Ryan H.

My wife wants a Digital SLR camera. She's had a great 35mm camera she used for years. What do I need to look for? I want to spend less than $750 bucks if possible. What would you guys recomend.

JetskiBrian, what do you use to keep the water off yours, is it a case or is it the camera?

Seacat FL

Huge amount of data at Dpreview.com

The Nikon D3100 & D5100 are very interesting to me.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5100/

stev

B&H camera .com some good prices .nikon is always good .

i shoot nikon d7000 & A 33d mamiya med format.

Lat25

Read the user reviews on Adorama and B and H. Canon Rebel series bang for the buck winner, imo.

phreaticus53

kenrockwell.com......
Can't go wrong with his suggestiions and info...

livingthedream

What brand of camera did she have before? Most of the Cannon and Nikon film camera lenses can be used on the digital SLR's so she might be able to save some cash by using some of her old lenses. I've always been a fan of Cannon and currently own a T1i and love it. I took it to Australia and a few good quality lenses and took wonderful pictures. Can't go wrong with Cannon or Nikon..they are the best in my eyes.

luketrot

I am a professional photographer who owns both Canon and Nikon gear. This includes Nikon's D3s, D700 and Canon's 1DIV and 2 1DIII's. A great camera is nothing without great lenses and great lenses are WAY over your budget. With that said I would look at the Lumix GH1. It's a great entry level SLR that won't break your bank, takes amazing photos and is easy to travel with.

Side note, Last month I was in Florida shooting USASF Worlds at Disney with well over $15,000 worth of Canon gear. Part of the gig included free hopper passes to the parks on our off days before and after the event. My choice of camera to walk around with was my iPhone 4, the last thing I wanted strapped to me was a large SLR camera.

stev

yup, prime glass is the best for better pics .i have all prime glass myself .i agree with what luketrot says
from 200mm to 800mm 2.8s 1.4s and so on .depending what you are shooting for .long range shooting or portrait type stuff.
You can take a cheap body and put some prime glass in front of it .and get quality pics .

Mr. Paul

Most recommendations will come from what people own. I agree with what was posted earlier what glass does she have now? Then look to that brand. One thing to remember about 35 mm glass vs digital glass is your "old" wide angle will not be as wide because of the cmos chip is smaller than 35mm making a 28 about as wide as a 50mm. I shoot a Sony 900 which uses a full size chip with 25 mps. and my old glass (Minolta) works great. But the price of that camera is way out of your range. The latest digital slr's are now coming with the ability to shoot movies. I myself do not find this as a positive. I want to shoot stills. But I am in the vast minority on this issue. The other interesting problem is the moment you purchase what ever body it is obsolete. The technology moves very fast in digital.

luketrot

Here are a few shots from our events.


How to handhold a Nikon 200/2 VR (not me in the pic but it was my camera gear)

beber

I second this. There are a lot of great options for the enthusiast photographer. A few year's back I got an olympus 4/3rds camera that I like alot. Now Olympus and Panasonic are offering micro 4/3rd cameras. They have interchangable lens like an SLR but have a smaller body because they don't have an actual Penta Prism. I think these are a great option because you can take some really nice photographs with a camera that has a much smaller body.

In the price range you are looking at I think you need to just got to a camera store and see which one you like the look and the feel of the best. The image quality of cameras from Nikon, Cannon, Pannasonic, Sony, Olympus, and Pentax are all similar in the entry level products.

Like some one else said check out dpreview

Some cameras to think about

Panasonic G10 $370.00
http://www.adorama.com/IPCDMCG10KR.html

Panasonic GH1K $649
http://www.adorama.com/IPCDMCGH1KL8.html

Lat25

A little OT, but the Canon G12 is worth a look. Small, convenient and 90% of a DSLR. The IQ is close to the big guns at half the price (about 500). Little difference in enlargments up to 8x10. Lots of pro's use them for publication and internet. Raw mode for PS as a nice feature as well.

Dulcecita Lures

I absolutely love my Nikon D800. But, I never take it on the boat because I'm afraid of getting it wet or otherwise screwin' it up. So, I use my old Kodak 4330 digital on the boat.

As mentioned, the key is the lenses and the AFS lenses for Nikon each bring a pretty penny! I was amazed when I started shopping around for additional lenses.

Anybody want to buy a 35mm Minolta SRT201 with a couple of lenses? Great camera, but has sat in it's camera bag and collected dust for the last 10 years or so!!

240 LTS

Not to derail too far but, What is everyone doing with their 35MM stuff?
Mine, like yours is in the bag, on the shelf.

Now, back to the OP.


.

Pierless

important point, the size of the cmos chip (think image size) will vary by camera. A smaller chip enlarges the image which means you get a free boost on telephoto lenses (300 works like a 450) but you get penalized on wide angle lenses. The larger chips are in the more expensive camera bodies.

x2 on ken rockwell website. I have read his stuff for years: http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm

Pierless

35MM on the shelf, next to it are my early digital bodies.

Pierless

As a diehard Nikon fan, I think that is an excellent way to use Canon equipment

luketrot

Love the FF of the D3s matched with the 200/2 and it's ability to crop in to 1.3x and 1.5x but the AF on the Canon counterpart is noticeable faster. I switched over to Nikon last year because for the ISO performance and the added DOF shooting FF. It took a while to get use to the reverse zoom. Just wish Nikon would release a new 135/2

Team Temptation

While better cameras and better glass can produce better shots,in the end the most important thing is that who pushes the buttons. Get her something light and rugged so she is not scared to use it. Once she gets the feel of digital,then the fun begins with better glass,bodies etc etc.

Armando

Lat25

Actually, I find myself gravitating back to film, glad I didn't sell the Canon 1n. Digital is the choice for the working pro, but there's something about the feel and simplicity of film cameras. No convoluted menu's, no incompatible batteries, no PS for that matter. The D5 is the one gathering a little dust.