calling all enablers: need camera suggestions

[Mad Aussie]

well he started it!

I did not! Besides ... She looked at me!!

[Greg_Nuspel]

I did not! Besides ... She looked at me!!

Would you two settle down, I don't want to have to turn this website around.

[Mad Aussie]

[Bambi]

Would you two settle down, I don't want to have to turn this website around.

sorry Greg. I'll try to behave

[Bambi]

I just wanted to give everyone a big for all the help they have been offering me on this purchase.

the one that I still have not made up my mind on yet

between this and the B&H store thread I am getting a lot of useful information.

it's just such a big decision..... so I want to make sure I've thought it all through.
still leaning towards the nikon......but the sony is nice...and then there's pentax, canon and olympus oh my!

although, Marko had a good point in his podcast on lenses, that the best place to spend good money is on lenses rather then the body.....

[F8&Bthere]

Yes, it's such a hard decision isn't it? At some point you just go with your gut and/or heart cuz the brain gets overloaded. Marko's point about the glass being the place to invest is a strong one, and since all the brands have strengths and maybe weaknesses, if you are serious about your photography long term and can see that passion leading you to accumulate a reasonable collection of lenses, then you might look more at the prices and selection of lenses in making your decision.

I've already made a case for Pentax in that regard, but their some of their new lenses have got quite expensive after some recent price hikes.

But FWIW if I was starting out again, from scratch, and if I wanted to stick with one of the big two brands (Canon, Nikon) for whatever reason, and if I was on a tight budget (under $1000, for example), I would probably go with a Canon digital Rebel and kit lens for now and then save for other quality lenses in the future. The reason I say this is that Canon L lenses are much more reasonably priced than Nikon's upper tier glass. And there is quite a nice variety. The top of the line Canon flash is also much more affordable than Nikons.

Remember, you always should budget for at least another $100 or so on top of your kit for memory and maybe even an extra battery. Plus you might need a bag, etc. It all adds up pretty quickly.

[Mad Aussie]

Marko's point about the glass being the place to invest is a strong one,

(under $1000, for example), I would probably go with a Canon digital Rebel and kit lens for now and then save for other lenses in the future. The reason I say this is that Canon L lenses are much more reasonably priced than Nikon's upper tier glass. And there is quite a nice variety. The top of the line Canon flash is also much more affordable than Nikons.

Remeber, you always should budget for another $100 or so on top of your kit for memory and maybe even an extra battery. Plus you might need a bag, etc. It all adds up pretty quickly.

Good points.

Bambi ... IF you know how long you are intending to keep this camera setup then that might influence your decision.

For instance, if you feel that this is a stepping stone, and in a couple of years you'll be looking at upgrading to better again then perhaps just getting the best kit you can for the money you can save is all you need to worry about. You can then totally change the setup in a couple of years and either sell this or keep it as a spare.
In this case, any of these options will serve you well in my opinion in this group. The Nikon has that better ISO advantage with the flip screen which I know you will use. However, the Pentax might still give you more options for still buying some cheap lenses to add to the arsenal during that time as others have mentioned.

However, if you feel that you will definitely keep this body you choose for many years and then gradually buy better lenses as years roll on, then you need to be sure of the body you are buying now.
In this case the Nikon D5000 is the most advanced I can see in this group. The downside, as F8 mentions is the price of some of the top lenses. But then I only buy Canon's L Series lenses when I have no other option for the features I want because I rarely see the difference in quality from their lesser range anyhow.
The Canon Rebels are just damn good all rounders. You wouldn't be unhappy with one.
I'm not partial to Sony but it's probably because I don't know a lot about them so the long term SLR brands like Canon, Nikon and Pentax, Olympus etc are more appealing to me.

Hope that helps to confuse

[JAS_Photo]

Not to mention the 100's of dollars in software! Ha! So what did you decide?

Here is a camera that no one even suggested and it is not truly a DSLR but it has had nothing but raves and when I replace my little Sony P&S will be what I want and that's the Panasonic Lumix.

They also have larger more DSLR like cameras as well except there is no mirror. (the reflex)

[Marko]

Just an FYI...this will be my next podcast and there's a chance I will record it today and release it tomorrow.

Thx - Marko

[Bambi]

Just an FYI...this will be my next podcast and there's a chance I will record it today and release it tomorrow.

Thx - Marko

YAY! Thanks Marko! I can't wait to download it and listen.
I still really haven't made up my mind but am leaning heavily to the Nikon d5000.

Interestingly enough I just found out that I'm getting a nice raise at work and over a year's worth of back pay to catch up. So I might be able to get this camera in the next month or so