Beginner DSLR?

GlossyTundra

GlossyTundra

Tractor Detailer
Ok, seeing as xmas is coming, I figure a DSLR would be a good thing to ask for. I am used to a point and shoot, but I am willing to learn the game.



I am looking for a budget under $500 (less the better). I also want live view since I am used to a point and shoot. This is becoming my biggest factor.



What recommendations do you guys have for a DSLR with live view under $500 (close to $400 would be great ;))
 
I'm not sure if even the entry levels are in that budget. I know the Sony Alpha a230 is good for entry level. As well as the D40. You might get some lesser brand name for close to that but I'm not sure if it's worth it. For the couple extra bucks it's be better to get a Cannon or Nikkon or Sony in my opinion.
 
I just bought a Nikon D3000 and when I was shopping for cameras it seemed only the more expensive models had live view. I was a little tentative about buying a camera without live view hzving come from using a point & shoot for many years but after playing with it for a few days I don't see the need for it.



Also, in my newspaper today Best Buy was advertising the D3000 for $499 which includes the camera, one lens, and a Nikon camera bag (with instrustional DVD). I paid $499 on Tuesday for just the camera and the lens. The bag/DVD is a $50+ value. So, I think this is a tremendous deal.
 
D40 doesn't have live view but for the price I think it's hard to resist. The finder is really pretty good and the Nikon glass is excellent.
 
I may try a few without live view, but I really would much rather have this option.



I was looking at the Sony DLSR A330, Cannon XS, Olympus E420. Those are my only options for sub $500 Live view DSLR's.
 
Just out of curiousity . . . why do you want live view? Your pictures will be better if you use the view finder as it's easier to hold the camera steady when it's close to your body. That's especially important with a SLR with which you can extend the shutter time.



When I was debating whether or not to pay extra for live view the only scenario I could come up with for using it was if I had to hold the camera away from my face in order to get the shot (above my head for instance). I thought about how many times I've done that in the past and it was a "no brainer."
 
Mikeyc said:
Just out of curiousity . . . why do you want live view? Your pictures will be better if you use the view finder as it's easier to hold the camera steady when it's close to your body. That's especially important with a SLR with which you can extend the shutter time.



When I was debating whether or not to pay extra for live view the only scenario I could come up with for using it was if I had to hold the camera away from my face in order to get the shot (above my head for instance). I thought about how many times I've done that in the past and it was a "no brainer."
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I am just used to live view, so I want to stay with something I am comfortable with. I may end up with a D40 or something without live view, but I'd rather have it if I could.



Im already going to be in over my head with this SLR thing anyway, I have no knowledge of photography whatsoever.
 
Brandon1 said:
I am just used to live view, so I want to stay with something I am comfortable with. I may end up with a D40 or something without live view, but I'd rather have it if I could.



Im already going to be in over my head with this SLR thing anyway, I have no knowledge of photography whatsoever.
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Get the Canon kit I mentioned. It has live view and an automatic mode.
 
With your budget, a Prosumer model is going to give you better results than the slr and cheap kit lens, and you will have live view. On an SLR, the cheapest part is the body, your lenses are going to cost you a whole lot more. That said, live view is just not needed in most cases and is a battery drain.
 
Brandon1 said:
I am just used to live view, so I want to stay with something I am comfortable with.
Click to expand...





It may not be as much of a concern as you perceive. Frankly, I use the viewfinder almost exclusively on all cameras...it's so much easier in bright light and it's become 2nd nature.



You have a lot of good choices today. You cannot go wrong with either a Nikon or Canon. They'll both provide superior image quality. Both mfrs produce excellent glass, too.



You'll soon come to realize that the real expense when going dSLR is not the body, but the lenses you'll want to accumulate over time. That's where it starts to get $$$ ;)



Enjoy.



(Nikon D40/D80/D200 and numerous PnS cams)
 
Brandon1 said:
I am just used to live view, so I want to stay with something I am comfortable with. I may end up with a D40 or something without live view, but I'd rather have it if I could.



Im already going to be in over my head with this SLR thing anyway, I have no knowledge of photography whatsoever.
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Coming from a point & shoot camera not having live view was a concern for me, but I quickly got used to looking in the view finder. I probably know about what you do of cameras and photography with is why I went with the Nikon D3000. It has a "guide" mode where it dumbs things down for you and helps you setup the camera for the shot.



yakky said:
With your budget, a Prosumer model is going to give you better results than the slr and cheap kit lens, and you will have live view. On an SLR, the cheapest part is the body, your lenses are going to cost you a whole lot more. That said, live view is just not needed in most cases and is a battery drain.
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Yeah. I'm already starting to think about what other lenses I want to buy.
 
Candor said:
I don't know if the sale is still vaild but



Nikon - 10.2-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera - Black - D3000





Was I "believe" 449 or 499 in store for black friday sale
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It was $499 in store and that included the D3000 body, lens, and a carry bag with instructional DVD. I bought the body/lens on Tuesday for $499 at BB and I bought a different case but the bag/DVD they were throwing in on Friday sells for $50 so that was a great deal.
 
AeroCleanse said:
Canon EOS Rebel XS (a.k.a. 1000D) SLR Digital Camera Kit (Black) with 18-55mm IS Lens - $ 479.95. They have free shipping on it also.
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+1 on a Canon Rebel. I personally started out with the Rebel XT a few years back, and it combined with the 18-55 lens was a great beginner learning camera for SLR photography. In fact, I still own it to this day along with a Canon 5D, 30D and a bunch of nice lenses.



When going to SLR photography, if you really decide to get into it, the main investment is in the lenses, since bodies over time may come and go.
 
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