Here is a page with some of the latest recommendations for getting an SLR Camera.
I think you will find it useful if you are looking to get an SLR Camera, whether you are a beginner, you have been doing it for a while, or you are getting “back” into it after a break! You should note that I use the terms “SLR” and “dSLR” interchangably, the latter “d” meaning “digital”.
Another expectation is that I achieve a special look in my photos because of my equipment. That is true if you count the special software as part of my equipment, which I certainly do. The software, equipment, and process all work together to create the finished product. For more info on the “Process”, feel free to visit my HDR Tutorial!
Also please note that I link most everything here to B&H Photo, the greatest camera store in the world so you can buy your own. I’ve been to their Valhalla-like store a few times in New York and I always come away happy. They ARE a sponsor of the site, but I would say the same thing about them even if they were not a sponsor! Regular readers to this blog know I am Honest Abe about this…
Also, in addition to this page I have a My Reviews part of the site, where I talk about many of these things in more detail.
Hardware I recommend:
- Recommended Entry-Level Camera: Nikon D40 with 18-55mm Lens
- Note: I can’t fully recommend this entry level camera because it does not do autobracketing. It DOES take shots in RAW format, and you can use that for making HDRs (a method mentioned in my HDR Tutorial), but I believe it is better to have a camera that does have autobracketing built in.
- Recommended Mid Range Camera: Nikon D5000 with the 18-105mm Lens
- This is a great camera. It will treat you well and it will last you a lifetime of great shots. That lens that it comes with will be good enough for 90% of your photos!
- Recommended High End Camera: Nikon D700
- It is an amazing camera with a professional-grade photo sensor.
- Recommended Extreme-Stuck-in-Customs-Throw-Reason-To-The-Wind Camera: Nikon D3X – See my Nikon D3X review for more
- This is my camera and it is the ultimate. I can say no more. However, being realistic, I can tell you that it is only 10-20% (depending on the features you dig) better than the D700. That extra 10-20% will cost you a pretty penny, so my advice is to only do it if you have the extra cash, or this is a love where you have little willpower.
- Tripod Legs – Bogen/Manfrotto
- Head for the Tripod (connects the legs to the camera) – Any Giotto that feels right for your camera
- Now, my best advice for the tripod head is to go to your local camera store and try out 3 or 4! You will find one that makes the most “sense” to you. Some people like 3 knobs to adjust. Some like just one big handle… some like it to release one way versus another. Buying a tripod head online to me, is a bit like buying pants online. If you know just what you want, you’re in luck.
- Lenses:
- These are the lenses that I use the most along with links to short reviews I wrote on them:
- Nikon 14-24 Review (Lens) – A great wide-angle lens that I use for 80% of my landscapes
- Nikon 24-70 Review (Lens) – Perfect for mid-range stuff like birthdays, families, close-up sports, events, holiday cheer, swinger parties
- Nikon 50mm Review (Lens) – Ideal for cute children, close-up objects where you like a blurry background, friends, interventions
- Nikon 70-200 Review (Lens) – A great lens for things that are kinda far away, like animals or sports or that girl you are stalking
- These are the lenses that I use the most along with links to short reviews I wrote on them:
Software I recommend:
- Photomatix Review – the software I use most for the “look” of my photos
- Photoshop CS4 – Just get the basic without all that extra junk… for PC or Mac.
- Lightroom 2 (for PC and Mac) – used for organizing all my unprocessed and processed photos.
- Topaz Adjust Review – an amazing plugin to give very nice effects
- Noiseware Review – great for reducing the “noise” in photos
- Nik Review – a wide variety of post-processing filter options that are fun!
- Lucis Review – wonderful for adding sharp detail and pop
- Portraiture Review – used for making people and portraits look amazing
- Backblaze – a very easy-to-use online backup system for all your computer
- Last, if you are looking to save some money when ordering all this new cool stuff, see my Coupon Codes page.
Backup Hardware:
And last, here is a collection of photos I’ve shot with my Nikon equipment over the years. There are many more examples if you’d like to surf around the site!
August 2nd, 2009 17:50 | Tracy Brown
Sick! Your photos are amazing and an inspiration for a “newcomer” like me. I just got my first SLR (Canon XSI, sorry!) with a couple of additional lenses. I have a long rode ahead but an exciting one. Thank you for sharing your website! I am adding it to my blog so I can come back daily for more inspiration. For a beginniner like me, I can’t afford the full blown Photoshop, do you have a suggestion for someone like me? Elements, Aperture or Lightroom to begin with?
