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thebes · 06-15-2008, 03:41 PM

Both Canon and Nikon make really nice cameras. Consider the light levels you will be shooting at, then go to someplace like dpreview to check out comparisons of noise at those light levels, color rendition, etc. Also, decide if you want a metal skeleton in your chassis.

One thing I do not like about most kit digital lenses is that they don't offer good options for shallow Depth of Field. A 17mm at f3.5 with a 150% lens factor is about like a 24mm at f4.5-5.6 in terms of DOF. Probably you used to shoot with a 50mm at f1.4, which can offer freakily shallow DOF that is unobtainable with any kit lens. You might consider getting the kit AND an 85mmf2.8 prime or something... with digital's crop factor (some really expensive cameras ARE full frame), 85mm would be an excellent portrait lens, 135mm would be too long for most tastes, I'd prefer a 50mm prime but I shoot close and wide.

06-15-2008, 03:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
thebes Getting back into the biz Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Back in the Belly of the Beast Posts: 2,172 Points: 2,540	Both Canon and Nikon make really nice cameras. Consider the light levels you will be shooting at, then go to someplace like dpreview to check out comparisons of noise at those light levels, color rendition, etc. Also, decide if you want a metal skeleton in your chassis. One thing I do not like about most kit digital lenses is that they don't offer good options for shallow Depth of Field. A 17mm at f3.5 with a 150% lens factor is about like a 24mm at f4.5-5.6 in terms of DOF. Probably you used to shoot with a 50mm at f1.4, which can offer freakily shallow DOF that is unobtainable with any kit lens. You might consider getting the kit AND an 85mmf2.8 prime or something... with digital's crop factor (some really expensive cameras ARE full frame), 85mm would be an excellent portrait lens, 135mm would be too long for most tastes, I'd prefer a 50mm prime but I shoot close and wide.