What Digital SLR Camera do you like

[BigStriper]

I would like your thoughts and Likes and Dislikes for a not to Expensive Digital SLR Camera, preferably a Canon or a Nikon,which models do you like,

Kurt

[swampthing]

Nikon D3100. Does everything the more expensive models do.
    The only 2 things that expensive models do "better," is that they are faster in "frames per second" for sports photographers and paparazzi. Camera adjustments on the fly is #2. Meaning the less expensive models require a menu adjustment, the expensive ones have dedicated buttons for faster changes to the settings.
  Save your money and buy a fast aperture, f 1.4-1.8, 35-50mm fixed lens for low light, and use the kit lens for everything else.

[briarjumper12]

I have a Nikon D90 and love it.  The reason I went with it over the 5100 is that it is compatible with the older lenses.  The D90 has a in body focus motor which all the older autofocus lenses need to be functional.  The 5100 or 3100 doesn't have that.

[swampthing]

True, if you use older AF-D lenses. Someone not looking to buy every focal point would still get by much cheaper with a D3100 w/ a kit lens, and throw a 35mm f1.8g, for 200. bucks, in for lowlight with or without flash.

[briarjumper12]

I been wanting that 25\\f1.8.  I have a 24/f2.8 manual lense that works great, just have to shoot manual all the time.

[swampthing]

f1.4-1.8 with digital, man you won't need flash to freeze motion until your in the dark!
   The AF-S, 35mm f1.8 G lens, got to be THE best bang for the buck with the "DX" sized dslr's.
 Most times I don't even bother with my kit lens or my tele, the near instant focus speed, natural field of view, just a great great all around "fast", prime lens that just get's it done.

[waknstak IL]

I have a Nikon D90 and it has a lot of features that make it superior to the d3100 for anyone serious about photography. But If you are just looking to shoot family photos and vacation pics buy the d3100 it is a great lightweight camera perfect for this. Then take the money you saved and buy a sb600 flash.  One hint  Best Buy in Edwardsville will match online camera store prices if you ask them and they actually had the best price I could find on an sb600. I live in Collinsville and got my d90 there.

[BigStriper]

I would like to Thank All of you for your input on Camera's,I live in Edwardsville so I will have to keep Best Buy in mind Mike, Thanks again,

Kurt

[swampthing]

Don't over look the SB400, great speed light, it saves the cameras batteries when using fill flash. The 600 is quite large.

[Geezer]

I have a Canon T1i that I like a lot and it has a lot more features than I could ever become proficient with. It often receives high ratings from photo sources (magazines, etc.).  I found the best price on it from Best Buy and recently I've started buying more equipment through Adorama.

[MI_Bowhunter]

I picked up a Canon T2i last fall and love it.   Great pictures (18MP) and HD video.    I've had Canons for years and didnt have to buy any lenses for it.   Camera works awesome in low light.

Only thing I don't like so far is that in video mode you have to manually focus.  Depending on the light and your eyesight you may or may not be able to see the screen clearly enough to know if the image is sharp or not.

[rraming]

Canon makes a lot of affordable slr's. I own a rebel and it works great. My iso goes to 1600, others for twice the price will go higher. You do get what you pay for with camera's but how much you need only you can answer. I think everyone would agree Canon makes the best lenses.

[BMG]

another vote for the Canon Rebel T2i

[guspup]

Nikon D40, all I could afford, and all really needed :-)

[BigStriper]

I would like to Thank everyone for there input,but my wife has decided to go with another point and shoot Camera so I was looking at the Canon Powershot Elph 310 HS,does anybody know anything about these or do you have another Similar Type Camera that you like,

Thanks,Kurt

[Aeronut]

I used to shoot lots of pictures with my 35mm Pentax cameras and then went to a Sony digital when film got hard to find.  I missed my SLR cameras and made the decision to find a DSLR that I could afford and had the features I was used to.

After a lot of research I chose a Nikon D3100.  I use the camera a lot at my daughter's BMX races and have become the track photographer at our local track and have been invited to take pictures at other tracks.  The most used feature on my D3100 is the ability to shoot frames at around 1/sec. and the camera will hold up to 100 pictures in a buffer.  My D3100 has taken around 6500 pictures since I bought it last March.

One drawback is that the D300 has some problems with the mode dial malfunction where it will not come up to the mode that is indicated on the dial.
 Mine is in the shop for a scheduled cleaning and hopefully the mode dial problems will be fixed for good.  I like my camera.

 

 

This Egret was almost 100 yards away when it took off.  I shot the picture with a 55-300mm lens and let the autofocus do the focus.  Not too bad for just a split second point and shoot opportunity.
 

Like I said, I like my Nikon.

Dennis

[Steve Chappell]

After a good deal of research and reading on several rating sites, I purchased a Nikon D7000 over the Canon 7D. I did not want a pro level DSLR but I wanted one where the odds of growing out of it are slim.  I believe I have achieved this. I have found these DSLR cameras are incredibly complicated and sensitive compared to the old film SLRs.  I had a good idea going into this it was going to take a serious commitment on my part to learn everything I need to know to shoot great pics in any setting; that process started this morning with my first class.  My head is spinning on all the detail these cameras offer but I am excited to continue to learn. I am told getting high quality lenses is more important on DSLRs due to how sensitive they are. My first lens is a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 ED.  I would encourage anyone looking to get into this to read about it first and then look at the ratings of the cameras and lenses you have set your eye on before buying. There are several very good websites that focus specifically on cameras and Lenses.

[Ray Lyon]

Steve, that's a good heads up for those of us watching this and contemplating the plunge. Please keep us informed as to your progress.

[Hud]

Canon G-11, have used this for little over a year and very happy with the quality, and weight without stepping up to a DSLR.

Whatever you are considering, there probably is a review on  wwwdpreview.com

[eminart]

If it hasn't been mentioned yet, lenses are far more important than the camera body. You really can't go wrong with any dslr body. All of them are good and capable of producing great images. Some of them have more bells and whistles and controls that are easier to navigate, but they'll all do what you want. Most of the entry level dslr's (Nikon at least) don't have internal focusing motors, so you're limited to buying lenses that have their own motors. Not a big deal to most people, but if you're really into photography, it cuts down on your lens selection dramatically.

Where things get important, and expensive, is the lenses. You can quickly go bankrupt lusting after camera lenses.

A few of my photos: