DSLR entry level camera suggestions

mystik610

The speed of the auto-focus goes a long way. It's often the difference between making or missing a shot. And that goes a very long way.

I don't care how good you are with a manual focus ring, the AF will be faster and more consistent.

jbooker82

Yea and having different auto focus modes is nice. I have a AI servo mode that I use for action. You press and hold the button half way down. It keeps the object in focuse as it gets closer to you. It just doesnt focus once and stop. Then I start firing off pics at 5 frames per second.

jbooker82

AI Servo auto focus at 206 MPH. In Lens image stabilization in mode #2 (panning).

jbooker82

jbooker82

Not near as fast but way cooler. 49 Cadillac

muncybob

wow! Those are some great shots! No idea what AI servo is. Proprietray? Only certain cameras have it? I think I have a lot to learn

dcmartinpc

AI servo is kind of like continuous autofocus. I find it work best when you pick a focus point instead of letting the camera pick. Then, if you keep the shutter button half pressed, the camera is constantly focusing, and it is pretty darn amazing. Especially on the canons, IMHO. Great for getting pictures of moving objects, birds, cars, etc... I use it quite frequently with my 7D combined with my Canon 70-200mm IS Series II lens. That thing is amazing, IS is top notch, and the new focusing and metering system on the new canons is to die for!!!!! I love me some canon. I should put up some shots here when I have some time.... It is another passion of mine.

Don

drumminman

Nice pics. I'm shopping for a new camera too.

Consumer Reports consistently ranks Canons a little higher than Nikon, though I'm sure both take great pics!

jbooker82

dcmartinpc wrote: »

AI servo is kind of like continuous autofocus. I find it work best when you pick a focus point instead of letting the camera pick. Then, if you keep the shutter button half pressed, the camera is constantly focusing, and it is pretty darn amazing. Especially on the canons, IMHO. Great for getting pictures of moving objects, birds, cars, etc... I use it quite frequently with my 7D combined with my Canon 70-200mm IS Series II lens. That thing is amazing, IS is top notch, and the new focusing and metering system on the new canons is to die for!!!!! I love me some canon. I should put up some shots here when I have some time.... It is another passion of mine.

Don

Yep that is what it does. It is a constant auto focus. I use the center focal point with spot metering.

Not to bad for the 18-135mm kit lens and the 70-300mm non L lense. I would love to have one of those white and black lenses.

kn505

This nikon d80 would be a great entry level Dslr:

http://hartford.craigslist.org/pho/2548842941.html

praedet

go mirrorless...

dcmartinpc

I won't deny that mirrorless cameras take very nice pictures. My problem with them is that I see no real benefit other than they are smaller... They require special lenses that only work with them, they are not interchangeable with DSLR cameras or vice versa. They have there niche if that is what you are looking for. I still view mirrorless as an emerging technology. Neither Canon or Nikon have jumped on board yet that I am aware of.

Unless you are specially looking for mirror less, I would stick with a DSLR.

Don

cheddar

billbillw wrote: »

Well, I don't use my DSLR for movies for a couple reasons. First, my K20D doesn't have it! 2nd, even if it did, the SLR is bulky and seems like overkill for video. Since the video quality from most modern point and shoots is very good, I have my wife take video with our CoolPix P&S and I use the SLR for photos.

Overkill, only if you're not serious about your video. Bokeh in video can be very useful. And you just can't get the low light performance in a P&S.

muncybob

I just missed out on a Canon T3...was a gift to the guy and he won't use it(likes to use his phone!).....$375...crap!

billbillw

cheddar wrote: »

Overkill, only if you're not serious about your video. Bokeh in video can be very useful. And you just can't get the low light performance in a P&S.

If you're serious about your video, you buy something like a Canon HF G10. SLRs are better suited for still photos. That is what their whole design is based around. Any thing video that an SLR can do, a dedicated video camera can do better.

dcmartinpc

billbillw wrote: »

If you're serious about your video, you buy something like a Canon HF G10. SLRs are better suited for still photos. That is what their whole design is based around. Any thing video that an SLR can do, a dedicated video camera can do better.

