So I've decided to get back into photography. It's been quite a while since I bought a new camera. Just wanted to get some opinions from the photographers here. My primary focus is going to be cars. I'm just looking for a good camera for a novice. I'm thinking of going SLR. As soon as I can get my camera, I can start rebuilding my portfolio.

 

I am looking to get a camera also , I would like to start some photography ..

 

search craigslist for a canon rebel xt or xti, or a nikon d40 or d50. You can get a body and lens for 400-600 and it's more than enough to learn on. If you ever find yourself trying to decide between buying a better body and buying better lenses, always go for better glass.

 

Same here I been looking around for a DSLR too. I been looking for nikon d80

 

I've got the Rebel XTi and Love it! It's my 1st DSLR Camera and it's pretty easy to use.

 

depends on what religion you want to set your ass into
religion = canon or nikon.

im a canon man, id suggest buy the entry level 400D or Xti in us. depends also on your budget,..

 

I vote Canon xti as well. Mine's given me no problems and the images are really top-notch.

 

i have a digital rebel with 2 lenses, a canon book bag, and some accessories for sell, if anyones interested

 

I have been looking for a DSLR too - mainly at the Nikon D40X and the Canon Rebel XTi. Image quality is very good on both, and either would be a good choice. You really should go play around with a store demo to see which layout you like better, because as someone posted before me: once you buy one brand, you are pretty much stuck. Especially after you buy some quality lenses.

 

i have a nikon D40....and i love it.

found a turkey day sale one for $499 from comp USA and you can buy online.

D40 was rated the best entry level SLR in the market....but that was last year.

 

I just bought my wife a Nikon D40 kit from BeachCamera.com a couple of weeks ago for $479 shipped and with a 2GB card. Pretty decent deal. They have a $100 instant rebate on their two-lens setup right now as well, making it $574.

Best prices I could find from Authorized Nikon USA dealers (most of those eBay folks aren't).

 

Medium format photography FTW!

 

I happen to have a Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D. Got it for a steal off E-bay since KM sold to Sony. Love it, and have had no issues with cropping pics with only 7MB to work with. If u still want low prices, id go with Sony Alpha(same as KM 7D, but not as many bells &whistles, & higher MB) or a Canon Rebel XTI. If you want a camera that will last practically forever and has large format, but will cost you a kidney---Canon EOS 5D!

 

it honestly doesn't matter.. all of the main players (Canon, Nikon, Sony/KM, Olympus) in the DSLR world have very good models out on the market right now and you can't go wrong with any of them. if you have a particular feature you MUST have or place very highly on your list, that can sway your decision, but otherwise i would feel good recommending anything out there, as every system has its benefits.

 

Let's not forget Pentax, their DSLRs are compatible with almost every lens they have made since the 70's. With shake reduction in the body, all lenses have VR!

 

I am probably a bit late on this post (never stopped me before)
but if indeed you are interested in a DSLR you might want to check out bandhphotovideo I believe they have a deal on rebel xt's (not the xti's)
for about $390? It is w/o a lense but it still holds up well, and will continue to.
The nikon D40 is pretty nice considering the price and the fact that it comes with a decent "kit" lense. The older D50 is a steal now that you can get it for around $300 something(usually with glass) You really cant go wrong with any of the lower end DSLR's for around $650 or less. If you happen to be an EBAY guru then check out Cameta camera they have some good deals and are pretty reliable.
It is (or should) going to come down to what feels "right" for you so go check em out in the stores or friends/family. There are many websites out there that are usefull in this process, one such site is imaging-resource.com
If you think you might go "CRAZY" with lenses later on you might want to check out Nikon and Pentax as they support legacy glass and it makes things a bit cheaper and more accessable. Especially if you like good quality manual lenses.
Heck you might even want to check out large format now because you can get some of the stuff damn cheap, and scan your negs! Not for the everyday shooter but nice for finer art stuff.
If you think you will grow into your purchase and delve further into photography it might be wise to step up to a higher line like Canon 20-40D and nikons D80-D200-D300. They offer more versatility and compatibility within their own lineup and are usually far more flexible in a wider range of situations (not to mention more durable)
I personaly sport many different cameras and have found all of them to be rather swell. I do miss my Nikon D1x and Canon s2is (stolen after my car crash) BASTARDS!!!!
Currently in my bags-
nikon and canon 35mm
custom 4x5
2x Nikon d100's
Nikon D2x
and about 35+ lenses
I have rarely come across something that sucked! Usually if things are knarly its due to being defective!
I work in SFX model making and consequently do alot of photography,
as well as personal and fine art.
Shoot me a pm if you would like...this is a topic that I often discuss at the college I assist at.
take it easy and good luck on your find/purchase
sorry for the long and late post...

 

if anyone wants a camera...i have a digital rebel with 2 lenses and bag for sell...for cheap

 

I just got a D40 last Thurday and I have to say I love it. Its my first DSLR and the learning curve for it is very easy to manage. Great point and shoot modes for just taking snap shots and the P-S-A-M modes are great and easy to manuver as well. I haven't really had the chance to get out and take some good photos with it but what I have done I have liked and as I said it has been very easy to use.

Plus it has a very nice and small size so its easy to carry around and its relatively lightweight as well. Its standard lens is a 18-55mm 2.8f lens which is great for novice as well as amateur photography.

One thing I don't particularly like is the flash. I am not really a fan of built in flash but again the learning curve is managable and within he short time of having it I have been able to get around auto flash settings.