I finally took the plunge, and ordered what I've wanted for a long time - a digital SLR camera!!! I ordered it from a vendor on eBay (with 99.7% positive feedback).

It's a brand new (not refurbished) Canon Rebel Xs 1000D. 10mp. I got it for $589 (no tax and FREE shipping)...along with a huge kit of stuff: full size tripod, mini tripod, extra memory, extra battery, carrying case, wide angle lens adapter, lens "doubler" to make it like a telephoto lens, a UV filter, AND an extra flash with mounting bracket!!!!! Not sure what the quality of that flash will be but I have a Speedlite flash anyway from my 35mm rebel that should work.

I went to Best Buy first on Sunday and for just the camera, no memory card, no EXTRA memory card, no case, nothing extra but the body, lens, and battery - $599! Plus tax! Granted, that camera is the newest model and is 12mp. But from what I've read, unless you're creating poster size pictures or something, there is very little difference in photo quality when you get above 8mp.

Anyway, I ordered it late Sunday night and it's coming TODAY! Yay! I can't wait!! I can't wait!! I can't wait!!! Finally, a digital camera that has the versatility and usability of my old, retired 35mm. I miss using that camera but I also hate the expense of wasted film and developing on crap pics.

This is my reward for selling a lot of real estate during the first quarter. Maybe next quarter I'll buy a digital camcorder.

Congrats! That is a great camera and you are going to love it!

Excellent choice and congrats! Next thing you've gotta pick up is that 10mm lense

yes, I will need that lens...I think my old zoom lens will work with this camera, but it is so old, I do not think it has image stabilization like the new ones do. good heavens, that lens is nearly 20 years old! and it was so - cutting edge at the time!

That's why I chose the canon over the nikon; my old lenses will work on it...but now that I think about it, I may just want the new ones anyway....esp. for the telephoto, the image stabilization is a grand thing to have.

Good choice. I'm happy with mine.

EEEEEK. I just looked up the 10 - 22mm lens.

Holy.
Crap.

That costs more than the camera, even the expensive price! youch!

you're looking at the Cannon 10-22...that one definitely packs a wallop!

Take a look at the Sigma 10-20mm - it's just under half the price of the canon and it's absolutely killer.

Recently I decided that I really want an SLR. My mom got one and it takes the best pics. I also really want to learn more about photography so I can make the best of the equipment... maybe someday I will have the time

Manfromtheband, that is a lot less painful to be sure. That might come with my next sale. Then of course, I have to get the 70-300 zoom.

Oy. LOL. I can easily spend another $1500 (cause I'm not sure my big honkin external flash is going to work with this camera - it's not a speedlite like I thought but a Sunpak - it was fine for my 35mm camera but not sure if it will be okay with this one.)

Lacey - long ago and far away, I had the dream job: I worked for a photographer. My goal was to become a professional wedding and portrait photographer. But my passion was tromping around in the woods taking pictures - macro shots of toadstools and ferns and stuff like that.

I was able to develop and print my own film at a discount. But it was still expensive and it became obvious that my salary was not going to allow me to continue with this obsession....then along came kids and being a single income family. It killed me to not be able to snap as many photos as I wanted because now I'd have to pay for every print, etc...it was too expensive. I think I still have a few rolls of undeveloped film in the cupboard. LOL. My new lease on life came when I began designing websites and told the hubby that I HAD to have, just HAD to have a digital camera for "the business."

That was several years and about five cameras ago. I love taking pictures even if it's just playing with the camera in my living room. I always take my camera with me, and now, I'm in heaven BUT WANT MORE. MORE MORE MORE. NEED MORE LENS POWER. MORE FLASH POWER. MORE MORE MORE FEED THE PHOTOGRAPHY BEAST. LOL

Just carry your camera around with you and take every opportunity that presents itself to use it - you may not be able to take a day off to shoot fab nature pics but maybe you might be able to catch a bumblebee on a lily while previewing a house for a customer...

Actually, Perky - with the resolution on the DLSR's now I find myself just leaving the 10-20 Sigma lens on it - and when I want a shot that's cropped in closer, I just crop it - and since 99% of my photos end up on the web, I've got ridiculous overkill when it comes to resolution and the depth of field on the lense is really good so it works out really well just as an "everyday" real estate lense.

I bit the bullet. I bought that lens on your recommendation. $449 from Amazon.com (didn't want take a chance on eBay with this one...)

Here's hoping I like it. A lot.

Then of course, after the next sale when I buy a new stove (please note that this lens came BEFORE my new stove...LOL) I'm gonna be looking for the bigger zoom/telephoto lens. I'm such a geek.

Congrats, Perky. Have to admit I'm jealous. I really need to retire my old 35mm.

Please post some of your first photos that you take.

I just bought a new sigma aspherical lens. I can't imagine ever paying why Nikon wanted for the same specs. Enjoy the new camera, even though most of the pics I use are online and reduced they still look way better than my old point and shoot.

Here is the link to the first three interior shots I took with the new lens. Most of the other pictures on the same photostream were taken with this camera, but with the kit lens that came with the camera.

Chalet Pics

I'm not 100% happy with them; I was unable to avoid the "nuclear blowout" in the window, mainly because I didn't have time to fuss with it; these were shot hastily this morning during caravan while about a dozen other agents were milling about; trying to get a shot with no people walking by was a feat in itself. I need to tweak and perfect.

These were shot at about 12mm. The 10mm gives a bit of fisheye distortion and there are dark edges around the frame.