I am shopping for a reasonably priced Digital SLR camera. So far I like the Canon Rebel XT (350D) Digital SLR. It has positive reviews and is affordable. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/ I would love some feedback. Has anyone made a recent purchase or has a preference?
I have the first version - the 300D. It is a great camera. I've taken more than one photo that I printed on 8X11 or larger and framed. Be careful, though, because next thing you know you're going to want a telephoto lens, macro lens, wide-angle lens, tripod, filters, etc. to make your camera rock that much more. The one drawback is size. It certainly isn't enormous, but it's not like you are going to throw it in your pocket to go to a concert, or ball-game, etc.
Swilkins if you're thinking about affordability, dont get into the SLR market, dish out around 500 to get a decent point and shoot digital, they all come with good fixed lenses and you dont have to worry about size as much, and it will give you decent pictures I also shoot Canon SLR, both digital and film. To add to what Jayz said, the glass is what makes or breaks your pictures, bodies do make a difference, but not as much If you do go the route of digital SLR, you are going to have to get the body itself and lenses of about 200-300 dollar price range to be comparable to the point and shoot lens. The plus on the SLR systems is if you shell out more money for the L-line of lenses (they are very expensive), the cheapest ones are about $600 and average about 1000-1200 per lens, but you can have AMAZING pictures with a little bit of practice. Its gonna suck lugging them around if you plan on shooting a lot. It all depends on what you want them for. Casual shooting? Get a point and shoot. Hobby or a little more serious shooting, and you want to shell out the money for good pictures? Go with the SLR system. For the Canon SLR the XT is a good choice for a beginner or casual shooter, but if you want more features or are serious about your photos, get something like a 20d/5d, they are a bit more in price, but they will be worth it later.
I have a 10D and a few L lenses and a few non L lenses. Spent a small fortune on camera stuff (around 10 grand). I can take some great pictures with it, but I wish I would have followed boomer's advice. I could still be taking some great pictures with a good point and shoot, I wouldn't have to lug around fifty pounds of crap (that often gets left at home because I don't want to carry it), AND I'd have about $9,500 left in my pocket.
My wife has the Kodak SLR-14N. It's a 14 megapix haus that takes amazing photos. Of course, she does that professionally so........it's 3 or 4 grand i think. unless you're going to be blowing up photos to 11x14 or more......the Megapix is not as important. A lot of times she'll cut down and shoot in 6 mp to save card space.
Don't sports venues ban SLR-type cameras? Or anything that may look professional? My camera I bought about 3 or 4 years ago bit the dust... it was a nice camera, too - Nikon 4500. Now I get missing pixels in my pictures. I want to get an SLR-type camera, but the NBA, for example, won't let you take those in to take pics of their events. Yeah, I know, you could sneak it in, but I have this thing about doing this "the right way"... sue me.
I think there is a middle ground. I am by no means professional, but wanted something a little more than point and shoot. The canon referenced has gone down in price (as compared to when the first version came out) and if you get some reasonably priced lenses, you won't be quite in that $10 grand hole. If you do go with the digital SLR, I wouldn't rush to get any extra lenses. Take the camera around with you to some places first, then you'll know your photo-taking style (do you like to take pictures of flowers, landscapes, action, etc?) and what type of lens makes more sense.
I have 350D. It's very nice and a fun camera. Fast enough. 5D is my favorite. Wide angle lenses aren't that wide with 350D or 20D.
