SlyGuy wrote:.

* One good zoom-type lens to start out with that covers most commonlyused focal lengths. 28mm-XXmm would be a nice start..

You probably want to start at 17mm or 18mm on a DSLR, because of the crop factor (1.6x on entry-level Canons, 2x on Four-Thirds System cameras, 1.5x on most others)..

On a Digital Rebel XTi, for instance, an 18mm setting would give you the same field of view that a 28.8mm setting would give you on a 35mm film camera..

* Image stabilization.

Canon and Nikon put stabilization in selected lenses not in the body..

The Canon 17-85 IS, Nikon 55-200 VR, Nikon 70-300 VR, and Nikon 18-200 VR can be had for under $1000. And there's a Canon 17-55 constant f/2.8 IS for just around $1000. After that, it gets expensive.  .

Some of the other vendors make image-stabilized bodies. That stabilizes nearly every lens, but you don't get to see the effect in the viewfinder when you are composing the picture, and the autofocus system doesn't get to see it either...

Tom_N wrote:.

The Canon 17-85 IS, Nikon 55-200 VR, Nikon 70-300 VR, and Nikon18-200 VR can be had for under $1000..

Almost forgot I think Canon has their own version of an (affordable, slow) 70-300 image-stabilized lens...

I would be very grateful if some of you experts could help me out onmy first DSLR purchase. Here is what I'm looking for:.

====PRICE====* Around the price of Cannon's Digital Rebel XTi.

Apart from the Canon you have the Nikon D40 or D40x; Pentax K100D; Olympus E410; Sony alpha 100. That's it at that price..

=======FEATURES=======* One good zoom-type lens to start out with that covers most commonlyused focal lengths. 28mm-XXmm would be a nice start.* Excellent JPEG processing. I don't want to store or edit large RAWfiles.* Small, light, and manageable. I'm moving up from compact digitalcameras and I don't want something that is heavy and a pain to truckaround.* Great high ISO performance. Both for low light situations and fastmoving action shots* Image stabilization.

They all do all of these EXCEPT image stabilisation. The Pentax and Sony have image stabilisation built-in to the camera body so it works with any lens. Nikon and Canon put it in the lenses, which works fine, but you pay extra for every lens which has it..

===============WILLING TO OVERLOOK===============* Lens selection. I won't be carrying around a ton of lenses. As abeginner I will likely use one or maybe two. Of course, as I learnmore I may buy more. But right now, this is not a huge deal* Micromanagement features. This will be a learning process so Iwon't have the need to micromanage every aspect of the picture.

Anything 6 and up is fine as I won't be printinghuge pictures. I may use 8MP if it's available but I won't touch10MP (files too large!).

The Pentax K100D and Nikon D40 are 6MP; the others are 10MP. The difference is irrelevant unless you plan to make enormous enlargements (which you aren't) - the quality of the lens is more important..

Based on your requirement for image stabilisation and 6MP the Pentax K100D (or the K100D super which has just been released) is an obvious choice. Another advantage is that the 18-55mm lens that comes with it (equivalent to 27-82 in 35mm terms) is one of the best standard zooms, reckoned to be better than those on the Nikon and Canon cameras..

Best wishesMike..

Mike703 wrote:.

Based on your requirement for image stabilisation and 6MP the PentaxK100D (or the K100D super which has just been released) is an obviouschoice. Another advantage is that the 18-55mm lens that comes withit (equivalent to 27-82 in 35mm terms) is one of the best standardzooms, reckoned to be better than those on the Nikon and Canoncameras..

Best wishesMike.

Thanks, Mike. I read the review for the Pentax and it sounds very good. The only thing that is stopping me is that you can only take 4 pictures in continuous shooting mode. I feel if I am trying to capture an action shot I would like something closer to 10 at a minimum...

Thanks for your help on the lenses! I didn't know about that cropping business...

I'll admit I'm a Nikon user but you should hold each camera in the class you're looking at. Here is a short piece of an article written by Thom Hogan..

"But the impressive thing about the D40 is that it is arguably the best-designed small camera to date. Handwise, it's perfect. The viewfinder is good, if not up to the D200 level. The controls are sensible and what we Nikon users expect. And the moving of the top LCD to the color LCD, while still with some slightly rough edges, turns out to be a lot more useful than you'd expect. As I note in the handling section, you can do 99% of the settings you're likely to make while shooting without dropping into the actual menus.

Color, noise, and resolution are quite good, and you have enough control over the first two items to get excellent image quality..

