WarChild

I know there's some guys on GFY that know their cameras pretty good. I'm looking to buy a DSLR camera and len(s). I'm a total beginner not having ever been a photography enthusiast. I'm not really interested in persuing photography for photography's sake.

I want a decent DSLR I can use at beach volleyball, on the boat, at climbing crags, hikes and that kind of thing. Obviously I understand that DSLR cameras are not tiny but don't want to buy the bulkiest setup. I'd want good auto features with perhaps the option of exploring probably some of the more simple manual settings at some point.

Can you guys give me some recommendations or at least things to consider? Thanks in advance.

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candyflip

The Canon T3i is a nice starter cam. You can get what is pretty much the same camera with a small upgrade in a few specs in the 60D, which gets a more solid physical framework.

Another option these days is something along the line of the Sony NEX-7.

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SmutHammer

I agree Canon T3i, I seen one at Sams club for around $600. with two lenses.

WeirdHomer

That's where people got it all wrong. If you don't use it with manual settings then why spend the extra money? Alot of non-DSLR cameras deliver the same quality on auto settings. If you get a DSLR then please take the time to learn to shoot fully manually, else just don't get one. These days you have alot of non-DSLR cameras with emulated soft shutter time and diafragma that deliver top quality on auto settings for half the money.

WarChild

Don't get me wrong, I will ultimately end up using manual settings I'm sure.

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barcodes

If you are doing it to learn and budget isn't an issue I would say to get a higher end dslr. Why spend 800 bucks now then 1400 or 2k later on when you grow out of it? There are advantages to the higher end dslrs as well like using them in low light.

I had a 40d(just broke) for a while. It was good to learn with but once I got to a certain point it wasn't enough. I want a full cmos with better processing. I see from your other posts that you make decent money. My honest advice to you would be to get a higher end one now if you seriously feel you are going to get committed to this.

the 5dmkii is what the pros are using for canon, some use the 7d but it doesn't have a full cmos sensor. Unfortunately, I can't advise you much on Nikon.

If you decide to go Canon, take a look at this site.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Gallery/

Ton of galleries for every body and lens.
If you check out a 7d gallery image for example, it will tell you the body, lens used, f-stop, etc. under the images they took with it.

Another idea would be to rent out equipment from a site like this:
http://www.borrowlenses.com

The cameras can be a bit expensive but if you decide on a model that comes with a standard lens, you can rent any lens you think you like for a week and test it out fairly cheap.

I'm not a pro, by far but I have a passion for it as well and I wish you the best with this.

LiveDose

I have a 7d and love it. I was a Nikon user my whole life but when I needed to pick up a new body there wasn't anything Nikon had that interested me. It is bulky and a bit dated at this point but still amazing.

My sister has a Lumix GH2. It is compact and takes really nice photos and HD video as well.

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Lint

Just get a Nikon.

WeirdHomer

You'll have alot of fun once you know how to work manually with shutter time, diafragma, iso, etc..... but be patient

Choosing the best model is personal. I would go for either Canon or Nikon, both have pros and cons and have a simular price range and wide lens variety.

Choose a body that feels good in your hand... is the weight good? Can you handle it easelly in your hand? Feel it, try it
Mind the battery time, the longer the better offcourse, nothing worse than missing that one magic moment because your bat is dead.
Every result is just as good as the quality of your lens.... a $10000 body with a $100 lens is a waste of money and quality.

Like mentioned above, if you have a big enough budget, don't go for the cheapest models, you'll be played out with them after a year, two max.

Grapesoda

price point?

ArsewithClass

Was going to say... Nikon one... has great lens available & shoots before you click. Many great features with this camera & at a fantastic price

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005NFW0S...N=B005NF W0SW



edited... from $870 to $630

I would have thought they deliver abroad

barcodes

I think he mentioned wanting a dslr that he can use manual mode with. Does this or the nex-7 have a manual setting? I am assuming they don't, bit if they do that would be pretty nifty.

WarChild

Fairly flexible.

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barcodes

I forgot to mention new ones coming out soon. 5d mark iii and nikon d800.
The nikon one is available for pre order.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...arc h=yes&N=0

http://www.canonrumors.com/category/...n-5d-mark-iii/

One can only assume the other ones would drop a little in price once these come out?

