Digital SLR
I got my first Digital SLR a few months ago in early August. It was the Olympus E520 with 14-42 mm and 40-150 mm lenses. For the first time, I felt that I had control over what I was shooting. Needless to say that it was a major step up from point and shoot. I loved the way I could change lenses and control exposures. The E520 was easy to use and a perfect entry-level DSLR. I picked it over the Canon XSi. What I liked about the E520 was its in body image stabilization, the Zuiko lenses and intuitive menu.
After coming to terms with the SLRs, I thought it was time to move up to an advanced amateur or a semi-professional model. The Nikon D90 was making a lot of headlines with its capabilities to shoot HD video and other features like automatic chromatic aberration correction. It appeared like an ideal step up from the entry-level E520. On the other hand price of the Canon 40D, a semi-professional model, was going down as the Canon 50D was hitting the market soon. The Canon 40D boasted of a 6.5 frames per second shooting [probably the best in its segment], a penta prism viewfinder and a tough magnesium alloy construction. It was tough to decide between the two but I knew that one can’t go wrong with getting either of the model!!!
In the end, I opted for the semi-professional model, the Canon 40D, and have been pleased with it. It’s tough and fast like its tagline “Birds are fast, so you have to be faster” says. The high ISO performance is pretty good. The lenses that I have are the 17-85 IS USM, the 50mm f/1.8 MK2 prime [for low light photography and getting that background blur, Bokeh] and EF 75-300 mm lens. I have to build up on my lens collection and get an external flash too. The key accessory that I have is the Manfrotto 190XB pro tripod with a pan and tilt head. A tripod is particularly useful for low light photography and when you went to use small aperture or slow shutter speed. This Manfrotto one is brilliant, especially since it is flexible. The downside of owing a camera like the Canon 40D is that you cannot blame the camera for bad pictures anymore!
I have realized that digital SLRs are an expensive hobby. But for the right equipment, every penny is worth it. As you learn more and more about photography, the more fun it becomes.
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