Choosing a DSLR

[WhollyHeretic]

I used to do a lot of photography in college. I still have a nice Nikon 35 MM but I haven't used it in a long time because I don't have a dark room anymore and never get film developed. I have wanted to get a DSLR for years now but never could justify spending the money. My wife's brother recently got a new camera and gave me his old Canon Rebel EOS 6.3 MP. It's an old camera but still takes nice pictures. I had figured I'd keep it for a year or 2 and then get a newer one.

We went to Vegas this week for our friends' wedding. I'm not a big gambler but I had an unbelievable week playing video poker and came home with $5500. We're going to pay off some debt, do some work on the house, and get a DSLR. I'm looking to spend under $1,000 total. I've mostly been looking at Nikon D3100, 5100, 3200(coming out this week) and Canon Rebel 2Ti or 3Ti. I'm open to others.

I will be using it for family and nature photography. What do people recommend?

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Two good sites to check out to help you decide -

http://www.steves-digicams.com/

http://www.dpreview.com/

good luck! I don't have a DSLR - went with a high - end point and shoot with a nice zoom - the Canon SX 30 IS - which I love!

[WhollyHeretic]

3. Thanks for the links

[klook]

5. Also check out Imaging Resource

http://www.imaging-resource.com

Great source of camera reviews and test results for every level of expertise and budget, all the way from point-and-shoot to serious pro gear, and everything in between.

[Sherman A1]

2. I am a Canon guy

myself so my thoughts lean that way. I would mention that you can usually get a pretty good package deal at Best Buy (then pick up extra gear through other sources) so check their ad. It's a good time of year to buy cameras during the Easter to Father's Day period, that is when I find the best sales and deals.

[WhollyHeretic]

4. I hadn't even thought about the sales for Father's Day

Maybe I'll wait a few weeks.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. I got the Nikon and glass, aka the kit

at Best Buy for 700... it made buying refurbished silly.

That said consider it... refurbished gives you 90 days, new gives you a year.

[Sherman A1]

13. The sales are running right now

There are multiple photo events this time of year (Easter, First Communions, School Picnics, School Field Trips, Mother's Day, Graduations ending with Father's Day). I would be checking the ads right now.....

Best of luck!

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. First check if your old glass, with an adapter, can run on the camera you want

If it can't, stick to the Canon. You already have cannon glass, that is expensive.

If not, I looked at both the Nikon and the Canon systems, and also the mirrorless systems.

Here is what I recommend... make a list of what you want the camera to do. At that price range they are pretty close.

I would go for the Nikon midrange, 5100 (on my table right now, and boy a single battery charge LASTS... I have been shooting almost every day news stories and still on the first charge after two weeks)... or a cannon mid range. They are pretty dang close at that price range.

Also to complicate matters, consider the Mirrorless systems. If you are going to do any extended video, Sony is top notch and the glass that comes with it is top notch. The Pen System from Olympus is also nice (I almost got a PEN, but the price was not right for a floor model)... and the color range for the Pen is absolutely gorgeous.

If you prefer vivid colors and all that, the Canons tend to do better and more rich colors. The Nikon 5100 is doing a bang up job in low light.

Also realize that flash is no longer used as much as you used to.

Oh and if shutter speed matters... as you will be doing sports photography, at that price range look at the Pen... the Nikon does 5 FPS, the Pen does 8, at the same price, and the autofocus on the pen is amazingly fast.

Sorry for adding to the list of things.

Down side of mirrorless, the ONLY mirrorless with a standard shoe (to drive a standard flash) is the Pen... so that is a consideration.

Weight wise, I have been carrying the Nikon everywhere and with it's kit lens the weight is not bad. Two months from now I need to get a bag and probably a second zoom to carry in the truck.

My best piece of advise apart of comparing stats and all that... GO TO A STORE that carries both and handle them. Oh and if you know photography the 3100 stay away from it. It is a basic camera and all that, but go for the 5100... oh and white balance, learn how to work with that.

I got a compare and contrast list between the Pen and the Nikon, if you want I can share it... I have not deleted it. It is personal but it did help me decide what to get. Oh and it goes without saying, what matters is the glass you got on it.

