What DSLR camera would you recommend to a beginner?

L Gebhardt · Jan 20, 2014

artobest said:
And do make time to read this:

The Online Photographer: TOP Classic: Letter to George

I'm sure the original poster has already found a camera, but I agree this is excellent advice. I bought my first DSLR about 11 years ago (Nikon D100). At the time it was a very good camera, but it certainly had it's limitations. Many of those are gone with the newer DX cameras, but not all of them. The poor viewfinder is still there. So is the terrible selection of quality wide/normal prime lenses. For anyone looking to get serious in photography I would recommend saving for a full frame camera. A used D700 would be an excellent first camera, and I love the D800E I have. The D600/D610 is excellent as far as image quality goes, but I haven't played with one much. With whatever one chooses to buy, make sure you can get all the lenses you think you will need. The DX cameras still seem face a shortage of wide angle prime lenses, and the longer primes don't always seem ideally spaced on DX sensors.

artobest · Jan 20, 2014

L Gebhardt said:
I bought my first DSLR about 11 years ago (Nikon D100). At the time it was a very good camera, but it certainly had it's limitations. Many of those are gone with the newer DX cameras, but not all of them. The poor viewfinder is still there. So is the terrible selection of quality wide/normal prime lenses.

A Pentax K3 with a selection of Limited primes does make a beautiful but pricey boutique sub-FF option.

Hadn't noticed what an ancient thread this is!

L Gebhardt · Jan 21, 2014

I really haven't kept up on the non Canon/Nikon DSLRs. So it's good to see that Pentax at least has some decent looking DX wide prime choices.

artfoto47 · Jan 28, 2014

I came over here from the APUG forum to ask the same question. As a veteran film photographer I'm baffled about these DSLRs but was glad to see Ralph supported one of my possible choices (Nikon D40, D40x,D60) - I was concerned about the 6MP of the D40 but maybe that's not such a big deal? My other option, after some research was the Sony A58. Maybe I'll go with the Used Nikon option and spend the difference on glass. I've been through the Nikon range from 20 - 200mm, so I'm not 'zoom happy' but can anyone reccomend an approximately 20-30mm (35mm equivalent) lens?

Thanks, Bob

L Gebhardt · Jan 28, 2014

I had the Nikon 12-24 f/4 (18-36mm equivalent) and found it was pretty good on the D300 and D7000. Should look excellent on the D40. There's also a 10-24 from Nikon. but I've never used it. It looks more cheaply made. There're also third party lens in the same range, but I haven't used any of them.

artfoto47 · Jan 28, 2014

So the D40 is a feasible camera? Don't want to belabor the point/question, but there's one for sale locally w/the 18-55 kit lens (that no longer autofocuses, no big deal as I know how to focus a lens) for $100. Probably need to act soon - someone give me the nudge and tell me 6MP will be just fine.......

L Gebhardt · Jan 28, 2014

I've never used the D40, but it's received good reviews. I'm sure you've reviewed the specs and can live with the lower resolution. The lens may give you issues as the focus screen in the digital nikons are terrible for manual focus. But still it's hard to imagine the camera isn't worth $100. So I would give it a try and see if you have issues with the 6MP. From past experience 6MP is adequate for nice 8x12 and pretty decent 12x18 prints.

artobest · Jan 28, 2014

Hmm ... Coming from film SLRs you're going to hate the tiny, tunnel-like viewfinder of the D40, especially for manual focusing.

NJH · Jan 28, 2014

Late to this but without doubt a second hand Canon 5D

Pioneer · Jan 29, 2014

artobest said:
Hmm ... Coming from film SLRs you're going to hate the tiny, tunnel-like viewfinder of the D40, especially for manual focusing.

Coming from film just about any DSLR viewfinder will look tiny, unless you go directly to full frame. And even then, manual focus is not easy with any of them unless you install a screen intended for manual focus.

Felinik · Jan 30, 2014

The OP has left the building long time ago. This thread is obsolete.

Cheers
JF

Pioneer · Jan 30, 2014

Felinik said:
The OP has left the building long time ago. This thread is obsolete.

Cheers
JF

Don't interrupt us Felnik.

We are blissfully ignorant and having fun.

Pioneer · Jan 30, 2014

Besides, this type of topic pops up every coupla weeks so it is never actually obsolete. Maybe if we keep this one going people will be able to read through it and pick out recommendations made over the years.

What DSLR camera would you recommend to a beginner?

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