I have found the Pentax 100D with lens kit for $439 after mail-in rebate. Is this a decent camera for a beginer? If so, anyone know of any better deals?..

Sorry, it's the Pentaz K100D...and it's here for $439. Got a little quick in the submit button! LOL.

Http://www.buydig.com/...cpc&utm_campaign=PKK100D1855&sku=PKK100D1855..

3In2Out wrote:.

Hey all, great forums you have here. I am looking to buy a DSLR touse for just enjoyment, just a beginner type one that is decent.Most I may ever do with the picture is blow them up some to framethem for friends and family..

Pictures of... ? .

Reason I ask this is that what you're shooting, and the circumstances (ex. very low light, places where there's a chance of getting splashed, that sort of thing) might narrow things down..

There is so many options out there, that I am a bitconfused..Canon, Pentax, ect seems to have some starter type.

As do Nikon, Sony, Olympus. Fuji S and Sigma SD series might rarely be considered "starter", but they have their fans as well. *shrug*.

Cameras. Is there any suggestions as to what would be a goodstarter? I also would like to get into this as cheap as possiblestarting out, so buying used is perfectly ok with me. Is thereanywhere that is best for buying used cameras? Just not sure ifeveryone uses ebay or if there is a good for sale forum..

Fred Miranda's forums. KEH, other vendors like B&H often have used gear for sale, as well. Manufacturers may directly offer reconditioned goods..

Best if you handle one first, 'tho, since ergonomics matters...

Will just be shooting a bunch of stuff, daylight, night time, vehicles are car shows, landscape, ect.....

The Pentax K100D you mention is an ideal camera to get going with, and cheap at the moment. Any DSLR will do fine as they are all good now, even the cheapest. As Leejay said you should handle them in a shop first, as the way they feel in your hand is as important as anything..

Other cameras at a similar price are the Nikon D40, Olympus E400. The recently-discontinued Canon Digital Rebel XT or Nikon D50 should be a good price if you can still get one. It really doesn't matter which, they all do the job - don;t waste too much time worrying about the trivial differences between them, just choose one that feels good and start shooting. What really matters is how good YOU are at visualising good shots, which only comes with practice.Mike..

Mike703 wrote:.

The Pentax K100D you mention is an ideal camera to get going with,and cheap at the moment. Any DSLR will do fine as they are allgood now, even the cheapest. As Leejay said you should handle themin a shop first, as the way they feel in your hand is as importantas anything..

Other cameras at a similar price are the Nikon D40, Olympus E400.The recently-discontinued Canon Digital Rebel XT or Nikon D50should be a good price if you can still get one. It really doesn'tmatter which, they all do the job - don;t waste too much timeworrying about the trivial differences between them, just chooseone that feels good and start shooting. What really matters is howgood YOU are at visualising good shots, which only comes withpractice.Mike.

Thanks thats good information to know....

Just found the Nikon D40x body for a good price, Im assuming I can pick up a regular D40 18-55 lens and it will work fine?..

Yes, the kit lens for the D40 will also work with the D40x (an essentially identical camera apart from the extra megapixels)..

Bear in mind that the D40/D40x do not have an autofocus motor in the camera body, so they rely on using lenses that have the autofocus motor in the lens. At the moment there are not many of these (the kit lens you mention is one that does) especially at the cheaper end of the market. This isn't a problem if you are happy to buy your lenses from the newer Nikon line-up, but you won't be able to use most lenses from independent manufacturers like Tamron, Sigma etc because although they have a Nikon mount, they don't have a built-in autofocus motor (they assume that the camera has it) so you would have to focus manually, which is perfectly possible..

Whether this is an issue depends on your budget. As a Pentax user I regularly see cheap lenses on ebay which will be fully compatible with a modern DSLR (similarly for Canon etc.) but the old Nikon lenses won't autofocus on a D40/D40x. Having said that the D40/D40x are great cameras: you are just a bit more restricted in choice of lenses, so be aware at the outset..

Mike..

That's a good price for a nice camera.Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

Yes but isn't a D40 even cheaper?Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

One mistake here. Sigma also has some lenses with focus motors (HSM series).

Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

3In2Out.

Don't sell yourself short. The advice that was given in this string is excellent. When I was researching, getting the cameras in your hands is very important..

However, now that I have mine (and I'm a newbie too) I am shooting everything? Why, because it is fun. AND, if you keep reading posts here and see all of the excellent work, you WILL get hooked..

Guess what I'm trying to say is don't just buy a camera on sale price alone if your going to DSLR. Do a little research. You do not want to regret it later..

Enjoy and let us know your decision. Good luck.Mike.

Just starting out and having fun at it!.

Nikon D80 18-135mmNikon Coolpix 3100 (Hey, I had to start somewhere)..