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Entry-level DSLR options .. seeking advice

R1P5AW

R1P5AW

Senior member
I'm interested in picking up photography as a hobby and looking into my options in the DSLR world. :thumbsup:

My brother has a Nikon d3100 that I have played around with and really enjoy and I am looking for something similar but cheaper.

The camera would be used in all environments (indoor/outdoor/low light/etc)

Right now I have the following options:

New Canon Rebel XS for $415
New Nikon D3000 for $449
New Nikon D5000 for $575
Refurbished Nikon D3000 for $399


Or should I take a stab at any of the DSLRs in Canon's customer loyalty program? I'm also open to used options and hoping to spend less than $600 on everything (MAX, hoping to go cheaper).

I'm really interested in making a purchase soon and exploring the world of photography.

For those more knowledgeable on the topic, can you please comment as to which would be the best option?

Thanks
 
Bodies are like CPU components (just not as quickly) meaning that they will always come out with something better. Faster, better low light performance, better sensors, etc.

What you NEED to put the dollar into is the lens. Lenses are what you'll keep forever, while you could potentially replace the body in three or four years.

That said, as your brother has a Nikon, that may be a way to go since you potentially have a range of lenses at your disposal that you can try before you buy.

I went with Nikon as at the time, the body that was available had the features I wanted, but it was very specific. My dad shoots Canon, but he had moved out of state, else I probably would have gone with that as well.

I've found that generally, Canon lenses are a bit less expensive than Nikon, but the glass between them is usually equal, and the usually leapfrog each other with both bodies, and to a lesser extent, glass.

That said, Nikon's usual kit lens (the 24-120) is crap. I can't stand the thing. Canon's kit (28-135) is a little better. But, for a starter, both are versatile enough to start.

Then there's the question to whether you want to take video.

It took me a good six months of researching to finally make the decision, but to each their own.
 
Railgun said:
What you NEED to put the dollar into is the lens. Lenses are what you'll keep forever, while you could potentially replace the body in three or four years.
Click to expand...

+1

Since your brother has a Nikon, you could go with a Nikon and share/trade/sell items to each other. On the other hand, If you go with Pentax/Canon/Sony then you don't have to share, 😛.

I'd avoid the D3000, it uses the much older 10mp CCD sensor used since D200/D80.
 
Well, 600$ is moderately limiting when it comes to getting both camera and glass, and I presume Lightroom, SD cards, a bag, and tripod as well.

Those aren't the cameras to be looking for.

Xsi, T2i, 40D from the Canon Loyalty Program
1D Mark II used locally
D3100, D5100 from Nikon
K-x from Pentax

Items in red use basically all of your budget for the camera only, but offer the best IQ and features. Pentax has in-body IS, the 1DII is a pro body, the D5100 has the best crop sensor out, T2i, DX100, and K-x do movies.

Lens wise, Pentax has a long history with their K-mount with lots of old glass available. Canon is versatile in terms of accepting other lenses via adapters.
 
Again, I'm a beginner with not a lot of experience in photography and I'm not ready for a $600+ move to explore a new hobby.

Thanks all for the advice
 
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used D40 from ebay would be more suitable for your budget. Also adorama has listings for "not new" cameras, but great deals go fast.
 
R1P5AW said:
I'm interested in picking up photography as a hobby and looking into my options in the DSLR world. :thumbsup:

My brother has a Nikon d3100 that I have played around with and really enjoy and I am looking for something similar but cheaper.

The camera would be used in all environments (indoor/outdoor/low light/etc)

Right now I have the following options:

New Canon Rebel XS for $415
New Nikon D3000 for $449
New Nikon D5000 for $575
Refurbished Nikon D3000 for $399


Or should I take a stab at any of the DSLRs in Canon's customer loyalty program? I'm also open to used options and hoping to spend less than $600 on everything (MAX, hoping to go cheaper).

I'm really interested in making a purchase soon and exploring the world of photography.

