D50 or D70, see what's cheap. Then start searching ebay for a used 85mm 1.8Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..
Hi Aimee,.
Two things will help you greatly..
1. Good, fast, lens2. Good high ISO capabilities.
You might look at a Canon XTi because it has excellent high ISO performance and plenty of resolution. The prices are very reasonable, but don't waste the additional money of buying the camera with a "kit" lens. You need something faster..
You should plan on spending about as much on your lens as on the camera. Which lens depends on how close you can get to the stage and how wide you want to shoot (how much subject matter in one frame). A minimum would be, in my estimation, an F2.8 lens. Look for a good used one to save money. For more distant shots a 70-200mm F2.8 (expensive, even used) works well. If you can get really close, even the 50mm F1.8 (about $80) does a wonderful job and gives you lots of light..
I would suggest borrowing any zoom lens dSLR and just checking to see which focal length you would use most before buying one of the more expensive zooms. Don't even think about autofocus, use manual focus for best results in these conditions. You're young and probably have good eyes so manual focus will let you keep shooting and get those "special" shots which you will likely miss if the camera's autofocus is "hunting"..
Best regards, and good shooting:.
Lin.
AimeeJ wrote:.
I've always used point and shoot cameras, but I am finding thatthey are becoming inadequate for what I need. I am a graduatestudent in theatre, and I need to be able to shoot my work in stagelighting - often very low - and to be able to capture movementwell. I would like to move on to an SLR, but I confess I'm a littlelost, and I'm on a budget. Any suggestions on good first SLR'sthat can do what I need it to would be greatly appreciated...
AimeeJ wrote:.
...but I confess I'm a little lost, and I'm on a budget..
What's your budget?.
Any suggestions on good first SLR'sthat can do what I need it to would be greatly appreciated..
Might consider going to a local camera shop and renting a camera and fast lens..
In stage lighting - often very low - and to be able to capturemovement well..
It's possible the lighting may be so low that at high ISO and fast apertures you still may not be able to set fast enough shutter speeds to freeze motion..
Better to find this out ahead of time before sinking a bunch of money into a camera/lens that can't get you what you want..
Stationary objects shouldn't be a problem - could put the camera on a tripod if slow shutter speeds (too slow to hand-hold camera) are needed..
Some prices (from B&H Photo____ http://www.bhphotovideo.com/).
Pentax K100D body ($378 includes rebate).
Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/.../Pentax_19016_K100D_Digital_Camera_Camera.html.
Pentax 50/1.4 ($195 includes rebate).
Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...SA/Pentax_20817_Normal_SMCP_FA_50mm_f_1_4.html.
Total = $573 plus S&H.
Canon XT body ($498).
Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...8-REG/Canon_0206B001_EOS_Digital_Rebel_XT.html.
Canon 50/1.8 II ($80).
Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...2-USA/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html.
Total = $578 plus S&H.
Nikon D40 kit ($525).
Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...16-REG/Nikon_25420_D40_SLR_Digital_Camera.html.
Nikon 50/1.8 ($115).
[Note: I suspect this lens looses auto-focus capability when mounted on the D40].
Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...7091-USA/Nikon_2137_Normal_AF_Nikkor_50mm.html.
Total = $635 plus S&H.
With challenging lighting conditions - ie. funky stage lighting - it helps to shoot RAW and post-process the images..
Canon I know provides RAW editing software with the camera, I don't know about Pentax, and Nikon's is I believe a $100 extra..
Or could purchase something like Photoshop Elements 5.0 for $60-$99..
Image editing software is something you should budget for anyway (if you're so inclined to delve more into digital photography) since post-processing can often "rescue" a bad photo..
Good Day,Roonal.
'Money doesn't buy happiness, but it makes for an extravagant depression' by golf tournament sportscaster..
Thanks muchly!.
I hadn't thought of renting before, but I will certainly think about it. As for photo editing, I have an older version of Photoshop and will be upgrading once classes start back. Thank you for the camera suggestions, they are all within my budgeted range. I'd like to spend as close to $500 as possible at this point, I can't really afford a whole lot more than that at this time. Thanks again...
