DSLR Newb, I've read a lot, still need a bit of help. (choosing a camera)

[iGas]

wow....

very nice.

i'm impressed.

I am excited about getting my first DSLR (Cannon T3). i have had a SLR (film) years ago. i took a tons of pictures. then got out of the hobby (damn kids!)

i suspect i will get into it again and upgrade from the intro level T3. at least at the lenses.

HDR shots can be done with lowly P&S cameras that have manual mode. It is even easier if the camera have built in HRD modes. And, then crank up contrast and saturation in post processing.

I have to agree that good lens does help, however taking lots of pictures and post processing it is the key to improve your photography.

I read somewhere back in the mid 80s from a photography master is that one may need to take at least 2000 rolls of films & process it before he/she can be consider an advanced amateur photography. And, there were a saying of the time were, "the quality of a photographer is measure by the size of his garbage can". It mean that to be a good photographer you are willing to spend endless amount of time in the darkroom processing, and throw out boxes of paper just to get a good print.

 

[Wolfovich]

For a DSLR beginner, I recommend the Canon Rebel T5i with 18-55mm lens kit. Although it's not significantly different from the T4i (added grip, slightly improved image quality, and the settings switch can turn 360 degrees), it's still a great entry-level DSLR.

I always found Canon's image quality to be superior over Nikon's. Plus, it has a touch screen, and Nikon doesn't. I would go with the Canon T4i or T5i.