ImAKawak said:

They do and yes it is good to learn your trade on a manual but bottom line is that you can bin digi easier and it does not cost anything to see how your experiments work.

mdiver said:

Oh so true, with the digital you don't have to waste on the cost of developing the film,
the digital would be much more easier.

Another thing that came to my mind was the memory cards... another vital thing to consider when looking for my camera.

ImAKawak said:

Once you switch to digital, you'll find your learning accelerates, because it allows you to experiment without the fear of making mistakes, because you see the mistakes immediately and learn from them.

Thanks ZombieKitten.
I'm getting excited now and looking forward to this new development in my life.

ImAKawak said:

no worries
just remember, a fancy camera won't make you a good photographer, but it could make a good photographer into a great one

ZombieKitten said:

okay, an SLR is a "single lens reflex" camera. This means that it uses a mirror to show you what the lens is seeing, the mirror moves out of the way when you expose your film, so what you see is what you get. Other camera's use viewfinders that are a bit to a whole bunch off what the camera sees.

A DSLR is just a "digital single lens reflex" camera, meaning it doesn't use film. Having a good film background is a great basis for learning the digital side of shooting, but I can understand if you just want to jump to digital, most people (including me if I didn't have the film experience) don't want to waste time with film, especially if they won't be using it.

Here are three GREAT entry level DSLR bodies. (a body is simply the camera without a lens attached). Opinions vary greatly between the two (and now three with Sony's serious entry into the market), but all three will be a very capable learning body.

Nikon D60 (don't bother with the 40, the 60 gives a bit more to compete with the following offerings from Canon and Sony)
Canon Rebel XS
Sony A200

All three of those bodies cost about $500 and are made specifically for entry level users.

mdiver said:

Just like Peter .

JerseyKRS said:

I'm looking into these online, this info is very helpful and the cameras are affordable. I think I'm going to start with one of these cameras but, do they as someone mentioned, receive alternative lenses?

ImAKawak said:

Jers correct me if I'm wrong but all DSLR and SLR bodies can take a vast variety of lenses from their respective manufacturers. For example, a Nikon body can take all these Nikon lenses:



Same for Canon & Canon lenses:



Third party manufacturers like Tamron () offer their lenses with different fitments. You can get the 28-300mm in an N or C variation to fit either Nikon or Canon bodies...

That's a lotta lenses.
And I await the answer too.
But can canon not use any nikon lenses though, but use third party lenses because of the special fitments?
(I think I got the camera down, now just still need to learn about these lenses.)

ImAKawak said:

That's the part I'm not 100% on either but if memory serves then that is the case... Canon for Canon, Nikon for Nikon.

Because the 3rd parties don't make camera bodies they NEED to make variable fitments.

Each manufacturer's body will accept the manufacturers lenses. In addition to those, Manufacturers such as Tamron and sigma make their lenses available formost other mounts, such as Nikon, Canon and Sony. They certainly aren't of the same quality of Nikon, Canon and Sony's top of the line optics, but are a very nice alternative to the regular lines. I would suggest getting a nice mid range zoom lens (maybe a 24-70 mm) to start with. That's the great thing about SLR's, your outfit can grow with your growth in the hobby.

Happy shooting!!

Thanks so much for all the wonderful advice, things I wouldn't have thought of without the help!

have a blast!