For Christmas, I’d like to get Imp of the Perverse a new camera. She’s not a fan of pocket sized digital type cameras or iPhone and a camera. She used to be a moderately good photographer with her single-lens-reflex film camera, back in the last century.
What would you recommend for a digital SLR for someone who is a closet luddite? Close to the old style SLR is probably better, and the less computer-messing-about time, the better.
I use a Nikon D70S and I’m pretty happy with it, although lately I’ve been mainly using film. The D70S can be had cheaply. I also highly recommend the Nikkor f1.8 fixed 50mm lens. I use this lens far more often than any of my zooms. The D70 does not have a live view mode however. (You have to use the actual viewfinder, in other words, you can’t see it on the LCD.) Would that matter to her? I think it’s totally unneccessary but some like it.
If you don’t need a full-frame sensor, any of the intro to mid models from Canon, Nikon, Sony, or Pentax would be fine. Lens choice is somewhat personal but you can’t go wrong with fast 50mm lens or the kit zoom which is typically something like a 17-55mm.
All of those cameras have full auto modes and she can use whatever features she wants once she gets passed her Luddite mode. In reality, if she wants to do it all herself she’ll shoot RAW and process all the shots on her computer. That’s the equivalent of working in a darkroom these days. If she really doesn’t want to do that she’ll be shooting JPGs.
I’ve been eying the Nikon D90 for some time now, but I’ve read reviews on Amazon where people say there is a ‘well known problem’ and that it’s a crapshoot whether you get a lemon. I didn’t notice this problem being mentioned on the D300, but it’s rather more expensive.
This review site should be in a sticky somewhere. It constantly updates with new products and reviews (including real user reviews). Good source for older cameras, too, in the archives.
Not to stop these types of threads, though, because there’s always a slightly different focus to the current question. But it’s a great site to start looking for info.
What is your budget?
I have a D90, and it’s great.
I haven’t heard of any systemic problems with this model.
Here are the bad reviews. A sample (not all the same poster):
I like my Nikons (FM2 and FM3a), but these reviews have me a bit worried.
Well, Nikon has sold a lot of these cameras. So, a handful of bad reviews on Amazon doesn’t surprise me. Here’s pretty much the same kind of reviews on a Canon Ti.
Theres no real increase in ease computerwise between DSLR’s, the only real choice there is to shoot in JPG and just save it to computer. Some DSLR’s are now letting you ‘develop’ the JPG in camera, so that might be appealing to her rather than having to do it on computer.
Most shooting in the camera should be fairly familiar if she’s had an SLR previously, and full auto is always an option as said.
The Nikon D7000 is the latest kid off the block that people are raving about, well for underwater photography anyhow.
But whats your budget? New or secondhand? Toe dipping or going for it?
Otara
I would suggest for a good entry level DSLR the canon EOS Rebel series (most recently the T3i but includes the XS, XSI, XTI, etc. models)
I would also give suggest you maybe look at some advanced non-dslr cameras as well. The Canon SX30 IS is a good camera at a level between your typical pocket point-and-shoot and a full dslr. It has alot of settings to allow for creativity, but also adds a little more portability and cost savings (built in lens includes wide and zoom so you don’t have to buy tons of extra lenses).
New if possible. I’ve not hit a Christmas home run in ages, so I’m thinking $500, although if there were a standout above $500 I would consider it. I’m using my Honda Fit as a mental guide: great value for price, capable, reliable and tons of fun.
T3i from Canon. Very versatile and full featured and should work for well for years. I have one and the 6400 ISO (film speed for old farts) is just f’in outstanding in a camera for under $900.
I’m aware that you said DSLR, but…
For around $500 you can buy a Canon G12—a fine camera for someone who wants lots of control without faffing about with lenses and filters. Go to Best Buy and play with one. It’s about as good as you can get in the non-DSLR range without going nuts on uber-expensive stuff.
If the small 1/7" sensor of those cameras is a concern, then another option for something that is not bulky, but takes great pictures would be one of the micro four thirds cameras. Panasonic and Olympus make them, though it appears that the Olympus E-PL2 comes out above the others by a slight margin. Those cameras will cost $500-600 with kit lens.
Micro four thirds cameras have a pretty large sensor in comparison with smaller digital cameras, so you can get better performance and better background/foreground separation. And you can get other lenses for them.
The next step would be a proper DSLR, and I have no recommendation other than to say that I bought a Nikon D50 many years ago (that was the revamped D70), and have loved it. Even though it has a 6MP sensor, I use it when I want very nice photos. So anything Nikon gets my vote.
ETA: My vote is for a camera that is smaller and has fewer pieces—not everybody feels the same. I am of the opinion that a camera that is small and can fit in a large pocket or purse is most likely to be with you when photo opportunities present themselves.
What sort of camera is her film camera. Is it a Nikon or a Canon. For some people this is rather like religion. She may see switching along the same lines as baby eating.
I love my Canon 60D. It does both still and video. It’s awesome.
When I realized that I could control, wirelessly, my flash unit and do nice off camera flash stuff easily, I kicked my photography up ten notches that day.
There is so much these cameras can do, easily, that even a Luddite will like them.
That’s a really low budget.
Basically, there are two ways to go here. Buy a new one of a “lesser” brand, or buy a used Canon/Nikon. The lesser brand is going to be cheaper new, but won’t have as well developed of a used market. If your budget is going to be this low, I definitely think going used is the way to go.
You can get the Canon xs for 400 refurbished with a kit lens. That and the $125 F1.8 50mm is a great starting kit.
I have a Nikon D100, which I like (although it’s a bit heavy), but am very impressed with Canon’s optics. I will also recommend a pocket camera: Canon S95, which I also own. This is an extremely versatile camera with video capability, and there is zero lag time between pushing the on button and having the camera go ‘live’. It’s also one of the highest rated pocket cameras out there. There are plenty of features, including macro and all the other fun stuff, and a nice-sized LCD to see what you are shooting. It will run you between $400-$500 with battery, charger and card. The drawback, of course, is that you can’t change lenses on it.
If she wants a DSLR, nothing else will really suffice. Compact cameras, even very advanced models like the S95 or G12 with their larger sensors won’t really feel right or shoot the same as even the most basic entry level DSLR. You should have a conversation with her before going down this route.
For $500 if you want a DSLR you shouldn’t worry about latest and greatest. A generation back entry level model from Canon/Nikon with a kit lens will be great way to re-learn photography. B and H Photo has models from Canon/Nikon/Sony in that price range.
Just to be clear: I’m not knocking the D90. It’s the one I’ve been wanting. I’m just disconcerted by reports of this locking-up problem.
Yes, that’s one of the best, if not the best, general camera equipment review sites out there.
As to the OP, I get this sort of question all the time when I’m working. I agree with Telemark that any of the intro dSLRs from Nikon or Canon will more than adequately cover the needs of any beginner to intermediate photographer. At the intro-dSLR level, it’s more a matter of getting your hands on the cameras you are considering and playing with them and feeling them in your hands to see what you like.
My general advice is that I’ve always liked Canon’s intro-dSLRs a little bit better than Nikon’s (and I’m mostly a Nikon shooter, though I do own a Canon 5D). The T2i (or now T3i) is my usual recommendation, although that new Nikon D5100 has gotten some very good reviews, too, and is at the same price point. Those are the first two I would be looking at for a solid introductory dSLR that you can grow with.
At the $500 level with lens, I’m not sure what to recommend. Maybe the Canon T1i or the Nikon D3000. It’s going to be $100-$200 more than your budget. Or, on budget, a used Canon Xsi with kit lens can be had for under $500.