[ManiacJoe]

8. Nadin is sending you in the right direction.

Nikon vs Canon, you cannot really go wrong either way.

Your best bet is to go to a store that has the camera bodies so that you can play with them. Weight, size, shape, feel, button placement, etc. Get the one that feels best in YOUR hands.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Why I really cannot use the D300 even if that is a pro rig

TOO DANG BIG in my hands.

[ManiacJoe]

10. I have the opposite problem.

Those d3100/5100 bodies are just too small for me. I love the size of my D700+grip though a lighter weight would be nice.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. The Pen actually fit my hands even better

tiny little thing... but we already own Nikon glass.

This one is not bad... and makes for a great secondary body if we are in the field shooting with both cameras.

Hell for Comicon it will be ridiculous the amount of gear hubby wants to take as soon as the press passes are processed. I HOPE we can get an early before the crowds show, entry. Carrying all that crap will be hard on both our backs.

[Major Nikon]

12. The D3200 might be a good choice for your needs

It's a brand new camera which means a brand new sensor and new processing software. At $700 with the Nikon 18-55 (which is an excellent lens), it's priced pretty nicely for someone just getting into DSLR.

Regardless of which camera you get, here's some add-ons you'll want to consider either in the short term or down the road, depending on what your priorities are. If you priorities are with taking family pictures indoors, I suggest getting an external speedlight and a fast normal lens in that order. If your priorities are taking nature photography, you'll probably want a good telephoto lens.

1) An external flash. Most Nikon and Canon bodies are going to include a built-in flash, which will work OK, but it only gives you the option of straight on flash, which works great for fill, but works very poorly as your primary source of light. A good external flash will allow you to bounce the light off a ceiling or a wall, and vastly improve the quality of your indoor photos. It will also have more power to extend range, and it will have a focus assist LED which will vastly improve autofocus performance in low light. The cheapest model Nikon makes to work with their DSLRs is the SB-400 which you should skip because it lacks a proper bounce head. The SB-700 is $325 which is a bit pricey for some. Nikon has the SB-600 for sale for $250 on their outlet store or you can buy them on the used market for around $200-225. I have two SB-600s. They are very nice. I'm not familiar with the Canon equivalent speedlights.

2) A high speed normal lens. Both Nikon and Canon usually bundle their entry level cameras with a 18-55 lens. Both the Nikon and Canon versions of this lens are quite good, but they are somewhat limited in low light situations. Nikon makes the AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G which is an excellent lens for indoor use or any low light situation. It also makes for a pretty decent portrait lens. I'm sure Canon has something similar. Expect to pay about $200 new.

3) A telephoto zoom. Nikon makes both the 55-200 and the 55-300 which are priced at about $250 and $400 respectively. Both are decent lenses. If you are more serious about nature photography, you may want to consider the 70-300, which sells for just under $600, but is a very good step up from the other two lenses mentioned.

[JCMach1]

14. Loving my Panasonic Lumix

DMC G3...

Got a great price.

Which is what I would focus on... there are many really good cameras out there. Read the reviews and find one that fits your price and niche.

For me, I have always hated the weight of Canon's and Nikon's DSLR's.

Seriously, I can grip and hold my DSLR with one hand... I never thought I would be able to do that.

I also check out the model on FLICKR as I like to see what can be done. Flickr has a cool feature which allows you to look at pics via their camera model. http://www.flickr.com/cameras/



A sample from my Panasonic (please note I am still learning the camera and interface)


Sample pics from the G3 http://www.flickr.com/cameras/panasonic/dmc-g3/

[alfredo]

15. I'm thinking of getting the G3 body some day.

[JCMach1]

16. The deal I go came with the 42 and the 300 lens...

the Panasonic ones with the built-in stabilization.

[alfredo]

17. The only down side is no in body stabilization, but good

Technique lessens the need for that.

I really like the kid image.

[WhollyHeretic]

18. Thanks for all the advice. I ended up getting the T3i with a couple of extra lenses

I got a 55-250 and a 50mm f/1.8. I went a little over my budget but I'm really enjoying the camera. It really takes some beautiful pics, especially the 50mm for portraits. I'll post some pictures soon.