So I want a DSLR

[golfmade]

550D also does 1080P HD video recording - it's being touted by some reviewers as an entry-level version of the 7D which is few times more expensive. I've been looking at quite a few options lately and the 550D would be my pick as an 'entry' DSLR if I had the cash, however I'm looking to get something a bit older/cheaper until I can justify spending $1800 on a camera.

There is a good deal with on them at the moment where you get lense/bag/mem card etc included at a good price. I can get it a few hundy less than retail through work (distributor) but unfortunately I'm not coined up enough to take advantage of the offer

The 1080P HD is part of the reason why I'm looking at it, I also like that the sensor is full size. But true, it is more expensive for the body and quality lenses aren't cheap either. I'd definitely want a good macro lens, a good wide angle as well as telephoto. Not to mention perhaps a battery grip and of course memory cards...

I was looking recently and settled what seems to be known as a 'bridge' camera ... (sits between 'compacts' and 'DSLR's). Got myself a Canon Powershot SX 20 and am rapt with it. Got the functions of a DSLR without having to lug a collection of lenses around.

Is there a photopraphy 'social group' set up?

That's got good reviews. Do you have any shots you've taken with it?

As for the social group, not sure, might be nice to set one up especially since it seems like a lot of folks around here like to do photography.

[Swoop]

Is there a photopraphy 'social group' set up?

As for the social group, not sure, might be nice to set one up especially since it seems like a lot of folks around here like to do photography.

Already happening.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/group.php?groupid=95

Got myself a Canon Powershot SX 20 and am rapt with it.

Similar here. I wanted a camera that can be esaily placed in a pocket but with reasonable Mpix + zoom. A big vewing screen is a bonus.
Settled on one of these and I'm very happy about the features, especially lots of manual control for exposures!

The main drawback is that it eats batteries at a ferocious rate!

[soundbeltfarm]

I have the 450d and i find it primo , but in saying that i have only ever used the point and shoot camera.
i have a small fuji digi that can fit in my pocket on camel pack when i am trail riding but any other time i take my dslr. i have gotten used to taken the backpack everywhere and can also put other stuff in there.
i just have the standard lense and 55-250 is lense.
they seem ok to me.
one thing i dont relly like and not sure if it just because they are cheap lenses is when i use manual focus it only takes a miniscule movement to focus , maybe it just me but i would like something with adjustability. my hands are clumsy and i find it real touchy to focus spot on when using manual focus if trying to focus on eyes and stuff like that.
the camera body is pretty compact so i will get a battery grip which i have read makes it better to hold onto. i got my camera secondhand with the 2 lenses, spare battery, 4gb card, portable car charger and couple other bits for 550 bucka so i am more than happy with it.
i love the multiple pics mode for when kids doing mx and i just hold the ol button down and one pic will normally be ok.
i have found that just by taking heaps of pics and playing around with the settings to be great for finding what sort of works and what is not so great.

[golfmade]

I have the 450d and i find it primo , but in saying that i have only ever used the point and shoot camera.
i have a small fuji digi that can fit in my pocket on camel pack when i am trail riding but any other time i take my dslr. i have gotten used to taken the backpack everywhere and can also put other stuff in there.
i just have the standard lense and 55-250 is lense.
they seem ok to me.
one thing i dont relly like and not sure if it just because they are cheap lenses is when i use manual focus it only takes a miniscule movement to focus , maybe it just me but i would like something with adjustability. my hands are clumsy and i find it real touchy to focus spot on when using manual focus if trying to focus on eyes and stuff like that.
the camera body is pretty compact so i will get a battery grip which i have read makes it better to hold onto. i got my camera secondhand with the 2 lenses, spare battery, 4gb card, portable car charger and couple other bits for 550 bucka so i am more than happy with it.
i love the multiple pics mode for when kids doing mx and i just hold the ol button down and one pic will normally be ok.
i have found that just by taking heaps of pics and playing around with the settings to be great for finding what sort of works and what is not so great.

Some lenses can be a bit tricky to focus manually, and I've also heard some cameras (the 550d included) viewfinder can be a bit small which doesn't help either. As for the battery grip it does make it easier to hold and adds a bit of weight to it, additionally the battery grip should have a shutter on it which helps with vertical shots as you can release the shutter from the battery grip.

If you're taking heaps of pics and playing around have you tried exposure bracketing?

[disenfranchised]

Some lenses can be a bit tricky to focus manually, and I've also heard some cameras (the 550d included) viewfinder can be a bit small which doesn't help either.

I was having a play with a friends Panasonic G1 the other day.
Being Micro 4/3rds means it has an electronic viewfinder, but its much higher res than normal.
When using manual focus, zooms into to a 1:1 pixel ratio for the final image size, making focusing really easy.

One of their other models the G2 does full 1080p HD video too...but it's about the same price as the Canon 550D mentioned earlier.

There's been some talk of the "bridge" cameras.
I've owned both a Canon SX1IS and now a Fujifilm HS10, both of which do 1080p video too.
They're both really good, and can produce some nice shots, as long as the conditions are bright enough.
They are however bulky enough that you may as well have a DSLR anyway, and just keep a decent single zoom lenses permanently attached.

[JMemonic]

Mrs Mully wants a Sony one - apparently the Sony and Minolta film SLR lenses fit the Sony DSLR bodies. Since she has several lenses, it'll save money (apparently)

Interesting. I have been trying to find out more about this. I believe Sony bought the Minolta "X series" (X-300, X-500, X-700) range and this has evolved into their range of digitals.
Also having a few SLR lenses, I'll be interested to find out if they do fit.

They do, depending on the camera they are 1:1 to 1:1.5 so a 50mm could end up as a 75mm lens. The A700 (older model) and the A900 are apparently fullframe thus 1:1

[R6_kid:Me]

The 1080P HD is part of the reason why I'm looking at it, I also like that the sensor is full size. But true, it is more expensive for the body and quality lenses aren't cheap either. I'd definitely want a good macro lens, a good wide angle as well as telephoto. Not to mention perhaps a battery grip and of course memory cards...

Bonus with the Canon EOS range is that no mater what EOS you have your lenses are interchangeable, so if you upgrade bodies you don't need to do the same with lenses too. I'm pretty sure some of there brand ranges don't offer that.

From what I've seen most people are quite happy with the standard 18-55mm lens, but it wouldn't hurt to get the extra 55-135mm too if you can afford it. I was thinking of just going with the standard lens kit and getting use to it, finding out what photography I really like doing and then buy extra lenses as required to suit my needs.