:lol: First thing that comes to mind for that online store, Sonic Cameras, is SCAM!!!

Two very reputable photography stores:
B&H Photo Video | Digital Cameras, Camcorders
Digital cameras, all other cameras and everything photographic from Adorama Camera

Skip the 430EX and get the 430EX II for $40 more.

 

Thank you :lol:

Sweet I guess Ill aim for the 430Ex II, Cannon has a rebate on thier site for 50 bucks for the 580 and 430's

 

Price shown reflects the $30 instant rebate for the 430EX II 2805B002 Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash with Guide Number 141 Feet / 43m at ISO 100


The same for the $50 instant rebate for the 580EX II http://www.adorama.com/CA580EX2U.html


The instant rebates ends on Jan 17th, 09

 

Ah thanks for the clear up.

Im just trying to see what would be good to start out with to get an idea how much Id be spending in the long run.

As far as the lens goes, what would be good for everyday/multipurpose use or in low light environment?
Or the one that comes with it should suffice?

 

Double post :bash:

 

First try going to a store where you can hold one in your hand. Especially try holding a Nikon. Nikon ergonomics > Canon's.

I have an XSi and the only reason I went with Canon is because I like their lenses. The Nikon's entry level DSLR's bodies like the D40 and D60 don't have the mechanical focus drive so you're limited to AF-S or AF-I lenses to have Autofocus. That's pretty much the deal breaker for me with Nikon.

Have you looked into Pentax, Olympus, and Sony DSLR's? They have in-body IS (image stabilization). This means, any lens you put on these bodies, new and old, will have IS. The Olympus E-420 DSLR body is around $365.


Read up:
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php

 

Yea ill keep looking around, im open to any recommendations.

I saw on another thread someone using a VR lens. It acts as a stabilizer? I would be looking into lens that have this since ill be doing alot of hand shots vs tripod.

 

VR = Vibration Reduction. It's just the Nikon term for IS = Image Stabilization. :lol: It's all the same, different terms

IS is quite helpful in situations where it's low light and you're forced to shoot on a slow shutter speed and bumping up ISO can only help so much Try shooting 2secs like Liz :lol:

 

:lol: Yea im like searching the terms you use every time cause I was lost in some of the things you said. Barely know anything in this department other than me taking some good pictures on my regular camera.

Bumping the ISO is like overexposure/slower shutter? Double checking

I used a friends camera at a club a couple weeks ago and I really like it but he said they dont make them anymore. I believe it was a canon as well. So I took a pic of him n vise versa.

You can tell the exposure was up a bit but its clear n focused on us.

 

:lol: Yea im like searching the terms you use every time cause I was lost in some of the things you said. Barely know anything in this department other than me taking some good pictures on my regular camera.

Don't worry about that. I was the same in the beginning. Google was my bestfriend :lol: I'm still learning. I'm still no where near the level of these other guys.

 

I will say I'm definitely happy with the Nikon D60 I just bought. I didn't play too much with the other brands and such, but what I liked with the Nikon especially to help me learn more quickly with ISO's, stops, etc was that in the menu as you are changing these settings, it gives you an example pic and changes the lighting, blurriness of background, etc. I think that feature alone is going to help me a lot in my learning process.

I can't say much for the Canon's you are reviewing. Sorry. But definitely go for lenses where they have stabalizers unless you can get a camera with it built in.

 

First of all, go with the 430EX II. It would be a waste of money to go with the regular 430 and the 580 might be too much for your needs and it's not cheap (about $150 more than the 430EX II).

Second, do what the others have said. Check out Best buy, or any place that has the cameras and just make sure you like how it feels in your hand. There's also the menus and features like, does it allow you to change file type/size without going into menus 4 levels deep.

then if you like the canon go here. This is the XZ plus an 18-55 IS and a 70-300 Lens for $499. do you even have any lenses yet? I noticed you were looking at the body only in the OP.
Canon | EOS Rebel XS (a.k.a. 1000D) SLR Digital Camera Kit | B&H

Or if you like Nikons they have a D40 here for $499 with an 18-55 lens. Non VR...
Nikon | D40 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 18-55mm Lens | 25420

 

Actually if you go the Nikon route this is a better deal for just $100 more.
Nikon | D60 SLR Digital Camera Kit with 18-55mm VR Lens | 25438

personally I think the canon deal is better for a beginner.

 

Stay away from Pentax. We're an exclusive club.

 

:wub:

 

Well I did some reading saying some Film SLR cameras lens you might be able to using on the new dslr. If the one I have now works then yea I do have a lens and its a canon as well.

But to start with all im looking at for now is just the camera and light. Ill get a lens later when I can.

 

Okay, here's another suggestion. Do you have friends that have DSLRs? If so, what brand? The reason is, these said friends might have lenses that you can borrow :lol:

 

well the one I posted had two lenses with it for a pretty kick ass price just in case you decide to go with the canon.

what exactly are you looking to photograph? portrait, landscape, sports...? Just trying to get a feel for what lens you'd be better off with and/or how much you need th flash right away.

 

Oh well the flash is for photos done at a club and its also why I was seeing what lens would be good for low light.
A promoter saw my album with my pictures and he gave me a shout out if I wanted to work with him.
So it gives me a reason to invest in a good camera haha

Photos I do now is mostly senery/landscape, occasionally Ill do some shots with people.

Heres a few of my work

 

Very nice shots. Yeah, I see why you need the flash right away.

 

On the flash part, where can you get a "cover" so its not exactly a direct flash in the face. Im not sure what its called nor have I seen it to put on the flash.

Believe it or not all those pics were taken with a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-P200
Ive been happy with it but still limits me

 

look in this thread. there are a few ideas.
http://www.club3g.com/forum/audio-video-photography/119241-what-accessories-get-flash.html

 

A simple bounce cover would be a Stofen Omnibounce - $20 or so.
I thought the price difference between the XS and XSI is like $50-$100. Why get an XS when you can get the XSI?

Edit - Ooookkk... Looks like the price difference is a lot more now. :lol: