Comments on: Which DSLR for a Beginner?

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:47:31 +0000

I’m a big fan of my Rebel XT (even if the stupid newer one is like half the price I paid for mine a couple years ago…). It’s been relatively easy for me to use as a Guy Who Wants to Take Better Pictures But Will Never Be a Pro, but I still have a lot to learn.

Re: what Aaron says about spending the money on the lenses vs the body. Fo shizzle. A former coworker of mine used to say that it didn’t matter if you had million dollar clubs if you have a ten cent swing. I think the same logic applies to the body. Buy a Rebel XTi (or Nikon equiv) for < $500 and spend the rest on lenses that you’ll be able to keep using later if you do find the need for a bigger/stronger/faster body.

And I can’t agree with Aaron more about the people at Pro Photo Supply. I’ve been in there a couple of times now and found the staff both extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I went in there asking newb questions, got straight answers without any kind of attitude, and walked out spending LESS than I planned to when they talked me out of some gear I didn’t really need. Maybe the camera world is different, but in IT, they would have eaten someone like me alive.

By: Brent

Brent — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:42:27 +0000

In my experience with Canon cameras the USM lenses don’t make any difference in the “quality” of the autofocus but they do make a marked difference in the speed and noise of autofocus – they are MUCH faster and quieter than non USM lenses. A larger aperture lens will make a difference when focusing in lower light conditions – a bright sunny day is easy, in a bar at night is considerably harder – the f1.4 lens will always win (in nearly every way, not just focusing) over the f5.6 kit lens.

With the Canon line of cameras the newer and/or higher-end version have better autofocusing than older/lower-end cameras. All of them will “focus” but “better” ones will focus faster, have to hunt around less, be able to find focus in lower light conditions, are able to pick a moving subject out of the background, etc. If autofocus is important then it’d be good to get a newer body rather than an older body.

The original Digital Rebel is still an excellent camera (IMO) but the XT/XTi have better autofocusing. The 40D has better focusing than the 30D/20D. The 5D has better focusing than the 30D/20D and maybe the 40D in low-light conditions. The latest of the 1D series have even better focusing, the best available from Canon.

Then again, if you’re not pressed for time, get a pinhole camera and never worry about focusing again.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:07:57 +0000

Regarding autofocus, the systems in Canon’s and Nikon’s current bodies are pretty comparable, and are very good.

With regards to lenses, again they’re both pretty comparable. The variability factor is going to be with how quickly the system is able to get a good focus. With Canon, most of their mid-range and high-end lenses have their USM (Ultrasonic Motor – hit the link for their description) focus system which is desirable. I would imagine that Nikon has a similiar situation although I’m not as familiar with their lens lineup.

By: Rick Turoczy

Rick Turoczy — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:06:55 +0000

Thanks so much for reading my mind. I’d been starting down this path, and this was a great help.

One question that remains is in regards to autofocus. My vision is horrible, so I prefer to use autofocus when I can. Any body or lens guidance in that regard?

By: Aaron

Aaron — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:21:59 +0000

Pro Photo Supply (linked in the post) does sell some used equipment… I don’t know if they buy it outright, or sell it on commission but it would be worth giving them a call.