Do you have any experience with the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens or Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens? These are on my short list and I could use a pro's experience before I jump in. As I mentioned above, I have the 20D.

[Morden2004]

Paul here's a Sigma 15-30mm that might go very cheap.
Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sigma-15-30mm-EX-DG-CANON-EOS-20D-Digital-Rebel-XT-LENS_W0QQitemZ7544123845QQcategoryZ4687QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem)

My heart would say just buy a Canon L series lens and be done with it but for the money a Sigma or a Tokina would make more sense.



Mike

THanks, Mike. But, as we're both in Canada we have to scrounge for sellers who will ship to Canada (eh?).

I've got my eye on a couple of Canadian sellers. It's always better because no f'ing DUTY and BROKERAGE! Also, when I bought the Canon Digital Rebel XT it was a private Canadian sale so no f'ing HST either :no: .

Paul

[Morden2004]

radioactive; uofmtiger: Thanks! I have the Canon here today and already I love it!

Theodoric: The Nikon was second on my list - but the deal for the Canon came up first!

Thanks, all.

Paul

This is a quick fully automatic shot with the Canon from my front yard - gotta love that ocean view!

[Morden2004]

I have a Canon 20 d - great camera - spend the money - it is worth it.

- 50 2.5 Macro terrific. Get "L" 17-40 f4 also wonderful - 70-200 f4 long lens astounding



I have been a professional photographer for 40 years - finally went digital -
I researched this stuff for months

Canon is way ahead of everybody else

trust me

Really

Rickster

Hey, Rickster - I trust you! I received the Canon this morning and I'm having a ball with it. Can't believe the picture quality - but with 8.2 megapixels, it's not surprising. The standard 18~55 zoom is also amazing! The autofocus is surprising accurate and FAST! Also, the memory is quick enough to fire 3 frames a second! How great is that?

Paul

[Billfort]

Nice choice Paul, I've been using the older digital Rebel we have at work and love it. I'd like to get the newer XT but need to wait till the price comes down a touch and like you want to find something in Canada.

The standard lens seems pretty decent and with the 1.6 length factor you really need something that goes down to 18mm. I have Canon USM zooms in 28-105 and 100-400 sizes as well as a Speedlite flash that I use with a conventional Rebel and all work great with the digital camera.

[Kahuna]

Rickster,
Do you have any experience with the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens or Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens? These are on my short list and I could use a pro's experience before I jump in. As I mentioned above, I have the 20D.

Hi uofmtiger,

I've owned Canon's EF 100-400L (Actually 2 copies) and both were soft at 400. I also found myself using this lens primarily out at 400mm and decided to go with Canon's 400mm prime. (This was the right choice for me). If you haven't already perused the DPReview forum I would strongly recommend doing so.

Here's a link to a post I left on this forum, in addition, it may give you another option to consider. (300mm IS + a Canon 1.4TC)

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1029&message=14532001

In addition to the 2 lens mentioned above, I also have a 50mm 1.4 prime, an older 28-105 3.5-4.5, a 70-200L IS and a 17-40L. (All are canon lens). I used the 300mm IS and 1.4TC the other weekend up at the lake set-up on a tripod to captured a few photo's of humming birds out at the feeder.

A lot of excellent photographers on the DPReview forum use the 400L prime with spectacular results! (I certainly love mine!)

[uofmtiger]

Kahuna,

Thank you for the reply. I have not had a chance to read the DPReview lens reviews, but I did use them when deciding on my last two cameras. The 400 prime and the 300 with 1.4TC are both interesting choices. That is the kind of info I was looking for! :thmbsp: