what camera should i get?

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by karazy

well since the Christmas season is coming up ive been looking at a few new cameras and im trying to choose one for myself.
i've been using a point and shoot for a few years now and i am quite comfortable with it, but i am ready to upgrade. i have never used a SLR.
my budget isn't huge, but isnt tiny either.

so far im really liking the look of the:
-canon powershot G11
-nikon d3000

and thats it so far.
so please, advice on the cameras i named, or better yet advice on a even better camera in the same price range.

Camera body doesn't mean as much as a good lens, kit lens is usually mediocre.
get something at least 2.8 aperture, good lens clarity.

[wirehead]

Originally Posted by RuGlu6

Camera body doesn't mean as much as a good lens, kit lens is usually mediocre.
get something at least 2.8 aperture, good lens clarity.

I beg to differ on that statement a wee bit. if your CMOS is mediocre then, so will your pictures. Then there is image stabilization, if your camera has it built in (Pentax) then you aren't paying for it again in all your lenses which makes them a bit more spendy. then there is weather-proofing. Pentax SLR's (at least the K series) are all dust and water resistant with over 75 o-rings protecting the guts. The body frame is important as well. I have found the only restrictive area of owning a Pentax is lens selection, but how many different lenses do you need??

[viperfish]

I have a D80 and love it. I thought about the D90 but I might wait for the next generation (spent too much on my reef). I used to be a Canon guy but I found that I got more bang for my buck with Nikon.

The CMOS sensor has to be good but without an excellent lens it's like buying a top of the line stereo reciever and putting crappy speakers on it. You don't want the lens to limit what you're camera can do. I have three lenses in my kit 28-70mm, 80-200mm, and my favourite, 85mm fixed. I can pretty much do anything I want with those.

[Kryptic4L]

Originally Posted by RuGlu6

Camera body doesn't mean as much as a good lens, kit lens is usually mediocre.
get something at least 2.8 aperture, good lens clarity.

AGREED, ive seen many people demolish people with 5000 dollar bodys with some skill and a good lens with a entry level dslr

I would strongly agree with this one. MOST of us will never use all the features that a high end dslr is equiped for. Personally I like canon dslr's as you can still use a lot of the old lenses. I picked up a Canon 30d with 2 lenses used for $450. I purchased it almost 2 years ago now and still find it does more than I need.

Get a quality used body and use the money you saved on better lenses. You will be happy you did! .

Agreed again, I own a 40d which has plenty of feature's which I got used for much less saved a bunch on the extras etc.. Also I cannot live without the fast change settings on the top anymore. Rather then navigating menus

[Marlin65]

So what did you end up getting?
I shoot a Canon 30D but Nikon has good stuff as well. You still need someone that is good at the end of the camera as a good photographer can still make a good shot with a shitty cameras.
Also if you can't shoot but can photoshop you are golden. These days it is more than just a good camera. That being said you are always good with Canon or Nikon and Sony, Pentax etc make good stuff as well.