Anyone out there use a DSLR just for a hobby? I'm thinking of purchasing one, a Canon Rebel XT specifically, but trying to learn more before I do. In no way do I desire going professional or anything, but I love taking photos for family and travel photos to frame in my home.
We travel a lot (like after deployment island hopping in Greece and going to Cape Verde in Africa and always going somewhere in Sicily and taking photos) so I would like something to take better shots. There's only so much I can do with my point & shoot, and lately mine has been acting up anyways. I'm also the designated family photographer... pictures of all the kiddos only get taken when I'm home I swear!
My biggest question is how on earth do you decide where to start when it comes to buying lenses. I take loads of landscapes photos, I want to take pics of my hubby windsurfing on vacation, things like that.
Any help out there? Thanks so much in advance!!!

I have a Nikon D50 and I got it just because I like taking pictures. Its great and love having a SLR! I don't have any extra lenses or flashes because they are too expensive for just a hobby. The cameras are great though...I definitely recommend one.

I have a Nikon D50 and I got it just because I like taking pictures. Its great and love having a SLR! I don't have any extra lenses or flashes because they are too expensive for just a hobby. The cameras are great though...I definitely recommend one.

Thanks!
I've got the $$$ (EOD has an amazing bonus! :giggle ) but I just don't know where to start.

I'm going to be getting one for christmas this year, I am psyched....I am deciding between a few now, I am going to go play with them back in the states!

I'm going to be getting one for christmas this year, I am psyched....I am deciding between a few now, I am going to go play with them back in the states!

Are you going to buy another lens right off or just use the kit lens to begin with?

my recommendation -- get an xti with a lens kit and just use that until you're famliar with the camera. once you get more comfortable with the camera, THEN spend the $$ on extra lenses. i shoot photos as side income, and i only have the 2 lenses that came with my camera and one we bought recently. they've done me fine so far, though i do plan to put more $$ into diff lenses in the near future.

personally, i don't like the rebel... i'm an olympus/nikon girl myself :D

for hobby photography, i recommend the Olympus Evolt E-500... right now, I think you can find it for $500-$700. It takes awesome pictures!

my recommendation -- get an xti with a lens kit and just use that until you're famliar with the camera. once you get more comfortable with the camera, THEN spend the $$ on extra lenses. i shoot photos as side income, and i only have the 2 lenses that came with my camera and one we bought recently. they've done me fine so far, though i do plan to put more $$ into diff lenses in the near future.

personally, i don't like the rebel... i'm an olympus/nikon girl myself :D

for hobby photography, i recommend the Olympus Evolt E-500... right now, I think you can find it for $500-$700. It takes awesome pictures!

Thanks, I will check it out!

my recommendation -- get an xti with a lens kit and just use that until you're famliar with the camera. once you get more comfortable with the camera, THEN spend the $$ on extra lenses. i shoot photos as side income, and i only have the 2 lenses that came with my camera and one we bought recently. they've done me fine so far, though i do plan to put more $$ into diff lenses in the near future.

personally, i don't like the rebel... i'm an olympus/nikon girl myself :D

for hobby photography, i recommend the Olympus Evolt E-500... right now, I think you can find it for $500-$700. It takes awesome pictures!

the evolt is the one I am seriously considering...I'll def. be bugging people about it come september!

i love love love love love the evolt :D

I was looking at the Evolt 410 now that you have me looking at Olympus! I like that you can look at the LCD screen to take the pics, and it comes with 2 lenses as well. It's more pricey but I would rather go all the way and get every feature I want.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Olympus-EVOLT-E-410-Digital-SLR-2-Lens-Kit/sem/rpsm/oid/180238/catOid/-16942/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

actually the 410 is awesome. the reviews are stating for it to be an awesome hobby photography camera. it's the first in the "good" dslrs to have the "live view" (ie LCD display)

you will like it

actually the 410 is awesome. the reviews are stating for it to be an awesome hobby photography camera. it's the first in the "good" dslrs to have the "live view" (ie LCD display)

you will like it

Yay! Thanks for the guidance!

Reenlistment bonus comes next month and this is my splurge so I will let you guys know how it is then.

Let us know how you like it Elizabeth.
Which one do you own Becc?

I am a DSLR fanatic (I have the 20D). If you take a lot of landscapes, a lens anywhere between 10mm and 55mm should be perfect. I have a 50mm fixed lens that I absolutely adore, but I know a lot of people prefer zoom lenses.

I got the Nikon D40 basically so I could take better pictures of the kids. It came with a kit lense, and after playing with it, I know I want to get another lense with a higher zoom on it. It's around $250 and it has the vibrations resistance on it. I also got a fixed 50mm lense for around $119 that I'm using to take portraits, and I LOVE it! It doesn't have the autofocus feature, but I think half the fun in an SLR camera is learning how to focus. I definately don't think you'll regret getting an SLR, so I would go for it. I finally did and am very happy with the camera I got!