DSLR Camera

[thebloodsonthewall]

I am considering buying a DSLR Camera. I have been doing some research and there is a lot to learn. I like taking pictures when I am out camping and when I am with family. I have a son now too. I have only had cheap digital cameras and it makes it hard to take good pictures.

I mostly want to take pictures outdoors. Some of them will be action shots and some will be landscape and portrait shots. I was also thinking that maybe my wife could take portraits for people as a side job. I am in the Army and it would be fairly easy for my wife to start up a little photography company.

Live View would be nice as well as the ability to take videos. Optional though.

What would be a decent camera that meets these requirements? I don't want to spend over $700. If I am asking too much out of that priced camera, what can I expect?

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3100-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B003ZYF3LO/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1302709852&sr=1-1

That is the one that stood out the most during my searches.

[Rivers]

If you're locked into that budget, you might even consider a good used camera with a bit higher end construction. I would also lean toward Canon but that's my personal preference. You'll find some pretty similar specifications between the two. I like Canon's lens choices (price and specs offered) and the larger lens mount diameter. That makes it stronger and allows Canon to build lenses with amazing specs for less money. Both Nikon and Canon have good and better lenses. The brands' mounts are not interchangeable so you would get locked into a BODY make (Canon, Nikon, etc.)

I'm taking a long range view here, assuming that the love of photography will bite you in the butt for years to come. Picking the brand well now will allow for a smoother and less expensive transition down the road. Also keep in mind that with digital photography, you use a computer to post-process. So some computer skills and hardware come into play too.

Tips for buying (anything) used:
Pay attention to the overall aesthetics, like any nicks or scratches. Also note the general condition of other items the seller owns. If the seller respects his property, it will show. If other stuff looks thrashed or dirty, walk away.

For good reviews, check out:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/

http://www.dpreview.com/

[blakdawg]

Photography is like shooting - the equipment matters, but most of the success or failure of the project is attributable to the Indian, not the arrow.

Both Nikon and Canon make nice entry-level digital SLR's. I am a Canon person and don't follow the Nikon market closely enough to comment specifically on the camera you mentioned, but given the Nikon name I would expect it to be a good camera. My brother-in-law bought one of the entry-level Nikon DSLR's recently and he likes it quite a bit.

There's a giant difference between photography as a hobby and photography as a business. It's not realistic to expect to spend $700 on a camera and suddenly have a portrait business. I would suggest that you put this entire aspect of this project aside and focus on photography for your personal/family use - if your wife really wants to be a professional photographer, the best thing for her to do will be to go work as an employee in that industry before she's a business owner. Once she's put some time in learning on other people's equipment/money, she'll be better prepared to know what she wants/needs, and if she's even interested in that line of business. There are successful portrait business owners, but buying a camera and expecting to turn into a working professional photographer is a little like buying a guitar and expecting to turn into a rock star. It happens sometimes, but most of the time it doesn't.

[Jel]

Photography is another slippery slope. Maybe not as bad as BRD but slippery none the less. I've found that I've spent a considerable amount of $ on my camera gear. Not as much as on guns, but still significant.

I'm a Canon guy like blakdawg and Rivers, so I can't really comment on Nikon other than all the people that use them like them.

You might want to consider Rivers' advice and buying used. You'll probably get more camera for the money and you can save your pennies for lenses and accessories. Something along the lines of a used 40D or 50D. These are the "pro-sumer" lines and they are built stronger and don't have the plastic feel. You should be able to pick one up in your price range.

If you are set on buying new, Canon has their Rebel line. The T2i does video but it is over your price range. A used T1i may fit the bill if you can find one used as it does video.

You'll also need memory cards, possibly spare batteries, a camera bag, and like said above, a computer for storing and processing your images.

Good luck!

[Dayton]

I have a Canon Rebel XTi and haven't had any problems at all. It's a great little camera that takes fairly high quality pics.

Maybe you should look into a Canon Rebel like Jel has recommended as well.

Good luck.

[P1X4R]

i would recommend Canon and their Rebel series DSLRs. they're within your budget.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/571144-REG/Canon_2762B003_EOS_Rebel_XS_SLR.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/753766-REG/Canon_5757B002_EOS_Rebel_T3_Digital.html

[TWoods450]

I too have a Rebel Xti and love it, have had it for two years now. I'm contemplating a new camera body myself. I'd say if you are just getting into it you might want to consider something from the Canon Rebel series w/out a lens, then buy a better lens or two than what comes with the kits. Over time pick up more lenses that suit your needs, if you go with canon, all the EF series lenses will work with all of canons DSLR cameras (EF-S will only work with crop sensor cameras which is pretty much all but the canon 1d and 5d series)

When buying used the first thing to do would be to check the number of actuations the camera has on it. Make sure to take several pictures with the camera, one after another and some in rapid shoot, make sure you don't have any problems with that. if you guy a lens with it make sure there are no scratches on the front or rear glass elements, even the slightest scratch can be greatly amplified in a photo.

