DSLR Recommendation

[nynco]

You want a Nikon D7000 with a 18-200 and a 35mm 1.8. The 18-200 is a great all around camera lens. the 35 1.8 is great for low light no flash stuff. I have a D7000, the reason I say get that over the D5000 is the amount of buttons. While it seems excessive, once you get how to use an SLR, the buttons can make all the difference. The D5100 has them buried in sub menus which take forever to get to. Also if you are staying at the D5100, don't get the D5000 the sensor is not as good as the 5100. Sensor REALLY is everything in the end.

If you want an amazing pocket camera find a Canon S95 or S100. GREAT sensor in those cameras. The only other better pocket camera is the new Sony RX100 but it costs twice as much as the other two.

If you are rich and money is just an after thought, then get the Sony RX100 and a Canon 5d Mark III. The 5D MarkIII is just insanely good. A friend has one and it makes my D7000 look like a childs toy with the results he gets in low light no flash. But the body for one of those is 3500 and the lens are about 1K each

[streetglideok]

For someone inexperienced, I would pass on the D7000. It may not be as menu driven, but the OP will be facing a steep learning curve. Look at used, or entry level new. With some new models rolling out, people are selling off the older stuff for new. Borrowlenses.com sometimes has used cameras and lenses for sale, and you can snag a good deal. Also, you may look at Mikes cameras, they appear to have taken over some of the old Wolf camera locations.

[asmo]

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.

Since you are going with a Canon - I will 2nd hatidua's recommendation for a single prime lens and learning how to use it. The best at your price point is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. I have had lots of glass in the past and I *always* come back to this lens. Don't cheat yourself and get the 1.8 because it is cheaper - the 1.4 is what you want. Its small, light, stupid fast and produces incredible bokeh for those gorgeous portrait type shots that people always want of their dog/cat/kids.

If it was me I would get the body only (vs. body and kit lens) and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. Later you can get a nice telephoto (17-55 or a 70-200 depending on what you need) to go with it and you will have covered 95%+ of all your bases.

[Scogin]

I don't know if it has been mentioned as I didn't read the whole thread but Costco has a good deal on the Canon T3i bundle. It comes with the standard 18-55 IS lens as well as a 55-250 IS lens and an 8 GB card. In my opinion this is a great starter package and the 250 lens will allow you to reach out and touch the wildlife.

[rondog]

Just my opinion, but I'm very happy with my Nikon D3100 outift. It'll do anything I want it to do, it'll take any Nikon lens ever made, it's much smarter than I'll ever be, the photo quality is excellent, and on and on. Yes, there's much "higher end" Nikons available, with much higher end prices too. The D3100 has been around long enough that it's now considered one of their "lower-end" models and new kits are priced accordingly. I've noticed they're priced several hundred lower right now than what I paid for mine, because they want people to buy the latest and greatest ones, which doesn't mean they'll take any better photos.

For a good entry-level DSLR that you'll be able to figure out in under a year, and that will most likely do anydamnthing you'll ever want it to do, and then some, I'd recommend you check 'em out. Get the kit with the 18-55mm and 55-200 mm lenses. Those aren't pro quality lenses, for an average Joe you'll never be able to tell the difference.

But one more opinion, you MUST get a good flash to go with it! I use a basic SB-700, which is made to interface with the D3100 and all other Nikons, and it does it very well. Yes, the D310 has a pissant little "pop-up flash", which is very limiting and useless. Get a good flash and learn how to use it, and that alone will improve your photos so much you'll be amazed. I even use mine in broad daylight for lacrosse photos, and the difference in shadow details is very noticeable.

Shot this with my 3100 and a tripod, it freezes lacrosse players and motorcycles just as good.

[Ashton]

Just buy one of these and get it over with.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Well, if everyone's going to be posting examples, here're some with my T2i:


T2i w/ Tamron 18-270 lens @ 46mm, f/8, 1/250 s



T2i w/ Tamron 18-270 @ 91mm, f/9, 1/320 s


T2i w/ Tamron 18-270mm @ 142mm, f/6.3, 1/250 s



T2i w/ Tamron 18-270 @ 270mm, f/9, 1/640 s


... and just for S&Gs since the lens is out of your price range at the moment:


T2i w/ Canon 100-400 IS USM @ 400, f/16, 1/640 s

EDIT: I can add links to the full-size pics but 18 MP is a bit large to post to the forum.

[TFOGGER]

Just buy one of these and get it over with.

I'm a film guy. Minolta XG-7, do most of my own developing, mostly B&W.

[JM Ver. 2.0]

Someone call DangerTastic in here....

[Goodburbon]

We're a Nikon family, but only because we started with a Nikon film camera years ago and advanced to digital and then got more and more professional feature laden cameras as the need arose. My wife is a photographer and is averaging about 4k photos a month now, so shutter life has become the primary driver for camera choice. Her advice for a newcomer is the same as many here. Get a decent body and the best lens you can find. DO NOT shop for lowest price, that's how our CC info got stolen. (by one of the storefronts linked earlier). For simplicity the kits would be fine for starters (Nikon or Canon). As you figure out you photography and want to do it more, you can spend as much as you like on what you really need once you learn what you need. (whether it's low light, high speed, high zoom, or maybe just simply to have a nice camera).