Buying my first Digital SLR

[EcoSee]

As Autriaka+ said below "There is a wide choice...." But mark my words, if you buy anything other than a Nikon or Canon... you will recall this debate and kick yourself later.

Oh, and about the Hasselbad... I didn't realize the question had been asked by a millionaire... of course I recommend that one first! lol... my dream camera...

$1000 to $1200

Canon 30D
Nikon D80

If you can stretch a step further

Canon 40D
Nikon D60

Canon has more low-mid range options than Nikon but I don't think Canon has anything that can compete in the prosumer range of the Nikon D200 or D300 (And No I have not forgotton the Canon D5... I just don't like it) and I would recommend mid range before entry level if you can.

And MOST importantly, I agree... skip the crappy kit lens and just buy the body and get a better lense. I spent far more time making lens decisions than camera body decisions and you will find that its a much more complicated and important question.

[dakwegmo+]

Since this is your first dSLR, I would skip the higher end cameras that EcoSee is recommending. Get a Nikon D40, D40x, or D60, with the kit lens. The 18-55 mm kit lens that comes with the D40 and D40x is an excellent piece of glass. I use this kit for all of my grab shots and as a backup to my main camera. The lens that comes with the D60 is essentially the same, with Vibration Reduction (Image Stabilization in Canon parlance).

The D40 doesn't have all of the bells and whistles that the more expensive camera have, but if you're just starting out in the the dSLR world, then that can be an advantage. You still have control of the most important aspects of the image, without a lot of extra options that might confuse you.

As far as Canons go, you could either get the XTi or the newly released XSi.

I just checked Wolf Camera for pricing, and they have several of the cameras mentioned in this thread for under $1000. If I were making your decision today, I would go with either the Canon XTi or the Nikon D40x and use the extra money from your budget to either get another lens, a tripod, or stick it in savings for when you decide to upgrade.

[notareason]

I dug my camera out of the closet. Its a Chinon CA-4. I have a Auto Chinon 1:19, 50mm lens and a Sigma 1:2.8~3.5, 75~200mm zoom lens. From the information I've gathered the camera was made in 1980. Wow. It's older then me.

[EcoSee]

I also just wanted to throw out there, that just because it is your first DSLR doesn't mean it has to be an "Entry Level" DSLR. Keep in mind that while they are great cameras, that buying one might mean it ends up next to the Chinon collecting dust in a year when you upgrade to the camera you wished you bought in the first place. Then you find yourself $2200 into a $1400 camera with an $800 paper weight. That's what happened to me! On the other hand, if it is simply for capturing the family picnics, vacations and holidays... there is no need to go any further than the entry level DSLR and I would really stick to the one's already talked about. Whatever you decide.... Have A Blast!

Nobody does a better job rating lenses than these guys:
http://www.photozone.de/reviews

And I'll stick to my guns... 90% of the time, I would skip the kit lens. Just cause its the "most popular lens sold" doesn't mean its any good.

[notareason]

I think I made up my mind and will go with the Nikon D60. I also looked at the Canon XTI and I think the interface of the D60 is much more intuitive and easier to use, plus Canon's accessories are more expensive overall. Also, I don't it is worth the extra 100 dollars for the D80's built-in AF motor and 11 point auto focus.

Is it worth getting the kit lens (NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR)? I was thinking about the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D or f/1/.8D Autofocus Lens instead. Any suggestions? BTW Thanks for all your help

[dakwegmo+]

Originally Posted by notareason

Is it worth getting the kit lens (NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR)? I was thinking about the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D or f/1/.8D Autofocus Lens instead. Any suggestions?

I have a Nikon D40 and the kit lens that came with it, a NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX, and I happen to love the lens. It is nearly identical to the kit lens that comes with the D60, except the newer one has added Vibration Reduction (Image Stabilization). I happen to love this lens. It has it's drawbacks, but for an everyday walking around lens it gives you a nice zoom range, with the tradeoff being it doesn't work well in low light. The VR on the D60's kit lens will probably let you slow your shutter speed a couple more stops, but still not nearly what you can get with the f/1.8 or f/1.4.

I also own the 50mm f/1.8D. It's an excellent lens for low light situations. I've found the focal length of the 50mm lens to be difficult to work with on a digital cameras, because the 1.5x crop factor for the smaller sensor effectively makes it a 75mm lens. So, I tend to only use the 50mm in situations where I know I am going to have low light, and stick to the kit lens the rest of the time.

So to answer your questions, in my opinion, it is definitely worth it to get the kit lens. It's a great lens, and you get the kit for about $100 less than you would spend on the body plus one of the 50mm f/1.8.

[notareason]

Yay! I finally bought a digital SLR (Nikon D60 with the kit lens). I must say, I have my homework cut out for me having to relearn those "manual" photography skills and learning all the camera's features, but I absolutely love the camera nonetheless. Thanks again for all the help!

[xact]

Congratulations for your new gear!

I've visited your photoblog and I see you have some new pictures taken with your new camera.

Going from a compact camera to a slr is a huge step, you might not be so enthusiastic in the first place, but soon you and your camera will become as one. Now a few advices:
- always shoot raw+basic unless you want to shoot continuously at a sport event, etc where time is precious;
- use Nikon Capture NX for the best results in processing raw.
Good luck!