Digital SLR cameras

[The Quadfather]

Is there anyone out there who feels like they know a bit about digital SLR cameras?
Can you recommend a retailer in the general Seattle area? If you have a camera you are crazy about, please shoot me a PM. Questions about sensor size, options, what to avoid, etc.
Not talking about "point and shoot" pocket digitals.
Thx.

[zen leecher]

Kenmore Camera in Kenmore might be able to answer your questions. I bought one from them before I moved over here.

[natetreat]

You wanna be careful with camera stores, they'll sell you what they have, not necessarily the best. I've been shooting with my Canon EOS for ten years now and it still is taking sharp, very nice photos. It depends on what you're going to use it for, the sky is the limit pricewise. Nikons are the go to of cameras, Canon is less expensive, but they are a little behind the times. You can get aftermarket lenses for both which can save you a pretty penny as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-DX-Format-D ... nikon+dslr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's a pretty sweet camera at a good price. I paid three times that for my camera which is now behind the times. I can show you what I'm talking about on Riesuger.

[zen leecher]

There's camera stores and then there's Kenmore Camera. They offer classes and carry a range of new and used cameras.

[goodtimesfishing]

Go with Nikon and you will be happy. I would do your homework and decide which one you want and then buy from costco(if they have the one you want) or buy online. When you search out a good price it is amazing the price differences, it is worth spending a few minutes to save lots of $$$.

Sure hope you go with Nikon it is worth the extra $$$....money well spent!

Now once you pick a camara, which ever you get, go by a uv lense adapter. This not only protects your actual lense but will really make your pic pop. I don't think many think to use them and then try all kind of adjustments on camara trying to get that fine detail in outdoor shots. It is amazing what a difference it makes!! and they are not expensive. It is like the difference in using polorized glasses or non polorized glasses looking in water!

[natetreat]

In photography we called using filters as lens protectors "putting 20 dollar glass in front of a 1000 dollar glass" Having a good set of filters is really useful, you'll want a uv/haze cutter, a polarizer, some cross filters for neat portraits... That's one of the many benefits of having actual lenses to work with. But you don't use them as a lenses protector, that's what the lens cap and case is for.

And another thing to keep in mind is that you're going to want some lenses. You're main lens will be a "zoom", telephoto to wide angle, and you'll end up wanting a good telephoto and another wide angle lens. If you're used to shooting 35mm cameras, the lenses aren't going to have the same field of view, because of the difference in sensor size. For instance if you get a digital 4/3" sensor a "normal" 50mm lens would be equivalent to a 100mm, which requires a traditionally wide angle lens to be a normal lens. But if you're not coming from film cameras this stuff won't confuse you as much. They make some very nice aftermarket lenses for both Canons and Nikons, so if you find a good deal on a camera body, you don't necessarily want to buy them packaged with the default lens. Some of the more mid line cameras come packaged with a sub-par lens, and that makes all the difference in the world. My EOS came with a garbage lens, it couldn't shoot a sharp picture to save its life. I haven't used it in years, even though it added a couple hundred bucks to the price tag.

Shopping for a camera is like shopping for a computer. You can find some really great deals. A lot of pro photographers use their camera for a year or two, and then sell it to get a new one. The sensors build up dust and lose their super-duper sharpness over time, but the used ones even though they may not stand up to the standards of the super elite, are fantastic. So look around and get an idea of what the prices are, what you're looking for, and then shop smart online. Keep an eye on craigslist, ebay, amazon etc. because you'll find some very good deals out there.

[goodtimesfishing]

Yes you are correct. I guess I should have said "lense protector for when camara is in use". I did NOT mean to use it instead of a lense cap!!! More of a protector for when cleaning your lense on a regular basis, if some how you end up scratching your lense wiping it clean....you can unscrew your $20 glass and throw it away and put new $20 glass on and your $1000 glass is still new!

go with Nikon!

[The Quadfather]

Thanks for the replies folks. I am reading and learning a lot. That link to the Nikon D7000 looked like a VERY nice camera. Reports are overwhelmingly positive. However, there was a strong following of online chatter about "Back focus" issues with the camera, which led to more online chatter about Amazon possibly buying up all the returned cameras..and pushing them out at that great price in the link. Hmm.
Anyway, appreciate the replies.

