Good beginner Digital SLR?

[ReefJunkieOK]

What would you recommend for a good beginner SLR that is on the cheaper-end of the spectrum. I was thinking Nikon D60 or Canon Rebel XTi. I read something about the D60 not being able to auto focus but did not really understand what the issue was. Any insight or help would be greatly appreciated.

-John

 

["Umm fish?"]

What kind of photos do you plan to take? Really, the issue is more along the line of making a plan of what lenses to buy as both bodies perform well. But, once you've made the jump into one or the other camps and bought a few lenses, it gets really tough to switch.

I'm a Canon guy myself and love them, though I sometimes think that it's easier to get deep, rich color out of Nikon bodies. But, Canon sells some great glass.

 

[nickb]

Re: Good beginner Digital SLR?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13669058#post13669058 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefJunkieOK I read something about the D60 not being able to auto focus but did not really understand what the issue was.

The D60 can auto-focus fine but, not with all lenses. The auto-focus motor can either be in the camera body or in the lens. In the former case, the motor drives a screw which turns a thread in the lens to set the focus. In the later case, the camera just sends an electric signal to the lens. The D60 body does not have an auto-focus motor. Therefore, it can only focus lenses which contains the motor (AF-S and similar lens). Most modern Nikon lenses (and third party lenses) are AF-S. This only becomes an issue if you want to use older Nikon lenses, or some of the prime lenses.

The D60 is an excellent camera. But, since Nikon released the D90 about two months ago, the previous model (D80) has dropped in price and is now nearly the same cost as the D60. It has more features (including the in-camera auto-focus motor) but is somewhat more complicated to learn well. If you look at Canon, you might want to consider the XSi rather than the XTi. The XTi has been discontinued by Canon and replaced by the XSi. Any of these cameras will serve you well and can produce excellent pictures. But, before you buy, make sure you try them both out (take an SD memory card and actually take pictures with the cameras to give you something to look at when you get home). I didn't like the feel of the XSi (grip was too small). but YMMW.

 

[Gdubb]

I got an XTi in May for my birthday and I am completly happy with it. I am slowly learning manual functions but the camera is great.

Cant wait to get a macro lens for the tank!

 

[bikeguy1]

I've always had Canons and had great success. I've got a 20d right now. I steered away from the XTi simply because it was a little small for hands, otherwise a fine camera. Good luck.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I sure do <3 my Canon 40D. (the 50D was recently released).

 

[ReefJunkieOK]

Thank you for all of the responses. I am starting to lean toward the Canon XSi 450d. Does anyone have any experiences or issues with this camera? I like the 3" screen. Also, does anyone know if the XSi has the focus motor in the camera itself? Or is it like the Nikon D60. Sorry if this all sounds stupid. I'm a total Noob with photography.

Thanks,
John

 

[nickb]

This is a non-issue with Canon, Nearly all current Canon lenses are EF or EF-S. The exceptions are specialized lenses (MP-E or TS-E for tasks like perspective adjustment in architectural photography which are strictly manual focus lenses). The EF/EF-S lenses all contain an auto-focus motor in the lens. Unlike with Nikon, older Canon lenses won't mount on the EOS line. So, there is no need for an in-camera motor since there are no Canon auto-focus lenses which fit EOS cameras and which do not contain a motor.

 

[BlueCorn]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1503490

 

["Umm fish?"]

The MP-E for the Canon is a special purpose macro lens (up to 5x life size and one of the best reasons to get a Canon, as Nikon doesn't make one ) and doesn't have a focusing ring. You move the whole camera back and forth until you get the subject into focus. It takes some practice, but it's lots of fun.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13671322#post13671322 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefJunkieOK
Also, does anyone know if the XSi has the focus motor in the camera itself? Or is it like the Nikon D60. Sorry if this all sounds stupid. I'm a total Noob with photography.

Canon owners don't have to deal with all of those silly problems. The Xsi also is compatible with every lens currently made by Canon. Some of the very expensive cameras are not compatible with some of the cheaper lenses however.