Any cheap DSLR cameras?

[trunks982]

I want to get a DSLR camera but they are too expensive. They go over $500. Is there a cheaper version of that and small in size? I know that DSLR takes awesome pics. Looks very colorful and all.

[spinksjinx]

http://www.overstockdealz.com

They occasionally throw them up their, I snagged one for $179.99 a month or two ago.

[paz9x]

go to a store and pick up a nikon d40 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/471716-REG/Nikon_25420_D40_SLR_Digital_Camera.htmland a canon xt http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371191-REG/Canon_0209B003_EOS_Digital_Rebel_XT.html and see which feels better in your hand.
i personally would reccomend the d40 because the lens its packaged with is better than the lens the canon is packaged with.
that site is top notch and unlike a lot of online camera sellers it is very reputable and reliable.
good like. if you have any questions let us know.

[Megalith]

I've got a Nikon D300. Great camera, but I'm still very much an amateur who falls victim to camera shake (I've really only been shooting indoors so I can't really go high shutter, and I have no speedlight).

In terms of Canon...I hate'em. Their lens and camera bodies feel so cheap, and they do not feel as solid and ergonomic as the Nikons.

And all kit lenses suck. I got mine as a body, along with a 50mm 1.4.

[mtxbass1]

Nikon D40X owner here. I picked mine up on Amazon for about $600 with an extra lense (55-200 VR).

OP, DSLR's aren't really "small". Some of the lenses alone are bigger than the body of the camera.

[Maizrim]

I second that BHPhoto is a good site... we bought our Canon 30D from them last year.

As for small cameras (though usually not less than $500 with a good lens), I second the Nikon D40. I believe there are some combo deals at BHPhoto right now too. (I've been trying to get my Dad to buy one actually)

[coolsteel]

Well best buy currently has the Canon EOS Rebel XT Silver, with 18-55mm lens on clearance for $384 if you can find it. No DSLR is really all that small, at least with a lens on it. Have a Sony Alpha 100 model myself and combined with some minolta lenses I bought I could really use a nice camera back pack.

[Megalith]

On the topic of camera bags, what do you guys use? Nikon seems to have a problem in this department...they've only got a small batch of bags. Canon's got a backpack that seems very practical, but apparently the Nikon counterpart sucks.

I'm thinking about getting one of the Case Logics at CC.

[mtxbass1]

On the topic of camera bags, what do you guys use? Nikon seems to have a problem in this department...they've only got a small batch of bags. Canon's got a backpack that seems very practical, but apparently the Nikon counterpart sucks.

I'm thinking about getting one of the Case Logics at CC.

Go Lowepro or Tenba. They both make solid stuff...

[deliveryboy15]

I picked up a Nikon d40 last year and its fantastic. I would get it here
http://www.adorama.com/INKD40K2.html?searchinfo=nikon%20d40&item_no=1

[Ruahrc]

Both Adorama and B&H are top-notch retailers. Pros and photo enthusiasts order from them all the time. I would not hesitate to order from either site.

Personally, at the low end I'd recommend the Nikon D40 or D40X over the Canon Rebel XT equivalents- I think the lenses are better and IMO the Nikon body is better too. Once you get into higher end stuff like Canon 30D/40D, 5D, or above the two are essentially equal- and it comes down to personal preference.

Also look for cameras by Olympus, Pentax, or Sony. They are all respectable DSLR manufacturers- and may have a camera that is cheaper than Canon or Nikon. Be aware that the lens selection for those will not be as good as Canon or Nikon- if you intend on getting into photography and want to get more lenses down the road.

Also- realize that at this point in time, a DSLR gives you two major advantages: superior sensor and better optics. The sensor on a DSLR is much larger than a point-and-shoot camera, meaning that it will perform much better in lower light. You can get great (as in comparable to a DSLR) pictures out of a quality point-and-shoot (as in $200-300), but you will lose performance at higher ISO. And do know that knowing how to use a camera properly will do more for your photography than getting a DSLR. I don't know what your experience level is but in case you haven't already, thinking about why you want a DSLR (or what you think you need a DSLR for) is something you really should do before getting one. Even the smallest DSLR is much bigger than the biggest point-and-shoot, and in many situations the images from each will be nearly the same. For many people the size of the DSLR is too big and so they won't take it with them- meaning that money spent on it is largely wasted.

I only point these things out because of your comment "I know that DSLR takes awesome pics. Looks very colorful and all." leads me to believe that you don't fully understand what upgrading to a DSLR does and perhaps you should learn about the differences first before dropping $500 on a camera you may not end up liking.

Ruahrc

[AlphakirA]

B&H :applause:

[paz9x]

On the topic of camera bags, what do you guys use? Nikon seems to have a problem in this department...they've only got a small batch of bags. Canon's got a backpack that seems very practical, but apparently the Nikon counterpart sucks.

I'm thinking about getting one of the Case Logics at CC.

find a real camera store and take your stuff down there and try it in the bags.
i have a tamrac bag, they make quality stuff, as does lowepro.


as far as saying canon stuff feels cheap, thats just stupid. im guessing you were comparing their entry level body/lens combos against your d300 which is nikon's highest level prosumer body.


canon makes very good equipment.
as far as ergos go, the 40d feels very similar in hand to the d300, dont be dense.

ruahrc - although with know how you can compensate with a p&s a dslr makes it a lot easier, and most of the time thats what a person wants.

[Ruahrc]

I agree with the bag sentiment. I have a LowePro that I got at a camera store when I brought my stuff in and physically tested out bags. LowePro bags are of very high quality.

ruahrc - although with know how you can compensate with a p&s a dslr makes it a lot easier, and most of the time thats what a person wants.
I'm not sure I totally agree with this one. Any DSLR will have many more menu settings and manual controls than a P&S. Unless you know what those functions are and why you want/need to change them according to the pictures you are taking, using a DSLR is only going to be more confusing. If you do know what the controls do, that means you have some photography know-how and are then deciding on whether or not you are willing to accept the bigger size of the DSLR for the image quality advantages it has.

Even at higher levels, all too often you see people drop $1500-2000 on a professional grade lens and then are still disappointed at the quality of their images.

Don't get me wrong though, I own a D80 DSLR and would have it no other way (well, maybe a D300 would be nice :)) but I took the time to learn the basics of photography before I bought my camera and find a P&S too limiting for what I want out of photography. But for someone who just wants snapshots and thinks that a DSLR will just magically give better pictures than a good P&S, I think they need to do a little more research on the subject first.

Ruahrc

[Wolfkin]

I want to get a DSLR camera but they are too expensive. They go over $500. Is there a cheaper version of that and small in size? I know that DSLR takes awesome pics. Looks very colorful and all.

check wolf camera. I imagine NY stores would be busier than my little Atl store but we always have older model DSLRs in back. Our clearance cameras aren't always the best deal but they're pretty cheap. as long as you don't need to be on the bleeding edge of tech it should be fine

[Wolfkin]

Also- realize that at this point in time, a DSLR gives you two major advantages: superior sensor and better optics.

and SPEED man.. the bloody speed. optics.. sensor that's stuff most normal people wouldn't notice or care about but with a DSLR you don't have shutter delay. The speed is a major factor.