[goodtimesfishing]

http://www.costco.com/Nikon-D3200-DSLR- ... 07777.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This looks like a great deal......$250 off comes with 2 lenses, Although Iike my 300 lense more then a 200 but would also like a 200.

[goodtimesfishing]

http://www.costco.com/CatalogSearch?sto ... word=nikon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is costco bundles on sale

[The Quadfather]

Thx. Goodtimes....I'm all over that.

[Big D]

One thing that I ran into while shopping for my camera was Canon has image stabilization built into their lenses which makes the lenses very expensive while Nikon has the image stabilization built into the camera body which makes the body more expensive but the lenses much more affordable. No big deal unless you end up purchasing more than a couple of lenses then I would advise going with a Nikon.

[natetreat]

Either of the suggestions will leave you happy, the real thing to pay attention to are lens reviews. There is nothing more frustrating than getting that perfect shot, with the perfect light and exposure and then getting it home and looking at the RAW and realizing that the lens just can't shoot a sharp image. The camera bodies will all be good, I like the D7000 for the sensor and the heft and feel of it.

[bigskyx]

I would recommend starting smaller and buying a used camera for your first DSLR. Canon and Nikon are comparable, pick one. I'm a Nikon user so I'll recommend a few Nikons that I'm familiar with. It's hard to beat a D40 with the 18-55 kit lens for first DSLR and you can find them on craigslist or the like for $250-400. Check the shutter count and be sure everything works. I shot with a D70s until recently and now have upgraded to a D90. While they're not the latest models, all are great cameras and have more pixels, bells, & whistles than you'll need for less than half the price. In the end, lens quality is more important than the camera body, but get whatever comes with the camera for starters and then you can shop for what suits your needs in the lens department with the money that you save on the body.

I've bought 2 cameras here. You'll have to sign up and fin your way to the forum to participate.
http://www.nikonians.org/forums/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I always look here for info first.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck and have fun!

[The Quadfather]

Thanks BigSkyx..

[goodtimesfishing]

I would recommend starting smaller and buying a used camera for your first DSLR. Canon and Nikon are comparable, pick one. I'm a Nikon user so I'll recommend a few Nikons that I'm familiar with. It's hard to beat a D40 with the 18-55 kit lens for first DSLR and you can find them on craigslist or the like for $250-400. Check the shutter count and be sure everything works. I shot with a D70s until recently and now have upgraded to a D90. While they're not the latest models, all are great cameras and have more pixels, bells, & whistles than you'll need for less than half the price. In the end, lens quality is more important than the camera body, but get whatever comes with the camera for starters and then you can shop for what suits your needs in the lens department with the money that you save on the body.

I've bought 2 cameras here. You'll have to sign up and fin your way to the forum to participate.
http://www.nikonians.org/forums/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I always look here for info first.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck and have fun!

I agree 100% about saving on the body and investing in the lenses. Plus being your first one, you don't want it to be too advanced to be comfortable to use on regular basis. Ease of use should be very high priority.

[bigskyx]

Have a look at this one!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/pho/3832314863.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[goodtimesfishing]

Wow nice find!
That is actually what I have is the d40.
Like in my prior post about ease of use, this will get you going good. Invest in high end lenses and you will be able to take great pics. Not that you can't take good pics with the lense that is coming with that one.

[The Quadfather]

Well, as a follow up to my original thread here, I was going to mention that I did a lot of research and talking with people.
I finally settled tonight on Canon's newly released EOS 70D bundled with a 18x135mm lens, from Kenmore Camera.
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canon-eos-70d" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I went in there thinking the Nikon D7001 , but even though they sold both the Canon and the Nikon 7001D, they seemed to think the new improvements in auto-focus were leaps and bounds ahead with the Canon model.

Wow! This photography stuff looks like a lot of fun! I am psyched to take some classes. Kenmore Camera is expanding their store and will be offering a whole line of classes. I am especially interested in learning about time lapse photography, and macro shooting. All that time lapse stuff with the waves moving and the clouds moving, is very cool.

[natetreat]

Hey Quad, if you ever want to get together, I can show you some cool stuff. I did pay a bajillion dollars to get a bachelors degree in the stuff. You're first purchase now should be a copy of Photoshop.