looking to get into photography, alittle confused

ive been real interested in photography just havent had the money or the expenses for gear in the past and have had the right finances lately and am looking for a entry level dslr

ive been looking into canon rebels and nikon d40's and recently found a eos digital slr on craigslist.

how is a eos canon slr

i was looking into the rebel xs and then found a good deal on with kit lense (18-55) for 250 and its local.. i have been doing alittle research and i see it only has 6.3 mp. is that bad or will it effect anything?

i heard its harder to crop with that.. thoughts please

What's your total budget Brian?

B for Brian wrote in post #11198751
ive been real interested in photography just havent had the money or the expenses for gear in the past and have had the right finances lately and am looking for a entry level dslr

ive been looking into canon rebels and nikon d40's and recently found a eos digital slr on craigslist.

how is a eos canon slr

i was looking into the rebel xs and then found a good deal on with kit lense (18-55) for 250 and its local.. i have been doing alittle research and i see it only has 6.3 mp. is that bad or will it effect anything?

i heard its harder to crop with that.. thoughts please

The xs has 10mp
The Nikon d40 has 6.3mp

Both are fine cameras...the d40 is VERY well liked by Nikon users...
If you learn how to take photos as they should be taken you won't have to crop much and then the 6.3mp is more than enough

I always recommend that newbies get the cheapest camera and the basic kit lens (18-55mm) and learn about the technology as well as the process....THEN you will know which camera/lens you REALLY need...
The XS and d40 both meet that philosophy

Bob_A wrote in post #11198819
What's your total budget Brian?

That's something that would help a lot.

The other question is, where do you come from?

If it's from a cellphone then any point and shoot is an upgrade, if it's a decent mid-range point and shoot any SLR is an upgrade...

If you come from film - stick with it?

Cropping does become harder the lower the MP count - but, unless it's lower than what you are used to, it should not cause any problems for you.

kitacanon wrote in post #11198861
The xs has 10mp
The Nikon d40 has 6.3mp

Both are fine cameras...the d40 is VERY well liked by Nikon users...
If you learn how to take photos as they should be taken you won't have to crop much and then the 6.3mp is more than enough

I always recommend that newbies get the cheapest camera and the basic kit lens (18-55mm) and learn about the technology as well as the process....THEN you will know which camera/lens you REALLY need...
The XS and d40 both meet that philosophy

The question here is though, whether "the cheapest" is necessarily the best.
If you buy kit with the intention of replacing it soon anyway, then you spend way more.

On that note - I would have to agree though that there is no real reason to buy the most expensive if you have no clear idea where you are going from previous experiences.

http://poconos.craigsl​ist.org/pho/2026115332​.html

this is the camera i am looking at,at the moment.. my budget is around 250-300

i agree with that philosophy completley cause thats exactly what i would like to do is get a good entry level dslr and learn every aspect about it. Im just looking to shoot every day photography and maybe some sports so a glass upgrade would be in the future.. just wondering if that specific camera in the link is a good starter. I just dont want to buy that cause it seems like a good deal and taken care of and then want to upgrade later down the road cause it doesnt do what i want it to.

B for Brian wrote in post #11198888
http://poconos.craigsl​ist.org/pho/2026115332​.html

this is the camera i am looking at,at the moment.. my budget is around 250-300

i agree with that philosophy completley cause thats exactly what i would like to do is get a good entry level dslr and learn every aspect about it. Im just looking to shoot every day photography and maybe some sports so a glass upgrade would be in the future.. just wondering if that specific camera in the link is a good starter. I just dont want to buy that cause it seems like a good deal and taken care of and then want to upgrade later down the road cause it doesnt do what i want it to.

Ancient is my fist impression...

I started on an Xti, then moved to a 5D MK II - this means I moved 12bit to 14bit colour depth, I think it's a huge difference, others feel it's not so important.

On that note:
I think an Xti (12bit) or XSi (14bit) would be a better choice - the XSi would stretch your budget a bit... even the Xti might, but they are much newer - you also get a much larger LCD screen.

The other thing you won't get (except in the XSi) is LiveView - i.e. you must use the viewfinder, no way around it.