The D40x retains all the things that are likeable about the D40 and gives you a 10mp sensor that produces images that are arguably slightly better than the D80 can produce (at least for JPEG files). You pay for that extra resolution two ways: extra dollars up front and reduced flash flexibility due to the all-mechanical shutter. I don't expect to use my D80 much any more with the D40x being smaller and lighter.".

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Stevef1961 quoted Thom Hogan:.

"I don't expect to use my D80 much any more with the D40x being smallerand lighter.".

I guess he doesn't expect to use Nikon primes or third-party zooms much any more, either...

I have the Nikon d40 for several months and have been very happy with the results. I'm not a pro or even a serious amateur, but found the d40 has excelled my expectations in terms of out-of-camera JPEG quality and low light capability..

In terms of affordability, size, and low light performance the d40 is probably the best entry-level dSLR that meets those specifications. It does not have image stabilization although some compatible lenses have internal stabilization. The included kit lens is very decent in terms of sharpness from 18-55 range. I use it for everyday shots and it is even wide enough for landscapes. I would like to upgrade sometime in the future to a faster lens, but that is not a top priority..

The only real gripe I have about the D40 is the lack of autofocus primes. If you want autofocus with a prime the only real option would be the Sigma 1.4 HSM which I think is around $400. Much more affordable primes such as the Nikon 50mm 1.8 will also work but without the autofocus...

Tom_N wrote:.

I guess he doesn't expect to use Nikon primes or third-party zoomsmuch any more, either..

There are plenty of lenses with AF-S or HSM and who says you can't focus manually if that's what you want..

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SlyGuy wrote:.

I would be very grateful if some of you experts could help me out onmy first DSLR purchase. Here is what I'm looking for:.

====PRICE====* Around the price of Cannon's Digital Rebel XTi.

That makes Canon 400D, Nikon D40 and D40x, Pentax K100D and K100D Super, Sony a100, Olympus E-410 and E-510..

=======FEATURES=======* One good zoom-type lens to start out with that covers most commonlyused focal lengths. 28mm-XXmm would be a nice start..

For APS-C size sensor you should start from 17-18mm.

* Excellent JPEG processing. I don't want to store or edit large RAWfiles..

All cameras mentioned above have that..

* Small, light, and manageable. I'm moving up from compact digitalcameras and I don't want something that is heavy and a pain to truckaround..

IMHO all they fit in this requirement..

* Great high ISO performance. Both for low light situations and fastmoving action shots.

Hmm, greatest high ISO performance you'll get with 6 Mpix cameras. I would say that Nikon D40 and Pentax K100D/K100D super stays. And Canon 400D..

* Image stabilization.

Pentax K100D and K110D stays..

Edvinas..

Thanks, Mike. I read the review for the Pentax and it sounds verygood. The only thing that is stopping me is that you can only take 4pictures in continuous shooting mode. I feel if I am trying tocapture an action shot I would like something closer to 10 at aminimum..

True - burst performance is not a strength of the Pentax. But a more important issue than how many shots you can take before the buffer fills up, is how fast you can take them. All of these cameras will do, more or less, three pics per second in JPEG - that's not so fast - a lot can happen in a third of a second. If you want a faster rate of fire to capture the action you need to go up a price bracket..

Best wishesMike..

Stevef1961 wrote:.

Tom_N wrote:.

I guess he doesn't expect to use Nikon primes or third-party zoomsmuch any more, either..

There are plenty of lenses with AF-S or HSM and who says you can'tfocus manually if that's what you want..

Who wants to focus manually? There are NOT plenty of cheap primes, or cheap zooms with in body motors...which is the problem..

Add this with a TINY view finder...and to manually focus...eak..

Http://www.pbase.com/ewhalen.

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Ominous wrote:.

Add this with a TINY view finder...and to manually focus...eak..

Http://www.pbase.com/ewhalen.

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Fact; The viewfinder is larger and brighter than the Nikon D50 and D70 and much better than the low end Canons..

A recent thread here asked what lenses sit in everyones camera bags the most without being used. Overwhelmingly the answer was the 50 1.8.

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Stevef1961 wrote:.

Ominous wrote:.

Add this with a TINY view finder...and to manually focus...eak..

Fact; The viewfinder is larger and brighter than the Nikon D50 andD70 and much better than the low end Canons..

The D80 has a much larger & brighter viewfinder than the D40(x)/D50/D70(s), being virtually the same as that of the D200. Add to that it's compatibility with all AF lenses (Nikon & 3rd party), and the wireless CLS flash mode, the D80 could be seen as quite a bargain, being only ~$240 more than the D40x..

