Dsastoo wrote:.

Hi, I live in the Caribbean. I would like to purchase my first DSLR.There are very limited good camera maintenance / servicing dealershere..

Can you suggest a camera with an effective dust removal system..

Any camera for which you buy a good cleaning system..

Sorry but I know very little of DSLR cameras. What is the life spanof a DSLR camera?.

There's people that report serious failure after 6k or 7k shots but there's also people shooting 10 times that..

I am interested in the the soon to be released Pentax K100D Supersince it uses AA and NiMH. That's the only kind of batteriesavailable here..

Hm, if you don't have any wall sockets and the mail doesn't deliver your ebay purchases then I can see why that's a valid argument..

Also I would like a fairly compact / portable DSLR..

Pentax, Nikon D40 come to mind..

Any suggestions? Thank you.l.

Yeah...1. Don't panic2. Really3. What's the budget?.

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

Budget is about US $700 max. I would like to get a 55-200mm lens included with it also..

Yes, I do frequently buy items online and have it shipped via a skybox in Miami..

I meant any replacement batteries (except AA and NiMH of course) would have to be ordered and shipped internationally...

Dsastoo wrote:.

Budget is about US $700 max. I would like to get a 55-200mm lensincluded with it also..

Tricky. Pentax, olympus and Nikon D40 are about it then..

Yes, I do frequently buy items online and have it shipped via askybox in Miami..

See.

I meant any replacement batteries (except AA and NiMH of course)would have to be ordered and shipped internationally..

And why is that a problem? If a battery is empty you wait 4 hours to charge. If that is a problem just get another one.Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

R Valentino wrote:.

Gene.

Now that is what I like to see - a thorough analysis of the merits and demerits. That will add hughely to the OP's fund of knowledge!!!! And I bet it made him feel really welcome too!!.

Chris Elliott.

*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.

Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..

There are no bad new SLR cameras - only good and better. None of them have a reputation for unreliability..

I would not let battery type be too restricting of your choice. Most SLRS cams will last all day with no difficulty. They take 400-1,000 shots on one charge and li-ion holds it's charge much better than Nimh..

You may get better value with an initial purchase with Pentax or Olympus but getting hold of cheap additional lenses will be much easier with Canon or Nikon..

The Canon 18-55 kit lens is universally acknowledged to be very average. The Nikon 18-55 is much better..

I suggest you take a close look at the Nikon D40 with the 18-135 instead of the 18-55 kit lens. It has got most of the reach of the 18-200 combination you were considering but in one lens. Changing lenses is where you most risk dust ingress. So look to minimise it. The Canon 350D is OK but avoid that kit lens..

I am the wrong side of the Atlantic to know US prices in detail but I think I have kept you in budget..

P.S. Nothing wrong with the Pentax but it may restrict your growth!!Chris Elliott.

*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.

Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..

I understand your dilemma. (My family are Vincentian and Guyanese!).

If I was in your position I would only consider the main brands because of ease of repair and wider system support..

So, in order....

Canon, Nikon.

Then if Canon or Nikon do not do what you want....

Sony, Olympus, Pentax..

I would not look beyond that. Then choose the camera based on functionality, price etc as the camera should not fail. The the rest is, I'm afraid, up to luck. No camera or any electronic goods can be guaranteed 100% free of faults. The majority have zero issues, and the unfortunate few are unlucky..

Go for a model that has been on the market for a bit of time - less chance of teething problems. I would not get a new release camera until it has been on the market for six months if you are worried about it breaking down..

Get and use a decent light-coloured bag to protect it from dust, knocks and direct sunlight. A plastic bag is also useful to protect from rain, sand etc..

If you can buy it in person in Miami, that would be better because of two reasons..

1. If it is going to break down, chances are it'll break down immediately not in several weeks time. So you can try it out in store..

2. Handling is very personal. You might find some cameras to small/big/awkward to hold. This is very difficult to guage on the Internet!.

On batteries... Providing you have access to mains power I cannot see an issue. Your camera should come with a battery and charger that means you will not need to buy anything else. If you only have access to power occasionally, or intend to go for long periods without re-charging then get some spare batteries. Save some money and get them from third party suppliers. Also if you are careful about when you use the LCD screen you can extend the number of shots you get on a battery charge considerably..

Filters - you didn't ask, but I would recommend getting one or both of the following....

UV filter - to protect from sea spray, grit..

Circular polariser - to cut down reflections and increase saturation for those beautiful sunrises, sunsets, and shots with high reflections eg of the sea. This also helpfully cuts down the light which is useful on bright days if you want to take portraits that throw the background into a blur..

BTW I have had a canon digital cameras for 7 years now (G1, 350D, 5D)) and zero problems. They did not 'wear out'! I would expect similar durability from Nikon...

Hi, I live in the Caribbean. I would like to purchase my first DSLR.There are very limited good camera maintenance / servicing dealershere..

If you order online that's not going to be much better, although Canon and Nikon dealers tend to be the most common. In all likelihood they will simply send your camera off anyway..

Can you suggest a camera with an effective dust removal system..