For a general start the above suggestion - 18-55 kit lens is possibly a good start.
The 17-50 from Tamron is much nicer, but that's already your budget gone...

B for Brian wrote in post #11198888
http://poconos.craigsl​ist.org/pho/2026115332​.html

this is the camera i am looking at,at the moment.. my budget is around 250-300

i agree with that philosophy completley cause thats exactly what i would like to do is get a good entry level dslr and learn every aspect about it. Im just looking to shoot every day photography and maybe some sports so a glass upgrade would be in the future.. just wondering if that specific camera in the link is a good starter. I just dont want to buy that cause it seems like a good deal and taken care of and then want to upgrade later down the road cause it doesnt do what i want it to.

The lowest MP/oldest Rebel I'd recommend is the XT, NOT this one, the "Digital Rebel"
The XT has enough capability for any 1st time SLR user....
The oldest xxD Canon I'd recommend is the 20D...unless you can get a 10D for under $200...the older xxD models, the D30/D60 are just too old and not cost effective since a 20D can be had for $250.
The 18-55mm IS lens is much better than the earlier 18-55 nonIS version, but the older cameras you'll be looking at will most likely have that older version...you can sell it for $50 and get the IS version for $100 though.

Offer the craigslist seller $200-$225, use the camera for a while, and if you find you like digital photography, you could trade the Rebel body in using Canon Loyalty Program to a much better camera. With the trade you keep the lens and all accessories, just the body goes to Canon. My first DSLR was the Rebel. I'm now up to a 50D and I still look back as the Rebel being a pretty decent little camera.

Look through this collection on PBase and see if the pictures from a Rebel are good enough to suit you...
http://www.pbase.com/c​ameras/canon/eos_300d

Whichever used camera you buy, do make sure that it comes with its original box and accessories such as instruction manual, leads and software. Not only will you need them but being able to supply them will make a difference if you resell.

Somebody suggested you might look for a 20D. That is still a good camera which was very highly regarded when it was released a few yesrs' ago but do realise that it has a small LCD screen. If you can stretch your budget a little, you might like to go for a 40D, although I don't want to try to make you spend more than you want to.

David

Mark_48 wrote in post #11199109
Offer the craigslist seller $200-$225, use the camera for a while, and if you find you like digital photography, you could trade the Rebel body in using Canon Loyalty Program to a much better camera. With the trade you keep the lens and all accessories, just the body goes to Canon. My first DSLR was the Rebel. I'm now up to a 50D and I still look back as the Rebel being a pretty decent little camera.

Look through this collection on PBase and see if the pictures from a Rebel are good enough to suit you...
http://www.pbase.com/c​ameras/canon/eos_300d

My first DSLR was a 300D (black) - called Rebel in the USA - and, like Mark, I have fond memories of it. I sold it on eBay and wonder whether the gentleman who bought it from me still uses it.

I do remember that the kit lens supplied with it was poor, so bear that in mind if you buy one. Also remember that lenses generally hold their resale value much better than cameras, so don't be too frightened about buying a decent lens.

David

I'd also recommend that you don't buy any camera with the non-IS 18-55 lens. Make sure whatever you are buying has the much improved 18-55 IS.

Bob_A wrote in post #11200126
I'd also recommend that you don't buy any camera with the non-IS 18-55 lens. Make sure whatever you are buying has the much improved 18-55 IS.

Not realistic...other than kits with the 28-135IS, all Canons older than the 40D/XSI came with the older non-IS version of the 18-55.

kitacanon wrote in post #11200190
Not realistic...other than kits with the 28-135IS, all Canons older than the 40D/XSI came with the older non-IS version of the 18-55.

quite realistic. I wouldn't spend any money on a non-is 18-55, simply because its a much worse lens than the IS version. They may get sold with older bodies now, but they have little or no value and they aren't very nice to take photos with.

B for Brian wrote in post #11198888
my budget is around 250-300

I'd steer clear of the original Digital Rebel if possible. The 20D would be a great starter camera, but it would probably soak your budget for the camera body without a lens.