In the market for a DSLR

Nothing against Olympus...I own an older point and shoot which is rock solid...but..

As far as pro SLR goes...Canon is what I highly recommend..

You can get an XS, XTI, or XT for around the budget you specified.
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 had very good Viewfinder, image quality, LCD, Intelligent Preview, remote control, effective stabilisation.But it has Handling issues, noise across sensitivity range, DT lens support.
 
I'm now seriously considering buying a Canon XS body (I've found it for $350, give or take a bit), and then getting the Sigma 18-200mm OS lens. I've looked for a lot of things, and I think I'm finally settled. I'd take a D40, but the XS is only a bit more. The next step for me above an XS would be a Nikon D80 or Canon 30D, but both of those are considerably more.

As far as lenses go, I'm figuring I'll just spend my money up front--I've heard that lenses are a worthy investment, as they depreciate much slower than bodies do. I looked at the Canon 18-200mm IS, but it is a considerable amount (ie, $450ish) more than the Sigma (~$300), while it supposedly isn't too much better.

So, either tell of your objections or forever hold your peace, jk :D
 
I've got a Canon EOS XS in transit as we speak. I'm new to the DSLR side of things so I wanted to master the kit lens first, and get a better lens as I progressed.

Newegg had the kit for $450 new, and the EF 75-300mm lens (while not super great, is enough for me to learn on for a while) was 45$ more or something with the combo.

I figure by my birthday in May, I should be experienced enough to take advantage of a better/more expensive lens. Good to know the Sigma lens is decent, have to put that on my list of lenses that are reasonably expensive to look at.
 
The EOS arrived today. I am extremely happy with it. The low light/dark performance is far far far far better than the point and shoot I was using. I love it.

Plenty of reviews could tell you more technical things than I could. But I will tell you that I really like this camera. Very impressed with the quality of pictures.
 
Nightrain said:
The EOS arrived today. I am extremely happy with it. The low light/dark performance is far far far far better than the point and shoot I was using. I love it.

Plenty of reviews could tell you more technical things than I could. But I will tell you that I really like this camera. Very impressed with the quality of pictures.
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I ended up going with the 30D due to me winning an auction--I'm excited about it! What lens are you using?
 
Nothing special for now, but there are a few really nice ones that I am eye-balling already. Those cost more than what I payed for the entire kit though. :P

Currently have:

Canon 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6
Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 tele/zoom -wish this was the IS version, but for 40$ brand new I can't complain.

Thinking about grabbing the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens from Tigerdirect as I've got a gift certificate for xmas there and really don't need any computer parts as much as I love to want all the crazy new stuff. Other than the plasticky build quality the reviews state that its very sharp, and I plan on taking quite a few portraits.

Grats on the 30D
 
Nightrain said:
Currently have:

Canon 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6
Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 tele/zoom -wish this was the IS version, but for 40$ brand new I can't complain.

Thinking about grabbing the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens from Tigerdirect as I've got a gift certificate for xmas there and really don't need any computer parts as much as I love to want all the crazy new stuff. Other than the plasticky build quality the reviews state that its very sharp, and I plan on taking quite a few portraits.

Grats on the 30D
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Wow, that's almost identical to me!

I have the 18-55mm IS, the 70-300mm IS, and I just bought the 50mm f/1.8. For $85 I heard it's a great lens! You may want to check out some examples here: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=312255

Adorama.com is where I order all of my stuff from.
 
The paged you linked seems to go to the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens. Some amazing shots there though. Making me want all sorts of new lenses lmfao. Unless there is 50mm 1.8 shots tucked in there, just didn't have time to check 140 pages to search for them.

How's the IS version of the 70-300mm? I haven't gotten a chance yet to really play with the non-IS version as it just came in last night, but I can tell that it's pretty much going to be a tripod lens, as even being stable as a rock wasn't getting me the sharpness I wanted, but setting the camera on something and setting a timer was doing quite well. Can't wait to get outside to try some shots.

I've got to find a nice compact tripod that fits in my camera bag, but extends long enough to be usable and sturdy enough not to be a PoS like the cheapo one I picked up just until I found a decent one.

Jet, Definitely post up some impressions of that nice 30D you grabbed up!
 
Yep, I sure will when it comes in. I also picked up a Sigma 18-200mm OS while I was at it. The only other lens (that might actually happen) would be a 50mm 1.8 like Omega mentioned--Saturday I shot for a while at a family gathering with the Nikon D50 and the Nikon 50mm 1.4, and was extremely impressed. For head shots the 1.8 can't be beat for the price. His 85mm 1.8 would be even better, but it's quite a bit more $$.
 
Nightrain said:
The paged you linked seems to go to the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens. Some amazing shots there though. Making me want all sorts of new lenses lmfao. Unless there is 50mm 1.8 shots tucked in there, just didn't have time to check 140 pages to search for them.

How's the IS version of the 70-300mm? I haven't gotten a chance yet to really play with the non-IS version as it just came in last night, but I can tell that it's pretty much going to be a tripod lens, as even being stable as a rock wasn't getting me the sharpness I wanted, but setting the camera on something and setting a timer was doing quite well. Can't wait to get outside to try some shots.

I've got to find a nice compact tripod that fits in my camera bag, but extends long enough to be usable and sturdy enough not to be a PoS like the cheapo one I picked up just until I found a decent one.

Jet, Definitely post up some impressions of that nice 30D you grabbed up!
Click to expand...
Sorry, here is the one for the 50mm f/1.8: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=186207&page=230&highlight=50mm

The 70-300mm IS is awesome, it's build quality and optics are much better then the original 70-300mm, it's not just a difference of IS. I get amazing shots handheld with it as well, even at 300mm in good light!
 
P1090718-1.jpg
 
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