starting in photography, choice of camera

Hi all,

I am quite new in photography but have wanted to get into it for a long time. I have been looking into cameras for a while now and I am certain I want a Canon. However, not sure if I should start with a more simple (like Canon PowerShot) or more complex camera (my choice would be the new 50D). I used my roommate's Canon PowerShot a few years back before he upgraded, a year later, to a new Canon Rebel. Everybody I have asked told me it is better to start off with something a little easier, until I understand the basics really well, and then I can go into more complex things.

However, as it is already an investment, I don't feel comfortable with buying a Powershot now to learn how to use ISOs, focal and exposure times, then see myself limited a year later by my camera and then buy an EOS. Should I just go and get a camera like a 50D which would be harder for me to learn at the beginning and take more time to use it well ? Or follow everybody's advice. (My budget is not a factor as I have saved for a long time for this).

Thank you so much for your help...

Julez

I've been shooting for about 4 years, started with a 10d and moved to a 20d a couple years later. I took a beginning digital photography class at the local Jr college a few months ago which helped me immensely, so I would recommend it. The class was awesome and I saw a lot of different cameras. To begin with the 40 or 50d is not that difficult and either seems to be a fine camera to start off with. Though an important thing to remember is the lense is very important, Get yourself a good lense!

I would ask a simple question - how interested are you in photography?

If you are serious about it as a hobby - buy a DSLR. If not at the mo, buy the powershot.

The main reason i ask is there is a vast difference in expense between the 2. The powershot is a one time buy whereas with the DSLR you are buying into a system (camera, lenses, flashes etc)

All the Canon DSLR cameras (excluding the pro models) have modes that you can use while learning (Auto, TV, AV etc) so using them shouldnt be too difficult. It is when you have a bit of experience and want to make some "artistic" choices ( water blur, Depth of field etc) that you will not be limited by the camera's performance that you will see the big difference between the P&S and the DSLR.

As for which DSLR to go for (if you decide thats the way to go), I would probably go for the 50D as opposed to the XSi (450d). I bought the 400d one year ago and im wishing i had gone for the 40D (not that the 400d is a bad camera).

Hang around on the forums here and ask questions - you will learn tons of information but most of all - get out, shoot and have fun with it.

I'd go for a cheap used DSLR. The Rebel series are excellent cameras that, under most conditions, could probably match professional bodies in image quality(or at least come close enough that most couldn't tell). Off course they can't hold a candle in sports or low light photography but in the day or with a flash you can come out with beautiful pictures.

People get caught up with the new being better but people have made and still do make amazing things with 300D's, 10D's, and 1D's. With new you're getting more convenience, more resolution, and better ISO performance, and though this is important, I'd say outside the ISO the rest will hardly keep you from getting a great picture.

Anyways, what I'm getting at is that I'd recommend a DSLR over a point and shoot any day however the DSLR you chose probably won't hold you back so much. You don't need the top of the line fancy camera to do great things - don't get me wrong I'd love to upgrade my 350D, but I honestly can think of only a few situations where a 40D would have let me get shots my Rebel couldn't get me(again, low light and sports).

If I were in your shoes I'd either buy a new 450D or used XXD camera and use any extra money for lenses. Though most bodies will let you get great images lenses are what you don't want to skimp out on.

Julez,

Sounds like you have the quest for high image quality. Once you learn the basics you'll appreciate a better camera body like the 40D or new 50D. That camera will grow with your knowledge and provide you with very good high iso/low light performance.

IMO buy the 40D body (prices have dropped due to the 50d) and buy the lens separately. Now do your research on lenses like the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 or the Canon 17-55IS. That will be a very good starter that will make you see how great/superior dslr's are compared to point 'n shoots.

If you can justify spending more beans the 50D is the new kid on the block. One thing to consider is the price difference from the 40d to 50D. Going with a 40d the difference between the two bodies can go towards a nice lens or flash. The IQ seems similar but the 50D seems to be a step up from the 40d in functions. From CF memory cards, UV filters, camera bag, flash diffuser etc etc the little things add up real quick.

As far as camera bodies go I'd say theres no more difficulty learning from an XTI, XSI to a 40d, 50D. Once you've become accustomed to the buttons its a no brainer.

Stay away from the "auto" mode and this will force you to learn light. Also consider an external flash like the 430EXII or 580EXII and bounce the flash. You will see a huge difference in IQ compared to an onboard pop up flash.

Just remember bodies change every year or so. I guess it really comes down to justifying the $$ in a fresh new 50d or a proven 40d with similar IQ and tad less bells and whistles. Your wallet and your call. It simply never ends in the quest for new better toys. Spend money on glass and it'll match well with your future better body. "L" lenses will be a bad habit to break although 3rd party lenses are just as nice sometimes.

i have been using the rebel xsi for the last few weeks and i love it! The only reason i got it was because of the price. If i had enough money to get a more pro camera, i think i would have, but never really realized the other stuff i would need to get.

My suggestion is get a camera body that you would be happy with and then get lenses, flash, tripod or whatever else you would want. The kit lens is good, but i feel like i am very limited and want a telephoto lens.

i wouldnt go below the xsi if you want an slr and if nikon, i really like the d90, but its a lot of money!

I started with and would reommend the Powershot. The images are fine and you can take the extra cash and invest in gathering knowedge through workshops and classes. The Powershots are good enough designs to allow you control over the camera functions such as shutter speed and aperture... When you begin to find things that you want to do and the camera won't allow then its time ti consider a DSLR...

AlanU wrote in post #6423537
Julez,

Sounds like you have the quest for high image quality. Once you learn the basics you'll appreciate a better camera body like the 40D or new 50D. That camera will grow with your knowledge and provide you with very good high iso/low light performance.

IMO buy the 40D body (prices have dropped due to the 50d) and buy the lens separately. Now do your research on lenses like the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 or the Canon 17-55IS. That will be a very good starter that will make you see how great/superior dslr's are compared to point 'n shoots.

If you can justify spending more beans the 50D is the new kid on the block. One thing to consider is the price difference from the 40d to 50D. Going with a 40d the difference between the two bodies can go towards a nice lens or flash. The IQ seems similar but the 50D seems to be a step up from the 40d in functions. From CF memory cards, UV filters, camera bag, flash diffuser etc etc the little things add up real quick.

As far as camera bodies go I'd say theres no more difficulty learning from an XTI, XSI to a 40d, 50D. Once you've become accustomed to the buttons its a no brainer.

Stay away from the "auto" mode and this will force you to learn light. Also consider an external flash like the 430EXII or 580EXII and bounce the flash. You will see a huge difference in IQ compared to an onboard pop up flash.

Just remember bodies change every year or so. I guess it really comes down to justifying the $$ in a fresh new 50d or a proven 40d with similar IQ and tad less bells and whistles. Your wallet and your call. It simply never ends in the quest for new better toys. Spend money on glass and it'll match well with your future better body. "L" lenses will be a bad habit to break although 3rd party lenses are just as nice sometimes.

+1. I bought a 40D a year ago for $1299. I bought a 70-200 2.8IS at the same time for $1460. Now the 40D is worth $750 and the lens is worth $1500. Where should you put your money? You do the math.