Please help me choose my first SLR (or D-SLR)
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Please help me choose my first SLR (or D-SLR)
Hello 
I am moving up from my beat-up Kodak digital camera (regular old camera) to one of the SLR's with lens. I am looking for a really good deal and still not sure what to get. I am willing to shell out up to $500 with lens, and went to best buy to see several. If you, knowing what you know now, had to purchase you first camera, which one would it be? Please post a link of some kind too. Lower price is better, but I am looking for a keeper so has to take "professional" shots.
All help is greatly appreciated!
(will rep for useful advise lol)
I am moving up from my beat-up Kodak digital camera (regular old camera) to one of the SLR's with lens. I am looking for a really good deal and still not sure what to get. I am willing to shell out up to $500 with lens, and went to best buy to see several. If you, knowing what you know now, had to purchase you first camera, which one would it be? Please post a link of some kind too. Lower price is better, but I am looking for a keeper so has to take "professional" shots.All help is greatly appreciated!
(will rep for useful advise lol)
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I personally have the Nikon D40, it is my first camera and it is a great one to learn on. Even though i have gotten down pretty much all of the features, it is still a great camera to use regularly until i decide to upgrade. It is one of the favorites among beginning photographers and even a great 2nd body even after you have a higher end camera. Not to sound like i am self promoting but you can check out the photos i have taken with the D40 on the flickr link in my sig. Also you can search flicker for the D40 and find other photos by people that have used the camera. Hope this helps and welcome to the wonderful world of photography!
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^ Thanks for quick reply...I'm looking at D3000 now...hopefully 10 megapixels will be satisfactory in the long run...I hear most these days are 12+
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I personally have the Nikon D40, it is my first camera and it is a great one to learn on. Even though i have gotten down pretty much all of the features, it is still a great camera to use regularly until i decide to upgrade. It is one of the favorites among beginning photographers and even a great 2nd body even after you have a higher end camera. Not to sound like i am self promoting but you can check out the photos i have taken with the D40 on the flickr link in my sig. Also you can search flicker for the D40 and find other photos by people that have used the camera. Hope this helps and welcome to the wonderful world of photography!
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Now I have to decide between D40 and D3000-both are on sale at best buy...D3000 has higher pixels but is more pricey...choices choices
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Pixels really shouldn't be a deal breaker when it comes to an entry level dslr cause there really not something your gonna have to worry about it unless you plan on cropping in on your shots alot.
I'd suggest going to best buy and spending some time handling the two cameras to see which one feels better to you, I believe the bodies/ button layout on the D40 and D3000 are similar but not exactly the same.
I'd suggest going to best buy and spending some time handling the two cameras to see which one feels better to you, I believe the bodies/ button layout on the D40 and D3000 are similar but not exactly the same.
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i have a d60 which is exactly like the d3000. although i eld a d3000 the other day and it didnt feel as comfortable to use as my d60. my friend has a d40 and its pretty much the same as my d60 just missing a feature or 2.
hope that helps you.
hope that helps you.
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I know some people think Ken Rockwell is crazy but I would take his Opinion on this:
The D3000 Nikon's newest inexpensive DSLR. It's a good camera all by itself, but it's the worst DSLR Nikon has ever made. What makes it worse by comparison is significantly slower and balkier operation when compared to other Nikon DSLRs.
The Nikon D40 is a better camera for less money.
The Nikon D3000 is inferior both in operational speed and ease of use, as well as inferior in technical image quality. Specifically, the D3000 is about one stop noisier at any given ISO than the D40; the D3000 is as noisy at ISO 800 as the D40 is at ISO 1,600. While the D40 looks great at ISO 1,600, the D3000 is too grainy at ISO 1,600 for normal use. You have to keep the D3000 at ISO 800 or below for the best results.
Here are the test to show the D3000 vs D40:
Nikon D3000 High ISO Comparison
Save some cash and get the D40 IMO.
Or you can step it up to a Used D80. More advanded camera than the D40 and will cost a little more.
Used D80 with Lens:
http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/pho/1428805806.html
The D3000 Nikon's newest inexpensive DSLR. It's a good camera all by itself, but it's the worst DSLR Nikon has ever made. What makes it worse by comparison is significantly slower and balkier operation when compared to other Nikon DSLRs.
The Nikon D40 is a better camera for less money.
The Nikon D3000 is inferior both in operational speed and ease of use, as well as inferior in technical image quality. Specifically, the D3000 is about one stop noisier at any given ISO than the D40; the D3000 is as noisy at ISO 800 as the D40 is at ISO 1,600. While the D40 looks great at ISO 1,600, the D3000 is too grainy at ISO 1,600 for normal use. You have to keep the D3000 at ISO 800 or below for the best results.
Here are the test to show the D3000 vs D40:
Nikon D3000 High ISO Comparison
Save some cash and get the D40 IMO.
Or you can step it up to a Used D80. More advanded camera than the D40 and will cost a little more.
Used D80 with Lens:
http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/pho/1428805806.html
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whats up with that!?
