Considering a DSLR Camera

[Hagar]

It might be an idea to explain the difference between Mode 1 & 2.

Sure.....

Mode one is for still photographs, so the stabliser is functional both horizontally and vertically......mode two is for panning, i.e. the stabliliser only functions on the horizontal or vertical plane (whichever way you're panning it)

I believe that some of the newer canon lenses have more modes than this, so I can't be sure on all of them

.mic

Exactly what I was getting at. In Mode 2 the IS works in one plane only so if you have a steady hand it's not strictly necessary. The most common cause of blurring in the vertical plane is accidentally moving the camera when pressing the shutter. This is a bad habit that can be overcome with practice. I believe some IS lenses have only one mode (IS is either ON or OFF) so would be no benefit for the panned type of shot in your example.

I think this is worth covering when giving advice as I didn't appreciate it until after spending a lot of money on an IS lens & reading the instructions.

[BFMF]

I went out to Bestbuy to look at the cameras, and ended up talking to a couple people who recommended getting the 40D over the 450D. They were telling me that the 40D is built better, lasts longer, is faster. They told me that a lot of people who buy the 450D wish they had bought the 40D instead.

It's $1300 at bestbuy, but the same camera & lens is only $1,000 on Newegg, and $970 at Amazon

At Newegg, What I really don't understand is how the camera with the EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Zoom Lens is $1000, and the camera without the lens is about $1200...? :-?

So maybe I should spend a little more and get the camera that is better, and that will last longer?

[AMDDDA]

Easy: Bestbuy isn't made for selling cameras, therefore it costs more there, like 90% of the stuff. (I saw a GTX 280 there a week ago for 550$)

[BFMF]

Easy: Bestbuy isn't made for selling cameras, therefore it costs more there, like 90% of the stuff. (I saw a GTX 280 there a week ago for 550$)

I was only there to see the cameras, not buy. They wanted me to buy the 40D, which is $1300 there. Then they wanted me to buy their $200 service warranty plan. So it would be around $1500, plus tax...!

Or, I could buy the same camera at Amazon for $970, and a $50 service warranty plan. The difference is hundreds of dollars...

[Omag 2.0]

In Belgium the current best price for the 40D is around $ 900 (

[BFMF]

[quote]In Belgium the current best price for the 40D is around $ 900 (

[Rifleman]

Andrew, is there a rush to obtain a camera immediately ?....if not, then take the time and learn about the basics of photography so that you can make a more educated decision on what you want to get out of your purchase. For the most part, I think that it's safe to say, that most manufacturers are producing reasonable quality goods for the average snap shooter. What I personally use to shoot my images should have no bearing on what I can tell you about your purchase, so I don't recommend what I use, just because I use it. You really need to define your own needs and that will be hard enough without having adequate understanding of photography in general. If you intend to go a little further in depth than just an average picture taker, then as you learn before purchasing, you can make a better decision for what you want .........if there is no need to jump right now, don't jump.......find out just how deep the water may be before committing yourself....
......learn a little and try to enjoy yourself, for yourself.....

Take your time.....for the record, when I started to shoot 35mm film with an SLR back in the mid 70's, I had taken over a year of learning before purchasing my first "good" camera....it will pay off in the end.

[BFMF]

It may seem like sudden, spontaneous decision, but it's really not. I've been looking into it for a long time now, and recently have been more and more unhappy with my crappy digital camera. I've been slowly looking at DSLR cameras, and talking to various people who have DSLRs. But as I've narrowed it down, i've been asking more and more questions here.

[BigTruck]

It may seem like sudden, spontaneous decision, but it's really not. I've been looking into it for a long time now, and recently have been more and more unhappy with my crappy digital camera. I've been slowly looking at DSLR cameras, and talking to various people who have DSLRs. But as I've narrowed it down, i've been asking more and more questions here.

No matter what you get dude, once you get the feel for the camera, you will turn out some beautiful shots!  So go with what feels good to you and once you get it, get some literature on digital photography.  

One book I bought that has really helped me just understand what a DSLR does, and how to get the most out of my camera, is "Digital SLR Photography Solutions" by PC Magazine.  It is 394 pages (color pictures) of how to use your rig.  

It shows before and after comparisons of different settings on your camera.  Just a terrific book to help the rookie (like me) get a hold of their camera.  I paid $30 for my copy but rumor has it you can get it cheaper online.

[BFMF]

[quote]One book I bought that has really helped me just understand what a DSLR does, and how to get the most out of my camera, is "Digital SLR Photography Solutions" by PC Magazine.

[expat]

Proud parent of a 1kg bouncing baby................Nikon D60

Matt

[AMDDDA]

It may seem like sudden, spontaneous decision, but it's really not. I've been looking into it for a long time now, and recently have been more and more unhappy with my crappy digital camera. I've been slowly looking at DSLR cameras, and talking to various people who have DSLRs. But as I've narrowed it down, i've been asking more and more questions here.

No matter what you get dude, once you get the feel for the camera, you will turn out some beautiful shots!

[Omag 2.0]

Proud parent of a 1kg bouncing baby................Nikon D60

Matt

Don't bounce a D60... not good for imagequality...  ;D

[BFMF]

[quote]Should be at our house on Wednesday

[AMDDDA]

[quote][quote]Should be at our house on Wednesday