Thread: DSLR?

I really want to become better at photography and I've been saving up my money. Any tips on what camera to get? I was thinking Nikon but then I read some reviews and it looks like the newest Nikon is really more of a pain than it should be. My friends sister got the cannon rebel, two years ago, I think, she hates it. She says its too much work to do any sort of work if you're trying to get a shot in less than five minutes.

Whats your opinions?

When I first bought my camera in september I got the Nikon D3000. I tried it for 2 weeks and didn't like it. I took it back and got the Canon Rebel Xs and I have loved it. I have had to practice and learn about it and I think I am improving everyday.

Canon girl here, I have a XSi and I love it. At first it was overwhelming and seemed to take forever, but now, I get what I want within seconds.

I also have the Canon XSi, I really love it! If you want to move out of auto though, it really doesn't matter what type of camera you choose...it really takes lots of time and practice to move forward and achieve a good shot in manual. I would definitely recommend my camera to anyone. It took me about 3 months to learn how to control the manual settings, and now I feel much more confident than I ever did in auto! HTH!

Erin! Glad to see you here!

I am a Nikon girl, and I LOVE it! My friend has a Canon and I picked it up to try to play with it. I was happy I got the Nikon. I had a few silly reasons, but I am happy with the choice I made. I know it is very smart to go in and hold them in your hands and see which one you like better. I went to Best Buy. How much are you looking to spend? I really hope you get one! Can't wait to hear!

Sadie, upwards to close to a thousand. I really do want a quality camera.

I want something that I can use for everyday uses but I would really like to start freelancing a bit too.

So Canon XSI? Why that one for a lot of you?

Thanks for all the responses. I was looking at the Nikon 3000 but all I heard was bad reviews.

I pm'd you Erin. Just to let you know!

Yeah I saw. thanks Sadie.

So to ask basically the same things I asked on FB with my photographic friends from there (ie GWEN)....LOL, nothing like putting you in the spotlight....

How much did your camera cost? Why do you like it? Pros/Cons? Do you use it for regular every day use too or is it just for special occasions and side freelancing business?

Now for questions I didn't ask on FB?

What did you do to learn your camera? Did you just fool around with it? Read the manual every night front to back and back to front? Take classes?

I've taken some photo classes but they were with film and I have a feeling I'd have to go back to school to really learn some good techniques.

Thanks... Seriously. You guys are helping me a lot more than you know.

I only knew about the canon rebel and basic Nikkon.

Originally Posted by Honey3.14

Yeah I saw. thanks Sadie.

So to ask basically the same things I asked on FB with my photographic friends from there (ie GWEN)....LOL, nothing like putting you in the spotlight....

How much did your camera cost? Why do you like it? Pros/Cons? Do you use it for regular every day use too or is it just for special occasions and side freelancing business?

Now for questions I didn't ask on FB?

What did you do to learn your camera? Did you just fool around with it? Read the manual every night front to back and back to front? Take classes?

I've taken some photo classes but they were with film and I have a feeling I'd have to go back to school to really learn some good techniques.

Thanks... Seriously. You guys are helping me a lot more than you know.

I only knew about the canon rebel and basic Nikkon.

Sorry I didn't see the FB status.

I loved my Rebel XTi. It's a perfect camera for learning. I upgraded only because of the noise in the higher ISOs and my reluctance to use a flash. I'm a Canon girl all of the way. I say get the camera body then two lenses. I recommend the Canon 50mm f/1.4 and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 zoom. Don't get the camera with the kit lens.

How much did your camera cost? Why do you like it? Pros/Cons? Do you use it for regular every day use too or is it just for special occasions and side freelancing business? My Rebel cost me $650 with the kit lens two years ago (and now I'm trying to sell it ) I thought it was a great camera, and I took some awesome photos with it. I started out just using it for special occasions because I didn't like lugging it around at first. Now I rarely ever use my point & shoot, it's all the DSLR. I currently am using the Canon EOS 50D - that cost me $900 without any lenses.

What did you do to learn your camera? Did you just fool around with it? Read the manual every night front to back and back to front? Take classes? I read the Understanding Exposure book by Bryan Peterson and did most of the exercises in it. I also skimmed my manual, but I really didn't get anything out of that at first ... then I re-read it a year after using my camera, and it made so much more sense. Practice is the biggest thing. I didn't take any classes.

How much did your camera cost? I paid about $850 for my Nikon D5000 body, 18-55mm lens and 55-200mm lens

Why do you like it? It takes great pictures on auto and it has been relatively easy to use in full manual too. I learned VERY QUICKLY how to control the shutter speed and aperture without having to stop and look.

Pros/Cons? Just listed the pros. Cons... none yet

Do you use it for regular every day use too or is it just for special occasions and side freelancing business? I thought I was going to continue using my P&S but I don't. I use the Nikon for all of my pictures.

What did you do to learn your camera? I got 3 books- Nikon D5000 Digital Field Guide by J. Dennis Thomas, and The Digital Photography Book Volumes 1 and 2 by Scott Kelby. I also watched the Nikon DVDs that came in the box.

Did you just fool around with it? Read the manual every night front to back and back to front? Take classes? I mostly fooled around with it. If I needed to change something and couldn't figure it out I went to the Field Guide book. I haven't taken any classes.