Okay, quick blurb.

I'm fairly new to photography. Okay, really new. But I've been reseraching, and I'm planning on up grading to decent DSLR. Someone once told me that Sony has a great beginner DSLR. I like Canons, and I think the XTi is pretty snazzy. I can't really afford anything more that $1200max(for both body and lens), and thats why the XTi kit seems great. I'm not sure what else is out there, or what else is good. I'm also hoping to take a few photography courses this summer. I have a friend and they are using film, and want to upgrade to PENTAX. They say I should get a Pentax as well , b/c that way we can share lenses. More value for money I guess.

Any thoughts?

What would you suggest to someone as a beginner?

I'm sorry if this isn't in the right place.

I'd stick with Canon or Nikon, since Sony, Pentax, Olympus and Minolta aren't significant players in the pro-DSLR market. By using a Nikon or Canon, you'll be able to build up a system that you can stick with long term (flashes, lenses, etc).

Go to a store and play with the Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras that you are considering. Since they are both 99% equal in terms of image quality, the biggest determining factor with regard to which you should buy needs to be which feels better in your hands.

As for lenses, don't buy the kit. Every new photographer does and every new photographer regrets it. Given your budget, you should buy a really good used prime lens from KEH.com, something in the 24mm, 35mm or 50mm range.

If you buy the kit lens (which you probably will) you will think that it is great for a few months, since it has such a broad zoom range, but you will soon want sharper images and faster apertures, so you will buy the good prime lens anyway

I'm not sure which models are best for you, but consider one that takes compactflash versus any other media type, as that is still all that matters in the pro-market and you don't want to have all sorts of cards that you can't use when you upgrade cameras.

I really like what I see in Nikon's high end bodies, but at your budget the best option for a body is Canon. The lens is what matters the most though. Perhaps keep an eye on the used equipment section here and pick up a backup body that one of the people here is selling. Or I've heard great things about KEH, but never bought from them. Anyway, since you're just getting started you can save a pile of money buying good conditioned used equipment. Make some money off of it, then upgrade. The Canon 20D is still a great camera and there are probably tons of them for sale now that the 30D has been out awhile and the 40D provides a compelling reason for 20D users to upgrade.

Here's some stuff I found on a quick search at KEH. I didn't realize the 30D had fallen in price so much on the used market...

Canon 20D

Canon 30D

Canon 50mm F1.4

Canon 28mm F1.8

Canon 24-70 F2.8 <--- Money lens IMO. I use an equivalent for nearly everything right now. Probably best for getting started since it can go fairly wide, but also has some reach on it. If you can only afford one lens, I would buy this one. If you can afford to buy multiple lenses for each focal length that you need, buy primes.

Regarding the Sony and Pentax brands, I've played with both. The shutter on the Sony shakes the whole camera, and they don't really give you the option to manually focus if you want to... at least not that I could find, and the store rep didn't know how to do it either. The pentax cameras just felt very cheaply made compared to my 30D, and even my digital rebel... the original one, not the new fangled XTi.

I have a Nikon D200 for sale in great condition with the grip, box, manuals, cables, software, etc for $900. You could pick up a nice lens at KEH.com to go with it, and stay in your budget while not getting a consumer camera like the Rebel.

You're new... are you doing weddings, portraits, events?
I feel like you should get a lens that can zoom a bit.... I guess, depending on what you're doing.

Maybe I'm wrong....

I'm a beginner, also... and am extremely happy with what I decided to go with for my initial purchase. I skipped the kit and bought the XTi body and a 50mm 1.8 lens. I just recently got a 28mm 1.8 and am loving that so far. Personally, I plan on sticking with primes. Of course after a year I'm itching for a better body now, but that will come in time.

Seeing the price of the used 30D on KEH at the link above, I would definitely go with that!

Seriously, at this price... buy this camera. It won't do you wrong!

I'm a Canon girl but I definitely agree with Amber!

Ok... you're just starting out and you have no idea what type of photography you want to do?

Stick with a popular brand like Canon or Nikon, that way if it all goes bust you'll have gear with a market to sell to.


Start with solid basics:
Learn Learn Learn $Priceless
Canon Rebel Xti $489.95 Body only
Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 $389.95
Gary Fong Puffer for Pop-Up flash $19.95

With this combonation you'll be able to get great low light shots and really grow with your gear. Learn to shoot in M learn how to balance light, be able to figure out what your camera should be set to just by looking at a scene.

After you get super comfortable with your gear and want to try more than just the pop-up flash with the diffuser go for the best flash you can afford, the 580 ex2 is an awesome one, and well worth saving up for.


I'd really love to suggest nikon gear. However, if you want to grow with it, the lenses cost more, to upgrade a body costs more. It's just not price efficent when you can get such quality gear from the likes of Canon.


However. If you are looking to just try out photography or you just want a camera that takes pictures better than a point and shoot I'll sell you my D50 and 28-200 nikkor (5 batteries, 512mb sd, 2 chargers) for $450. I've got various other items for sale as well, they're listed here. Everything is in like new condition except the 60mm which is beat up externally but optically totally gorgeous.

I still however strongly suggest going with the canon gear I listed initially.