Before posting this queation, why not just look at the countless other posts on this forum asking the same question?Jules.
AimeeJ wrote:.
I've always used point and shoot cameras, but I am finding thatthey are becoming inadequate for what I need. I am a graduatestudent in theatre, and I need to be able to shoot my work in stagelighting - often very low - and to be able to capture movementwell. I would like to move on to an SLR, but I confess I'm a littlelost, and I'm on a budget. Any suggestions on good first SLR'sthat can do what I need it to would be greatly appreciated..
Black moles do not destroy information...
One issue to take into account is that if you are shooting often in low light without flash you will be using high ISO settings, and these tend to perform better on cameras with fewer megapixels (because each pixel is larger, so picks up more light and has less noise). A 10MP camera will, all other things being equal, produce a higher resolution but noisier picture than a 6MP one... the 'noise reduction' that can be applied to compensate for this amounts to smoothing between adjacent pixels and constitutes a loss of resolution. So in low light conditions there is not a lot of point in paying extra for 10MP (like a Nikon D40X / Canon Rebel-XTi) compared to 6MP (like a Nikon D40 or Pentax K100D) as you will end up with similar image quality. Many people on this and other forms say that they get good prints from a 6MP camera up to about 16 x 12 inches. If you don't need huge prints, go for a 6MP DSLR camera and put the money saved towards a good wide-aperture lens..
Good luckMike..
AimeeJ wrote:.
I can't really afford a whole lot more than that at this time..
One other thing - look upon buying a particular DSLR as buying into a system (even more important when on a tight budget). Whatever additional equipment purchases eg. flash (TTL), telephoto lens, wide angle lens, spare battery, etc. will only work on that brand of camera..
For example a spare battery ($50 for the Canon brand) for the Canon XT won't work in other brand of camera..
Or a TTL-type flash designed for Pentax DSLRs won't work properly on a Canon XT or any Canon..
Right now you only have $500 or so to work with, but later on as your photographic interests broaden and finances allow you may want to buy more equipment and if you do, and if at some point your first camera should die on you, then what brand camera are you going to replace it with? Well if you've invested in a flash and an extra lens or two then for financial reasons you're going to stick with the same brand camera so that you can continue to use the flash and lenses, etc. - that's why I say you're buying into a system..
Good shopping .
Good Day,Roonal.
'Money doesn't buy happiness, but it makes for an extravagant depression' by golf tournament sportscaster..
AimeeJ wrote:I would like to move on to an SLR, but I confess I'm a little.
Lost, and I'm on a budget. Any suggestions on good first SLR'sthat can do what I need it to would be greatly appreciated..
Keep it simple and focussed on your need..
You need low light capability, reasonable AF, and good value kit..
So I recommend Canon - because even at high ISOs (used in low light) it has better performance than other brands..
If I was you I would get the following:.
A used 350d or a new/used 400d (I believe they are XT and XTi in the US)The Kit lens - canon 18-55 f3.5-5.6 (for wide, group and whole set shots).
These two together cost $600 new from B&H Photo so I am sure you can get it used, in budget..
The 50mm f1.8 (for onstage portraits and small groups of people, whilst performing) - an extra $70 new. This lens will allow you to shoot in even lower light than the zoom, and you can focus on the perfomrers faces and have the set blurred if you want to. Great for promotional shots eg for posters, programmes etc.
This kit is all 'best bang for your buck', and focuses on less dependence on flash, and more dependence on ambient lighting - which fits for your intended use..
The camera of course has a built in flash so is perfect for general use as well...
JulesJ wrote:.
Before posting this queation, why not just look at the countlessother posts on this forum asking the same question?Jules.
How about because as stated I am new to SLR cameras and am lost. The technical jargon I am still trying to understand, and got a bit confused reading some of the other posts. I am also looking to work within a very specific set of parameters with shooting theatre. I thought I might get answers best suited to my needs by asking rather than trying to pick out information I don't entirely understand from other people's posts. Why don't you post a reply that will actually help. Or, if there is a particular previous post you think will help me, point me in that direction?..
Thank you so much for your help, I will definately be taking all this into consideration when I go to buy...