I have an opportunity to buy a used 10d from a neighbor for $400 with an extra lense that I thought he told me was something like 35-130mm? I have no idea if this is a good camera and a good price. It seems like you can get new DLSR for around $600.

My wife and I have gone through a few point and click digitals and aren't really happy with the picture quality and we have been hearing that digital SLR's are much better.

In doing a little research on my own, I can safely say I feel a bit overwhelmed with the options out there. We are willing to spend up to $700-800 for camera and need some advice on what would be a good option. We mostly photograph our kids, family, kids in action, some landscape, and have a passion to do more if we had a good camera. We have some 8X10 photos that we took ourselves. My wife, I think, is a budding photographer.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

Kevin

How about picking up a new Pentax K100D? Shouldn't be much more than that.

Kevin,

I suspect there are lots of forum members who use or have used the 10D, so I hope you get lots of comments.

I have used a 10D for about three years now and I have been delighted with it. Using Canon's expensive L-series lenses, my 10D has provided almost all of the images (printed 10x15" or 12x18") in three solo exhibits since I got the camera. I have recently upgraded to a 5D (big bucks), mainly because of the larger optical viewfinder.

I would suggest starting out with the lens that comes with the camera you are considering. If photography becomes a passion, and you want larger prints than 8x10s or if the prints seem lacking in quality, investing in a better lens can make a substantial improvement.

Also: be prepared to invest some time and money in image processing software, like Photoshop Elements, and study the numerous free tutorials you can find on the web about digial photography (check this site, for instance.)

Dark Penguin posted while I was writing my response.

I agree that the Pentax may be a good choice as well. I believe it has image stabilization built into the camera, which can be a great benefit.

It is also new. Warranty and all that. Phil has a nice review of it over at DPreview.com. I think it, like all the Pentax DSLRs, can use any Pentax lens ever made.

If antishake isn't needed the K110D should be in the price ballpark of the 10D in question and would also be new.

Nothing against canon. I shoot canon. But I'd get new over used.

What about canon rebel in the same price range as the pentax? Is the pentax at the $600 price range better?

Thanks for all the feedback and helping us out!!

Kevin

They're all pretty nice. The Nikon D40 is getting nice marks from people, too.

I'd try to get to a camera store and take a look at them and see what feels best in your hands.

DP,
That is exactly what I plan on doing. Don't want to pay for a bunch of features we won't use, but want really great quality pics for the type of shooting we do.

Thanks!!!

Kevin

They'll all take fine pix....get the one you're most comfortable with ergonomically...when I first got into film I couldn't stand the SOUND of some shutters so wouldn't get them...
I couldn't get a Dslr due to the cost...until a found a d30 at a thrift shop for $90...with a 50mm lens...loved the results of it from day one...here's 1/4 of the full frame shot taken the first day!
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/5494/liz4xemov7.jpg
and so got the 24-85 ... and then the 10D...and am in heaven...
Go for it...and enjoy whatever you choose...

Kevin: My suggestion for budding photographer is this: First, pick a time when you have a couple of uninterrupted hours. Second, find a good camera shop in your town/ city, or whatever. Now by a good camera shop I mean that you should walk in and tell the salesclerk that you're interested in a new camera but you don't know much about them. If the clerk takes one off the shelf and says, 'This is the one for you!'... leave. Say thanks, have a nice day or whatever, but leave. If the clerk doesn't know his or her products, leave. A clerk at a good camera shop will be willing to spend an hour, two hours, whatever, with you, explaining the features of the different cameras they offer that are within your price range. Pick it up. Hold it in your hands. Look through the viewfinder. Play with the menus. Try a different camera. Only through this process can you find a camera system that will work for you. After you've experienced 'using' one or more different cameras and you're getting to the stage where you're on information overload, take the clerk's card and go home. Mull it over. You'll find that questions come to you that you didn't think about while you were in the store. You'll find yourself going back to one or maybe two different models, maybe of different brands. When you're ready, go back to the camera store.

The bottom line is that Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Leica, Olympus, Hasselblad, Mamiya, etc. etc. etc. all make high quality cameras but only you can decide what feels good to you, what works for you, what features you feel you need... and a good camera clerk will be able to answer your questions, will not try to 'sell' you on anything, and will encourage an open discussion about what you need. Sure, they'll appreciate it if you buy from them, but that's good business.

Mike.

Well Kevin what'd ya get?...the 10D with lens was a good deal for $400 so don't feel bad if you went used vs. new...btw...you could send the serial # in to Canon CS and get the repair history if you need some reassurance.
Happy holidays...

My neighbor let me use the 10d to see if I would like it. It has a 22-55mm ultrasonic lense. He lost the computer cable so I have not been able to downloan any pictures. I like the feel of the camera and the quickness in taking pictures. So much better than a point and shoot. The real test will be in viewing and printing pictures. It is only 6 megapixels and right now there are some good deals on 8 mp cameras. We'll see............

Hey,

The 10D is a great camera -- it was when it came out, still is and still will be in five years. Thing is, with the pace of technological advancement, you can get a newer and better camera for not all that much more money. The bottom line are that the newer generation (and the 10D is 3 generations old now) will give you the following:

-- more responsive performance (just faster all-around)
-- less noise at all ISOs
-- anti-shake
-- possibly anti-dust technology, too
-- higher resolution
-- newer and less worn moving parts
-- newer and better batteries
-- likely a better processed image all-around
-- a warranty

For a few hundred bucks, this is a good deal more value. I particularly would not underestimate the value of a faster camera -- I used to lock-up my 10D with RAW files regularly. That hasn't happened to me in years.

Bottom line, if you can afford it, get the contemporary equivalent of the 10D instead. If not, get the 10D and love it.

FWIW, I, too, suggest a long look at the new Pentax with the anti-shake. Pentax makes some gorgeous lenses, too!

Happy shooting!

- N.

I think I might got the pentax route. I was finally able to download some pics from the 10D. The close ups of my kids were unbelievable! Clear, and captured the essence of the moment. Loved them. However, mid-range shots (5-10 feet away) with the flash were completely washed out, almost white in some pics. I had the camera set on auto. Very disappointing. Perhaps I was doing something wrong. Not sure. I just figured if it is on auto then it should be reasonably good. Not the case.

Hi there.
My first digital SLR was the 10D, which I absolutely loved at the time. Quality wise I think Canon hasn't made a better prosumer camera (barring perhaps the 5D). I them upgraded from the 10D to the 20D, and now have the 5D. If you are coming from a digicam background then the 10D will feel much faster, image quality is absolutely superb (I have A3+ sized prints which look great). If you've tested the camera and feel it's good and responsive enogh for you then go for it. It's a great tool!

If you want some alternative suggestions, in the same ballpark as far as $ is concerned, then I would suggest looking at hte digital rebel (8mp one) which probably costs about $500 these days. For $100 more you get a new camera, a slightly bigger file size (the 2mp difference is hard to spot in actual prints) but more importantly a more responsive camera (no start-up delay). This last item was the main reason why I upgraded from the 10D to the 20D. In fact it was the only reason, because everything else about the 10D was fantastic, including the ergonomics which actually took a downturn in later models and only got back to spec in the rather larger and more expensive 5D.