Camera Recomendations

[Simon Timm]

I am looking to purchase a DSLR now, rather than my little powershot. I usually don't like to edit my photos, so I need a camera with really good resolution, mega pixels, and adjusts to light well. I like taking long exposure shots of lightning and stars, so it needs good exposure and good ISO. Oh yeah! It needs to be relatively cheap. I apologize if I sound clueless now, I still am learning about photography.

What would you recommend?

 

[Eric Wolf]

Howdy,

It would help a ton if you gave us a budget to work with. One man's cheap is another man's decision if he eats for the next week or not

 

[Jayson Prentice]

Relatively cheap, with decent resolution and good quality would cover just about any entry level DSLR that you wish to purchase. You could pick up anyone of the Canon XT/XTi/XSi for relatively cheap, or go with the similar Nikon line of entry levels. One thing of importance will be to look at the price of the body, and then also some relatively decent lenses to go with it as the kit lens likely won't do you justice.

 

[Greg Campbell]

If you're on a really tight budget, you could grab a used/budget/midrange camera, and then use manual focus lenses on it. You can find old M42, OM, Nikon, etc. lenses on *bay for very little $. Add a $10 adapter and you're in business. They will work splendidly in low-light conditions (the very conditions where AF fails). There are one or two recent ST threads discussing this; a quick search should give you plenty to read.

I can suggest KEH as a source for used DSLR. You'll spend a bit more, but will have a tested, functional camera with a warantry. Adorama and B&H are also reputable but, IMO, they don't inspect thing quite as well.

-Greg

 

[Martin Kucera]

Also Simon, if you don't plan to use the camera much during the next few cold months I'd wait a bit till late February or just before you plan to actively chase. The prices will be lower then and you'll still have time to get comfortable with the new camera. DSLRs are quite simple to use though. If you must have a DSLR now, new entry level Canons will work great for your needs.

 

[Simon Timm]

Thank you for all your suggestions! I will take them all into account.

 

[Steve Miller]

Count me as another Canon Rebel XSi fan. I bought mine fairly recently from Amazon for around $650.00. Here's a link if you wanna check it out. Also, you can hit up my blog and there is a little more info buried in there along with some shots.

 

[Jason Foster]

XS rather than XSi

I haven't shopped around, but for a little less money on the Canon XSi, just go for the XS. It drops to 10 megapixel rather than 12, but thats about the only major drawback.

Just a quick opinion.