Hello, I'm new here, and I'm a total amateur photographer.

[photomatopoeia]

It would seem that what I want and fate are two very different things, anyhow back to photography. Due to cost and complexity I've been shooting pix with advanced point and shoot mega-zoom cameras with some decent results. I've been complimented on my eye for good shots and not to pat my own back think I do better than most people. However I'm learning more and seeing the limitations of small sensors in these camera's. It seems there are a lot of recommendations for Nikon D5000 with its price and features as a good entry point camera. Any thoughts or recommendations?

[SNAPaPHOTO]

THe Nikon d5000 is a good camera, in the class I am teaching now I have two students that have it. It is basically a D90 with a swival screen. It uses the same sensor as the D90, while it is much quieter when shooting. Be careful with the swival screen, one of the two students I have now has already broken thier camera screen.

I believe the d5000 shares the same characteristics as the d3000 and d40 line where it requires AFS lenses to take advantage of auto focus and such. Which makes lenses slightly more when buying new glass. It is the old saying pay now or pay later.


Over all good camera.

[Richard A Busch]

Welcome I shoot Pentax k10d prices are down and a very nice camera

Richard

[Muskogeeradtech]

What ever system you decide on Canon, Nikon, Pentax all have good entry leavle cameras. The main concern is that once you go with a brand you are almost locked into that brand due to the cost of good glass (lenses). Most of these name brands the lenses fit most of their avaliable models.
It is something to concider.

[Fibonacci]

I will not recommend a particular brand; there are many out there that will do a great job. In addition to the big two, Nikon and Canon, there are a whole host of lesser known brands that make an excellent product, including Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic (Lumix) and more. Recently Sony, who took over the very popular Minolta line, has been working hard to be seen as a serious contender and have some nice products.

Most people have far more camera than they need and in some cases highly advanced cameras can be a hindrance. Look at the work of the history's greats: Ansel Adams shot virtually everything with view camera, Henri Cartier-Bresson shot with a rangefinder. Many others used speed graphics and early Nikon and Canon models but none of these had much more than rudimentary adjustments, yet the images they created are unforgettable. More controls clearly does not automatically equal better images.

What you need is a camera with some basic controls: aperture, shutter speed, focus. Most cameras these days will do this for you, but you need one that will allow you to override the camera's recommendations. There is something to be said for buying into a "system." That is, if you buy a Nikon or Canon now, you will have the lenses to buy an upgraded parts later. Manufacturers make a big deal about this, but I would argue that at this point you don't really know what you really want or need. It might be a good idea to get one of the popular kits that are available that contain a body and two zoom lenses; one wide-to-normal, the other normal-to-telephoto. This setup will provide a LOT of flexibility that should last you for a number of years. By then, you should have a much better idea what kind of photography you most enjoy and which camera is most likely to be able to serve your needs.

[SNAPaPHOTO]

Fibonacci, I agree with what you say, I will add to it though, as you grow and decide you may want to try a super telephoto lens, or a super wide angel, chances are someone in the local photography club will have either a Nikon or Cannon and can loan you a lens or at a minimum let your look through thier camera with the lens attaches. Plus if you so chose the easiest lenses to rent are Nikon and Cannon, so that way you can try before you buy.

[kcoruol]

I'm a Nikon person myself. Personally I'd pass on the Nikon D3000 or D5000. Spend a little more and get the Nikon D90. Probably more camera than you need but you'll easily grow into it. For a bit less I'd recommend the Nikon D40, great camera but only takes AFS lens' . One other camera I'd recommend in addition to the D90 or D40, that's the Nikon FM2. It's a film camera and takes only manual focus lens' but it will really help you get a grasp on film speed, aperture, & shutter speed. It's a fantastic camera and can be easily purchased on Ebay for not an arm & a leg. Don't buy the Nikon FM10 though, it's not really a Nikon. For the lens I'd stay away from the 10-500mm telephoto zoom lens. I'm old school and really prefer the prime lens. But for the digital camera I'd recommend something like a 14-85mm. Spend as much as you can afford for the lens. People who carry around a Nikon D300 with a 50 dollar lens get under my skin. The lens should be somewhere in same ballpark as the body when it comes to price. Personally I think the lens is just as important as the camera, maybe even more. Now for the Nikon FM2 I'd recommend a 24mm - landscape, architecture etc, 50mm - closeups, a 85mm or 105mm for portraits and then a 80-200mm. Most of these can be purchased on Ebay for a very affordable price. Oh yeah, if the D90 is too much and you want a little more than the D40, Again Ebay, the D200 is a fantastic camera you can get for about $500.

[SNAPaPHOTO]

Kcoruol, why would you stay away from d5000 series? It uses the same chipset as the d90, and same AF focus system. Granted it is limited to AFS lenses, but that goes back to pay now or pay later mentality.

I agree with you the d40 is one heck of a camera, but it is discontinued, and that current model is the d3000.

And let me politely disagree with you, lenses or glass should and typically cost more than the body does. You get into some primes you can easily go over the body cost. I have some that are 5-6 times over the body cost.

[photomatopoeia]

Thanks for all the feed back. I think I'm down to two choices (Nikon D5000 or Pentax K-x) $749 and $629 for kits with 2 lenses at Costco. The Pentax K-x uses SD card which I have in abundance and its AA battery power is convenient since I already have a box full of NiMH's and 1 hour chargers. The D5000 has the whole pay now pay later thing with glass and system upgade thing on its side I think. I don't see much difference between D90 and D5000 except its twice the price. What am I missing there? I didn't know Nikon & Canon were the big two, thought there were more than that but Costco pretty much has only those two anyways plus the K-x Pentax. I'm motivated to buy at Costco because of the 2 year warranty.

[SNAPaPHOTO]

The Nikon d5000 also has a 11 battery grip you can add for about $70 later if you so choose. The D90 will utilize the older auto focus lenses, (pre AFS) where the d5000 will not. You can use the older lenses on the d5000 and get metering and exposure but no AF.

All new lenses are going to be afs from Nikon.