Looking for a good, but decent proced DSLR Camera

[soniccj5]

So, I need to stop thinking about R/C long enough to get some gifts picked out for my wife. She mentioned she would like a DSLR camera. I am looking to spend between $200-500. Do you guys have any recommendations?

Thanks,

ED

[Diamond Dave]

I own a Nikon D40X. My first DSLR. I like it, decent amount of features.

The menu is easy to use as well. what Brand of dig cam do you currently own?

Buying the same brand might help make the move to DSLR a little easier, as you would be familiar with it already.

[soniccj5]

Older HP digital Camera.

[Diamond Dave]

Hmmm, Not alot to work with there. I would think that taking a trip to a camera store, or something like that will help you.

By being able to hold one, and see the features, you will be able to get a better idea.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/category/dslr-packages/24394.aspx?path=0535d33caca65c69557accfdb86e3989en01

I guess BesyBuy is ok, There are some choices. Where are you located?

There is a really nice cam store in my neck of the woods, http://www.vistek.ca/

They are pricey, but the people there are great to deal with.

[skunk.werkz]

I got my Canon rebel XSI used with a kit lense an additional long range lens and a bunch of filters for 450$ off one of my automotive forums. You'll be hardpressed to find a new DSLR for much less than 500$ and that will be with a body/kit lens and battery, nothing more.

You can search around for used bodies and lenses but you'll have to pay attention to how many shutter clicks they have. These cameras DO have a life span of around 10,000 shutter clicks, I could be wrong for the newer stuff but thats about a general idea.

[madweazl]

You should be able to find a Canon T2 with lens in that range. While it is an entry level dSLR, it will take great pictures with nice glass and as she learns photography, you'll be able to transfer the glass over to a better body down the road.

[LTO_Dave]

You can search around for used bodies and lenses but you'll have to pay attention to how many shutter clicks they have. These cameras DO have a life span of around 10,000 shutter clicks, I could be wrong for the newer stuff but thats about a general idea.

No, 100,000 actuations is a better number. And it's just a general number...it's not like the camera will explode at exactly 200,000 actuations.

An easy program to use for checking the number of shutter clicks on a camera is Opanda IExif. All you need is a raw unedited file and it should show up as the number of clicks. Although, some cameras don't provide the data, like my Nikon D100 for example.

I'm not a Canon fan, but I know several people with Rebels who love them. The cheaper Nikon DSLR's like the d40, d70 and d90 seem to have a good reputation. And even the cheaper kit lenses have Vibration Reduction. The Nikon menus are easy to navigate and are similar throughout the entire lineup.

The Sony Alpha's seem to get good reviews. Here's a kit from Adorama for $500:

http://www.adorama.com/ISODSLRA390A.html

[flipwils11]

I'm also in the market, maybe willing to spend a bit more. Dave, what do you recommend? Not knowing a ton about cameras, but having a general sense from two bro-in-law's with 4-figure Nikons, it seems like a pretty good body is a nice base to build off of for many years but nice lenses are where the big investment is.

It's way on the upper end of what I want to pay (i.e. I probably will have to wait until I can afford a used one) but what do you think of the Nikon D7000 body? Like I said, I like to go big and then hold onto it as an investment for many, many years to get the payback.

[madweazl]

You can search around for used bodies and lenses but you'll have to pay attention to how many shutter clicks they have. These cameras DO have a life span of around 10,000 shutter clicks, I could be wrong for the newer stuff but thats about a general idea.

No, 100,000 actuations is a better number. And it's just a general number...it's not like the camera will explode at exactly 200,000 actuations.

An easy program to use for checking the number of shutter clicks on a camera is Opanda IExif. All you need is a raw unedited file and it should show up as the number of clicks. Although, some cameras don't provide the data, like my Nikon D100 for example.

I'm not a Canon fan, but I know several people with Rebels who love them. The cheaper Nikon DSLR's like the d40, d70 and d90 seem to have a good reputation. And even the cheaper kit lenses have Vibration Reduction. The Nikon menus are easy to navigate and are similar throughout the entire lineup.

The Sony Alpha's seem to get good reviews. Here's a kit from Adorama for $500:

http://www.adorama.com/ISODSLRA390A.html

Another thing to look at is the image stabilization. Some have it in the body and some have it in the glass. When it's housed in the body, glass is much cheaper. Sony and Olympus have it in the body if I remember correctly.

10k shot? I'd be buying a new camera a few times a year if that was the case

[Bimdapogs]

I use a D7000, and I like it a lot. It's more than I'll ever need right now but I do plan to try and improve in it. They're rated at 150K clicks, Adam. One plus with it is its built-in AF motor, so you can use cheaper non-AFS lenses. I highly recommend it.

[LTO_Dave]

I'm also in the market, maybe willing to spend a bit more. Dave, what do you recommend? Not knowing a ton about cameras, but having a general sense from two bro-in-law's with 4-figure Nikons, it seems like a pretty good body is a nice base to build off of for many years but nice lenses are where the big investment is.

It's way on the upper end of what I want to pay (i.e. I probably will have to wait until I can afford a used one) but what do you think of the Nikon D7000 body? Like I said, I like to go big and then hold onto it as an investment for many, many years to get the payback.

I was actually going to mention the D7000 since it takes HD video if you're into that. The D700 is more expensive but is FX(full-frame) format. What you should buy depends on what type of photograpy you plan to do.

And you're right, a good body is the place to start IMO. But a quality lense is where you'll spend your money, but also make it back if you do any paid work.

I was lucky a few years ago and found a D2x with less than 100 actuations for about $1400. And I got a Nikon VR 70-200 f /2.8 lens for $2000 and have used it for several weddings and automotive photography. I'd consider it one of the best photographic investments I've ever made. I've done entire weddings from sunny outdoor portraits to dimly-lit indoor ceremonies without changing a lens.

I'll probably buy a D3 once they come down in price. The D3x already made the prices drop, so I'll wait for the D4 to arrive.

[soniccj5]

Wow, so much info, feels like when I first learned about LiPo and brushless.

I found a "Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens and EOS" for $450.00. WOuld that be a good starter?

Thanks,
ED

[soniccj5]

Decided to go with the Canon EOS rebel T3. I hope I did the right thing.

[Bimdapogs]

Wow, so much info, feels like when I first learned about LiPo and brushless.

I found a "Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens and EOS" for $450.00. WOuld that be a good starter?

Thanks,
ED

Was it new? They have at B&H for the same price with Free shipping.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/753766-REG/Canon_5757B002_EOS_Rebel_T3_Digital.html

[skunk.werkz]

You can search around for used bodies and lenses but you'll have to pay attention to how many shutter clicks they have. These cameras DO have a life span of around 10,000 shutter clicks, I could be wrong for the newer stuff but thats about a general idea.

No, 100,000 actuations is a better number. And it's just a general number...it's not like the camera will explode at exactly 200,000 actuations.

sorry i forgot a zero lol! I knew it it wouldnt be that low, had a brain fart