Good DSLR for beginners?
- Thread starter Angie
- Start date
I don't think you would go wrong with getting whatever version of the Rebel is available right now. That's what my wife and I use and we love it. I don't think there's anything wrong with the Nikon's, I've just never used one so I can't really comment.
If you aren't opposed to buying online, I would highly recommend considering purchasing from B&H.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
What kind of photography do you think you'll be using the camera for? If you are anticipating on using it for a lot of everyday, candid shots I would highly recommend getting this lens.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html
It's a 50mm fixed lens, so no zooming with this badboy, but it's an awesome lens for beginners. It takes pretty amazing photos in low light, indoor conditions which comes in handy when you want to capture a quick shot of the kids doing something awesomely kiddish as they grow up. So many of my favorite photos of my children were taken with this lens. My wife had a friend who had to talk her into the value of the fixed lens, and we are glad she did.
If you aren't opposed to buying online, I would highly recommend considering purchasing from B&H.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
What kind of photography do you think you'll be using the camera for? If you are anticipating on using it for a lot of everyday, candid shots I would highly recommend getting this lens.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html
It's a 50mm fixed lens, so no zooming with this badboy, but it's an awesome lens for beginners. It takes pretty amazing photos in low light, indoor conditions which comes in handy when you want to capture a quick shot of the kids doing something awesomely kiddish as they grow up. So many of my favorite photos of my children were taken with this lens. My wife had a friend who had to talk her into the value of the fixed lens, and we are glad she did.
I have a Fuji S9400 which was only about $500. No interchangeable lens. My next one will be a Canon...just shopping around.
Pix came out ok with the Fuji. Night pix were tricky but after playing with the settings I got something like this. Daylight and inside pix come out nice.
Pix came out ok with the Fuji. Night pix were tricky but after playing with the settings I got something like this. Daylight and inside pix come out nice.
Attachments
This will mostly just be for candida of the kids, so it sounds from all of you like the Rebel is the way to go. That is awesome. It is pretty competitively priced, too, from comparing online.
Thanks, guys - I haven't bought a camera since my old-school film Pentax in high school.
Thanks, guys - I haven't bought a camera since my old-school film Pentax in high school.
Bought a Canon a couple a years ago. I would recommend you take a trip to DM and visit Christian Photo they were super helpful. Their prices are really competitive on major brands. For the camera I got it was the same price as off the internets. It was nice to try them 1st because they really do fit in your hands differently depending on the model.
I've had a Nikon 5000 for probably 5 years. It works great and does everything I want it to. With that said, the best money I spent was the $40 I spent on a Des Moines continuing education class that I took for SLR's. It's a crime to buy a decent slr and then stick it on auto mode.
I think the latest one in this class is the Nikon 5300. Ken Rockwell does some nice reviews.
With all that said, I hate to make any kind of recommendation when we have pro's like ISUfan22 on here who know a ton.
I think the latest one in this class is the Nikon 5300. Ken Rockwell does some nice reviews.
With all that said, I hate to make any kind of recommendation when we have pro's like ISUfan22 on here who know a ton.
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If you have some decent Pentax lenses, they work fantastic in new Pentax digital bodies. They build image stabilization into the body instead of the lenses like canon and Nikon do. We got a Pentax DSLR when our first was born and it took some amazing pictures using some of my old lenses. A couple years ago we made the switch to Canon. I'm not sure we made the right choice because we are using lower quality lenses than I had with Pentax.
If you are starting fresh Nikon or Canon is the way to go, but staying with Pentax should be an option if you have decent lenses IMO.
I've been very happy with my D3100. The D3xxx line is the true entry level for Nikon. Takes some great photos. Got a refurbed one at a great price. Have a 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens to go with it.
A few of my shots from last fall... http://chriskuball.imgur.com/
A few of my shots from last fall... http://chriskuball.imgur.com/
Canon and Nikon are both pretty similar when it comes to entry level DSLRs. IMO, the biggest differentiator is in glass, and Nikon has a slight edge (again, my opinion). Most people I know that buy a DSLR only use 1 lens ever (some have also have a very cheap telephoto that they rarely use). For these people, I would recommend a Nikon. However, if you want to buy multiple lenses, I would recommend a Canon because they typically offer a better value (i.e., $$).
Canon T3i or Nikon D3300 are probably the best entry level models from each brand. If you plan on shooting a lot of video, I'd suggest the T3i, as the articulating LCD screen can really come in handy.
For the basic user (ie, parent trying to get halfway decent pics of their kids on something other than a smartphone) the entry level Canon and Nikons are basically the same. It would be worthwhile to go into a store and check each out - see how they fit in your hands, how easy the menu buttons are to use, etc.. And decide which one you like best. A basic 50mm lens is nice for an alternative to the kit lens, the cheapest one from Canon does do well, but that's something to worry about once you get used to the camera itself. I definitely agree that the best thing you can do is take a beginner DSLR class.
I had an older Canon rebel that I got when our oldest was about 1.5. I loved that thing and used the heck out of it for 5ish years until I dropped it. I think it still would have worked ok, but I had constant issues with the lens and decided to just upgrade to a better camera. I got a Canon 7D about 2.5 years ago, and it's probably more camera than I need, but I love how sturdy it is. I need to take another beginners class because I've never gotten around to using my (newer) as much as I'd like and just need a refresher course.
I had an older Canon rebel that I got when our oldest was about 1.5. I loved that thing and used the heck out of it for 5ish years until I dropped it. I think it still would have worked ok, but I had constant issues with the lens and decided to just upgrade to a better camera. I got a Canon 7D about 2.5 years ago, and it's probably more camera than I need, but I love how sturdy it is. I need to take another beginners class because I've never gotten around to using my (newer) as much as I'd like and just need a refresher course.
Part of your decision of has to be how much you're willing to spend. There is nothing wrong with a bottom of the line DSLR. It's still a good camera.
I learned photography on the Canon EOS Rebel T3, which is the bottom of the line Canon DSLRs. As I got more into the profession of photojournalism, specializing in sports photography, I had to upgrade to a camera body that offered better shutter speeds, but I keep my T3 around as a secondary/backup. I once photographed an ISU football game with my T3.
Going with a bottom of the line DSLR may also help learn the basics of the camera's functions and photography. If you go with the high end camera body, you may overwhelm yourself with all of the features.
If you would like Angie, I can put together a small gallery of candid photos I have taken with my T3, so you can get an idea of what something like the T3 offers.
And please, whatever camera you decide on, please learn how to use it. Nothing pains me more when it comes to photography to see someone using a DSLR in auto mode. They aren't getting the value out of their camera. Learn the basic functions of the DSLR to get the most out of it.
I learned photography on the Canon EOS Rebel T3, which is the bottom of the line Canon DSLRs. As I got more into the profession of photojournalism, specializing in sports photography, I had to upgrade to a camera body that offered better shutter speeds, but I keep my T3 around as a secondary/backup. I once photographed an ISU football game with my T3.
Going with a bottom of the line DSLR may also help learn the basics of the camera's functions and photography. If you go with the high end camera body, you may overwhelm yourself with all of the features.
If you would like Angie, I can put together a small gallery of candid photos I have taken with my T3, so you can get an idea of what something like the T3 offers.
And please, whatever camera you decide on, please learn how to use it. Nothing pains me more when it comes to photography to see someone using a DSLR in auto mode. They aren't getting the value out of their camera. Learn the basic functions of the DSLR to get the most out of it.
