help me find a nice DSLR

[Gabriel]

can some one help me find a quality DSLR i want to be able to change lenses also. very good pic quality lots of features and a max of 300 and that's pushing.

think you can find something like that?

thanks,
Gabriel

[Mizer67]

Good luck with that. Better quality lenses cost that much or more, before you even get to the body. The big thing to keep in mind when choosing a dslr is that the lenses can stick around after you outgrow the body. If you pick a low end body with lenses that are compatible with a better body, at least you can upgrade the body at a later time. JMHO.

[quader94]

depends. are you eventually going to buy lenses ( macro, telephoto, etc ) for it or you looking for one that just has a lense youll use and never upgrade

[crvz]

brand new you'll never get into a DSLR for under $300. A good body alone can run twice that much, and I don't think I own a lens that retails under $300. If you're really wanting something of any quality, you'll have to look used. Canon recently came out with an XSi (450D), so I've seen some good deals on used XTi (400D) models with the lens. Usually you can find the XTi with the stock lens for about $350 or so. You may also look for an XT (350D) used.

Elsewise, new, you're not in the right price range for a digital SLR.

[aquawolf]

Would you be able to get away with a high quality point and shoot camera until you could afford a good DSLR?

[chiapet]

You could always look for a used Canon 20D or maybe a 30D. The body only is running relatively close to $300 if you look hard. I run my photog business off of 2 20Ds and a 10D that is for emergencies.

[Loverotties]

For that price you need to look on craigs list for a used or hot one.Nikon is my fav. company.

[Gabriel]

i dont mind if its used and i all ready have a lot of diffrent lens i could borrow from my brother and dad. my brother has an Minolta SLR and my dad hasa nikon SLR. so lense dosent really matter. as long as the body can fit those lenses. i dont mind if the camera is used i just wanted a model so that i can find a used one on craigs list or ebay. i have a good point and shoot. panisonic lumix DMC-LZ7

[Gabriel]

i think i found a camera i liked the Nikon D40 its only a little above my range but i think i can handle it. but i dont know if i want to buy it new or used. any opinions on the camera and on getting it new or used?

[aquawolf]

I asked a friend today and he told me about B&H Photo and said you may want to try them. Apparently they also sell used bodies and will warranty them as well. I have not checked into it personally, but am just going on what he told me today.

[Gabriel]

i checked out there used DSLR's and i can get a new one for about the same price. i think i might go with the nikon D40 and use my dad's lenses.

[aquawolf]

Dang, I was hoping they would have had better pricing than that for you. It sounds like you have a good plan to me. Best of luck with the camera body.

[harlequin29]

FYI, the camera doesn't make the photographer... I swear by Nikon, you can pick up a used Nikon D50 for less than 300 on CL. Good luck!

[Gabriel]

Originally Posted by harlequin29

FYI, the camera doesn't make the photographer... I swear by Nikon, you can pick up a used Nikon D50 for less than 300 on CL. Good luck!

yes, that is true; lucky for me i know my way around an SLR.
well i found a D40 kit brand new for 307 and all i did was a google search

[Doug1]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

yes, that is true; lucky for me i know my way around an SLR.
well i found a D40 kit brand new for 307 and all i did was a google search

So have you checked on the lense compatability? They should work but depending on which lenses you may not be able to use all the features, but as long as it focuses you should be good to go. Both Nikon and Canon have been good about backwards compatability.
When I got into photography back in the 80's I started with Minolta SRT101 then later added a couple of the XD series, then they introduced the Maxxum Series and guess who didn't jump on that bandwagon, cause none of the 12 or so lenses I had would work