Best DSLR for me?

[sgoehl]

Hi, my name is Shelby. I am entirely new to this site (and also very pleased to have discovered it).

I have been taking pictures for years. I adore it. And I'm ready to take the next step.

I need a great DSLR. I want to be able to take wonderful photos in a variety of settings. Once I get my camera, I plan on starting my portfolio, and getting some experience as a freelance photographer.

I would rather not spend a whole lot of money. $300-400 would be about as much as I'd want to spend.

I'm so DSLR ignorant.
Any thoughts?

[BryanPanting]

Very cool, welcome to the site. I think the problem is $300-400 is not going to give you many options. You might be able to pick up something like a used 20D or if you are lucky a 30D. An older Rebel would also be in that price range I think. Any of those cameras would be great for starting out however.

[Krusty79]

Welcome to DPS. I bought the Canon XS, which is their lowest priced DSLR. It comes with the 18-55 kit lens and sells for $600, so if you can only afford $300-400, you may have to get a used or refurbished one.

[PWhite214]

If you want to go with new, check out the clearance sales at electronics stores such as Best Buy or Fry's ETC. Some good deals on cameras, and gives you the chance to pick it up to see if the controls "fit" you. Much easier to choose if you can hold the product. Then look at price and specifications.

Good luck,
Phil
(Sony Alpha User)

[DelCan]

With a limited budget of that amount I would look at ebay. I would stick with a Canon or Nikon because of the availibility of lenses and accessories. Somebody is always trading up!

[inkista]

You can get a body, or maybe a body+kit for that budget, but be aware that you're still probably going to want to buy a lens or two. Most folks end up spending at least two to three times what they did on the camera body on additional gear. I would also say that an XS+18-55 kit lens is probably not sufficient gear to begin work as a freelance photographer.

Swapping from a dP&S to a dSLR is like swapping from a swiss army knife to a big red tool box. You're giving up (compromised) versatility for better special-purpose tools. And you still have to buy the tools.

You might also want to consider getting a refurbished camera. Right now, the Canon website has the XS kit, refurbed for $399. That won't include tax, though.

[altopiet]

It might not be a bad idea to have a look at some of the Pentax models, especially the Pentax K x, arguably one of the best entry level DSLR's around. You can also use old manual Pentax lenses that are available at reasonable prices everywhere.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by altopiet

...You can also use old manual Pentax lenses that are available at reasonable prices everywhere.

...of course you could use all those same old manual Pentax lenses on a Canon dSLR, too, with a simple adapter ring. Also old Leica R, Nikon F, and M42 lenses. Unlike Pentax, however, you could also adapt Olympus OM lenses, and Contax/Yashica Zeiss glass, too.