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Now (8/8) $699!
Message edited by: hobiephil on 2008-08-08 06:59:28 CDT
I ordered this. I tried ordering an xti from us1photo and it was a terrible experience, so decided to cancel and go for the better camera at a better store. Learned my lesson - stick to Amazon if you want a reasonably priced product without any hassles.
I'd like to pick up photography as a hobby and am wondering what's a good starter DSLR camera. I understand the lenses are key. Taking that into account, is the Canon XSI a good choice? What about Nikon (possibly D80)?
ili0psoas said:I'd like to pick up photography as a hobby and am wondering what's a good starter DSLR camera. I understand the lenses are key. Taking that into account, is the Canon XSI a good choice? What about Nikon (possibly D80)?
I've done quite a bit of research lately, and IMHO with the latest price drop the XSi is the clear winner. The D80 is a bit older technology. Pretty much any Canon or Nikon DSLR will give you great results, it just comes down to how much you want to spend. Also I recommend going to a camera shop first to see how they actually feel in your hand. This is a pretty important parameter and something you can't do online.
ili0psoas said:I'd like to pick up photography as a hobby and am wondering what's a good starter DSLR camera. I understand the lenses are key. Taking that into account, is the Canon XSI a good choice? What about Nikon (possibly D80)?
From a beginner standpoint, my POV is that any of the latest entry level DSLRs (Canon/Nikon/Olympus/Sony/Pentax) are capable of taking great pictures. Look at the various review sites and check out the side-by-side comparisons. I think you really need a pro photographer's eyes to even notice some of the details they're testing. Isolated, I'd imagine anyone would be satisfied.
It's more of a matter of what's the potential for upgrading to new glass. All have options, but Canon gives you the most options for cheap/used lenses to change your palette, but I think you'll be moving past the beginner level (moving to serious amateur) the minute you start spending serious money on lenses. Of course, around that time, you'll probably end up thinking about upgrading to a pro-level camera. I think entry level equipment serves it's purpose.
Believe it or not, there are plenty of pros shooting with the XSi. Not all pros have unlimited budgets, and the XSi makes for a great second camera. For example, it gives you some extra versatility with the crop factor. Plus, it's not all about the gear. A good photographer will take better shots with the XSi than a newbie will with any camera, period. Heck, I know a photojournalist shooting for print with a pocket Leica (well, technically, he travels with seven of them...but you get the meaning).
ili0psoas said:I'd like to pick up photography as a hobby and am wondering what's a good starter DSLR camera. I understand the lenses are key. Taking that into account, is the Canon XSI a good choice? What about Nikon (possibly D80)?
It comes with a fine starter lens. You can leave it on Auto or Program if you're just starting out, and get excellent shots. Give yourself plenty of time to learn it and you'll be amazed. I've had it for 3 weeks, though I paid $43 more. Excellent camera!
Would you mind to share your experience? They have a decent ratings on resellerratings.com. churwitz said:I ordered this. I tried ordering an xti from us1photo and it was a terrible experience, so decided to cancel and go for the better camera at a better store. Learned my lesson - stick to Amazon if you want a reasonably priced product without any hassles.
ili0psoas said:I'd like to pick up photography as a hobby and am wondering what's a good starter DSLR camera. I understand the lenses are key. Taking that into account, is the Canon XSI a good choice? What about Nikon (possibly D80)?
The two systems (Nikon and Canon) are not identical. They each have their particular strengths and weaknesses. But either is much more than adequate for your needs as a newbie. And just for the record, Pentax isn't a bad choice, either.
Buy whichever one feels best in your hands. If both feel equally good, buy the less expensive one.
Then ignore the whole "Which is best?" thing for a year or two. In fact, ignore all debate over the relative merits of various camera bodies. Instead, if you want to read about photography, go read about the technical aspects of exposure, the art and science of lighting, the fundamentals of post-processing, the work of accomplished photographers (both currently active ones, and those long gone - and it's NOT cheating to learn from the work of past masters, as most artists, musicians, writers, and other creative artists will readily admit), the process of meaningfully analyzing and critiquing photographs, etc.
Don't read equipment reviews. So long as you have an acceptable SLR and 2 or 3 modest lenses (a wide angle to short tele kit lens, an affordable tele zoom, and just maybe a single fast prime), you're fine for now. And when you finally do go and buy some more camera gear, it probably ought to be a good tripod and a quality flash unit, not a new body, nor the lens that everyone says is a "must own." Go and learn and practice. Take lots of pictures and figure out why they disappoint (and most of your photos will disappoint, if you're honest and have high standards). Figure out what you should be doing better, then go and do it. Learn from your mistakes (and from your occasional successes). When you come across situations that can't be easily handled by your limited camera equipment, figure out ways around your equipment's limitations. Sure, sometimes there's just no way around them, and that's too bad. But almost always, there is some tolerable alternative, and if once in a blue moon you just can't get the shot because you don't own a 600mm f/4 lens or a camera with an 11 fps burst capability, well, shrug your shoulders and move on to another challenge.