Grapesoda

the Nikon 1 does have manual settings

Grapesoda

Nikon has better ergonomics to most, a better flash system while canon seems to have a bit better glass section at a bit lower price. my personal experience is nikon files can take more of a beating in post than canon files.

that's pretty common knowledge among photographer. canon also seems to release new products before they area ready with mucho issues popping up. ... see a lot of this on the camera forums with new releases.

so the real issue is going to be your long term glass investment. I have +20K in glass so I'm not changing systems. the only canon lens I've ever really desired is thge 85 mm 1.2 but not enought to deal with the system change.

I was you I'd try and pick up a d4 w/ the 24-120 4.0. looking at about 7K +/-

mikesouth

Ive said it before and I will say it again if yer gonna use it in studio either is fine, if yer gonna use it in a harsh environment Nikon Nikon Nikon.

harsh environment = on a boat, a beach, desert, high humidity, high vibration etc

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Mike South

It's No wonder I took up drugs and alcohol, it's the only way I could dumb myself down enough to cope with the morons in this biz.

SmutHammer

If you make decent money, wait for the new 5D. I have the 7D now, but keep wondering in my mind, what if I had a full sensor.... It should be coming out within the next few months.

The old Canon camera's were not weather proof, The 7D and new 5D are.

As your just learning, you'll do much better with Canon. Nikon has the ability to do nice images, but It seems in amateur hands you'de be better off with a $200. point and shoot.

fuzebox

I love my t2i... I wouldn't take it hiking or to the beach though

ArsewithClass

my bad I knew it was too good to be true.

Great camera for the beginner photographer, looking to take great photos & capture those moments we all miss

Matt 26z

Consider buying an older used "prosumer" one on eBay before you drop $x,xxx on something high end.

D40, D40x, D80, D90, etc..... You'll get a lot of bang for your buck with any of these.

The 18-55mm kit lens it'll probably come with is good, but I would upgrade to the 50mm 1.8. Just be sure to get one with the AF-S motor in the lens or you'll be stuck with manual focus even though the lens says auto (many affordable Nikon bodies don't have the motor required to turn older AF lenses). This is an exceptional lens and a great deal at around $200.

Also be sure to get an add on flash for the camera so you can do bounce flashes. Either the SB400 or SB600. The SB400 is sufficient for most. Much smaller than the 600, but there are rotation limitations.

Finally, shoot in RAW format when you can. The .jpg conversion in cameras is automatic. Open the RAW file in PS and you can tweak it to your desire. Obviously this can take a substantial amount of time if you've shot dozens or even hundreds of photos, but the end result is always better than the in-camera .jpg conversion.

Grapesoda

what a strange thing to write, kinda like if you're learning to drive get a ford. it's much easier to learn with

SmutHammer

I'm trying to give Nikon the benifit of doubt... 90% of pics I see from nikons look like shit compared to what I see from Canon. So I'm figuring it is user releated.

I was going through my friends pics he took "in auto" on his 7D, he had some really nice stuff on there, and he has never used a dslr.

Grapesoda

why not consider that you're a moron? I mean it could happen... just curious, you drive a BMW?

Why

i have a Sony a55, its image quality is good, it had a lot of features Nikons and Canons in the same price point cant even touch and its a lot lighter then 7d, which was my second choice.

canon over nikon, IMHO. if you have the money to spend, wait for the 5d iii, just know that its not a take it with you everywhere you go kind of camera.

WarChild

Well I don't want to wait because I have trips in April and May I'd like to have it for. Now I'm kind of torn on saving some bucks on Nikkon 7000D which seems like a popular mid range choice or should I just buy a Cannon 5D.

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HomerSimpson

pretty good advice...

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SmutHammer

Here we go with the name calling again, I'm sorry that your so bitter, I'm sorry your picture quality sucks, even though you have been a "cough" photographer for a decade or more. and brag about having such expensive gear. I've gone through your posts, and don't really understand how you get people to pay you to shoot girls. I guess they are looking for that amateur look.

You kept coming in my thread talking shit, but would never back it up. you had plenty of time to dig and try to find your best images.... yet nothing!

https://gfy.com/showthread.php?t=1054516



Oh, and I drive a Mercedes.

leg4

I have the t3i and the kit lens plus the 50mm 1.8 lens... cheap and great for closeups.

Its a great starting camera... the price for everything is <$1000.

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