Great question I have been going through the same thing....Once I think Im going with the Nikon d80...Someone changes my mind to the Canon 40!!! They both look extremely hard to use...Im like grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr what do i do? I scared!!!!
Thank you for asking this question..

Robyn
 

Whoops the Canon 40D
 

I too will be purchasing a SLR camera in the next few months.. I'll be keeping an eye on this blog for help! Great topic!
 

If you want film.. Nikon N8008.. easy to use, takes great pics, standard AA batteries.
If you want digital, I have friends who love the Nikon D80.. they read the manual and have no problems using it.
Be sure to put your money into a good fast Nikkor lens to go with whichever one you choose.
I'm a Nikon person myself. Choosing a camera is a very personal thing. You can listen but ultimately the choice has to be what you feel most comfortable with and fall in love with.

I still have and use on occasion the first camera I bought new.. Nikon FG.

Whichever it is enjoy this time.. don't stress over it.

Blessings.. April
 

I recommend NIKON D80. simple in the use, functional, complete.(sensor CCD RGB10.2 Megapixel )
Good also the CANON EOS 40D (sensor CMOS APS-C da 10.1 Megapixel)
Excellent the Nikon D300 (sensor CMOS 12.3Megapixel)
 

I currently use a Nikon D2x and a D2h. Over the last year I told most that ask me at the gallery that if I were to start over I would probably go Canon but can't now because I am too heavily invested with Nikon equipment. But..after the introductions of the D3 and the D300 I have changed my mind. What I am hearing NIkon has come back with these cameras and blown the competition away. I will never buy the high end again (D3)...I believe the D300 at one third the cost of the D3 will more than satisfy 95% of shooters. So my choice,,if you can afford it go with the d300. If not then go with the next lower Nikon you can afford. You will be able to get great shots with any of them. It's not totally camera anyway...it's how you "see" and how much you are willing to perfect the art. Thanks Robert
 

"I'm purchasing my first SLR camera and I don't know which one to choose."

You're the only one that can answer this question. :) But don't fret, there is help.

It all depends on what your preferences are, from budget to experience level, type of pictures you are looking to take, and what you are looking to do and in the future, if it's just a hobby, a HUGE hobby or a hobby that is likely going professional some day.

I found this link on the web and think it might be helpful in your decision making. :) I enjoyed it a lot. Good luck!

http://www.digital-slr-guide.com
 

Best advice would be to do your homework, and research research research!
I asked around when getting mine and everyone said Nikon or Canon. But all along I was leaning more toward the Pentax or Olympus, I also changed my mind a thousand and one times before finally purchasing one. I decided on the Pentax K10D. In the end its all about you and what you want, so don't let others influence you with their this one is the best or that one. its about what is going to suit your needs and what YOU like the most. Best of luck!
 

Canon digital rebel xti......thats the one I would suggest and I have done alot of research between the Canon and Nikon models, even Olympus.
 

When I bought my first SLR I got the Olympus E-500 that's what my teacher told me to get, it's reasonable in price and is a great camera however now that technology is going sooo fast even though I bought mine in March 07' I'd say to if you really like getting reallllllllllly close into photos like I do, I wouldn't recomment this one, from what I could find the biggest lense for this type of camera goes to 200mm and if you wanted more your outta luck, Nikon and Cannon have a great selection on lenses. overall I'd say with going what's in your budget and then determine how many megapixels and how far you want to be able to zoom if you want an 8 meg I say go w/ Olympus E-510 or 500. They are a great camera it's just too bad they don't have a 300mm. Hope this helps
 

OH man I can remember my very first SLR Camera. Back in 1982 I got the Olympus OM1 35mm film camera. I was in high school when I got that camera. I worked hard for it. By taking care of Teachers yard work or house work. I saved up all my money and then went and bought the camera.
I didnt have enough for an expensive camera So I bought a cheap camera . That changed my world. Because I practice alot with it and then, Ended up being in the Year book staff and got my photos published in the year book etc. The camera only cost me $200.00 at the time.
I played with it every day and learned alot with it. By 1984 at the age of 19 I was lic to be a professional photographer working under Jim McBryde Photo studios and Summit Photographers in EL Paso, Texas. From there my career took off and I can only thank my SLR camera that cost me only $200.00.

So the moral of the story. It don't have to be an expensive camera. Any SLR camera will do the job. IT all depends on what you do with it and how well you can follow instruction in your camera Manuel book and how much you practice shooting things.

I shot alot just to learn light ratio and Learned what the camera can do.
Read thousands of photography books in our school Library. It's up to you how much do you want to learn.
remember something, in your first year as a professional photographer you can earn about $50,000.00 in just portraits sales. It all depends on how much you push yourself and promote your photography.
IF I can do it, ( I am deaf and half blind) Anyone can.

Mr Jose Limon
Professional Photographer
JLPortraits Production USA
http://www.onemodelplace.com/member.cfm?P_ID=32469
 

I had the same quetion about a year ago.
I shopped around and asked LOTS of questions. When it came down to it, a lot of people recomended the NIKON D80 for first time SLR users. It's user friendly.

I love mine.
 

