Which Digital SLR?

I am thinking of getting a Digital SLR (early birthday and Christmas present ) and I have a few I am looking at (but I am not going to colour your responses by telling you which ones!!). What I am wondering is:

• what camera do you have?
• what do you love about it?
• what do you hate/not love about it?

It is OK reading reviews by *proper* photographers but I would rather know what *real* people think about their cameras

I have a Canon - not an SLR but the top of the range just below it. (powershot S2IS) So it has a lot of the SLR functions anyway just not the manual shutter control and a few little things like that.

Totally recommend the Canon though in terms of ease of use, comprehensive manual and reliability.

I have a Nikon D40. Its really simple to use and takes great photos. Its also on the small side for a SLR which makes it really easy for grabbing quick snapshots of the kids.
I am not sure if they still sell them (havent ever seen any around) but there is always the D60, or if had money I would really really love a Nikon D300.

I have friends with a Canon too and they always seem to take great photos so really theres not too much difference (dont know about other brands) I'm sure either would be just as good, its just what you get used to.

I have a Canon too, EOS 400D, it!

I've got a Nikon D50 and am really happy with it. I think they're discontinued now though and have been replaced with the D40.   It's really easy to use and the menus are very clear and simple. The kit lenses you get with the cameras are OK but as mentioned above, its definitely worth upgrading and they can be very expensive. My DH bought me a new 18mm - 200mm lens for my birthday and it was about $1400. Absolutely LOVE it though, it makes such a difference to the quality of my pictures. You can get adaptors that enable attachment of different makes of lenses to different cameras so that could be an option.

Before you decide make sure you have a really good play with a few different cameras to see how they feel in your hand. A friend has a Canon DSLR and wishes he bought a Nikon instead as the Canon just isn't compatible with his hands. He was getting cramps and all sorts from holding it, and had to buy an additional battery pack to attach to it to make it fit his hands better!

I have the canon 350D and absolutly love it!!

Also my DP (and anyone with large hands) has real problems holding the Canon, so that maybe an issue.

Im getting some filters for my birthday at the end of the month...very excited!

We have a nikon D80 and love it - hubbys baby
I dont have an slr but love my fuji f50

I have the Canon 400D, love everything about it except that it takes a couple of minutes to set up if you see a photo you want - but you'll have that problem with any SLR.

We end up taking DP's compact digital camera away most of the time and the SLR for special occasions.

I started out with the Canon 300D a few years ago and last year upgraded to the Canon 40D which I just love. I actually waited until they brought out the 50D and got a major good deal then as I knew I would be perfectly happy with the 40D - I am not a pixel junkie.

It's perfectly true that the important bit is the lens, and "they" do say Canon lenses are the best - but that's probably really only if you can afford the L lenses, if not I suspect there is little difference between Canon and Nikon and in fact my zoom lense is a Sigma which does great.

That said, I think it's also important to have a good play - when I bought my 300D I had my heart set on the current equivalent Nikon but found it a lot less comfy to hold.

If you do go with the Canon I think it almost certainly does come with the 17-85mm USM but try to get one if it doesn't because it's a great all-rounder.


Edited by Gardengirl