What was it that made you jump up to a DSLR?

There I was just lurking in background as usual, and you went and asked a wonderful question like that. Being half way through my second beer of the evening I could not resist.

The short and simple answer to the question is this...

"I wanted a camera that was better at taking photographs than I was. (and would be for the next few years)"

But I feel that you are asking for something more, so I'll give you the benefit if my experience...

I'd owned the Fuji Finepix 602z, and I think I was currently using the Canon A95, I enjoyed using both of them, but was hitting their limitations occasionally. I had a holiday in the US planned (being from the UK, 33 years old and having never been abroad this was a big deal to me), and I wasn't going to put up with photos thinking "If I'd had the camera I wanted the photos would have been better".

I'm never going to be a professional photographer, but I enjoy photography and I enjoy pushing myself to my limits, being held back by technology spoils it for me.

At the time the decision was easy, Canon EOS 20D, and the best all-round lens I could afford the Sigma 18-125. At the time Nikon was more expensive and their image quality was not as good.

I'm not sure if you've realised, but when you buy your first DSLR you aren't just buying a camera, you are buying into an ecosystem.

I expect...

You will stretch your budget to it's limits when buying your first camera and lens.
You will find limitations in both the camera and the lens
You will realise how much it would cost to change your camera

You will buy an additional / more expensive lens when you have money to spend on your hobby

You will find another aspect of photography fascinating and will buy another lens better suited to it

You will see how much technology has moved on since you bought the camera and think that next time you spend money it should be on a new camera.

You now have 2-3 lenses that you are happy with, and a camera that you'd like to change, you will look into the cost of just replacing the camera and compare it to replacing all of your kit and decide that replacing it all really isn't worth the hassle.

Oh, and while we're on the topic of how much money you will be spending...

You will buy a new computer every 3 years, Lightroom (or equivalent) every time it comes out, more memory cards, new bag, filters, etc.

Why bother?

I currently own a 5D (mark 1), a 7D, and a Canon SX230. I'm not a Canon fan boy, I was tied in to the EOS line, and the SX230 was the most suitable pocket camera for me at the time.

In sport the bat, racket, club, or whatever you use should feel like an extension of your arm, a part of you, this is what using a DSLR feels like.

For me, the most difficult thing was working out the type of photographer I am.

I now understand that most of my photos are taken on holiday, of scenery and wildlife, and I also like taking candid photos of friends and family. I couple of years ago I decided to change the kit I own to suit this.

I now own EOS 5D with 24-105L and EOS 7D with 100-400L. I have come close to replacing the 5D several times, but I've recently realised that I have no reason to, it is still a great camera. I have bought and sold EOS 20D, EOS 400D, Sigma 20mm, Sigma 12-24mm, Canon 70-300mm, I loved using each of them, and owned all of them at once at one time. But what works for me is one setup for wildlife, and one for landscapes, and not missing a shot while changing lens, and not carrying round a heavy back full of lenses. I do still have a canon 50mm 1.4 for portraits.

The OP on this thread makes a very good point about the value of a lens...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=42155356

My advice to you...

If you can, work out what type of photos you are going to take, do your research, choose the best system for you, get the most suitable camera and lens(es) you can.

If you're still learning what photography you like, get a cheaper camera, and an all-round lens. Sooner or later you will want to upgrade, and the less money you have initially spent, the less tied in you are.

I may have made it sound like being tied to Canon has been a problem for me, it hasn't it has been an absolute pleasure. My personal recommendation to you wold be...

Try to get a second had EOS 5D and something like the 28-135.

And whatever camera you go for buy a cheap prime, they're usually sharper than expensive zooms, and can be a great lesson in composition.

If all my yabbering on hasn't made you think I must get a DSLR, maybe a photo or two will help.

With 20D 50mm 1.4, lit by 5 candles

With 7D + 100-400 (heavily cropped and near dark conditions)

Best of luck with whatever you go for.

regards

Graham

PS. I should have checked this before posting but I've just realised I need to be in work in 5.5 hours, and thanks for making me think about how much enjoy photography.