SPR: Please recommend your SLR

Right now, we only have a standard digital point and shoot. I'd love to get an SLR, but I'm not sure which one to get. I definitely want to be able to capture better pictures of DS than I get with our current camera. I know it takes a while to learn how to use.

Which SLR do you have?
If you don't mind sharing, how much was it?
Where did you buy it?
What, if any, additional lenses or other accessories did you purchase?
What do you love about your camera?
What don't you like about it?

TIA for your help.

Re: SPR: Please recommend your SLR

You will LOVE an SLR. Lots of mommies on here have them and I haven't heard many complaints about them.

I have a d40, got it as a gift last year so I'm not sure about the price. Got it from ritzcamera.com, they used to have a store in Carle Place but Ritz filed for bankruptcy recently so I think the store is gone.

I love the d40-- it's the most affordable Nikon SLR, no complaints at all. I'm still on auto a year later, and the pics come out great! I am TRYING to learn more and experiment, even took classes for it, but I'm a chicken. The d40 is a great one to start with if you can't spend a lot of $$. Probably in a few years I'll upgrade to a new camera. My SIL has the d90 and loves it.

I got a camera package-- came with the body, the 18-55 lens, the 55-200 lens, the camera bag and a DVD or 2. I love, love, love the 55-200 VR (vibration reduction) lens. I use it 95% of the time...just takes really awesome close-up shots. They do make a 18-200 lens, but it's $$$...it's on my "wishlist" though. I am in the market for a wide-angle lens now.

Love everything about my camera, no complaints at all.

I also have 6 2GB photo cards I take a lot of pics. I do have a spare battery, but I've never used it and don't know where it is right now

Barb (Nrthshrgrl-- probably messed up the spelling, sorry!!) gives the best pointer of all-- get a filter to attach to the end of each lens you have. They're only like $15 and will help protect your lens from dust, and possibly protect it during a collision with the floor, etc.

Happy shopping. Lots of girls on here have Nikons, others have Canon and Olympus too.

ETA: I have seen Nikons in BJ's/Costco before, if you have a membership you could go there and price them out. Also, maybe there will be some good sales coming up for 4th of July.

Message edited 6/10/2009 5:39:35 PM.

Re: SPR: Please recommend your SLR

I have a Canon Digital Rebel XT. By current technology standards, it's a fossil. At the time, I must have spend about $1K on the kit, with the filters, bag, memory cards etc. but you can score this much cheaper now.

It depends on what you are looking to do, IMO, having good lenses is more important than the actual body of the camera. I agree about the filters, for a few bucks it really protects the lens for dirt, debris and possible damage. I like to shoot the children in my family using the semi-manual modes, which is why I love the SLR. I save my manual tinkering when I'm shooting things that don't run, scream or have once-in-a-lifetime moments.

I would definitely recommend going to the store and getting the feel of each one, it's like test driving a car. One with fit just right with you.

Feel free to FM me if you have any specific questions! Good luck!

Re: SPR: Please recommend your SLR

I have a Canon Rebel Xti and LOVE it. DH got it for me---I think it was maybe $600 or so for just the body (no lenses since he read that the kit lens for this model isn't great) on Amazon. I have a 50mm which is great for portraits, and a 17-85 which is a decent mid-range lens.Now I'm looking for a telephoto. I agree with the PPs--the lenses are really the key and the big expense. It's really easy to spend hundreds (or thousands) on lenses!

The one thing I don't like about this model is it uses a CF card for memory rather than an SD. You have to align the card with the pins in the slot for it, and one time I wasn't paying attention, shoved it into the slot and bent a pin. Luckily DH was able to fix it or it would have been an expensive repair. I think the newer Rebel Xsi uses SD instead, so it shouldn't be a problem anymore.

Oh. I also agree with the filter tip--it can really save your lenses. And definitely take a class if you can!

Re: SPR: Please recommend your SLR

Thanks!

Re: SPR: Please recommend your SLR

I have a Canon Rebel Xsi and I LOVE it!!

Re: SPR: Please recommend your SLR

We have the Canon D40 as well... we absolutely love it and could not imagine going back to our non-slr camera!

It's not too complicated but it has just enough features for us. People always compliment our pics and say they look professional.

It is the least expensive one and we are both happy that we didn't upgrade.. we wouldn't have used the features.

Re: SPR: Please recommend your SLR

I have the Nikoin D40 and LOVE it.

Currently researching new lens