Camera recommendation
- Thread starter Tschupe
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BobthePhotoGuy
New member
I would go with the Canon Rebel t3i or t5i. You get more bang from the lenses then from the camera body. I haven't kept up much with recent lens releases so do a bit of research. try dpreview.com for camera reviews.
Bob
Bob
Anthrax15
New member
+1
Good starter DSLR with plenty of features to keep her busy. I used the kit lens on a T3i which is a 18-55mm and was able to get this pic.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/anthrax15/6508128193/" title="IMG_1722 by Reef Monsters, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6508128193_a96f564227_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="IMG_1722"></a>
BobthePhotoGuy
New member
It's kind of like Chevy vs Ford.
Personally I like the lens choices for Canon better, but Nikon has been doing a good job of catching up. Old school says Nikon is better and it may have been many, many years ago. With digital Canon is usually about 6-12 months ahead of Nikon with their top cameras.
All a matter of preference. Once you buy a bunch of glass for a system, it is hard to switch. I know people that have done the switch (either direction) and felt it really wasn't worth the effort and expense to switch. So which ever system you go with, remember that you are kind of tied to it, especially if you start buying good glass!
Bob
jimlundborg
New member
I know my wife started with Nikon but has now switched to Cannon. The D mark III is really nice she swears by the full frame cameras.
Anthrax15
New member
+1
I have a 5D1 and love it. It's given me some issues in the past but full frame is the way to go if you are really into photography!
madweazl
Member
I'm gonna stray from the pack and recommend Pentax because the glass is cheaper (motor in body vice lens). The menus are fairly intuitive as well. Next up would be Canon (I've always loved their menus) followed by Sony. I have a lowered end Nikon and I positively hate the menu system.
I've had the Kr for almost 2 years now and have been very happy with it. Feels like a quality unit in hand (the T3 kind of feels cheap to me) and functions very well. I just need to start buying glass for the darn thing!
I've had the Kr for almost 2 years now and have been very happy with it. Feels like a quality unit in hand (the T3 kind of feels cheap to me) and functions very well. I just need to start buying glass for the darn thing!
Last edited:
Kobashi
Member
I've always been a Canon guy... however... truth be told... Nikon has positioned itself very well and has caught up well enough to make the "value" (for the about 20% less price) quite attractive. I would say that that Canon and Nikon are years ahead of any others. Costco has some attractive deals.
It also depends on how and what you are going to use it for? My advice is to learn how to use it (for what you're paying for- artistic modes) and then once you do, buy some glass that will make it worthwhile.
Although I still consider myself a pro-am (more am-pro) I learned "the basics" from a pro in about 30 minutes... and it has taken more than a year to feel comfortable shooting full Manual (if needed). My best advice would to shoot in Aperture Mode for at least 6 months (tinkering with ISO and shutter speed) to best learn to understand how it all works. Don't worry, it's fun the entire time.
It also depends on how and what you are going to use it for? My advice is to learn how to use it (for what you're paying for- artistic modes) and then once you do, buy some glass that will make it worthwhile.
Although I still consider myself a pro-am (more am-pro) I learned "the basics" from a pro in about 30 minutes... and it has taken more than a year to feel comfortable shooting full Manual (if needed). My best advice would to shoot in Aperture Mode for at least 6 months (tinkering with ISO and shutter speed) to best learn to understand how it all works. Don't worry, it's fun the entire time.
Anthrax15
New member
+100
Just keep shooting. Everything and anything. Play with all the settings and figure out what does what. I had a hard time grasping all the info on DSLR's until I had one in my hands. Now I will continue to shoot until I have arthritis!
zibba
New member
You can't go wrong with a Nikon or Canon. I've been a Nikon guy from the start and it's what I'll stick with because I have built up a lens collection. If I were starting fresh and jumping into the pro-body range with a large budget, I would have gone with the Canon 5D Mark III vs. the Nikon D600 I have now.
