Need some help Digital SLR advice & College

[ShaforDesigns]

Need some help Digital SLR advice ...

Hell-o & thank you for taking the time to read this. I am a new member to this site. I love what I have looked at so far. To make a long story short I need a SLR Digital camera for college. I need to know what is a good SLR camera for someone that is on a budget. I am looking to stay under $600.00..

I was looking into Nikon's D40 or D70 @ http://www.best.com they come with a lenses... I am a n00b when it comes to using SLR so any advice or pointers you can give will highly be appreciated. I will also be using the SLR camera that I buy for my website www.shafordesigns.com I would like to get into taking wedding photos & motor sport images.

This is what my college class is going to be about...

ARTPH 305 Digital Photography 3 Units

Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: ARTNM 302
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC ; 54 hours LAB
Description: This is a course in basic digital photography. Topics include digital camera functions, exposure systems using f-stop and shutter speed combinations, digital shooting practices, photographic composition and aesthetics, editing tools and software, and print portfolio development. It also includes issues in contemporary photography and the history of photography. Digital cameras with adjustable f-stops and shutter speeds, camera memory cards, re-writable CD's and memory devices are required. Field trips may be required.


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- Warren L. Shafor
http://www.shafordesigns.com

[dcclark]

First, welcome!

Second, it sounds like the D40 would be perfect for you. It's very inexpensive, has the required features, is light and easy to use. It'll also serve you well as a random camera to take around for fun photos, too. The D70 would work well too (and be compatible with more older lenses), but it would be heavier. The lens compatability is probably not a big deal if you're just starting out, and likely to be buying newer lenses.

The "kit" 18-55mm lens that comes on a D40 will probably be an excelent starter lens for you. If you really get into photography, you will probably want to upgrade to more specialized lenses, but until you know what it is that you want to do, I'd stick with the 18-55.

[nowonder]

I would make contact with the professor, or if he/she hasn't been identified yet, the department head. Find out what they recommend, in particular what lens they suggest... It could save you a lot of headaches down the road.

--nw

[ShaforDesigns]

Thanks for the feedback I was also looking into getting a Canon 20D/30D I do not know how this compares to the Nikon D40. I am open to any suggestions. & I have already e-mailed the professor to see what She/He recommends .

[m.c.adams]

I think that the most important thing is to find one that you feel comfortable with.
Mark

[ShaforDesigns]

Originally Posted by m.c.adams

I think that the most important thing is to find one that you feel comfortable with.
Mark

How would I know witch digital SLR camera is comfortable for me if I have never owned one & plus the ones you see at major retail stores happen to be chained down to a wire so being able to hold it certain ways is about impossible

[harrysixtie7]

I had the D40x for 2 weeks, got sick of digging through menus to adjust little things like white balance and iso. Sold it, bought the D70, all of the important functions and adjustments are on the back. Saved over $100 on my 50mm prime due to it not being AF-S, and it feels amazing in my hands compared to the tiny D40. I have been very happy for I too am a college student on a budget.

[ShaforDesigns]

I am looking into a D50 or a D80 right now what would be the best camera in the long run ? I do not plan on upgrading for the next 2-4 years after I buy one of these SLR's

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by ShaforDesigns

How would I know witch digital SLR camera is comfortable for me if I have never owned one & plus the ones you see at major retail stores happen to be chained down to a wire so being able to hold it certain ways is about impossible

Just ask, and they'll almost always be glad to unchain and let you handle the cameras yourself. Those chains are for the random walkers-by, when nobody is paying attention.

You don't have to have owned an SLR to judge whether they're comfortable. Just hold the camera in your hands. Each camera will have a grip on the right -- put your right hand on that, left hand under the lens. Feel whether your hand fits the grip, or if it is small (cramped) or big (feel like you can't hold on to it securely). You'll be able to tell.

As far as long-term ownership, I don't think that any of the D40, D50, D80, D90, etc. have any significant advantage in terms of durability nor compatibility. We can expect most new lenses to be AF-S, so autofocus is not a big deal for new lenses. You may prefer more features or less weight, but that is a separate question.

[m.c.adams]

Originally Posted by dcclark

Just ask, and they'll almost always be glad to unchain and let you handle the cameras yourself. Those chains are for the random walkers-by, when nobody is paying attention.

You don't have to have owned an SLR to judge whether they're comfortable. Just hold the camera in your hands. Each camera will have a grip on the right -- put your right hand on that, left hand under the lens. Feel whether your hand fits the grip, or if it is small (cramped) or big (feel like you can't hold on to it securely). You'll be able to tell.

As far as long-term ownership, I don't think that any of the D40, D50, D80, D90, etc. have any significant advantage in terms of durability nor compatibility. We can expect most new lenses to be AF-S, so autofocus is not a big deal for new lenses. You may prefer more features or less weight, but that is a separate question.

Thank you. This is what I was meaning. Just about any DSLR will feel different than another one. A Canon 50D is going to be larger and heavier than a Rebel. A Nikon D40 and a D700 are going to be different.
Mark