Help Purchasing first DSLR...

[MarsBar]

Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum. I am currently looking to purchase my first DSLR. I am looking to get into nature photography as well as weddings. (when I polish up my skills some.)

I was originally looking at the Nikon D80 or the Canon Rebel xti. However, now I have thrown the 30D into that mix. I am not sure which camara is going to provide me with the highest quality photographs. I would be doing mainly smaller photos but also want the option of doing larger photos if I were to get into doing weddings.

I was looking at the Rebel xti with the 17-85mm lens or the 30D with the 18-55mm lens. Does it make sense to look into the 30D if I were to purchase the inferior lens ? (I have been told that the 18-55mm lens isn't a great one)

If anyone can provide me with any advice, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Marcie

[meandmynikon]

I have a Nikon D200. Love it. Some reviews say it's overly complicated but I don't think so. It's expensive but you can't go wrong.

[BPK]

a d 80 with a 17-70 lens is a good starting kit

[bob_r]

Marcie,

First of all, welcome to the forum!

You said that you wanted to start with nature photography and later try weddings. Unless you're concentrating on macros (closeups), nature photography normally requires a telephoto lens, rather than the ones you mentioned. If you're including birding as part of what you want to do, you're probably going to need at least a 400mm lens and a 500mm or 600mm would be even better.

I have a Canon 30D and really like it, but the lenses that you mentioned are not known for producing quality shots. I tried the kit lens just to see if it worked and then sold it. The 17-85mm doesn't get raving reviews either. Here's a link to a review of it: http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses ... /index.htm

It might help us help you, if you told us more about the type of nature photography you have in mind.

Bob R

[DS256]

I have Nikon D-50 which I think is an excellent camera but there are a couple of things it doesn't have that others, like Canon do.

Some of the settings are only viewable on the top of the camera which can be difficult to see if you camera is mounted high on a tripod.

The ISO only goes down to 200. I would have liked a 100 setting.

There is no mirror lock up feature for those sensitive shots where mirror vibration is a concern.

Unfortunately, I didn't do enough research before I purchased the Nikon. Still love it but likely would have gone for something else if I'd known more on DSLR's.

Enjoy.

[DS256]

Sorry, just saw the date on this thread. I got to it from viewing posts since my last visit which was only 10 days ago. Something's broken.