Digital SLR for starters..

[jugarse]

I'm planning on buying my first DSLR, but Im a little confuse on what to buy. My friend suggested to me the Canon 400d or Nikon d40x. I need your opinions about those 2 camera or if you have any other model that can suggest to me to look for.

[randytamayo]

A newer version to the 400D just came out. The 450D. You may wanna consider that instead.

Learn more here: http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/eosdigital4/index.html

You may need to wait a little longer though.

[super_ed]

I'm planning on buying my first DSLR, but Im a little confuse on what to buy. My friend suggested to me the Canon 400d or Nikon d40x. I need your opinions about those 2 camera or if you have any other model that can suggest to me to look for.

Hi Jugarse,

Welcome to Philmug! I noticed it was your first post. Philmug is a community of great and creative individuals and that includes us, photographers, photo enthusiast, hobbyist, shutterbugs hehe who happens to love mac as well or uses mac as part of their workflows. Dominique James, Toto Labrador, Randy Tamayo, Reggie Fernando are just among the few muggers I know.

To answer you, really it'll all depends on your preference - what fits your budget, your brand requirements, what brand you peers are using, which camera has the best grip for you, etc. Your two choices are good if not great cameras in that arena (Nikon D40x, Canon EOS 400D or the newly released 450D) they're the entree-level types of DSLRs (smaller, lighter bodies, much user-friendly consoles, uses newer lenses designed to 1.6X crop cameras). Imagine this is the camera for the Powershot/ IXUS graduates and wants more control to the camera. More often than not, these type of cameras perform very well using Auto or Program modes and allows you to explore your creative freedom using Manual mode.

Usually, the graduates of these camera upgrades to the Semi-professional grade DSLR Bodies - Nikon D80, D200, D300, Canon 30D, 40D, and the likes (slightly bigger bodies, added user-controls, faster recording, 1.6x crop factor, supports smaller and full-frame lenses mount) or go directly to full frame cameras (Professional Grade) Nikon D2X, D3, Canon 5D, 1D Mark 11 and the likes.

If you're still learning, it might be wise you get what brand your peers are using, this way you can test or borrow their equipments (lenses for example) so you can gauge more or less what types of photography you'll get into and help you during lens acquisition. They might share you quick know-how in using the camera as well. A good kit lens should give you enough range to practice the basic skill in photography.

On the Canon side, EOS 450 was just announced recently. Please compare it to the older Canon models EOS 400D (entry level) and EOS 40D (Semi-pro). Check this website for reviews.

To learn more about photography, may I refer you to this photography communities Digital Photographer Phippines, and Pinoy Photography.Org

[leadbelly]

Or you can get the recently announced Pentax K200D...

Bottom line, whatever you feel comfortable using, get it. Someone once said, I forgot who, that "the photographer doesn't always choose the camera; sometimes, the camera chooses the photographer." Try before you buy.

[McGrill]

They are right, better wait for the Canon 450D. If the price is over your budget, you still win, bec i'm sure the price of 400D will go down

[LeoCastillo]

Just my two cents. You can buy ANY of the entry level DSLRs now and you cannot go wrong. All of them are now quite well made and take great pictures.

In fact, a lot of professionals I know still use cameras that are considered "obsolete" now and still takes great pictures.

Karlo De Leon still uses a Nikon D70.
Richard Llarios still uses a 350D (or was it 30D?)
For the longest time, Ross Capili was using a 300D, later a 350D.

That's how good the current cameras are now. The more expensive cameras has some nice features to have but ultimately you can take great photos even with the entry level models.

Leo

[aNthraxx]

same here.....planning to buy my first DSLR...any suggestions guys for a sub 30K DSLR?...a friend of mine said sub30Ks(cheap) DSLRs take crappy pictures...but for a starting hobbyist like me a DSLR costing around 40K and above is just way too expensive .

[kirtley18]

yah just wait for the 450 to come out im sure the price of the 400d will drop thats the time you get one

[marty_e]

same here.....planning to buy my first DSLR...any suggestions guys for a sub 30K DSLR?...a friend of mine said sub30Ks(cheap) DSLRs take crappy pictures...but for a starting hobbyist like me a DSLR costing around 40K and above is just way too expensive .

Maybe your friend's a crappy photog . I've seen awe-inspiring photos from entry level DSLR's and even P&S.

Consider your near-term goals. Do you want better quality photos of family and friends or outings andnihgt outs, are you thinking of starting a career in photography, looking for an artistic outlet or do you just want a cool new toy to go with your mac? A prosumer like a Canon G9, Leica D-Lux 3 or Canon S5IS may be the way to get started.

DSLR's key setback is its bulk. Couple that with extra lenses, tripod, flash - consider the extra baggage when thinking about travel photos and party shots.

If you're bent on going DSLR, used Nikon D70s can be had at P25k +/- P2k. A new Nikon D40 goes for sub 30k too.

[dep28]

Maybe your friend's a crappy photog . I've seen awe-inspiring photos from entry level DSLR's and even P&S.

Consider your near-term goals. Do you want better quality photos of family and friends or outings andnihgt outs, are you thinking of starting a career in photography, looking for an artistic outlet or do you just want a cool new toy to go with your mac? A prosumer like a Canon G9, Leica D-Lux 3 or Canon S5IS may be the way to get started.

DSLR's key setback is its bulk. Couple that with extra lenses, tripod, flash - consider the extra baggage when thinking about travel photos and party shots.

If you're bent on going DSLR, used Nikon D70s can be had at P25k +/- P2k. A new Nikon D40 goes for sub 30k too.

to reiterate marty_e's point, it's the indian, not the pana...a dslr helps in getting good photos. the photographer is the one who takes the good photo (did that make sense?)

i agree with marty_e's recos for cameras. choose depending on your goals. if you really are just a casual shooter, a "high-end" P&S would do you good. personally, i'd reco the ones mentioned above. all of those could be had for less than 30k (except for the leica i think)

if you intend to do this seriously and opt for a dslr, a nikon d40 would be good (under 25K in hidalgo) and so would a canon 400D (a little over 30K) or 450D (price tba)