Which Digital SLR is best for me?
 

I am looking for a digital SLR that will fill my needs. I am finding that many have far more advantages than I will ever use and am wondering if I will be paying for things that I really don't need. I used a 35mm film camera for 30 years. I am most comfortable with setting my own shutter speed and exposure. I don't feel that I need special labeling like portrait mode, landscape, etc.
I was looking at the Nikon D80 and the Canon Rebel XTi. I have been using the Sony Cybershot for several years and can't see my subjects facial expressions through it's view finder. I long for my old SLR.
I recently handled the Nikon D80 in a store and looked through the view finder , and thought "aaaaahhhh " , that's more like it. I could see everything. There are many other cameras made by Nikon and Canon with various features. I liked the large body of the D80. My main use , of course , would be portrait photography in low light. I plan to get the Sigma 30 mm f/1.4 and the 50 mm f/1.8 and a good fast "normal" telephoto lens to go with the camera body.

What recommendations do you all have for my camera body purchase? Do I really need the most expensive body?

Linda, I have had the D70s for a year now. Quite pleased with it but not with the lens that came with it but it does the job. Today I was in the photo shop looking at the VR lenses and tested one on the D80. From what I have read in the past year the D200 is the way to go and the price is considerably less than it was a year ago. Her is a good page to get a idea about lenses www.naturfotograf.com and equipment in general. What ever camera you get it is the lens that counts.

Good shopping and keep us informed

They say to buy a cheap body and an expensive lens. I can always up grade with the body later. The Sigma 30/ f1.4 is a good one, as is the 50/ f1.8. Neither are Zooms so you would have to move your body. You can use low light and get little distortion with those. They are very inexpensive but good quality. I will look up the D70's.

CCD vs. CMOS sensor quality
 

Hi Linda,

It looks like, indeed, the body is not as important as the lenses are.

But as I was looking myself for some information about my coming purchase of a DSLR, I have come across an interesting article concerning sensors (sensor quality and size, as I have understood it, seem to be one of the most important things to check in a digital camera - as far as the camera body is concerned - for good picture quality).

It seems that there is a great deal of quality difference between CCD sensors and CMOS sensors.

Here's the link to the article : http://www.spyshop2000.com/cmos_vs_ccd.htm

For your information, Nikon D40, D40x, D70, D80 and D200 all are equipped with CCD sensors.

I have read that some Canon cameras like the 20D - I don't know for their other products - are equipped with CMOS sensors.

Hope this helps,

Karine

Thanks Karine. I am looking at the Nikon D80 at this time. I probably don't need the extra features of the D200, which costs about 500$ more. I'd rather put the money into a lens.

PS, I changed my mind after reading that the D200 has a larger sensor. I read some where that that is important in a digital camera, so am going with the D200. I will just get the camera body and a 50 mm f1.8 or f1.4 for now.