I researched alot and finally ended up with the Nikon D80! I Love It!!!
 

check around with some of your local camera dealers and see if you can rent them for a day to get some hands on with them. that way you can get a feel of the camera and see which your most comfortable using. alot of dealers have that option. i don't think you can go wrong either way you go (nikon or canon) both are good cameras, you just need a good "eye" to go along with them to make your camera great, because a camera is not gonna make you a great photographer.
 

thank you everyone....my eyes were on the nikon d80 and the canon rebel xti....they both have appealing features.
 

There are so many questions regarding SLR's/D-SLR's...and so many people willing to give their opinion. But, the only thing I can tell you is to check out all of the brands, all of the models, and do it in a way where you can compare them side by side. PC Photo Magazine's Buyer's Guide (for 2007) ultimately helped me decide to go with a Nikon. I found out that I could use my old 35mm lenses on the new digital-SLR cameras...which saved me a large amount of money, not having to replace a lot of different lenses. BUT, my decision was ultimately made when I walked into a store and held the different models in my hands. As soon as the D80 hit my hands, I KNEW that was the camera for me. (Although, I had every intensions of buying the D50 because of the lower price) I'm so incredibly happy with my choice and I feel it does a phenomenal job for the type of photography I'm doing. I get compliments from people (and other photographers) quite often...asking how I'm able to capture such vivid colors. (And, that's AFTER they make fun of me because I'm a "Nikon Girl", since they use Canon.) *hee* ;) They don't usually bother me too much about my choice of gear after that.

But, basically, READ everything you can get your hands on about current d-SLR's. (I'd HIGHLY recommend going digital, if at all possible -- the flexibility is astounding!) Then, go and test them out in person. Also...when you decide what you'd like to purchase, beware of shopping online where the deals seem 'too good to be true', because it MAY look like a fantastic deal...but, they're usually trying to sell you non-OEM (cheap) batteries -- that may make your camera perform less effectively, lesser quality lenses -- you'll want good glass, and I always prefer Nikon/Nikkor lenses to go with my D80.

Anyway, in the end the decision will ultimately be up to you. And, if you're HERE for help, I take it you're serious about doing your research. But, really think it over...will you be shooting studio portraits? Weddings? On location work? Low-light landscape? Low-light handheld? Or, is it just a hobby that you'd like to take to the next level? Because, with a camera like the Nikon D80 -- hint: go with the 18-135mm kit lens!-- (or the Canon 40D) you could definitely make that transition MUCH more smoothly than with a 35mm SLR film camera. But, spend as much money as you can on a model that has the features you're looking for, and then invest in a nice high quality lens that will help your particular area of interest. Also, don't forget things like a camera bag that will grow with you as you collect a few more pieces, like a number of memory cards, a speedlight & diffuser, a sturdy tripod, a wireless remote, extra batteries, basically anything that you'll need to do the type of photography you'll be doing.

That should help you...if it doesn't give you even MORE to think about. ;) *hee* But, you need to be well informed before making a decision of this kind.

Here's a link to the 2008 buyer's guide from PC Photo Mag. Check it out...it may help. I have the newstand issue, so I'd think it would be fairly comparible. Best of luck to you. And, may you find the one that is meant for you. :)

Shoot well...Pennie (of IKON)

<p>
 

http://www.pcphotomag.com/buyerrsquos-guides/cameras/digital-slrs.html
 

I CANT KEEP MY HANDS OFF MY NIKON D80!!!!!!
 

it really depends on what is wanted.

the two best in my opinion are the new canon and the new nikon d80
theyre both incredible camera's and both specialize in two different preferences.

i personally have the d80 and love it, its a beautiful tool and the possibilities with it are endless.
 

Nikon D80 and Nikon D300.
 

I did the same thing.. I bounced back and forth from the Nikon and the Canon. I ended up going with the Nikon, since I had some 35 mm Canon stuff.. that would work.. and I'm happy I went with the Canon. I can't tell you enough to compare the two, but I'm happy with my choice.

Good luck!
 

Is the Canon 350D a good enough camera for a begginer?
let me know thanks
Awesome question because i was thinking the same exact thing, what camera do i want?
 

I truly think it depends on how much you want to spend. I began with the first digital rebel that cannon came out with because I had a 35mm rebel and the lenses would fit. I upgraded to a Nikon D200 when that came out and consequently have spent a VERY large amount of $ on glass (Nikon lenses are more expensive than the backs it seems). I shoot a lot of low light shots without a flash so I've been dissappointed in the abundant noise I get when shooting at 1/20th and under at 1600 speed but I've heard the D300's have solved that problem. Since I've got a bag full of Nikor lenses which cost me $5-900 each that's probably where I'll go next but for a beginner who may have only $1000 or so to spend I'd lean toward the digital Rebel xti by Cannon, especially since there are quite a few alternatives when it comes to buying lenses. One thing to remember for a young photographer is that the important thing is to take more pictures. I mean a lot more pictures. I've been distracted this past year and only put about 40,000 shots on my Nikon and my NY's resolution is to double that this year at the least. So no matter which camera you get, if you're serious about photography, you'll probably be wearing it out or outgrowing it soon. So just get one and shoot, shoot, shoot!
Good Luck and have fun with your new best friend.