09-28-2005, 07:49 PM

I'm taking and photography class and i'm hooked. I want to get a low end digital slr. I'm looking at ...a olympus evolt e300(body, two lenses, and 1gb card) for $820 or a canon 350d/digital rebel xt (body, one lens and 1gb card) for $950. Which one gets me the best camera for my money?

09-28-2005, 09:12 PM

i am of no real help with digital slr's but there has been a few good discussions recently that should be able to answer your question, use the search function
-chris

09-28-2005, 10:00 PM

I can not say which is better. I prefer Nikons and Canons. So I woulod go with the Canon.

09-28-2005, 11:45 PM

ya the rebel or a nikon

09-29-2005, 12:17 AM

Originally Posted by UncSki1218

I'm taking and photography class and i'm hooked. I want to get a low end digital slr. I'm looking at ...a olympus evolt e300(body, two lenses, and 1gb card) for $820 or a canon 350d/digital rebel xt (body, one lens and 1gb card) for $950. Which one gets me the best camera for my money?

You could look on eBay for the Canon 300-D (Digital Rebel last years model) or even the Canon 350-D (Rebel XT newest model).

I have 3 digital SLRs, but my 300-D is my favorite along with my 50 - 500-mm zoom telephoto.

They are both great digital SLR cameras. Very easy to use with many functions. The 350-D has some new features (not many) but the 300-D is still well worth it. I bought my 300-D about 3, 4-5 months before the 350-D came out and I'm still very happy with it till this day. And I'm sure for much longer. It does everything I need it to do and more. So there was no need for me to upgrade to the 350-D right away. The 300-D has a few more years on its life in my photography toolbox.

I bought mine on eBay at a great price. $300 less that what you could get anywhere else!

There are over 50 lenses from Canon that you can use with these cameras and tons more from other companies at lower prices.

That may be something to look into. If you do buy on eBay, look for everything from the sellers you come across with that product. Look at their feedback. Make sure its New In Box (NIB) factory sealed. Ask them questions about it and all those good things. Find out about their return policies. And if you decide to get a Canon lens, make sure its not a "fake" Canon lens. There's ways of telling but many people don't know what to look for.

I'd be happy to help you out if you'd like and help you check out the sellers if you find some. Just shoot me a PM or an IM. Look in my profile for the IM info.

Just trying to help you out. A digital SLR camera is an investment and great tool. IMO, they are great to use especially if you're taking a Photography class.

Good luck, and let me know if you want some help. I hope this information was helpful to you.

EDIT... I forgot to mention. If you would like to get some information, check out www.dpreview.com There is some great info there and you can compare many cameras and check out the specs and all. Some members there are real conceded and think they know all and will look down on "newbs" and their work which I think is lame! But others will be willing to help a beginner out and be constructive about your work and questions.

09-29-2005, 12:50 AM

When you buy a digital SLR, you are really buying into the lens system, and that should really be an important part in making your decision.

For instance, it is no good buying a camera where lens range is limited/expensive for your needs. Remember you will may want to updgrade the body, but you can keep your lens collection for future cameras of the same make.

I would certainly do some lense research if you are considering the Olympus - not that it is a bad camera, but just check if the lens range is suitable and priced right for your individual needs. Also read some reviews on lenses for all cameras you are considering, as well as the cameras themselves.

Personally, I went for Canon mainly due to their lens range - especially the much coveted L lenses. I have the 300D and the 20D and both are very good. I find the 300D a great easy to use SLR with little picture difference from the (now old but better) 10D. The 20D is another kettle of fish, with finer control, but, to be honest, image wise, there is not a whole lot of difference.

I would certainly think of opting for a 300D or a 350XT - both of these would make an ideal introduction into SLR photography without costing the earth. Its the lenses that will eventually cost you, as with any DSLR

09-29-2005, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by Kyomii

When you buy a digital SLR, you are really buying into the lens system, and that should really be an important part in making your decision.

For instance, it is no good buying a camera where lens range is limited/expensive for your needs. Remember you will may want to updgrade the body, but you can keep your lens collection for future cameras of the same make.

I would certainly do some lense research if you are considering the Olympus - not that it is a bad camera, but just check if the lens range is suitable and priced right for your individual needs. Also read some reviews on lenses for all cameras you are considering, as well as the cameras themselves.

Personally, I went for Canon mainly due to their lens range - especially the much coveted L lenses. I have the 300D and the 20D and both are very good. I find the 300D a great easy to use SLR with little picture difference from the (now old but better) 10D. The 20D is another kettle of fish, with finer control, but, to be honest, image wise, there is not a whole lot of difference.

I would certainly think of opting for a 300D or a 350XT - both of these would make an ideal introduction into SLR photography without costing the earth. Its the lenses that will eventually cost you, as with any DSLR

You're exactly right. That was one of the main reasons for my purchase on the 300-D. The lens and mount options are great and expandable. And Canon makes great lenses as well as the after market companies do. Myself, I prefer Canon and Sigma. BTW, those L series lenses are really great lenses. But $$$$$

Thanks for pointing that out. I didnt want to get into too much detail on that as its getting too late for me and need to work in the early am to late pm.

09-29-2005, 03:21 PM

get a nikon
the lower end cannons arent really worth it
d50 or d70
youll thank yourself in the long run

09-29-2005, 04:28 PM

In my not so limtited experience, i find that the Rebel XT is the best camera if you're gonna spend that much.

09-29-2005, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by nutter

get a nikon
the lower end cannons arent really worth it
d50 or d70
youll thank yourself in the long run

But if you are saving up to get to the D50-70 range you are much better off going for something like the Canon 20D

09-30-2005, 08:16 AM

The point made about lenses is the most important.

