First DSLR Suggestions?

[xc0oki3m0n5terx]

I'm wanting to buy my first DSLR. I plan on using it for snapping pics around town, parties, and trips I go on. I've been using a regular point and shoot (SD630) for a while now but I want something more professional.

Right now I'm contemplating on ordering a Rebel XT (body only) and this lens:

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-AF17-50.../dp/B000EXR0SI

The lens is a bit more than I want to spend, but it came highly recommended. I'd love to hear any other suggestions from seasoned photogs about whats the best to start out with and learn on.

[johnastovall]

Get the body only and the 50/1.8. Spend a year shooting just that combination. Then you'll have learned enough to know what you really need and can use.

[LDB]

With the 1.6 crop factor of the Canon that lens is approximately a 27-80 equivalent lens. It's a very good lens but doesn't give you a lot of reach. You'd have to do even more pedestrian zooming with a 50 f1.8 but you will spend far less money and have a good learning lens. I don't know the Canon line but I believe the XT is 2 generations old now. You might want to look at the XTi to be more current.

[bobby71]

If you're on a really limited budget, the xt and the 50 1.8 (<$100) would do you well for a while.
I actually have the exact combo (xt and tamron 2.8) you're talking about. I've been using it for a few years. Sure, I'd love to upgrade my body, but I'm slowly collecting decent lenses (upgraded the kit lens to that tamron 2.8 pretty early on) first. Sure that camera is a couple of generations old, but you can still do great things with it, and will surely help you learn the ropes.
I've got that Tamron, the 50 1.8, just got the Sigma 10-20 used, and received the cheapo canon 75-300 as a gift. Once I get one of the 70-200 L's, then I'll think about upgrading my body. I've also invested in several flashes, mostly used as well. Bodies lose value pretty quickly, but if you buy decent used glass, your investment is probably pretty safe. And if you think this whole DSLR world isnt for you, you won't take a major hit if you decide to sell everything off.
The newer generation bodies have lots of nicer features than the XT, but so far the upgrades haven't been anything that I absolutely couldn't live without. It's got everything you need to get a good understanding of aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, and how they all relate and affect each other, and how they affect your shots.
Good luck!

[toverman]

+1 on a 50 f/1.8. The XT body would be a good first dSLR at a good price. If you're just getting into it, the new features of the XTi and XSi would probably be meaningless anyhow!

Get the 50 first (as mentioned, less than $100), use it for as long as you can, and then consider getting a decent zoom lens if you have to!

[xc0oki3m0n5terx]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I think ill take your advice and go with the 50/1.8 first. The Tamron seemed a bit pricey for just starting out.

I found the body for an XT for 390 on Amazon, but I found a XTi full kit on cameraaddict.com for only 419. Is that price too good to be true?

http://www.cameraaddict.com/viewproduct.aspx?id=9551804

Also saw this too: http://www.cameraaddict.com/viewproduct.aspx?id=3610570

[CaptainTom]

Please run from any idea of buying anything from Cameraddict.com.
They have a resellers rating of .54 out of 10. That less than a 1.

They are scam artists and will take your money and you will get nothing that you want.

www.resellersrating.com

[LDB]

Check www.resellerratings.com for whoever you may consider doing business with.

[bobby71]

Try posting a "WTB" thread on this site, see if anyone's got an xt they wanna get rid of. Heck, the kit lens might just come with it, might as well use it for a while for zoom, and get the 50 1.8 to see how nice having a wider aperture is.

[xc0oki3m0n5terx]

Thanks a lot guys. I figured it was too cheap to be legit.

Ill def post a WTB in the for sale section once i get my post count up.

[r6isnum1]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Get the body only and the 50/1.8. Spend a year shooting just that combination. Then you'll have learned enough to know what you really need and can use.

This is exactly what I did. I got a XT/50 1.8 last January and shot with it until this Februay. I got a very good understanding of working with a DSLR and have now upgraded to my 40D.

[Comanche]

Originally Posted by xc0oki3m0n5terx

I'm wanting to buy my first DSLR. I plan on using it for snapping pics around town, parties, and trips I go on. I've been using a regular point and shoot (SD630) for a while now but I want something more professional.

Right now I'm contemplating on ordering a Rebel XT (body only) and this lens:

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-AF17-50.../dp/B000EXR0SI

The lens is a bit more than I want to spend, but it came highly recommended. I'd love to hear any other suggestions from seasoned photogs about whats the best to start out with and learn on.

Let me add one thing about the 50 f1.8.

To begin with, I agree with everything said about the XT/50 combo. Just be sure you truly understand what that means.

It means that a party photo of friends will be taken with you having to move around to get everybody you want in the picture. After using a P&S, that will be frustrating and you will probably get some teasing from your friends.

It means trip photos of a landscape you like will have to be cropped, or that you won't be able to get everything you want in your photo.

If you are truly serious about learning photography, the XT/50 combo will in fact teach you a lot, but the lessons will be hard ones to learn.

Like most of the other posters, I learned photography in the days before zoom lenses were very good and we shot mostly fixed length primes. But sometimes we old-timers can get caught up in the "they just don't do things the right way anymore" syndrome. There is no reason you can't learn to be a good photographer with a zoom lens - and not get so frustrated while trying to learn with a prime. Really think about what you want to shoot, then rethink whether you want a 50 1.8 or a used zoom kit lens.

Finally - consider that a 50 1.8 is not a magic device to make you a great photographer. May I also recommend buying a copy of "Understanding Exposure", found here on the TPF. Its a great book that will inspire rather than tie you down with rules.

Get your XT, the lens you want, do some reading - and have fun!

[hurricane]

i bought a new XT in 06, then upgraded recently to a new 30d.

if i had it to do over again i would have started with a used entry level dSLR to see if I liked digital photography enough to pursue it, then move up to the prosumer dSLR. I'll probably sell the XT soon for half what i paid for it...had I bought it used, that ratio would have been a LOT better.

[bobby71]

Originally Posted by hurricane

i bought a new XT in 06, then upgraded recently to a new 30d.

if i had it to do over again i would have started with a used entry level dSLR to see if I liked digital photography enough to pursue it, then move up to the prosumer dSLR. I'll probably sell the XT soon for half what i paid for it...had I bought it used, that ratio would have been a LOT better.

Absolutely. There's too many people on this forum that take good care of their stuff and sell when they upgrade to have to pay retail!

Same thing goes for lenses. That same Tamron lens (Nikon mount, though) just sold on here for about $275, I think?

But if budget is priority, just use the cheap kit lens..it'll be serviceable for your needs.

[PIC]

Originally Posted by xc0oki3m0n5terx

I'm wanting to buy my first DSLR. ... I'd love to hear any other suggestions from seasoned photogs about whats the best to start out with and learn on.

Buy a low miles use {exposures} lightly used 10D.
Check the buy sell here and stay local in Austin - they have em there - so do I ...

EL