Do NOT second guess your equipment purchase decisions. Do not worry that you should have gone with Nikon instead of Canon, or vice versa. Do not convince yourself that you'll never create good photos unless you buy the $4200 fast zoom that you saw some Sports Illustrated photographer use at the Olympics, or the $2600 ultra-wide angle lens that all the professionals photographing Antarctica this winter just rave about. Because for a newbie, the biggest limitation by far will be your lack of understanding, experience, and ability. NOT lack of top notch equipment. Sure, an abundance of first rate equipment can be a nice thing to have; I never knock quality tools. But for a beginner, the important thing is to obtain some adequate tools and gain a lot of skill at using them well. It's all too easy to convince yourself that the answer lies in having more and better camera gear, but frankly that's not the right answer for probably 95% of beginners.
Well, I suppose you'll ignore most of my advice. But I do happen to know what I'm talking about on this topic.
12345Michael54321 said:ili0psoas said:I'd like to pick up photography as a hobby and am wondering what's a good starter DSLR camera. I understand the lenses are key. Taking that into account, is the Canon XSI a good choice? What about Nikon (possibly D80)?
Okay, I'll quote what I wrote in http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/849723 , in response to yesterday's "I'm a newbie; which DSLR should I get?" question.
<begin quote>
Either would be a perfectly sound choice.
The two systems (Nikon and Canon) are not identical. They each have their particular strengths and weaknesses. But either is much more than adequate for your needs as a newbie. And just for the record, Pentax isn't a bad choice, either.
Buy whichever one feels best in your hands. If both feel equally good, buy the less expensive one.
Then ignore the whole "Which is best?" thing for a year or two. In fact, ignore all debate over the relative merits of various camera bodies. Instead, if you want to read about photography, go read about the technical aspects of exposure, the art and science of lighting, the fundamentals of post-processing, the work of accomplished photographers (both currently active ones, and those long gone - and it's NOT cheating to learn from the work of past masters, as most artists, musicians, writers, and other creative artists will readily admit), the process of meaningfully analyzing and critiquing photographs, etc.
Don't read equipment reviews. So long as you have an acceptable SLR and 2 or 3 modest lenses (a wide angle to short tele kit lens, an affordable tele zoom, and just maybe a single fast prime), you're fine for now. And when you finally do go and buy some more camera gear, it probably ought to be a good tripod and a quality flash unit, not a new body, nor the lens that everyone says is a "must own." Go and learn and practice. Take lots of pictures and figure out why they disappoint (and most of your photos will disappoint, if you're honest and have high standards). Figure out what you should be doing better, then go and do it. Learn from your mistakes (and from your occasional successes). When you come across situations that can't be easily handled by your limited camera equipment, figure out ways around your equipment's limitations. Sure, sometimes there's just no way around them, and that's too bad. But almost always, there is some tolerable alternative, and if once in a blue moon you just can't get the shot because you don't own a 600mm f/4 lens or a camera with an 11 fps burst capability, well, shrug your shoulders and move on to another challenge.
Do NOT second guess your equipment purchase decisions. Do not worry that you should have gone with Nikon instead of Canon, or vice versa. Do not convince yourself that you'll never create good photos unless you buy the $4200 fast zoom that you saw some Sports Illustrated photographer use at the Olympics, or the $2600 ultra-wide angle lens that all the professionals photographing Antarctica this winter just rave about. Because for a newbie, the biggest limitation by far will be your lack of understanding, experience, and ability. NOT lack of top notch equipment. Sure, an abundance of first rate equipment can be a nice thing to have; I never knock quality tools. But for a beginner, the important thing is to obtain some adequate tools and gain a lot of skill at using them well. It's all too easy to convince yourself that the answer lies in having more and better camera gear, but frankly that's not the right answer for probably 95% of beginners.
Well, I suppose you'll ignore most of my advice. But I do happen to know what I'm talking about on this topic.
XSi $699 at Amazon!!!! I bought it yesterday at 716.84, but I get the price match guarantee for thirty days. How low will it go? I really do love Amazon.
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Bought 3 lenses for it last night as well.....this camera rocks!