For those more knowledgeable on the topic, can you please comment as to which would be the best option?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I shoot a lot with older cameras, but for a beginner I would suggest looking at newer models. The D3000 was a bit of a let-down from a D40, because it was a bit cludgy. The D3100, however, is a gem of a camera and is only $579 Refurbished by Nikon (which is better than new) from Adorama. This includes the very sharp 18-55 VR kit lens and Nikon's typical tack sharp autofocus even in low light. This is a VR lens, which means you can shoot it handheld in low light down to 1/15 shutter spead.

http://www.adorama.com/INKD3100KR.html

When Nikon refurbishes a camera, each one is individually hand inspected and calibrated by a skilled technician. I would rather have Nikon refurbished than new anything.

The D5000 is $499 Refurbished from Adorama w/ VR kit lens.

http://www.adorama.com/INKD5000RD.html

D3000 is $399 Refurbished from Adorama w/ VR kit lens.

http://www.adorama.com/INKD3000KR.html

Any of these would be great, but I would suggest the D3100 and that you stay away from Ebay for your first DSLR.

JR
 
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When Nikon refurbishes a camera, each one is individually hand inspected and calibrated by a skilled technician. I would rather have Nikon refurbished than new anything.
Click to expand...
Pretty much true for most reputable companies.

Many of my refurbished monitors, audio/video equipment are manufacture refurbished and they all function just as good as new or better than original equipment.
 
Get thee a copy of the oft-lauded publication - "Understanding Exposure" - Bryan Peterson. Likely the most important purchase in your early hobby.

Once you get to a certain point - bodies pretty much are alike. Don't get caught up in feature madness, recall that the purpose of the camera is to enable you, the photographer, to capture what you see. To that end, pretty much anything you pick will work. Like others have said - your next purchase will be a lens, likely a prime, and then you'll get hooked on em, etc etc.

I don't see anything wrong with any of the ones you posted. Though if you go Nikon you CAN swap lenses with your kin.
 
Used D70 is suiting me well. Buy a base with a built in AF motor - the D40-D60 don't have that. D70 and up does, D3000 doesn't IIRC.

A built in sensor means lenses that support auto focus but don't have a built in motor can still autofocus. (AF vs AF-S lenses.)

Also...buy into Canon or Nikon and STAY with them. F mount lenses work on all nikons...and I'm pretty sure all current Canon's use the same lens mount...though I have some older (80s-ish) lenses for Canon that no longer work...Nikon has been using F mount for what, 50 years?
 
I would definitely stick with nikon since your brother already has one. This however is under the impression that you and your brother get along and that your willing to share, and live close enough to each other to swap lenses.
Like others have said lenses are what really matter. The difference between camera bodies are more to do with weather sealing, frames per second, the overall feel (and of course sensor size). What isnt a huge difference is the low light ability from two cameras from the same year with the same sensor size. Putting it simply, picture quality between an intro camera and a semi pro camera are close enough to not matter.

Talk to your bro and see what he recommends and see if you can pick up one used or refurbished. Then talk to him about lenses. See which one he has been eying, maybe a macro or a prime from sigma or tamron. They are alot cheaper and still produce great pics. Now you have a lens that your brother wants to use and you can use lenses that he already has. Its a win win for both of you.

Of course another thought would be just to buy your brothers dslr and have him upgrade. Most people who have dslr's are always looking for opportunities to upgrade.
 
My first DSLR, I wish I went with a single 18-250mm lense. instead of the "stock 18-55 and 55-250 in addition to it.

I know the benefits of spearates but there are times I jsut had a do it all lense.

Even an 18-120mm or something along those lines would be nice. A 15-100mm would also be nice instead of the 18-55. Right now I kinda want a 12-22mm type lense but for $400-$500 I am waiting.

What sucks is that I really need a bigger camera bag than I have right now. And eventually I'll probably want something that does 250mm-???mm

It's a sickness I tell you!
 
For starting new I recommend the cheapest thing you can get. Since refurb D40's are impossible to find from a good seller, I recommend a D3000 refurb.
 
For low light (handheld) shots you really need a faster lens to complement your kit lens. If $600 is your max budget, go with the refurbed D3000 for $400 and buy the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G for $200.
 
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