My first DSLR... PLEASE HELP!

I have been visiting here for quite some time on a regular basis and have learned a great deal about the highly addictive art of photography by reading everyones posts.

I have been dabbling in photography since i was very young and am now near the completion of the NYIP course in professional photography. I have done a few small jobs for friends but until now, photography has never been more than an intimately passionate hobby.

I have made a small studio for myself and have recently been keeping busy by working on studio lighting technique with my two Alienbees lights. The problem is that i'm still using the same camera... my Canon AE1 Program! Don't get me wrong... I think it is a phenomenal camera and the Canon optics were as good then as they are now! Unfortunately as we all know... it's not very practial to try and pursue a career shooting film this day in age!

So it is time for my first digital... I have had my heart set on a xxD for years... but after a look at the checkbook (a.k.a. reality check) I realized that it's just not in the budget right now! So I think i've finally decided on a Rebel XTi... It seems to borrow a lot of really great features from the 30D and the price seems much more managable. Am i making the right choice by going with the Rebel instead of a 30D/40D?

Any input you might have for someone aspiring to make this passion into their career will be very appreciated! Thank you all!

- Derek

You never posted what your main interests are, but I guess portrait, landscape etc and indoor in your Studio, so money wise I would say 400D, the 5D is the best value for money portrait, and one you would I guess be most at home, as it is FF, the 30D and 40D are very very good all rounders, but with a slight more aim at sports as haveing a faster FPS.
Cannot remember, are you using EF lenses? on the AE1? If not, this another Problem, lenses . remember 1.6 crop means you times your focal length on a lens by 1-6
If you are very much into Macro the 40D does now have the Live View, and a lot of people are saying great things about it.
I feel for you, not going to be an easy path to follow to start off with.
Good Luck

My interest lie mainly in portraits and photojournalistic shots. I have done one wedding for a friend but don't plan to get into that until I am more confident in my abilities.

As far as lenses, Unfortunately the AE1 was pre-EF... it uses all manual focus FD lenses.

Ahh, ok it is a long and winding road then as you are buying lenses as well.
All I can say, you will get great results with any of the Canon DSLR, with a good lens if you work within the capability's of the Body, the lower models do suffer more from noise, so you have to bear this in mind.
If Budget is the major problem get a 400D and a niftey fiftey, 50mm F1-8 it will suit your needs well, and lots of fun to play with
Oh I do hope you have some computer knowledge and Software abiltity, as that is what gives digital the edge now.

derky82 wrote in post #3994901
I have been visiting here for quite some time on a regular basis and have learned a great deal about the highly addictive art of photography by reading everyones posts.

I have been dabbling in photography since i was very young and am now near the completion of the NYIP course in professional photography. I have done a few small jobs for friends but until now, photography has never been more than an intimately passionate hobby.

I have made a small studio for myself and have recently been keeping busy by working on studio lighting technique with my two Alienbees lights. The problem is that i'm still using the same camera... my Canon AE1 Program! Don't get me wrong... I think it is a phenomenal camera and the Canon optics were as good then as they are now! Unfortunately as we all know... it's not very practial to try and pursue a career shooting film this day in age!

So it is time for my first digital... I have had my heart set on a xxD for years... but after a look at the checkbook (a.k.a. reality check) I realized that it's just not in the budget right now! So I think i've finally decided on a Rebel XTi... It seems to borrow a lot of really great features from the 30D and the price seems much more managable. Am i making the right choice by going with the Rebel instead of a 30D/40D?

Any input you might have for someone aspiring to make this passion into their career will be very appreciated! Thank you all!

- Derek

you will get great resultsa from the Rebel and the sensor is the same as the 30/40Ds ( almost) so if that's what you can afford, then that is a good choice

Themore expensive cameras do feel better in the hand i.e. more solid, but the results my friend witha rebel gets are no different from my old 30D ( whan I had it)

Obviously the 5D is your ideal camera (portraits and lighting) but you did say that was out of your budget so try to get the 400D if you can , its a small step up from the rebel but will keep you competative for a little longer if you can run to it, if not then yes the rebel is fine

I strongly recommend going into a store and handling the different cameras

I do have photoshop CS2 and a fair bit of knowledge using it. I have been scanning all my film shots and post processing them on the computer before making the final prints.

Thank you for your advice so far. I am sure it is a long and winding road ahead... but it is a journey i can't wait to take!

Thank you for your advice so far!!

Anyone else have any suggestions and/or advice for a newcomer to the digital world?

