Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

Specifically, which ones do you have....

I know the D40 is very popular, but is the 18-50 lens that it comes with enough for everyday use?

What other cameras can people recommend?

I REALLY enjoy taking photos and know that I could do better with a nicer camera. My camera is so dark and grainy lately, I feel like it's on the fritz.

Any info you could share would be appreciated!
Melissa

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

I have the Nikon D40, I have the 18-50 lens and 50-200 lens. I use the 18-50 most often and use the automatic settings since I don't have time to learn how to use it!

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

I have the Nikon D50, which they don't make anymore. Now the best choice would be the D40, or the D80 if you can swing it.

I think the best all around lens is the 18-200 mm VR. It's (just as much as the camera body in some instances). Some people go with 2 lenses - 18-55 and 55-200 and you just switch. If I couldn't afford the 18-200 lens, I would get the 18-135 mm.

Right now I have 3:
28-80
70-300
55-200

I want to get rid of my 28-80 and 55-200 and get an 18-135 and keep my 70-300. Trial and error, but I am almost decided!

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

I've been thinking about the Nikon D40 also since my camera misses every single shot and we're going to WDW soon. How hard is it for a camera dummy to use? Can I just point and shoot without making a million adjustments? Is the flash sufficient on these for indoor shots (I see a lot of outdoor ones on here).

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

I have the Nikon D40x with the 18-55 leans that it comes with. I am very very happy with it. I've gotten great pictures with it - it's very responsive and easy to use.
I'm in the process of also getting the Nikon D80 with the 18-135 lens and can't wait to try it out!
They still make the D40, but the D40x (which has more megapixels than the D40, I believe) is no longer being made - it is now called the D60, and that model is slightly better than the D40x.

I've also tried a Canon Rebel...and hated it, so I dont' recommend it. Although it took beautiful pictures as well - just not as easy to use.

Good luck! There's so much to take in at once! I'd recommend a Nikon D40 or D60 with the 18-55 lens to start. Can't go wrong!!

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

i LOVE my canon digital rebel...i have the kit lens, and have purchased a few others- i never use my kit lens anymore and like the other ones much better... it is funny because i have tried to use the nikon ones and those seem so much more diffuclt to use for me... i have always had canon cameras around... it is like coke vs pepsi... some people are canon people and others are nikon... both are great cameras...

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

Great thread - bump!

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

I have a Canon 350D and I love it, I'll be honest with you, I use it either on automatic or on portrait, and I just snap away. Rather than using skill, I take tons of pictures and hope that some come out good. I seem to do okay though. I am a Canon person, (like a pp said) and I love my digital SLR, my husband is looking into getting a few more lenses when we are in NYC next week, so I will learn a bit more about them then.

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

I have a Nikon D80 and I am still learning to use it.

I wanted a point and shoot - but this camera kind of fell into my lap. I am committed to learning how to use it though. I refuse to have a nice camera and then keep it on auto for the rest of it's life. I feel like I would have wasted money on the lenses and accessories if I do that.

Because I am still learning it, I can't give you too many pros just yet. The colors seem true and bright, the screen is well lit, the shutter speed is great and I have gotten some wonderful action shots with the continuous shutter. I have 2 lenses and it is great to be able to capture things from a distance. I look forward to the next shool event so I can use this camera and not have my kid be one of 70 tiny faces on a stage.

I can tell you also - that it is cumbersome. It isn't like when I go to the park and can grab my little elph and throw it in my pocket. I have this big bag that needs to be watched all the time because of the monetary worth of the equipment. I have left it home at least 3x since July because I can't be bothered running around with this bag of tricks. And I worry about it. I won't take it to the beach because I am afraid to get sand in the camera body. I won't take it to places when it is just me and the boys because I have enough to do chasing after them without worrying about where my camera bag is. And whenever I whip it out people look at me as though I must be some wonderful photographer and I kind of worry that they expect me to be better than I am.

I am hoping that as I get more adept with the camera the cons will fade and there will be way more pros!

Good luck!

ETA: I have a Nikon 18-55 VR and a Af 70-300 Tamron lens. I use the 18-55 almost always and it is fine for most of my everyday use.

Message edited 8/25/2008 7:38:23 AM.

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

I really want to the D300 for Christmas!!!

I have the D40 now with the 18-135 mm lens. It is a great lens for me.

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

I have the D40x now replaced by the D60. The D80 was out of my price range and bigger.

If I really had the money. I would have gotten the D80 with the 18-200mm VR lense.

I love the D40x I have. It fits in my hands and not that heavy. I have the 18-55 mm lense that came with it.

It has worked great for me so far. I get the pics without missing moments. I wish I knew about SLR cameras BEFORE DS was born but at least I got it a few months later and never regretted it. It was probably the most satisfaction I have had out of a present. I still love my camera. I only use that one.

I did not buy the 55-200 mm lense because I can't conceive switching lense. I also read from photo magazines that you have a higher chance of dust getting in the camera when switching lenses. I just got the basic lense so I would learn more about photography before knowing what I really wanted.

I REALLY want the 18-200 mm VR lense. But it's just as expensive as the camera with the 18-55mm combined.

I DO regret not getting the 18-135 mm lense when I bought the camera. It would have been a great alternative to the 18-200 lense.

I may still get th 18-135mm but I am scared to spend money and not be happy with it. Then still want the 18-200mm VR.

I am not familiar with the Canon Rebel. I know people who have it and love it. But I read more negative reviews or not liking it as much as the Nikon cameras.

I think the Nikons are a bit easier to use but all lenses do not go on it.

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

I also have the D40 and LOVE it. I have the same lenses everyone else suggests: the 18-55 and the 55-200VR. If I had the $ I would have gone for the 18-200VR though. But I am in love with the close-ups I get from the 55-200

Re: Moms, talk to me about your Digital SLR cameras....

I have the Canon 30D and love it. We have 3 lenses: 17-85 IS (came with the body), 28-200 and a fixed 50. I love to zoom, so the 28-200 is a favorite of mine. That said, the 50 fixed is my absolute favorite!! Especially with a little one - it's easy to capture those easy to miss photos with this lens.