In the STRICTEST sense yes... But not the G10, or any consumer video camera for that matter... You have to go WAY up in $$$ and to pro level to get a HD video camera that can produce the quality of video the 7D and the 5D MkII can. Heck, they filmed an entire episode of House with them last season! I don't think the G10 could even get close to matching the 7D or 5DII in video quality. Its sensor is only 1/3". Even taking the sensor out of it, they have nowhere near the quality of glass in front of it. Just my humble opinion of course!

Have you seen the quality of video that comes out of the 7D or 5D MKII?

One thing I do not dispute, is that for the average consumer, something like the G10 is the way to go for video Point and Shoot, Zoom, Autofocus. It takes great video and is easy to use. The 7D or 5D MKII take work and time to really learn the camera, but the results, IMHO are definitely worth if, if you need it.

Don

shack

billbillw wrote:

If you're serious about your video, you buy something like a Canon HF G10. SLRs are better suited for still photos. That is what their whole design is based around. Any thing video that an SLR can do, a dedicated video camera can do better.

Not necessarily. The gap between some of the new generation of DSLRs vs pro video is narrowing. More and more videographers and producers of commerical video are using DSLRs instead of dedicated video only cameras. The video quality of the Canon 7D at $1,600 will get VERY CLOSE to what a pro video camera costing thousands (even tens of thousands) more will do. And depending upon what you are trying to acheive a DSLR might actually be the way to go. The resolution is great, the shallow depth of field gives the images a filmic look and choice of lenses allows great control. The smaller size can also be an advantage in close spaces...like interior shots of a vehicle or mounted on a vehicle. Even filmakers are using DSLRs as backup or "B" cameras on sets and some video that is appearing on the "big screen" is actually shot with DSLRs.

I have seen some video recorded on a Canon Rebel T2i fitted with an external shotgun mic and a "L" lens and it is extremely good.

dcmartinpc

shack wrote: »

Not necessarily. The gap between some of the new generation of DSLRs vs pro video is narrowing. More and more videographers and producers of commerical video are using DSLRs instead of dedicated video only cameras. The video quality of the Canon 7D at $1,600 will get VERY CLOSE to what a pro video camera costing thousands (even tens of thousands) more will do. And depending upon what you are trying to acheive a DSLR might actually be the way to go. The resolution is great, the shallow depth of field gives the images a filmic look and choice of lenses allows great control. The smaller size can also be an advantage in close spaces...like interior shots of a vehicle or mounted on a vehicle. Even filmakers are using DSLRs as backup or "B" cameras on sets and some video that is appearing on the "big screen" is actually shot with DSLRs.

I have seen some video recorded on a Canon Rebel T2i fitted with an external shotgun mic and a "L" lens and it is extremely good.

Hey, someone who agress with me! Thanks Shack!

Don

[Deleted User]

I have both the Canon 7D as well as the 5D Mark II. I favor the 7D over the 5d in many different ways. As far as videos goes, none of the above mentioned could touch or come anywhere close to my dedicated Sony video camera. Any of the Sony HD 350, 500, 560 HD cams. I am not biased to any brand, I only use results. If you are interested in the Canon 7D, 5D, or Sony 350, 500, let me know. I also have the Nikon D90 and D700. The 560 is my keeper for now... If you want to get into further discussions, we could talk offline.

Halen

billbillw

You guys seem to forget the OP was talking about an entry level camera.

dcmartinpc

muncybob wrote: »

I just missed out on a Canon T3...was a gift to the guy and he won't use it(likes to use his phone!).....$375...crap!

Oh no!!! That sucks! Was it just the body, or a body and a lens? If it was the kit, that really is a good price... You will find what you are looking for!

Don

dcmartinpc

billbillw wrote: »

You guys seem to forget the OP was talking about an entry level camera.

That doesn't change the fact that the T3i can do video close to what the 7D can do, so it is applicable. And the OP hasn't told us whether video is necessary or not.

Muncy,

I still stand by my recommendation I made on the first page. Canon T3i Kit if you want Video, or a used 40D with a 28-135mm if you don't want video.

Don

cheddar

billbillw wrote: »

You guys seem to forget the OP was talking about an entry level camera.

