Buying a Sony Alpha dSLR (unless you can sway me)

[tce]

Hi. Sorry if I'm adding to the noise but I've been browsing at some of the "first-dSLR" posts as well but can't find what I'm looking for.

So, yes, I've decided to buy my first dSLR. I first thought I'd settle for a Nikon since I seem to see a lot of good Nikon deals and the output of Nikon cameras is pretty impressive as well. I asked a photographer friend but he recommended a Sony Alpha model. He's on a Sony Alpha, obviously, but the argument that really caught me is that vibration reduction is built-in into the body of SA while Nikon has it in its lenses. Hence, SA lenses are cheaper than Nikon.

To be fair to him he did concede that high-end Nikon cameras are great but for the lower-priced models, SA is the way to go. He noted that lower-priced Nikon models doesn't have a focus motor in the body. He gave me a list of Nikon models with no focus motor in the body, to avoid [feel free to add]: D40 / D40x / D60 / D3000 / D3100 / D5000 / D51000.

So, is there anything else I need to know before I invest in a SA? I'm looking to buy in a few day's time.

Thanks to anyone who'll bother (--,)

P.S. I know the DPS advice of "try out different models first and see what fits your hand". The thing is, I'm sort of a photography pioneer in my circles---I'm not aware of other friends who have a dSLR and with serious photography opinions.

P.P.S I've managed to try a dSLR once though, a few months back, lent to me by my college to document a presentation. It was, co incidentally, a Sony Alpha. I have nothing to complain about its feel in my hand but, then again, I have nothing else to compare to.

[tce]

Ooops...I forgot. I'd be glad if someone can speak for other brands (aside from Nikon and SA) as well. Canon/Kodak/GE/etc. anyone?

[Zdaman]

My advice would be to go to a local specialty photography store. Many local photography stores have TONS of different camera models that they will actually let you use and test out inside the store, and they can give you tons of advice and answer many of your questions. I'd go check out a store and talk to someone there, and try out a few cameras at once so you can actually compare them. Do your homework first! Get opinions from a variety of sources, including your own preference. I can however say that one of the good things about getting a Nikon or Canon is that it is VERY easy to find tons of lenses for either camera, while with some of the less popular camera companies, you might find it a little more difficult. Hope this helped!

[ceremus]

Remember when you're getting a dSLR or interchangeable lens camera, you're not really just buying the camera, you're buying in to a system. Whether it's the Sony a-mount, Nikon F-mount, Canon EOS mount, the camera will be the starting point for the equipment you get in the future. If you intend on treating your dSLR as more than a point-and-shoot, you will certainly have to buy more than one lens for it. And a dirty little secret is that the camera is actually the most disposable piece of all your gear. You may very well upgrade your body in a couple years time, but you'll probably keep your lenses. So make sure whatever lens mount system you get, that you'll be happy with the selection of lenses available to you.

And remember, the smart money is to spend more on your camera lens than your camera body, so figure that into your budget of future purchases. You can always start out with a kit lens, but if you're like most you will end up wanting more. Learn your glass. Make sure you're comfortable with it. It will be the most important thing in your kit.

[dalmorloson]

Originally Posted by ceremus

Remember when you're getting a dSLR or interchangeable lens camera, you're not really just buying the camera, you're buying in to a system. And a dirty little secret is that the camera is actually the most disposable piece of all your gear. You may very well upgrade your body in a couple years time, but you'll probably keep your lenses. So make sure whatever lens mount system you get, that you'll be happy with the selection of lenses available to you.
You can always start out with a kit lens, but if you're like most you will end up wanting more. Learn your glass. Make sure you're comfortable with it. It will be the most important thing in your kit.

+1 Glass is where its at

[inkista]

Sony Alphas are a great system, and is the only non-Big-Two maker that offers a full-frame body in the lineup. And the autofocus Zeiss glass kills.

But. The lens selection is more limited than the Big Two.

Look at the current Sony lens selection (yes, you can use old Minolta AF mount lenses on Alpha, but did you really want to be shopping for used lenses via Craig's List or eBay out of necessity because the lens doesn't exist in the current line up?)

Then look at the Nikon or Canon lens selections.

Learn about lenses. Most of us end up spending two to three times the amount we did on the camera body on glass. If you don't need a supertelephoto, Sony could be fine. But if you want to shot wildlife or sports, then....

And also look at 3rd party support and availability.

Also, be aware that a simple monopod can pretty much do the same job that in-body or in-lens stabilization does.

One more word of warning, if you plan on going Strobist and doing a lot of work with flash photography, be aware that Sony has kept the proprietary non-standard Minolta hotshoe. It doesn't mean you can't do any of this stuff, but it does mean that any flash accessories like triggers, slaves, cold shoes, etc., may require an adapter both for the flash and for the camera hotshoe. Every other brand of camera uses an iso-compatible hotshoe design.