Im stuck? Cant decide what dslr to get

[Xstina28]

Hi,

I am a beginner, wanting to learn all about photography. Dont have any idea on what camera to get. I was thinking about a Nikon, but havent a clue which one? D40, D60, D90.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[Dirt_Bike_Ryda]

D90...

o many more things that you can do with it.

You can use more lenses as it has the Auto Focus motor thingy built in, therefore meaning that the lenses don't have to have the motor to be Auto-Focusing.

It has TWO comand dials, one for the thumb, and one for the shutter finger, allowing you to change Aperture, and Shutter speed when in manual mode by simply rotating a dial.

Has movie mode. now.. don't think that this will take great movies.. it wont. it lacks auto focus whilst you are taking the movie ( it will focus before you start taking the movie.. just not whilst you are actually recording ).

Has a LCD screen on the top. hence saving battery power as you do need to power a energy savvy colour LCD screen. also making it VERY VERY easy to see whats going on.



The down fall is the cost. you need to weight up what you are going to use the camera for against how much money you have/want/can spend on the camera. if you are not going to be using it a great deal, then maby you don't need, nor care about the extra features mentioned above, so therefore the extra money is wasted money that you could spend on a tripod/flash/lenses. But if you are going to be using the camera quite a bit, or you wish to really get into photography, then the extra money is well worth it.

I have a D90 myself, and LOVE it. i have only just shut the shutter 1,118 times to date, and i LOVE IT !

the things above are not the only differences.. but i believe that they are the most worthy differences. that i can think of atm, and being the ones i can think of.. logic has proved that they are the most worthy.. hence why i am remembering them ( yea.. you get the idea, lol )

my .02


oh and if you are new to photography. i recommend getting one of these (see pic) to go with it. i know they make one for the D90 and D60, not sure about the D40. but i'd reckon there would be on.

this book basically replaces the user manual BUT STILL READ IT ! and also tells you about composition, lighting, lenses, flash units. Give you an insight into how to shoot in different situation, such as Action, Portraiture, Macro, etc etc.

[kencaleno]

Your best bet is the D40-It's the only one of the bunch that synchronises flash on camera at 1/500 sec, (which is necessary for controlling the ambient light when using flash outdoors) the others synch at 1/200th, and as for the D90-who cares about video-if i want video, I purchase a camcorder ( if you need a sports car, you wouldn't by a 4-wheel drive, would you?) I personally still use a D50 that I bought new 4 years ago, it does everthing that I need-too many camera buyers get antsy about more pixels-you don't need more pixel, you need better quality pixels, and the more pixel sites you put on a certain sized sensor, the more noise you are going to get, because each pixel sensor site heats up to provide light for an image and if the gap between it and its neighbours is too small-it will effect 8 other sites around it and this travels round the whole sensor, causing Signal to ratio noise. regards, Ken

[kirbinster]

I'll add more confusion for you - Nikon just came out with a D5000 which is in a similar class.

[vandergus]

My thoughts on buying your first DSLR. Unfortunately, you can't possibly know what you want from a camera until you start seriously using one. How are you supposed to pick a camera that fits your personal photography when you haven't know what your photographic process is like yet.

So for people who have never owned a DLSR before, I recommend getting something cheap and versatile, that will allow you to explore lot's of different possibilities. It may not fit you perfectly but it will give you the experience you need to make your next camera choice much easier. For example, the exposure lock button on my D40 is in an awkward position for me because I use my left eye to look through the viewfinder. Whenever I try to use the button, my finger runs into my nose. Annoying as crap. But when I bought the camera I didn't even know what the exposure lock button was so how could I possibly have forseen something like that. Now with some experience under my belt I'll know what to look for in my next camera. I know I like small, high quality, fast prime lenses (not a big fan of zooms). I know I shoot a lot in low/available light so I need something with good high ISO performance. I tend to use the manual exposure mode frequently so I know I need a camera that allows me to easily adjust aperture and shutter speed. None of these things I knew when purchasing the camera nor could've known without actually using one for extended periods of time.

So I would recommend the D40. It's a great camera to learn the ins and outs of using a DSLR. It's cheap, so if you find yourself outgrowing it quickly, you won't have a lot of money sunk into it. If you go for something more advanced like a D90 for your first camera, you'll have to take a bigger hit if you find out it's not the right camera for you. At this point in time, I don't think the lack of a focus motor is really an issue. When the camera first came out the lens selection was a bit limited, but now there are a ton of options available, even from third party lens makers.

So I'd say get something cheap, simple and versatile that will give you the chance to build some experience using this class of camera. The D40 would be a great choice.

[autofocus]

Have you ruled out Canon??...the XSi is a very well rated camera that you'll be able to live with for years

[dcclark]

As far as Nikons go, I heartily recommend the D40. It's light, easy to use, and will not get in the way of great photos. Actually, it's worth repeating that last one -- the D40 is simple enough, but also advanced enough, that it doesn't get in your way when you want to make a photo. I own a D40, and absolutely love it. I've made great photos with it, and continue to do so, after several years of owning it.

If you have the cash and the feeling that you may want to get much more serious in the future, the D90 is also good. It's bigger and heavier, as mentioned.

Canons are also great -- if you're unsure about the brand, it would be worthwhile to go to a store and try a Canon XSi and a Nikon D40 in your hands. You may find that one or the other feels more natural, which is a VERY important consideration.

[autofocus]

...go to a store and try a Canon XSi and a Nikon D40 in your hands. You may find that one or the other feels more natural, which is a VERY important consideration.[/quote]

...Good point David.

[LoveDSLR]

Welcome to loveDSLR Camera Shop! So Xstina28, you have $X and looking for your first DSLR. Oh, you have done your homework but could not decide to buy a Nikon D40, D60 or D90.

Here is a D40 with 18-55 lens, try it out. Take some pictures. Click, click...click. You like it! It fits your hand and the weight is just right. Oh the picture looks better than the ones from your P&S.

Yes Xstina28, many beginners like you started with a D40 and we happen to have a package deal including two lens and free filters. Many people will tell you that it is the photographer not the camera that makes good photo. With extra money you saved, you can buy better lenses for the D40.

Wow that's what you want! But being a careful shopper, you ask for the D90 just to check it out.

It is heavier. Click, click...click. The picture looks better on this LCD, so how much is it? That much! You are glad that you compare these two and the D40 deal is perfect.

Wait a minute. The stranger standing next to you is telling you something. Do you have kids and like to shoot picture indoor and plan to chase them around?

Yes! Why do you ask? Well. The D90 is easier to take this kind of picture. Why don't you take some picture of that kid running around his mom outside the store...just hold down the shutter button for a few seconds? Try that dark corner of the store too.

Now, why don't you try it with the D40 and see which one is easier? OK, the D90 is easier but it is expensive and you do not think you are ready to use all these advanced stuffs.

The stranger is now telling that many of those lenses inside the display counter cannot be auto focus with the D40.

Is that bad you ask? Not really, you just focus them manually. BTW, you look like a beginner and soon or later you will learn about using flash for family portraits. How would you like to use that umbrella setup over there with another flash? The D90 will handle the rest.

That right, you are a beginner. You have the budget and like to spend your time to learn photography and trying out new techniques than worry about what the D40 cannot do.

Back to square one, you have to decide between a good deal on D40 or a D90 that may be an easier DSLR to use for years to come.

BTW, I love my D40 as a family DSLR.

[Aperture Nine]

The D90 and don't go lover than D60.