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Anonymous
/p/, I am a newbie in the photography realm, but I think it could be a blast. I have used an SLR a little bit, but never really got the hang of it since it would be a long time in between when I took a photo and when I saw the results to see how well it worked. Because of that I am thinking of getting a DSLR. I was thinking somewhere in the $800-$1000 range and was curious what you would suggest and why? The main cameras I have seen so far are the Sony Alpha, Nikon D40x, and the Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi. Which of these (or some other camera) would you suggest?

Pic from my current crappy camera that desperately needs a replacement
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>> Anonymous
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It COULD be a blast, if you have the patience and money for it.

As many will tell you, you can put a $10,000 lens on a $100 camera and shoot fantastic photos, but put a $100 lens on a $10,000 camera and it won't do crap. Make sure you invest in a lens besides the kit lens...In fact, try to buy the camera separate from somewhere like Amazon (where I got my Rebel XT.)

But, since you ARE asking for cameras, you're gonna hear BOO SONY, WOO NIKON, WOO CANON. Personally, I've always been a Canon shooter. A lot of people say they're either Canon or Nikon because of the lenses they have/had. Go to a camera store/Best Buy/Circuit City and hold it for a while, look where the controls are. Choose a camera you're comfortable with. They're both EXCELLENT brands, IMO.

One of my Rebel XT shots. Too bad it's freakin' crooked. :/
>> Anonymous
>>43522
OP here.

But is there any big thing I should note feature-wise that I might be overlooking? I have minimal knowledge as far as what I should be looking for in a good body.
>> Anonymous
>>43523
Canon and Nikon are pretty comparable featurewise. It's all about which you feel more comfortable. So, like the previous guy said, go try 'em out in the store.

(I'm canon-biased, myself. I own a Rebel XTi and I love it)
>> Anonymous
>>43524
>>43522
thanks
>> Anonymous
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>>43523

Definitely a good interface. Make sure you can change the settings on your camera without pulling your eye away from the viewfinder (this WILL take practice, believe me).

FULL manual control, which I don't think will be a problem.

Don't be distracted by all of these shooting modes. You'll eventually gain enough experience by experimentation that you'll know what to set your ISO, f/stop, and shutter speed to according to the situation. You will get SOME shooting modes on all cameras.

The XTi has a self-cleaning sensor, but I'm not sure how helpful that is.

Not so sure about the Nikons, though...Wait for a Nikon user to contribute.

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>> ac
>>43527
Someone posted a link to a review in a thread a few weeks (months? I'm getting senile in my old age) back that says the undustamajig on the XTi was nigh worthless.

However, I haven't gotten any noticeable dust on my XTi's sensor in the ~6 months I've had it, and I swap lenses a lot. But I'm just one guy.
>> fuckmemonkeywhore
ha if this is the sort of picture you are planning to use your shiny new DSLR for you would be just as well off spending 150 on a p&s. Go though and learn a bit of the basics before you plop down a grand on a camera that your skill level will never be able to take advantage of.
>> Anonymous
get a Pentax 100D. Great little camera, and a bit cheaper than the others, and judging by your experience, more camera than you'll need.