Beginner buying strategy...

[E.intheC]

I'm a complete beginner when it comes to cameras. I've been doing some research but need to narrow things down.

I would like a nice DSLR with a decent macro lens and something for "outdoor, nature, people type pictures". Not wanting to spend TONS of money, what's my best strategy?

Used? Body only? Refurb?

I'm looking at the Canon T3 body only with a decent macro Lens to start but I don't have crazy money to get started. I'm not looking for specific recommendations but just a few tips about a buying strategy of sorts.

Help a reefer on a budget!

 

[_Mackus_]

Keep an eye on sites like slickdeals, they have fairly frequent camera specials. Around Xmas I got my girlfriend a T3i, two lenses, memory card, and a huge printer for $1000 plus a $400 mail-in-rebate (Visa gift card) so about $600 total after waiting a few weeks for the rebate to come. Even sold the printer on Craigslist for $100. Didn't get a macro lens, but you probably could instead of one of the other ones, would add some money to the deal.

 

[Misled]

Look into used bodies. No matter where you go later, it's the glass that will end up staying with you. You can buy used glass, but go with someone like B&H, Adorama or Keh. I know nothing about slickdeals and would imagine they would be slick if you need support later. Just my 2 cents.

 

[_Mackus_]

Sorry, I didn't elaborate. Slickdeals (dot .net) isn't a vendor site, they don't sell anything. It's basically just a forum/listserv of any high value deal that a poster there has stumbled across anywhere on the internet, for any type of product. Anytime there is some crazy BOGO special or discount coupon code or anything, someone posts it there with a link. If you use their search box for a DSLR or even the specific type of camera you're interested in, you might get lucky and find a decent camera deal at any given time.

Right now, searching 'DSLR', they've got links to deals for a T3i, 18-55mm lens, and 55-200mm lens for $601 from Adorama or a deal for a 60D, 18-135mm lens, and a printer from B&H for $900 after $400 MIR. I don't know enough about the cameras to know just how good of deals those are or to make a recommendation on what to buy, but it's a useful site to keep an eye on if you've got some patience and are looking for a relative bargain.

 

[Justin Grimm]

A used T3i is a great option for starting out in dslr photography. Look for something in good condition with a lower shutter count and it will be good for many years until you figure out what you want to upgrade to.

As for a lens, it is a toss up between the canon 60mm F2.8 macro, and 100mm F2.8 Macro. They both have the same optical quality, and the 60mm is slightly cheaper. The most important difference about them to concider (or any macro lens you might choose) is the MINIMUM focusing distance. The 60mm lens can focus as close as 20cm from the sensor, and the 100mm is 30cm. Going from your signature and you owning a 34 gallon tank, I think the 60mm lens is the winner for how far your subjects will be from the aquarium glass.

 

[E.intheC]

Thanks for the replies so far, I appreciate them.

How does everyone feel about refurbished cameras? I've read mixed reviews, and if I went with a refurb it would be from Canon directly.

The T3i package is on sale now for $599 (new) but the same package refurbished is only $418.

 

[IslandCrow]

I hear mixed things about refurbished cameras, but here's the thoughts from someone who hasn't bought one (though I do have a perfectly functioning refurbished lens): Every camera goes through some sort of quality control, but occasionally something gets missed. This camera gets sold, and in essence that person acts as another quality control, in this case finding a defect. The defective camera is returned to Canon who is going to want to keep the customer happy, so rather than making them wait for the repair, just sends them a new camera. Canon then repairs the new camera, it goes through essentially a third quality control and is resold. Even though it was never really used, they can't actually sell it as a new camera, but to me it sounds like the chances of there being yet something else wrong with the camera are actually significantly less than than the chances of a camera fresh off the production line. I could be looking at this all wrong, but in short, I'd have no problem buying refurbished.

As for used, you can get really good deals, especially on previous years' models. Companies like Adorama or B&H rate the condition of their used condition, so you really do know what you're getting. If you can find out how many shutter actuations there are on the camera, that's even better (just call their used department and see if they can find out for you). I wouldn't worry about it for anything that only came out within the past few years, though. The average hobbiest will never come close to wearing out the shutter on a modern camera.

 

[ssick92]

I would not be too scared about buying a refurbished camera from Canon. It isn't really the camera body that will producing your results, it is the lens. I would however be suspicious of buying a refurbished Canon T3i from anyone BUT Canon.

I believe Canon is a high quality brand and they would not purposely sell a defective camera to a consumer. If by chance (a VERY small chance) that you do get a defective body, I'm sure Canon would be happy to exchange it for another one that is not defective. In terms of lenses, I believe the best bet would be to find a either used Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, or the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro. I however tend to be biased towards the Canon lens for aquarium photography because 1) It is what I use, and 2) the length of the lens never changes. The focusing is internal in the lens, whereas the Tamron's lens will extend in order to focus, and with aquarium glass in the way, you might twist it right into the glass without realizing it and scratch your lens.

I can't really recommend a good lens for everyday shooting because the one I have (a Tamron 75-300mm), my parents gave me from their old film SLR, and it is pretty crappy. It gets the job done decently in the middle of its zoom length, but at either 75mm or 300mm I can see some noticeable distortion. I do find myself using the 18-55 kit lens very often though, but for shooting birds or wildlife it just can't get close enough. It is verrrry good at landscape photos though.

If you can get a Refurbished Canon T3(or T3i, not sure what the difference is) body only & find a used Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens for within your budget, I believe you will be very happy with the results you can get. After you get those, you could start looking for a used 18-55mm or a 55-200mm zoom lens to complete your set once your get enough $ saved up.

OR

If aquarium/macro photography isn't your #1 priority then I would go with the same refurbished body, but get the utility lens before you get the macro lens.