The best dust removal system in-camera is undoubtedly the Olympus system. That said the Canon 20D has a great reputation and in general if you don't go mad changing lenses in dusty and/or outdoor situations you will be fine..

Sorry but I know very little of DSLR cameras. What is the life spanof a DSLR camera?.

Depends on the camera and the user. Treat it well and it will probably reciprocate. Bare in mind that plenty of used five year old DSLRs are out there and still going strong, but they have not been around much longer. Generally something like a D80 or 30D would be longer lasting because it's built more solidly than a 400D or D40. There are no certainties, alas..

I am interested in the the soon to be released Pentax K100D Supersince it uses AA and NiMH. That's the only kind of batteriesavailable here..

You will be recharging you batteries. I used NiMh's myself, but it's more by accident of camera choice than design. Being able to use AA's is handy for emergencies, but hardly a problem. Just order a spare battery and keep it handy..

Also I would like a fairly compact / portable DSLR..

The Olympus E-410 is about the smallest and the lenses are smaller and lighter usually. The D40 is pretty light as is the K100D. However light may not equate to solid and durable, one reason I prefer the K100D, which feels more solid than teh Nikon and Canon entry levels. The E-410 I just did not like the handling of, and the viewfinder seemed small and dark, but that's a very a very personal and subjective choice..

Any suggestions? Thank you.l.

See above..

I gather you already have an F30. What about an S6000 - less annoyance, although by no means a DSLR ? Just a passing thought, sorry if it's off the mark..

Someone said Canon lenses would be the cheapest used. Nonsense. Canon and Kinon lenses tend to maintain their value better used. Pentax lenses are the cheapest used, and the Pentax can take almost any Pentax compatible lens from decades back. They are relatively cheap and good, even excellent, quality if you know what to look for..

StephenG.

Pentax K100DFuji S5200Fuji E900PCLinuxOS..

Dsastoo, all of the cameras you mentioned will take great photos once you learn how to get the best out of them. I have been shooting with Olympus cameras for four years now and have been More than happy with them. The new Olympus E-410 and E-510 have the most effective sensor dust reduction technology available and the E-510 has Image-Stabilization which has been a big help for me lately. Here is a test on dust reduction that might help:.

Http://pixinfo.com/en/articles/ccd-dust-removal/.

Olympus E-1, E-510, 7-14, 14-54, 50-200, 50 Macro, TC, ET, FL-50, Ring Flash.

Favorite Images: http://www.myfourthirds.com/folder.php?id=1912.

Best, John S...

BTW, as photographers, we have enough to deal with during shoots that cleaning sensor dust can really be a hassle. Fortunately, I have shot with Olympus for almost four years now and have never had to deal with dust on my sensor and I shoot and change lenses in some very dusty conditions. If you do a search you will find that others do. Here is a link showing a test of dust reduction effectiveness:.

Http://pixinfo.com/en/articles/ccd-dust-removal/.

Olympus E-1, E-510, 7-14, 14-54, 50-200, 50 Macro, TC, ET, FL-50, Ring Flash.

Favorite Images: http://www.myfourthirds.com/folder.php?id=1912.

Best, John S...

All the info was useful. The website cited was extremely helpful...

Since your worried about dust why not go with a model that is weather resistant and dust sealed? AKA the Pentax K10D...

Unfortunately that won't help much with sensor dust, unless you never change lenses..

Olympus E-1, E-510, 7-14, 14-54, 50-200, 50 Macro, TC, ET, FL-50, Ring Flash.

Favorite Images: http://www.myfourthirds.com/folder.php?id=1912.

Best, John S...

John S. wrote:.

Dusty conditions. If you do a search you will find that others do.Here is a link showing a test of dust reduction effectiveness:.

Http://pixinfo.com/en/articles/ccd-dust-removal/.

That's an amazing comparison John. I'm looking for a DSLR currently, flip-flopping between the Rebel XTi and D40x... the Canon had the dust reduction system on it's side until I read that report. Now it doesn't even factor in..

Hmm... that D40x on ebay is looking better now Dave..

I have an Olympus E-410. Haven't used the others, but here are the reasons why I chose mine, and they may be applicable to you as well:.

1) Easy to maintain means not having to send out for cleaning, and the Olympus dust-reduction system is the only one that really works. Again, that website:http://pixinfo.com/en/articles/ccd-dust-removal/.

2) You mentioned wanting a small size. They don't come more compact and light than the E-410. It's small, but it feels very solid and sturdy. I am 6'3", wedding ring size 10, and it fits in my hand very comfortably, if that helps..

3) For just a little more than your $700 budget, you can get the two-lens kit, a 14-42, and a 40-150. (I've seen it as low as $799.) This is the 35mm equivalent of 28-300, so you will get the long range you are seeking. And the kit lenses are generally well regarded..

4) It sounds like you are an amateur, so a lot of the pro features and incredibly expensive lenses are not in your sights right now. I've found the E-410 to be a great first DSLR to learn on, and am having a lot of fun with it. Again, I can't knock any other brands because I haven't owned them, but I humbly submit that the E-410 could be a good match for your needs..

AndrewFort Worth, Texashttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ahightower..