You could try a 2nd hand 350D, or even an older unit like the 10D. I would really recommend the 350D as a minimum though. It's not FF, but it's still a very good camera and will serve you will, especially in a fixed environment like a studio where AF is not an important issue. For lenses, I'd recommend the 85mm f1.8 and maybe the standard nifty fifty (1.8, not the 1.4, too expensive). You could hunt for a Canon standard 28-70 etc consumer zoom as well, or for a bit more, consider the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 - not quite as good as the Canon L equivalent by all accounts, but still decent.

Dave

derky82,

Only you can truly answer this
I personally would rather save for a xxD or pick up a used 20/30D instead of the rebel (of course a 5D or 40D is even better ).
Regardless of what you choose (except 5D and some 1 series) it will feel different then your 35mm film camera. ex. a 50mm lens will have a view of a 80mm lens, with a Rebel or xxD with 50mm lens you will need to be further back from your subject to equal your AE1 at 50mm. Its commonly referred as 1.6 (take your lens mounted to a DSLR mm x 1.6 to equal what its 35mm equal would be) Also you will need to get new lenses, as I believe the AE1 used FD mount. Seeing how you do portraits I suggest getting a 50mm lens (you can start with the cheap one 50 f/1.8).

Well good luck with whatever you get

So I think I've finally decided on my "beginner kit".

- Canon EOS 400D w/ 18-55 kit lens
- Canon BG-E3 battery grip (Since the rebels DO feel a bit small in my hand without the grip)
- 2 Impact NB-2LH Li-ion Batteries
- Crumpler 6-million dollar home shoulder bag
- Sandisk 2GB Ultra II CF card

With shipping from B&H comes to about $1,000 even... Significantly less than a 40D WITHOUT all the add-ons.

Does it sound like this would be a step in the right direction? Thank you everyone for the advice you have given me so far.

derky82 wrote in post #4094812
So I think I've finally decided on my "beginner kit".

- Canon EOS 400D w/ 18-55 kit lens
- Canon BG-E3 battery grip (Since the rebels DO feel a bit small in my hand without the grip)
- 2 Impact NB-2LH Li-ion Batteries
- Crumpler 6-million dollar home shoulder bag
- Sandisk 2GB Ultra II CF card

With shipping from B&H comes to about $1,000 even... Significantly less than a 40D WITHOUT all the add-ons.

Does it sound like this would be a step in the right direction? Thank you everyone for the advice you have given me so far.

I don't think you need both of the batteries. I'm not sure how you intend to shoot but I find the 2gB CF cards a little small. With 3 batteries you can probably fill 3 of the CFs.

The 10D will give you all the image quality you'll need in studio settings...it's less than $350 these days and you'll appreciate that it has a bigger viewfinder image than the Rebels...it won't take the 18-55kit without modification but YOU DON'T WANT THE KIT...get the Canon 24-85mm ef (for $150)...it's much better and a more useful focal length range in a studio...
here's what the 24-85 can do on the 10D

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DDan wrote in post #4094920
I don't think you need both of the batteries. I'm not sure how you intend to shoot but I find the 2gB CF cards a little small. With 3 batteries you can probably fill 3 of the CFs.

Agreed. I bought two batteries becasue the grip takes two so I figured... well, I can shoot for pretty much a whole weekend with the one battery. A CF card is a better choice, but even then, I have never needed a new one while in the field myself.

Jethro790 wrote in post #4095223
Agreed. I bought two batteries becasue the grip takes two so I figured... well, I can shoot for pretty much a whole weekend with the one battery. A CF card is a better choice, but even then, I have never needed a new one while in the field myself.

Yes but there is a battery with the camera so now you can fill the grip and you have a spare that I don't think you need.

derky82 wrote in post #4094812
So I think I've finally decided on my "beginner kit".

- Canon EOS 400D w/ 18-55 kit lens

Good choice. I've been very happy with mine. Don't forget to pick up that suggested inexpensive Canon 50mm f1.8. You'll like it better for portraits and low-light.

Though some might argue, you can save yourself a few bucks and go for the cheaper Opteka version.

Get the NB-2L's at Sterlingtek.com -- they're higher capacity than the Canons, cost much less and don't DIE after 3 day like the cheap 3rd party batteries I first bought.

I like to have at least two cards so I can keep events seperate, etc.

Yes, this sound very good. You might also want to seriously consider a flash unit. I'd recommend the Sigma 500 DG Super for someone needing quality on a budget.