DSLR for newbie to start with?

[Kenji]

I'm planning to get a DSsLR for myself yet I know nothing about it. I want something range between $700 to $1300. Mainly use is to snap on landscape/scenery (day and night) and sometimes some macro thing. Any suggestions?

 

[Snake]

The Nikon D40 is a jewel, though the Canon Rebel XT (350D) is good too.
These are relatively cheap for a starter. I started with the Nikon D40....
I got a few lenses, then a tripod... and now I'm maxed out. It is not GREAT if you are looking to do high-end stuff, but the controls allow you to experiment and familiarize yourself with the settings of an SLR.

 

[Jake]

hi, i would'nt recommend buying a d90 or any "higher end" cameras like that until you familiarize yourself with photography you will most likely get confused with all the options. i would reccomend a nikon d40 d60 or d3000 all under you r price range. i have a nikon d3000 and love it!
goodluck!

 

[businessman95]

YOU MUST GET A CANON REBEL XS, I HAVE ONE AND LOOK AT THE IMAGES IT PRODUCES!

http://dariosphotos.blogspot.com

 

[Edwin]

You really should consider taking a couple of photography classes before buying a DSLR. A good grounding in using a 35mm manual film camera will greatly enhance your transition to a DSLR.

However, if you can't (or simply don't want to) take classes then look at the Sony A330 DSLR. Yes, Sony. You can read a review here: http://www.shutmassageplanetug.com/equipmentreviews/amateur_digital_slrs/1009Sony/

The A330 has a couple of features not found in the Nikon D3000: Live View, an in-camera focusing motor and in-camera Image Stabilization (IS). How do these benefit you?

Live View is useful when shooting macro pictures, especially when your subject is at ground level. Its also beneficial when you're in a crowd and the only way to get a picture is by holding the camera over your head - just flip the screen down, look up, compose and shoot.

With an in-camera focusing motor any auto focus lens made for the A330 will auto focus on it. Since the A330 uses the "A" lens mount introduced by Minolta in 1985 with the Minolta Maxxum 7000, that means that an AF lens originally made for the Maxxum 7000 can be used on the A330 and will auto focus. The Nikon D3000/D5000 require Nikon's AF-S lenses if you want auto focus.

With in-camera IS, any lens used on the A330 becomes an IS lens. So you can buy a Minolta Maxxum AF 70-210mm f4 zoom and it will not only auto focus but will also have the benefit of IS. Nikon and Canon both have their versions of IS is some of their lenses.

The A330 with 18-55mm & 55-200mm lenses is $749.99 with a $70.00 "Instant Savings" for a final cost of $679.99 at B&H.

The A330 with 18-55mm lens is $549.99 at B&H.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com

When you get your new camera, plan on spending a lot of time READING & STUDYING the Owner's Manual that comes with it. Learn all the features and benefits of your camera. Practice until you really know them. Photographer and author David Busch ( http://www.dbusch.com ) writes Guides for all DSLR cameras. Buy the one he's written for the camera you choose. It will help you to more easily understand your camera and how to use it.

These sites will help you learn more about photography:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com
http://www.illustratedphotography.com/photography-tips/basic
http://www.cambridgeincolor.com
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html Understanding Depth of Field (DOF) is important since knowing when, how and why to use minimum or maximum DOF will greatly enhance your photography.
http://www.calculator.org/exposure.aspx An excellent site to help you understand low-light photography. I used the Scene 'City skyline in distance' for these:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drifter45h/4048051455/ ISO 200, 100mm lens, f11 @ 30 seconds
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drifter45h/4048796836/ ISO 200, 200mm lens, f11 @ 30 seconds

My camera was, of course, mounted on a tripod.

Photography is like any other subject - you have to study. If you don't study then you fail.