Newbie asks timeless question..what is best dslr for $?

[Reclusedna]

Hello

I just joined this fine, classy forum to ask this..


What is the best DSLR I can get for the money??

I want to make the leap to digital and want a camera that can perform as well as my old SLR.
Does anyhting under $1000 rival the Canon D1X?

I want to be able to sell and exhibit this work so it has to be pro level..
Do you need 8 megapixels?

Thanks for any words you can share...

[MaureenH]

I'm sure you'll get lots of different opinions re: this. I do know a number of pros who are using the Canon 20D and are very pleased with it.

A controversial statement, perhaps, but I'd go with Canon or Nikon because most of the pros use one of those brands which means that there is lots of research, repair, secondary markets, new products, etc. for those two brands.

[jtaubman]

I have the Canon 300D and have been delighted with the quality, the new 350D (Rebel XT) has been winning the comparision reviews against the Nikon and has a good price point. If you already have a Film SLR its worth considering the lenses you already have as they are where the real money goes rather than the camera body.

There are a lot of Pro's and semi pros using both the Rebel (300D) and the D20. My understanding is that anything over about 4Mpx is the same definition as normal 35mm neg film. If you are looking to do exhibition work then much depends on the size you want to print I know people on the Canon forum have printed 6Mpx up to 36x24inches.

I am not sure what camera you mean by the D1X?

[Reclusedna]

Hi All
Thanks for your responses.

I made a mistake the D1x is a Nikon camera:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond1x/

I think the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II is about the same quality
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=10598

This may seem lke a dumb question, but may you use an analog lens on a DSLR?

Cheers
Rdna

[Emma]

yep, all the nikon lenses go on nikon cameras, digital or film, canon to canon, etc

I know there's some issue about converting 325mm size because the digital is not that big...but I can't remember why or the math behind it.

Isn't the Canon DREbel the only DSLR for under a grand? Not sure, but I thought that's what I heard. Maybe the Nikon D70 is under now too?

If you leave out the entry-level DRebel and D70 (I htink that's the entry NIkon) I think anything from there up get as much as you can afford, and you'll be thrilled with it!

[jtaubman]

As Emma says the lens can all be used but there is a multiplication factor. So a 18mm lens on a digital is about the same coverage as a 28mm lens on a digital (this is about a 1.4x)

[MaureenH]

I believe some of the very old Canon lenses wouldn't work, just like they don't work on current Canon film cameras. If the lens is working with a current film camera it will work on a digital.

[Candiflip]

It's defintally not under $1000 BUT the 20D is a GREAT camera! I got mine about a month ago and absoutly LOVE IT! I paid $1900 CAD for the body then when a lens (17-85mm) & a 512mb ultra cf card + taxes it was $3000 CAD.
I am gald I got this camera, It was perfect for me! It is everything I wanted in a DSLR and I am slowly learning how to use it :p

Here is a pan I did with picture I took with my 20D, excuce the stitching I still don't know how to get rid of that.. am still learning :p
Click here to see picture (http://community.webshots.com/photo/360005450/360006462UJZTnL)