[Justintoxicated]

Your going to get a ton of votes for Nikon and Canon, probably with an emphesis on Canon.

I'm going to toss in a vote for Olympus. The IS is built into the camera body, so all Lenses become IS lenses rather than having to spend $300+ on each additional lense for IS (Since your on a budget). Olympus makes some AMAZING glass too. They are typically a bit smaller and lighter weight than other non 4/3 SLRs so great for doing things outdoors (as you suggested)

On the downside, they are (I think they are still) behind on video. Also they will tend to be a bit noisier in dark situations (at least with the middle road cameras). You can also tend to get more Boca I think with other offerings. In the end though the Olympus / Panasonic system is typically allot more bang for your buck. $700 I doubt you will get an SLR, with good glass and video, even used.

If you plan to invest into some seriously high end stuff later meaning $1000's into this hobby you will be better off (with Canon or Nikon). These would (perhaps arguably) be better choices if you plan on doing allot of night photography. You will see most pros using Nikon's and Canons because their Top tier stuff is better than Olympus' consumer stuff away (they also cost 5x times as much though so it had damn well better be allot better).

Olympus really does make some of the best glass though, check into reviews. Their lowered end stuff is typically better than Canon or Nikon (in the same line / price point), and their mid tier (High Grade) is amazing. I have not yet purchased any of there Super High Grade stuff (mostly in the $1000's for lenses there and I only have an e520).

Of course you don't have to stick to the manufacturers glass in any case, and I'm not knocking Canon's or Nikons glass either, but read some reviews of Kit lenses since thats probably what you will end up with if purchasing new in that price range.

There's a giant difference between photography as a hobby and photography as a business. It's not realistic to expect to spend $700 on a camera and suddenly have a portrait business. I would suggest that you put this entire aspect of this project aside and focus on photography for your personal/family use - if your wife really wants to be a professional photographer, the best thing for her to do will be to go work as an employee in that industry before she's a business owner. Once she's put some time in learning on other people's equipment/money, she'll be better prepared to know what she wants/needs, and if she's even interested in that line of business. There are successful portrait business owners, but buying a camera and expecting to turn into a working professional photographer is a little like buying a guitar and expecting to turn into a rock star. It happens sometimes, but most of the time it doesn't.

This is why I choose olympus. Great value compared to other brands IMO, but again Olympus is great for outdoors, Zooming etc, but not as good for Nightitme photography IMO. If video is super important you can eliminate olympus in your price range as well. (Noticed that nikon took video). I was more interested in investing in glass.

If your going to get a Nikon or Canon, get one with a bracketing option so you can have an easier time with HDR shots. (Not sure if the model your looking at comes with this)

[SxB]

Get on craigslist and buy s D5000 body and the 18-200mm vr lens. Covers all your needs well

[tommygunr]

Ok I'm a Nikon guy manly because I had Nikon lenses from my old 35mm days( that's film for you youngsters). If you get Nikon DSLR you should get one that has the internal focus motor this will increase your options on lenses new and old . I wouldn't worry about live view so much IMOP it's overrated especially sense it's actually harder to take fast action shots with it . For your budget I would try to find a used D80 or D90 .The lower the shutter count the better anything above 20,000 I would stay away from even thought most are good for about 50,000+. For video go buy a camcorder there made for it .

[jubjubrsx]

i have a d5000 and i like it alot....although i will say its all bout the lens that you get. and better almost always means more $$$....i personally learned on a nikkor 35mm prime lens(no zoom fixed focal length) they dont zoom but are super sharp. for my photo needs i read fredmiranda.com (forums) alot of good info there

edit on a side note: when choosing from a nikon/cannon/etc....should goto a shop/costco and actually feel the camera in your hand in your price range the cameras are a tad small. thats what made me choose the nikon over the canon. the canon just felt horrible in my hand and gave me cramps

[DaveFJ80]

I've always been a Canon man... still am. But lately I've seen some of the Nikon DSLR cameras have some better color in the photos compared to a Canon DSLR, but it varies on the lighting condition. Still you can alter images in Photoshop, as I usually do to clean them up. But when taking raw images, I'm impressed with Nikon's performance lately.

[Rhythm of Life]

Think about how much you would use video before you spend the extra for a camera with that capability.

I own a 12 megapixel canon XSi and its got great image quality:





The body isn't as important as the lens.

[evidens83]

^^ Awesome shots Rhythm! Lens?

[Rhythm of Life]

^^ Awesome shots Rhythm! Lens?

First shot was actually a kit lens Second was a cheapo 50mm f1.8 canon lens. Also goes to show you don't NEED a great lens. Just a decent one.

FYI if your looking for a lens check out the Tamron 18-270, its a perfect set-up for all types of shots. Many a pro uses it and at $600 its a steal compared to Canon L lenses.

Also invest in photoshop or learn how to edit images in free software. Clicking the shutter is only half of the job.