PatcoA photograph is more than a bunch of pixels..

Stevef1961 wrote:.

Ominous wrote:.

Add this with a TINY view finder...and to manually focus...eak..

Http://www.pbase.com/ewhalen.

Image control:Zoom outZoom 100%Zoom inExpand AllOpen in new window.

Fact; The viewfinder is larger and brighter than the Nikon D50 andD70 and much better than the low end Canons.A recent thread here asked what lenses sit in everyones camera bagsthe most without being used. Overwhelmingly the answer was the 50 1.8.

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I have a hard enough time trying to focus manually through my 5D or EOS 3, let alone a tunnel crop view finder..

And I can't help it if people don't like their prime lenses..

The 50 MM F1.8 is an odd duck on a crop camera..

Http://www.pbase.com/ewhalen.

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Ominous wrote:.

Stevef1961 wrote:.

Ominous wrote:.

Add this with a TINY view finder...and to manually focus...eak..

Fact; The viewfinder is larger and brighter than the Nikon D50 andD70 and much better than the low end Canons.A recent thread here asked what lenses sit in everyones camera bagsthe most without being used. Overwhelmingly the answer was the 50 1.8.

I have a hard enough time trying to focus manually through my 5D orEOS 3, let alone a tunnel crop view finder..

And I can't help it if people don't like their prime lenses..

The 50 MM F1.8 is an odd duck on a crop camera..

I like mine  Good for portraits and stuff like this:50mm f1.4 @ f8.0, 1/320s, ISO 400.

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PatcoA photograph is more than a bunch of pixels..

Mike703 wrote:.

* Image stabilization.

They all do all of these EXCEPT image stabilisation. The Pentax andSony have image stabilisation built-in to the camera body so it workswith any lens. Nikon and Canon put it in the lenses, which worksfine, but you pay extra for every lens which has it..

The Olympus E-510 also has it built-in to the camera body.I admit there is no review for the E-510, butthe E-510 is simply the E-410 plus image stabilisation and a larger battery..

The lens selection of Oly may not ne 100% complete but is "at pro level" 10% sharp wide open and even the kit lenses are very good compared to the competition...

The lens selection of Oly may not *be 100% complete but is "at prolevel" * 100% sharp wide open and even the kit lenses are very goodcompared to the competition..

Marf wrote:.

The lens selection of Oly may not ne 100% complete but is "at prolevel" 10% sharp wide open and even the kit lenses are very goodcompared to the competition..

RegardsMartin..

=======FEATURES=======* One good zoom-type lens to start out with that covers most commonlyused focal lengths. 28mm-XXmm would be a nice start..

* Lens selection. I won't be carrying around a ton of lenses. As abeginner I will likely use one or maybe two. Of course, as I learnmore I may buy more. But right now, this is not a huge deal.

All the dSLRs are good these days, which is really nice. However, the two above points favour the Olympus E-410 or E-510. These two come with a nice double lens kit (14-42 + 40-150, equivalent of 28-84 & 80-300 in 35 mm). These lenses are generally considered good (mentioned in the E-410 review conclusion here), and seem to fit your requirements very well..

The combined weight of the E-410 body (with card and battery) and both lenses is 435 g + 190 g + 220 g = 845 g! Compare this to the Panasonic superzoom FZ50, which weighs 734 grams! Combine this with SLR quality and a good price, and I can't avoid recommending it considering that you wanted a light SLR..

Http://flickr.com/photos/iskender..

TWO thumbs up for the Oly E-510, a great camera with many nice features!!.

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...

If you are looking for a good range of zoom, you can check the followingOlympus 510 double lens kitNikon D40/40X with 18-200 VRCanon 400D with double lens kit.

In any case, check the store and have a feel before you decide... That's more important... You can also check some Sigma/Tamron lenses if these are not a concern....

Http://budding-nature-photographer.blogspot.com/..

Ominous wrote:A recent thread here asked what lenses sit in everyones camera bagsthe most without being used. Overwhelmingly the answer was the 50 1.8.

That's funny - I love my 50mm 1.8.

Maybe people are just too lazy to bother walking the extra few meters forward or back when using primes...

I still find it one of my most versatile lenses - such a nice focal length, either for portraits or macro....

Granted, I don't use it as much as something like my 24-70L - but it's more used than many... take for example the EF-S 18-55 kit... now THAT's a lens that I have but never use... http://www.instantphotos.co.nz..