You can find people taking reams of inspiring photos with the lower level DSLRs + kit lenses (just like you can find people taking amazing photos with their camera phones these days).
To be more specific, if you're at all interested in getting into aquarium photography and have $1000 to spend, here's what I'd get:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital...F8&qid=1385574093&sr=1-2&keywords=nikon+d3100
and this:
http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-AF-90mm-2-8-Di/dp/B00021EE4U
$1000 out the door.
Add a tripod and a topdown photobox for $100 more and you're set.
Going out on the limb with madweazl, Pentax. I've been shooting Pentax film cameras for 30 years. When I went to digital a couple of years ago I got a Pentax K-7 because it was a year behind, discount, and I can use all my old glass with it.
Pentax is now owned by Ricoh, yes the copier people and have been putting a lot of money into R&D. The New K-3 DSLR is their new flagship body. Reviews are very good. You can get quality glass much cheaper than either Canon or Nikon.
Here is an example of what I shot with a Sigma 70mm Macro on my K-7 when I first got the lens:
Magicians by rworegon, on Flickr
Pentax has a reputation for color saturation and warmth that has stood from the old film days and seems to have carried on with the digitals.
zibba
New member
There's not going to be a huge difference. I'd recommend going with the D7000 w/ 18-105 instead if she wants more than the D3200.
BobthePhotoGuy
New member
I'm going to step away from the camera envy that happens all to frequently.
Here is an alternative to the big SLR.
I used to shoot strictly Canon, I had a Canon 1D mkII ($3600 when purchased), with all the accompanying lenses (almost $10000 in gear). I love to go hiking and got tired of hauling 40lbs of gear around (and I wasn't making any money with photography due to the economy). So I ended up buying a Sony NEX7. Much smaller and lighter, 24mp and can accept pretty much any lens with adapters. The baby brother is the NEX 5, more to your cost point and is pretty much as capable as any SLR in image quality (but much lighter). It isn't popular among the amateurs because it isn't the BIG SLR camera. Our world is very much image concerned (not photographic image but how we look) and you aren't squat without an SLR (sorry just a personal rant).
Here are a few shots from my NEX 7:
My cousins wedding
camping *not resized"
Here is an alternative to the big SLR.
I used to shoot strictly Canon, I had a Canon 1D mkII ($3600 when purchased), with all the accompanying lenses (almost $10000 in gear). I love to go hiking and got tired of hauling 40lbs of gear around (and I wasn't making any money with photography due to the economy). So I ended up buying a Sony NEX7. Much smaller and lighter, 24mp and can accept pretty much any lens with adapters. The baby brother is the NEX 5, more to your cost point and is pretty much as capable as any SLR in image quality (but much lighter). It isn't popular among the amateurs because it isn't the BIG SLR camera. Our world is very much image concerned (not photographic image but how we look) and you aren't squat without an SLR (sorry just a personal rant).
Here are a few shots from my NEX 7:
My cousins wedding
camping *not resized"
bdevillier
New member
bob those photos are great. i purchased the nex5 a while back but havent gotten around to buying new glass. i want to get a macro, but not break the bank, any suggestions? i was also given some older minolta lenses but i'm not sure if i want to buy an adapter for them.
BobthePhotoGuy
New member
Most adapters can be had for ~$10 on ebay.
If you have a Minolta Macro, just get an adapter. Another option is to look at Minolta extension tubes. The tubes work great with most lenses for macro photography.
I love buying old lenses and adapting them to the NEX. The two shots of the forest were taken with old Canon Manual focus lenses. Here is a pic using an old FED russian Leica copy lens (55 years old) on the NEX.
The old lenses are some of the best.
If you have a Minolta Macro, just get an adapter. Another option is to look at Minolta extension tubes. The tubes work great with most lenses for macro photography.
I love buying old lenses and adapting them to the NEX. The two shots of the forest were taken with old Canon Manual focus lenses. Here is a pic using an old FED russian Leica copy lens (55 years old) on the NEX.
The old lenses are some of the best.
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