Which SLR camera should I buy?

If you've decided that an SLR is the thing for you, you're still in good shape. You really can't go wrong getting an SLR right now; they're all a good buy and packed with features. I generally recommend Nikons or Canons as they're the most widely-used; that means there are more accessories and used lenses available. That said, you'll find plenty of recommendations for Olympus, Sony, Sigma, Pentax, and the other brands.

Which model should you buy? I generally recommend the least expensive. Right now, that means the Canon Rebel XSi or the Nikon D3000. (The Canon link is for body only; the Nikon link includes a "kit lens" that I would recommend replacing.)

You can spend more money on a camera, but your lens investment is far more important. Cameras are replaced every few years, but people hold onto their lenses. And the quality of your images has more to do with the lens than with the camera. I recommend the 50mm f/1.8 for Canon users. For Nikon users, there's a 35mm f/1.8 available (see the comments from Matt Speicher below for more information about Nikon lenses). Fast prime (fixed focal length) lenses like these are great for a few reasons.

- they're inexpensive

- they're very fast, allowing you to shoot indoors without a flash

- they're small and light, making the camera more portable

- their image quality is superior to almost any other lens under $500 and many lenses under $1000

- the single focal length eliminates a decision from every shot you take (zooming is not an option)

[note]You can spend more money on a camera, but your lens investment is far more important.[/note]

Zoom lenses like the Canon 28-200 are nice in terms of their range, but there are trade-offs.

- they cost more

- they're heavier

- image quality is not as good

- they are slower, which will require flash in more situations (image stabilization (aka vibration reduction) helps, but still doesn't bridge the gap)

That said, at some point you'll want to buy a zoom lens. That's when friends with SLRs come in handy so you can borrow their lenses and try them out. I use pro lenses for portrait shoots, but my "walking around" lens is the Tamron 28-300. They make a Nikon version, too. The image quality is not as good as that offered by the 50mm f/1.8, but it's very versatile (if a bit slow).

Eventually, you may want to pick up a macro lens for close-up photography, or a wide-angle lens (which was used in the photo above) for a different perspective. I'd avoid getting wrapped up in the hardware, though; there are a lot of good pictures waiting to be taken with your new SLR and 50mm lens. I just created two galleries in which all of the photos were taken with a 50mm lens. I enjoyed taking the photos and, though at first I thought not having my zoom lens along would be a problem, I was very happy with the results.

Which camera should I buy? (2010 version)

(There is a newer answer to this question.)I'm often asked that question, and I have a short answer. The Canon G11. It gets good reviews (at a site where you can trust the reviewers), it has great optics, it takes video, it shoots RAW, and it allows the user creative control but can still function effectively on full auto. And you get all that in a portable unit that doesn't require any accessories.While I consider the G11 a sweet spot when it comes to price, performance, and portability, I understand that there are numerous other factors that go into choosing a camera. The G11 gives us a place to start, but it may not be the right choice. There are many great cameras available for less than $400, if price is an issue. There are also many point-and-shoot cameras that are smaller.On the other hand, maybe the delay when you press the shutter release on your point-and-shoot has resulted in too many lost shots. Or perhaps you're looking to take even more creative control of your photos. In that case, it may be time to consider a digital SLR.

Making the move to digital

A friend recently asked if I had any recommendations for readers who already have a grasp on concepts like shutter speed, ISO, and aperture from using a film camera but have yet to make the move to a digital SLR. The short answer: Of course I do.My first digital SLR was a very different beast from the Fujica ST-605 I used for over two decades. The 605 was a much more basic camera, offering no automatic functions. Choosing the right shutter speed and f-stop were dependent on me, as was focusing. To Fujica's credit, though, the 605 had two features missing from the digital SLRs I've used. The first was a fantastic focusing screen. Anytime I use manual focus on my digital SLRs—even with an upgraded focusing screen—I wish they were as capable as the circa 1977 ST-605.The other feature I miss is the built-in light meter. Whenever I set exposure manually on my digital SLR, I wish I had the 605's light meter and depth of field preview in the viewfinder. I also liked the mechanical timer on the Fujica. It was very quick to manipulate and could be set to any time interval ten seconds or less.On the other hand, it's great having autofocus, most of the time the camera assists me in setting exposure, and I have a variety of other features on my digital SLRs that relegate the Fujica to the prop shelf. My digital SLRs can do everything my film camera could, and a whole lot more.What will strike you when switching from a film SLR to digital? A lot depends on what you were used to and which model you choose, but regardless you're likely to end up with a camera that's very easy to use simply but will involve a learning curve to use creatively. Many features are accessible only via menus, and you'll need to read the manual (and I say that as someone who often avoids reading manuals).One issue the camera can handle for you automatically that you'll eventually want to tackle is white balance. In some environments, digital cameras have difficulty determining what white looks likeSome good news: Since you're not using film, you can choose your ISO on the camera (or have it chosen for you automatically). Not using film also brings me to perhaps the best advantage of digital, which is the ability to freely experiment with your shots. You don't have to worry about the cost of developing each frame.I plan to write another column on how to decide which digital camera to buy, but I'll offer one piece of advice here. If you already own lenses, buy a digital camera with the same mount. The quality of one brand of camera vs another is frequently debated, but I don't think anything outweighs being able to draw on a selection of lenses that you already own.