New Camera Under $1,000

madigg

Could I Get Some Help, I would like to get my Wife a Camera, what is the best Camera for the Price of around $1,000. Note, Not a Point and Shoot Digital but a Digital SLR. Thanks Joe

TristanP

madigg wrote:

Could I Get Some Help, I would like to get my Wife a Camera, what is the best Camera for the Price of around $1,000. Note, Not a Point and Shoot Digital but a Digital SLR. Thanks Joe

Best body or do you want a lens included?

DanielB

i say go for a new 20D and then just pick up a 50 1.8, no its not the most well-built lens in the world but then again it has outstanding quality, and they don't call it "fantastic plastic" for nothing. that should do what she needs it to and the prime lens should help teach her the elements of composition, and the need for "zooming" with your feet.

System

sounds like good advice from dan'lb-

my question would be: what are you using and would you want your wife to be able to use your lens at some point-

george

ziggy53

Or you could go with the dRebel XT for $665:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=435702&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

and the Sigma 18-50mm, f2.8, which gives you effectively wide (29mm eq on a full frame 35mm SLR) to short tele (80mm eq). $410

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=340169&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Total is right around the same as Daniel's suggestion, which is still a good suggestion BTW.

P.S. The 20D is available for $1035 here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=348299&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

ziggy53

kini62

madigg wrote:

Could I Get Some Help, I would like to get my Wife a Camera, what is the best Camera for the Price of around $1,000. Note, Not a Point and Shoot Digital but a Digital SLR. Thanks Joe

You can get an Olympus E-500 2 lens kit (covers 28-300mm in 35mm terms) for less than $700 or so.

If you don't need super clean high ISOs then this is the best deal out. More features and functions than any other entry level DSLR.

The kit lenses are also very good.

Has the SSWF (dust shaker), great Oly colors.

Drawbacks: AF not the fastest, small buffer.

ziggy53

If you already have Pentax K mount lenses, the Pentax *ist DL is the least costly solution at $535 "Brand New" with the kit lens included. ($440 for the body only, but brand new.)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=435765&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Note: I don't recommend this path unless you have a considerable investment in existing expensive Pentax K mount lenses, but people do get good results with the system. This fellow has a Pentax DS and does great work with the "kit" lens in Australia. (WightWalker - Illustrated walks on Isle of Wight)

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6347&page=12
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6347&page=13

ziggy53

gtc

or..
if she is just starting out you could think about a second hand camera..

plenty of 20d's out there with less than 10,000 shutter actuations (they will got to about 90,000-see Gingers post) and you may get one which is still covered by extended warranty...and the money you save could go towards more lenses and a flash

claudermilk

20Ds are getting easier to find for under $1000 and is a fnatastic camera. Here is a question: what are *you* using? If you're already using a film SLR or DSLR, perhaps sticking with the same system would be best--sharing lenses and all. Besides, once you get her hooked the next upgrades ought to be fairly easy to get approved. D

madigg

Well I have a DSC-V1 which I use...

marlinspike

madigg wrote:

Well I have a DSC-V1 which I use...

This used to be an easier question, but now there are so many capable sub-$1000 dSLR's out there. I wouldn't just look at the two mainstream makes (Canon and Nikon). Pentax is definitley worth a look, as is olympus, especially if she isn't look to be shooting seriously, but just wants a capable camera that is not a PITA to carry around.

madigg

So WHat Does Anyone Know About the SONY Alpha DSLR-A100?

ziggy53

madigg wrote:

So WHat Does Anyone Know About the SONY Alpha DSLR-A100?

I don't think the Alpha is available yet, and only pre-production units have been reviewed. It appears to be the least expensive 10+ MPix dSLR and has builtin IS. It surely looks like it may be the same sensor as the Nikon D200, but less expensive.

Image quality is unknown, but has potential to be very good indeed.

It uses the same lens mount as the Minolta 5D and 7D and the Maxxum series film cameras.

Previews:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/sonydslra100/
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dslr_a100-review/

I would suggest waiting until a full review emerges before finalizing your decision, but expect a price of around $1000 for a body plus "kit" lens. Minolta lenses have tended towards the expensive side, and the Alpha lens lineup seems similarly pricey. (The 70-200mm, f2.8G price is $2400, with the street price unknown.)

ziggy53

claudermilk

This soon after the buyout I would expect it to simply be a worked-over Minolta. There's no way they could have developed a brand new ground-up DSLR in that short a time.

Liza

Since I've been a Canon shooter for 20 years, I'm going to recommend a 350D, which you can pick up for around $600 used. The key with buying a DSLR isn't the body, but rather the glass. And good glass is expensive, although there are reasonably priced lenses that give decent results. As has been suggested, start out with a 50mm f/1.8 lens which can be had for $70-$80. Another good starter lens is the Tamron 28-75, which can be had for $380. Those two lenses, a used XT body, and a Sandisk Ultra II 1GB CF card should get her started for close to your $1,000 budget. Later you can add a 430EX flash and perhaps a Sigma or Canon 70-200 lens. That would be a good starter kit that will last her for a long time.

Dante

Canon Digital Rebel XT pricing
There are several reputable camera shops that are selling the Digital Rebel XT (350D) for under $700 (including B&H Photo) and Canon is currently offering a $100 rebate. That would put a fresh new 350D at less than $600.

At that price, you may want to just buy new and get the full warranty. It really is a great camera, especially at that price.

-Dante