One thing to know is Nikon has not changed the mount on SLR cameras, whereas Canon has. Many older Canon lenses are not compatible with their newest cameras.

Purchasing a Nikon DSLR could be better in the long run if you dont mind purchasing older lenses. You could also purchase old film cameras and use your new lenses on those. Interchangability is quite nice once you get hooked.

10-01-2005, 12:52 AM

Odin aa, - no disrespect, but why do you suggest that the older Canon lenses are not compatible? Of course they are! The only difference is that the 300D the 300XT and the 20D will ALSO mount EF-S lenses AS WELL AS the standard EF lenses.

So, yes, they have changed their mount, they have made it compatible with both the old EF mount lenses and a new EF-S mount lenses - giving the user an even wider range of lenses to choose from.

The Nikon user who said the low end Canon SLRs are not really worth it, are being Bias towards Nikon - considering the price, they are definately worth it.

Either way, camera wise, it is up to you, since all DSLR's have their good and bad points - and it is more down to personal preference. However, lens range and price should be an important factor in your decision as I have already said.

10-01-2005, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by Kyomii

Odin aa, - no disrespect, but why do you suggest that the older Canon lenses*are not compatible? Of course they are! The only difference is that the 300D the 300XT and the 20D will ALSO mount EF-S lenses AS WELL AS the standard EF lenses.

So, yes, they have changed their mount, they have made it compatible with both the old EF mount and a new EF-S mount - giving an ever wider range of lenses to choose from.

The Nikon user who said the low end Canon SLRs are not really worth it, are being Bias towards Nikon - considering the price, they are definately worth it.

Well, I am liking my Canon 20D and my teacher uses a Nikon D70. He loves Nikon and so do I. I also do over Canon as a company just b/c they are like Sony when it comes to price. But I have to say that I think Canon makes some of the best digital SLRs out there minus my opinions on them as a company. When it comes to 35mm I prefer the Sigma line of the SA-7 and SA-9 QD. I think those are great in respect to that type of camera.

10-01-2005, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Kyomii

Odin aa, - no disrespect, but why do you suggest that the older Canon lenses are not compatible? Of course they are! The only difference is that the 300D the 300XT and the 20D will ALSO mount EF-S lenses AS WELL AS the standard EF lenses.

No disrespect taken.

I do not own Canon, my statement is based on people I know who do own canon cameras who state they cannot use old cannon lenses due to a change made in the mounts. I would have to clarify with them, however they may be speaking of the lenses not performing all functions with the DSLR's and not that the lens would not attach to the camera.

The following link I found discusses it in length by persons who do use the canon system, in fact it lists several lenses and this factoid:

"The EF-S mount on the 300D is FULLY compatible with the EF mount. ALL EF lenses will mount on the 300D. The 300D can ALSO mount Canon's one and only EF-S lens, the 18-55/3.5-5.6. This lens will NOT mount on any other Canon EOS body. So you can put ANY EF lens on any EF or EF-S mount body, but you can only mount an EF-S lens (of which there is only one, the 18-55) on an EF-S body (of which there is only one, the 300D).

This article does not address RTFM issues. I guess we may need another article at some point on how to turn the camera on and which buttons to push in which order! "
Canon Lenes

I do not know all of the different canon mounts, however there is an adapter needed to use some of the old manual focus lenses. Any time you place something between your lens and the camera it will degrade the photo quality. I can buy an old manual focus Nikon lens, say a 600mm f/4 and use it on the D2X. New 600mm f/4 are around $6000.00, used old ones can be found for under $2000.00. This is not something that everyone would need to worry about, however it is something for someone getting into nature or sports photography may consider a selling point.

I agree that when purchasing a camera system, especially if they do not have an investment in current 35mm lenses, that either Nikon, Canon, Minolta, or Pentax would serve them well. Nikon and Canon of course have a larger lens selection.

10-01-2005, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Odin_aa

No disrespect taken.

I do not own Canon, my statement is based on people I know who do own canon cameras who state they cannot use old cannon lenses due to a change made in the mounts. I would have to clarify with them, however they may be speaking of the lenses not performing all functions with the DSLR's and not that the lens would not attach to the camera.

The following link I found discusses it in length by persons who do use the canon system, in fact it lists several lenses and this factoid:

"The EF-S mount on the 300D is FULLY compatible with the EF mount. ALL EF lenses will mount on the 300D. The 300D can ALSO mount Canon's one and only EF-S lens, the 18-55/3.5-5.6. This lens will NOT mount on any other Canon EOS body. So you can put ANY EF lens on any EF or EF-S mount body, but you can only mount an EF-S lens (of which there is only one, the 18-55) on an EF-S body (of which there is only one, the 300D).

This article does not address RTFM issues. I guess we may need another article at some point on how to turn the camera on and which buttons to push in which order! "
Canon Lenes

I do not know all of the different canon mounts, however there is an adapter needed to use some of the old manual focus lenses. Any time you place something between your lens and the camera it will degrade the photo quality. I can buy an old manual focus Nikon lens, say a 600mm f/4 and use it on the D2X. New 600mm f/4 are around $6000.00, used old ones can be found for under $2000.00. This is not something that everyone would need to worry about, however it is something for someone getting into nature or sports photography may consider a selling point.

I agree that when purchasing a camera system, especially if they do not have an investment in current 35mm lenses, that either Nikon, Canon, Minolta, or Pentax would serve them well. Nikon and Canon of course have a larger lens selection.

You are totally correct. My photography teacher said the exact same thing. You lose functionality in some of the older Canon lenses. Nikon lenses are more compatible across the board. If you want lenses compatibility for years and years to come Nikon is the best road to take. It all depends on what kind of photography you do as well as to which Make to get.