August 3rd, 2009 00:51 | Stuck In Customs
Hey thanks! Appreciate it.
I think Elements is a good place to start – best of luck!
August 3rd, 2009 07:08 | Aaron Mokhtar
Would like to start by saying I really enjoyed going through your website and I’m humbled and inspired by your skills with the camera and your philosophy when it comes to photography.
I finally got enough money saved up to get my first DSLR and was planning on getting the D90. But you mentioned the D5000. what’s your opinion on the D90? and why wasn’t it recommended?
Thanks for any advice you can throw my way.
August 4th, 2009 03:20 | Martin Mullins
Trey, I see that you have changed your mid-range camera recommend from the D90 to the D5000. What makes it better? Have you had the chance to use both or does the newer D5000 just have better specs? Thank.
August 4th, 2009 08:25 | Trey Ratcliff
Yes – I moved to the D5000 because it is cheaper, it does autobracketing, and it’s a solid camera. I think if people want to get a good quality autobracketing camera — this one is a bit better on the price point than the d90.
August 4th, 2009 14:55 | Mark Shaw
Hi there. I’m stuck like other comments here between the Nikon D5000 and the Nikon D90. Help!!!!!!!
August 4th, 2009 18:07 | John Williams
The d5000 is like the d40 and will not autofocus with many lenses.
You may lose the money you save on the d90 buying more expensive
lenses. For example, the $140 50mm 1.8 will not autofocus on a d5000
so you would need to buy the $500 50mm 1.4. This is one reason I bought my d90 over the d40 last February. See kenrockwell.com for
more detailed comparisons of the two cameras
August 24th, 2009 12:51 | purusharth
hi,
i wanted to know which is the best SLR camera for the beginners.
i repeat…. best slr camera and not dslr camera….
please help
thank you,
purusharth
September 22nd, 2009 15:19 | 7 Ways to Take Outstanding Candid Pictures | Digital Camera , Photography Blog
[...] non-threatening and almost friendly. If you haven’t experienced it, have a friend point a big SLR camera with a big lens (complete with cavernous lenshood) at you: it’s not a hugely cuddly [...]
October 22nd, 2009 04:15 | Lopa
Hi…
Was searching for Camera reviews and came through your site.
Amazing photos.
Looking forward to buy my first SLR camera… but not sure which one
You site is amazing… thanks
Lopa
November 8th, 2009 13:53 | AdventureRob
I bought the Nikon D5000 and wasn’t impressed, so returned it and got a Canon 500D (Rebel XSi I think it’s also known as). It has a much better LCD screen built in, and has taken superb HDR photos so far.
November 9th, 2009 18:26 | Daniel Rodriguez Molowny
I think Nikons are the best cameras there are when talking High End (D300 and above) but at entry levels, at the moment, Canons are better. And they do have Auto Bracketing, Low Noise and Auto Focus, not like the D40!
November 15th, 2009 01:01 | Margaret Kinney
Hi Trey -
I follow you on Twitter and you asked about Photographer recommendations for you to feature. Below are a couple I like, but if you could mention that I suggested them that would be awesome:
1. Nicolas Lietaer http://www.nordiclandscapes.com
2. Rebecca Zimmerman – on Twitter at: @RebZimm
Thank you!
Your photography is fantastic
Margaret Kinney
http://www.twitter.com/MargaretKinney
http://www.facebook.com/MargieKinney
December 5th, 2009 00:27 | JP
Hi! I am really amazed with your outputs. I like you to be my online mentor… Well, I like to ask if you would recommend Nikon D3000? I am planning to buy an SLR tomorrow as a gift for myself and I also like to cultivate my skills in photography…
January 3rd, 2010 10:03 | 10 Principles of Beautiful Photography | youbrella.com
[...] yourself a good camera. I have a list of SLR camera suggestions that aren’t very expensive for people just starting out or ready for an upgrade. For [...]
February 1st, 2010 16:36 | Alex
Amazing photography, I love all your work and you’re books great! Just upgraded my D200 to a D700 with the 14-24mm, 50mm 1.4 and 24-70mm, cant wait to start making some HDR’s!