Digital SLR Camera

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:39 am

Bryan,

Thanks for your kind words.

Years ago, the benchmark for a top quality lens was the ability to resolve (that is-display) 100 lines per millimeter. As time went on, that standard seemed to go the way of the Passenger Pigeon, as consumers seemed content with lesser-quality lenses.

With computer design and manufacture, some lenses starting creeping back up toward that benchmark.

I still believe that the lens makes the camera, more so than mega pixels.

Years ago, a few companies could be counted on to produce superior lenses. These days, I don't know what's going on. I read the photo magazines, and feel at a loss.

More important than equipment, would be your eye, and your knowledge. Do you know about the Rule of Thirds? Composition points? When to shoot vertical, and when to shoot horizontal? Are you aware of the impact of direct and indirect lighting? Do you know that there are times that flash is important to use on a sunny day? That there will be times that you might want to cover half the flash with your finger?

A little reading, or even signing up for a photography course- or just sitting down with a photographer, for an hour, can help you to get off on the right foot.

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:25 am

Kodak has come a long way with their digital cameras. They've put a lot of money into their R&D, and a lot of their cameras are now using Schneider lenses, which are definitely top notch.

Hasselblad has some fantastic high-end digicams. For a cool $32,000, you can own one of their 31-megapixel models.

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:32 am

at this point, (on B&H photo/video) the nikon D50 goes for $700 when you include shipping and all that.

the canon rebel XTi goes for $750+.

another Canon you could look at would be the Canon 350D or Rebel XT. Same camera, just a few different features which aren't worth the extra bucks.

Those are the ones that I looked at before I decided on my Canon 20D.

Do you have any old film camera lenses by any chance?

I have old canon lenses that have been sitting around collecting dust for years, and I realized that those are compatible witht the Canon digital cameras. Nikon does it too.

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:33 am

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:at this point, (on B&H photo/video) the nikon D50 goes for $700 when you include shipping and all that.

Check around, I got my D50 from Adorama with a 28-80 lens for $500.