You took us on the tangent. I was just saying how the bokeh and low light performance of something like a t2i offers many advantages over the video from your P&S coolpix, and you responded that dedicated video cameras are better and that's the way a serious video guy would go.

As others have already pointed out, not necessarily. I find myself in situations all the time where I want to take stills and video. For my uses, overkill would be dragging a dslr and a pro level video camera around with me all the time, in addition to all the extra cost involved in getting a video camera that would exceed the abilities of my dslr. True, it isn't as easy as using a fully automatic dedicated video camera, but you can get interesting results using a t2i that just aren't possible with even higher end consumer video cameras. So with a t2i or the slightly improved t3i, you get high quality for both stills and video at an entry level price.

muncybob

Video would be nice, but it's not a deal breaker/maker. For instance, we live in a very rural setting and a fair amount of wildlife. Stills of young deer in spring along with video of their antics all from one unit would be great.
That T3 I missed out on was with lens kit The seller wanted $450, I thought I would try a lower offer to see the response,,,,several days later(on a day I did not check email when home from work) he responded saying he would take $375 but I needed to respond withing the hour! I've wanted a dslr for some time now so I can wait for a bargain, just hope I don't wait thru the autumn colors around here.

muncybob

....another question(shees!) I have seen body only and sometimes they note no software included. Is the mfg software essential?

shack

muncybob wrote:

....another question(shees!) I have seen body only and sometimes they note no software included. Is the mfg software essential?

No. Most mfgs. have it available to download if you need it.

cheddar

muncybob wrote: »

Video would be nice, but it's not a deal breaker/maker. For instance, we live in a very rural setting and a fair amount of wildlife. Stills of young deer in spring along with video of their antics all from one unit would be great.

Video from dslrs isn't perfect. It tends to be a more manual affair without many of the automatic features you take for granted in a camcorder. And very high speed pans can cause problems. However, knowing how to adjust a dslr manually unlocks many of the advantages they have over P&S cameras for stills with better lenses and sensors. And many of these advantages transfer to video as well.

Cameras like the t2i (look for deals as it was replaced by the t3i with only slight modifications) have a standard stereo microphone jack. I use an external mic that mounts to the hot shoe. External mics offer many advantages for nature video with more directionality, control of wind noise, and greater range. And best of all, something like the t2i sits at the top in terms of still photography at the entry level. So its video capabilities are a bonus without compromising quality in its photographs.

dcmartinpc

cheddar wrote: »

Video from dslrs isn't perfect. It tends to be a more manual affair without many of the automatic features you take for granted in a camcorder. And very high speed pans can cause problems. However, knowing how to adjust a dslr manually unlocks many of the advantages they have over P&S cameras for stills with better lenses and sensors. And many of these advantages transfer to video as well.

Cameras like the t2i (look for deals as it was replaced by the t3i with only slight modifications) have a standard stereo microphone jack. I use an external mic that mounts to the hot shoe. External mics offer many advantages for nature video with more directionality, control of wind noise, and greater range. And best of all, something like the t2i sits at the top in terms of still photography at the entry level. So its video capabilities are a bonus without compromising quality in its photographs.

That's right! I totally spaced the T2i! It uses the exact same sensor as the T3i! You should be able to find one on the used market from someone who is just an upgrade junkie!

You hit the nail on the head with the video. The banding issue with high speed pans is the ONLY thing I do not like about DSLR video. All of the reasons you listed about are the exact reason why I said a dedicated video camera is better for most consumers. The manual aspect of these cameras make them more suited to the prosumer for video.

Don

muncybob

Thought I would let you know what I finally picked up. Much as I would have liked a newer camera, I settled on a Nikon D5000...price was right and seemed to have decent reviews. New learning curve about to begin!

shack

That is very nice camera. It may be a so called "entry level" from a couple years ago, but it should have very good image quality and enough options and features to allow you to advance in photography if you choose to do so. I would recommend you pick up the following two DVDs:

http://bluecranedigital.com/Introduction-to-the-Nikon-D5000-Volume-1

http://bluecranedigital.com/Introduction-to-the-Nikon-D5000-Volume-2

You could buy the first now and then the second later as you get more proficient or just buy them both now. Amazon B&H or Adorama should have them or direct from Blue Crane. They are excellent instructional videos.