Entry level Dslr suggestions.

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Anarchy012

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During my Studies we did courses on photography and getting used to dslr cameras, using the universities 400D's. I would like to expand on what we learnt in those courses by getting my own slr. It would be used mostly taking architectural photos but obviously for all other occasions too.

the cameras i have been looking at are:
Sony A230

Canon 1000D

Nikon D60


I've read the other topics on entry slr and have taken a look at those cameras. The Nikon fits nicely in my hand and looks well built. so i'm favoring the Nikon. The Canon is also very good but not as comfortable as the nikon, the sony is easy to use but looks like it will fall apart the first time i take it on site. Are there any reasons why i shouldnt get the Nikon? or why i should get one of the other two?
 
I am sure as you have read in the other threads the important thing is the feel of the cam for you. I also tested a couple of cams in the D60 price range but none of them felt as comfortable in my hand as did the D60.

The thing is cams these days that are in the same price range are so close (spec wise) that no matter which you buy I am sure you will have a very good experience with.

What is the price range you are looking at?

Ps I have seen the D60+kit lense at more that one shop for R5000.
 
Also look at the Pentax K-m and/or K200. They're much more feature packed than the ones you list, but in the same price class.
 
find a seasoned pro and ask him/her
the last place you want to be is a forum
good luck
 
the d60 is a great camera and you can find many at a good price but if you are a photography student i fear that you may out grow the d60 quickly. it would actually be better for you to purchase a camera at this point that gives you a bit of growing room because you are soon going to realize that with the d60 there are settings that you will be learning about but will not have access to them on a d60.
instead of buying a d60 i would say try to find a d90, look for one second hand if you can't afford a new one, you could even go for a second hand d80, both will give you room to grow.
i agree with those on the forum if it feels good in your hands then get it but remember, you are not just buying a camera you are buying into a system. if you have unlimited cash resources then buy what you want for now. if you are like most of us then look at your camera purchase in a future tense, like what kind of lenses are going to be good for your shots, look at what kinds of iso settings, metering, etc are you going to need now and in the future then buy into the system that is going to fit your needs both now and in the future.
also you may want to hang on to your money right now and wait, both canon and nikon have released new cameras recently and i am seeing more and more second hand canons and nikons on the market, so i would check out for second hand bargains on camera and lenses.
 
ldmelsa said:
my friend has a d80 and my d90 exposure meter kicks its ass

I strongly disagree that the d80 is a good choice
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i wasn't for a moment comparing the d80 to the d90. i was comparing the learning curve and features of a d60 compared to the d80 and the d80 has a higher learning curve and more features than the d60 and will allow the original poster to grow. the d60 is very much a beginner dslr. i out grew mine after about 6 months of having it and now i wish i had bought the d80 instead (d90 wasn't out yet).
the d80 is not a bad camera, it is a brilliant camera. it may be older but if you can't afford or want something sort of in between a d60 and a d90 then i would take a d80 anytime. plus with the d60 if you want auto focus with your lens then you must purchase motorized lenses and not all nikkor lenses are motorized, the d80 has an in camera focus motor so you do not have to worry about purchasing motorized lenses.
 
Im not a photography student, i studied architecture. so now im looking into getting into photography as a hoby as its something i enjoyed when i was studying and now i have a little more free time and a small income. The camera will be used to take photos of the completed buildings iv worked on, as well as to capture faults during construction, evidence :D

Money is still an issue at this stage as im only starting my career so im looking at under R6000.

one of the other guys in the office has a D80, i see amazing photos he has taken but he isn't much help with helping me choose, And i cant afford one of those.

@koffiejunkie. do you know where i can find those models on display? to try out?

The kit lens is motorised right?
 
go for a new & current gen Canon/Nikon
you can't go wrong
we could discuss this until the cows come home, so just pick a (new & current gen) Canon/Nikon and there you go
it's not your last camera
 
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Anarchy012 said:
Im not a photography student, i studied architecture....The camera will be used to take photos of the completed buildings iv worked on
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Better stick to a brand that has a selection of tilt-shift (perspective control) lenses.

Anarchy012 said:
@koffiejunkie. do you know where i can find those models on display? to try out?
Click to expand...

No idea.

Anarchy012 said:
The kit lens is motorised right?
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All kit lenses are. The only manufacturer who still has some lenses that aren't is Nikon (50mm f/1.8, for example)
 
spiderz said:
What about the Pentax's? how do they compare? (i have a K10D, and it was better than the canon at the time i bought, for the price)
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I loved mine (K100D Super). It was just a little too small for my hands to work comfortably. The K200D apparently output better JPEGs than the K10D (same 10MP sensor but they've tweaked the firmware somewhat). The body is also completely sealed like the K10D if I remember correctly, and the build quality is on par with the K10D, i.e. not plastic like Canon and Nikon's entry-level cameras, but more like the D300 and 50D level cameras.
 
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