DSLR Recommendation

[brutal]

Try to get into it without getting suckered into buying the "kit" lens - all of which are junk. A lens, which has a range of 17-55 or 55-300, is like buying a rifle that claims to shoot both .22LR and .338LM down the same barrel...it's not going to do either one very well. There is no such thing, in photography, firearms, or anything else, in which one single piece of gear does all things well. There never has been, there never will be.

While not a popular suggestion nowadays, I'd strongly suggest buying one single focal length lens and actually learning how to shoot that one lens. Start with a 50mm 1.8, they are inexpensive and you can actually learn about depth of field, how different shutter speeds can be utilized to convey what you are after, Etc. Handing a couple of top cameras and a half dozen lenses to someone that doesn't really know what they are doing is not going to serve any purpose whatsoever.

Don't get caught up in the Nikon vs Canon debate, in 2012, it no longer matters. One of those two adopted FF sensors first but your budget isn't going to access those sensors anyhow so it's a non-issue. It's the Indian, not the arrow.

Not necessarily. The Nikon 18-55 "kit" lens is a shockingly good starter package $100 lens.

This is a great starter package including the D5100 and this lens. http://www.adorama.com/INKD5100KC.html

[One Shot]

No offense taken, I appreciate all the feedback!

[streetglideok]

I was in this boat last year, after being tired of point and shoot cameras. As others have said, there isn't alot of difference between Nikon and Canon, and you can likely throw Sony into that as well. My wife, being not so camera savvy, required me getting a noob friendly camera. I ended up with the D3100 from Nikon, and still use the kit lens. You can get it on sale now, as its been replaced by the D3200. The kit lenses are more than fine for a new shutterbug, but I find myself wanting a wide angle lens, and a telephoto lens now. About all of the big names have a decent entry camera, and will work great. Don't get caught up with the megapixel counts. Even at "only" 14.2mp, I'm getting decent pics. The user, and the lenses will make the biggest difference on the quality of pics you take.

[asmo]

I was trying to stay out of this but now that the football game is over I'm bored so I will throw my $0.02 into here.. Background - I have had many Nikons (D90, D3100, D7000) and Canons (1D, 5D, SXi, PS95)- I shoot a couple thousand pictures a year (and keep less than a 20th of that). I have had some of my pictures published in some gun makers catalogs and I find some of my AAR pictures being routinely stolen around the net. I am NOT a professional in any way - just an enthusiast.

If I had to choose, right now, a DLSR for under 1k it would be the Canon T4i. Specifically because of the DIGIC 5 processor. The T3i is a *GREAT* choice but it runs the DIGIC 4 - not a bad thing per se but the technology is 3+ years old. Its also the reason I don't have a 7D right now (which is an utterly tits camera but out of the price range your talking about).

The choice between Canon and Nikon is subjective and really comes down to a couple of very small things that as an amateur photographer you wont care about anyway. The issue with Sony is that their images come out massively processed - some people really like that look but its not my style - and their lenses are shit in my opinion.

Just know that whatever way you go your basically stuck unless you want to spend a great deal of cash - or you like to spend time on various photo boards looking for a great deal to trade away your equipment. The reasons I choose Canon may be different than the reasons someone else chooses Nikon -- but know this, there is a reason why a majority of the lenses you see at big events (sporting, paparazzi, political, etc.) are white (Canon).

My biggest suggestion is that you spend lots of time on http://www.dpreview.com/ - their reviews are great and very unbiased. They really liked the T3i - I have shot with it and liked it a bunch as well.

[hatidua]

I'll repeat myself - old age does that... Get a simple camera body that has manual override of the automated functions (toss a coin between Canon/Nikon), and buy ONE (1) simple lens, save some money and just get a single focal length lens (not a zoom). When you have truly outgrown that, you will know, based on your needs, what optics need to come next.

My one camera/one lens suggestion isn't a result of being unable to afford more equipment than that, it's a result of having paid the bills with a camera for longer than many forum members here have been alive - www.markpix.com

Great photographs aren't about equipment, they are a result of the person standing directly behind the camera

[hammer03]

Also (if someone hasn't mentioned it yet) swing by a big box store and fondle the cameras. Nikon doesn't seem to fit my hand as well as Canon. Others are the other way around. But they are slightly different shapes, and that may matter to you.

[Kraven251]

I started with the Rebel XT in 2005, and I loved it and am still using it now. I am looking to get one of the newer Canons with the vibration correction in the lenses etc.

No matter which camera you go for Nikon or Canon, hit up a bookstore and look for the bible on that camera. There are a couple companies that specialize in books for people new to the DSLR market. Usually can find them for under $40 and they help you master the basics and understand all the settings and features of your gear. Most of these cameras will let you take pretty good point and click pictures, but cameras are like firearms. Almost anyone can use one, but it takes training and practice to use it properly. Beyond that your pictures will improve and you will be happier with the results.

[One Shot]

Went to Bestbuy to finger some of them.. Didn't really like the Nikon D5100 as much as the wife and I both liked the Canon Rebel X4i. Pretty sure were set on it unless something changes. Anything better would be out of our price range. Once we get familiar with this and learn what we do and dont like... we can be more picky and upgrade in a couple years.

[centrarchidae]

There's nothing wrong at all with going to Best Buy and fingering a camera. However, I would, after deciding what I liked, walk right back out the door and buy from B&H or Adorama or Costco.

Costco if you need to go to a storefront for your own comfort. If you're buying online, Adorama and B&H are both very reputable and dependable and long-established businesses.

Also, another second on http://photography-on-the.net/forum as a place to learn.

At $700, if it were me, I'd make my peace with buying used gear. The good news is, the above two online retailers both sell used and their used gear tends to be in excellent condition.

Someone also mentioned the Canon Loyalty Program at http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...10051_-1_29252. The way it works is, you can buy anything in stock at that link, at 20% off, if you trade in a broken Canon camera. A lot of people will buy a broken cheap-ass Canon point-and-shoot off of Ebay for something like five bucks, and trade that in.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Another point is that you can buy the body without lenses at B&H or Adorama while you can only buy kits at Costco. Contrary to what hatidua said, the Canon 17-55 and 55-250 kit lenses have been highly rated for image quality. Check the tests at dpreviews. However, I will repeat that I found the 55 mm transition point to be a critical one and found myself constantly switching lenses. I prefer zooms that overlap so you don't have one critical transition point where you MUST swap lenses. Buying at B&H and Adorama means you can buy the body and a single focus lens as hatidua recommends or a workhorse like the Tamron 18-270 or Canon 18-135. I grew up in SLR photography with a single 50 mm lens but quickly transitioned to a 28-105 Vivitar One zoom (this was in the "old" days of film so you have to apply that conversion factor for cropped frame sensors). hatidua has paid bills with his photography while I'm just an enthusiastic amateur but I know a number of professionals that use zooms and recommend them for budding photographers.

When you can afford more, the Canon L-series lenses are pricey but just incredible glass for your photography.