rob answers:

I’m a Nikon user, but here’s my two-cents.

Sounds like you have an older Canon (XT, XTi, etc) like my brother has that uses CF memory cards. Now, unless you have a huge collection of CF cards like I do, and/or several extra batteries for your older Canon DSLR, I wouldn’t decide on a replacement camera for those reasons only.

My thought are that you should go to a camera shop and handle each of the models currently available. See which one fits you and your shooting style.

Then, (and I have to admire Canon for their Loyalty program – good work, Canon) I’d choose the “shoe that fits” you.

rob answers:

Nikon – I suggest you get a D7000 or higher.

Http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Digital-SLR-Cameras/index.page

Canon – I suggest you get a EOS 7D or higher

http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras

rob answers:

The new Nikon D3 full-frame sensor DSLR is comparable to the 5D.

However, good photographs are more dependent on the skill and expertise of the photographer than the camera used. If you know nothing about light and composition and f-stops and shutter speeds and ISO then you’re unlikely to get good photos with any camera.

rob answers:

You won’t have any choice other than an entry DSLR with a $500 budget. The few choices you do have are the following (descending by price):

– Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS / 1000D
(current base entry)
– Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi / 400D
(entry flagship that preceded the current XSi)
– Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT
(update of the original Digital Rebel)

If you’re willing to spend about $150 more then you can buy Canon’s current entry-level flagship: the XSi.

You shouldn’t expect to get everything you’ll ever want in a single purchase of an entry level DSLR. The kit is very capable of ordinary shooting, but you’ll quickly discover that you’ll need to spend more to do more. This will be an unfortunate consequence of your foray into photography. I’ll do a quick run-down of your concerns:

“I’m planning on photographing portraits mainly, but I’m also interested in buildings and scenery (I know that mostly has to do with the type of lens, so what lenses would you recommend?) … I would prefer if the camera came with some lenses and other accessories and still be in my price range, but if it doesn’t, I’ll manage.”
– The recommended lenses for landscape and portraiture are quite different. Wide angle (24mm equiv. Is a pretty popular starting point) is suggested for landscapes and architecture while a fast normal or telephoto lens is suggested for portraiture. Of course, you can always experiment. If you like the results then who cares about any rules. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II is a nice lens for portraiture. It costs about $90 new, $70-80 used.

“High Resolution (this is the most important for me. I love small details like being able to see individual strands of hair)”
– This is more or less a property of the lens now. Current DSLRs have very good resolution. This shouldn’t be a concern unless you plan to print your pictures. High resolution is not necessary for digital viewing (TV, web sharing, digital picture frames, etc.).

“Ability to connect to my PC (with a USB cable of some sort)”
– All current Canon DSLRs include a USB cable for image transfer and remote shooting. Remote shooting software (Canon EOS Utility) is included with your purchase and enables you to control the camera with your computer.

“Optical Zoom (Leaning towards higher zoom)”
This is a property of the lens. The kit lens is a wide to short telephoto 3x zoom lens.

“Decent Battery Life (would like both rechargeable and standard batteries)”
The Rebels include a proprietary lithium ion battery and a charger. You can typically take 300-500 pictures on a single charge which is average for a DSLR. If that’s not enough for you, you can always buy more batteries or a battery grip for extended shooting.

“NO video, I don’t care for it. I wouldn’t use it.”
– Good. None of the current Rebels, with the exception of the recently announced T1i, have video features.

“Removable along with built in memory.”
– No DSLR has internal memory; only memory cards are used. The Canon XT and XTi use Compact Flash (type I, type II, and micro drives) memory cards while the XSi and XSi models use Secure Digital (SD and SDHC) memory cards.

“Hardly any Shutter Lag (not too concerned over this though)”
– One of the benefits of a DSLR: no noticeable shutter lag.

rob answers:

U are LUCKY !! All the Canon EF and EF-S lens are inter changable, i mean all the Canon digial camera can use old type(film type) of lens.
But, remember this, digital camera come with a 1.6x (not sure what it call…)
It means a 28mm lens, mount on a EOS 500N is equal to 28 mm power, but if 28 mm lens mount on EOS 400D, it is equal to 45 mm (28 x 1.6).
For your cast, 28-80 mm lens will become 45 – 128 mm, u will not get the 28 mm wide angle u want.

rob answers:

You can use EF lenses on your film camera but not EF-S lenses.

rob answers:

For starters, FD lenses will not work on any EOS cameras.

All EF lenses will work on EOS cameras

EF-S lenses will only work on APS-C sensored DSLR’s …. If you own a EOS 35 mm SLR or a 5D or 1D DSLR, the EF-S lenses will damage the mirror

rob answers:

Canon 10-22mm is a good wide angle lens for landscpe that fit to your budget
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002Y5WXE?ie=UTF8&tag=computer0bd-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002Y5WXE

rob answers:

The Rebel (and generally the EOS line) all use EF lenses, the same as all the new digital cameras from Canon.

So if you can mount your lens onto your EOS Rebel XS Film, you’ll be able to mount it on any new digital Rebel, 10D-50D, 5D mk1/2, 1D(s)(mk1-3), etc. And if you want on their 1V film body too.

rob answers:

Unfortunately, your A1 uses the Canon FD lens mount. Canon abandoned that lens mount for the EOS lens mount when they introduced their auto focus 35mm cameras in 1985. The EOS mount is used on all Canon DSLR cameras.

However, Canon did offer an adapter to use the FD mount lenses on the EOS mount bodies. You should be able to find one at:

http://www.adorama.com

http://www.keh.com

http://www.bhphotovideo.com

There is also an adapter to allow use of the Minolta MC/MD mount lenses on the Canon EOS mount bodies. (Minolta also changed their lens mount in 1985 when they introduced their AF camera. The A-mount of the Minolta Maxxum 7000 is used by Sony DSLR cameras today).

Please remember that using those older lenses will require manual focusing and likely “stop down” metering since there will be no contacts between the lens and camera body to allow auto metering.