Camera Challenged

[Lisann]

I have decided to purchase a great camera. Period.

I am only considering a Nikon or a Canon.

What entry-level SLR would you experts recommend? Bear in mind that I am one of those beginner-types who is most comfortable "pointing and shooting".

I don't need all the bells and whistles...just a low price basic SLR. Current model numbers would be appreciated, too.

Do the lenses come with the camera? Or do I need to purchase separately? And if so, what size/type would you all recommend?

I will be using the camera this year for my WDW trip in December.

Can anyone help or point me in the right direction? I don't know where else to turn!

Thanks so much.

 

[NLD]

The typical recommendation is to hold a few different models in your hands. Any entry-level DSLR is a capable camera, so pick one with ergonomics and menu lay-out that make the most sense for you.

Generally the entry level models do come with a kit lens. Usually an 18-55mm lens. It's a decent lens for starting off. However, you can also purchase the camera body only and then choose a different lens to purchase separately.

One of the strengths of DSLRs is the ability to change lenses. Different lenses for different purposes. It's hard to recommend particular lenses until we know what you want to shoot. If you choose not to go with an 18-55 lens, then the only other thing I'd recommend for brand new shooter would be something with a little more reach--say 18-105mm. That's just because often the next thing new shooters want in a second lens purchase is more reach.

Once you've shot for a while with your first lens (whatever that ends up being), you'll have a better feel for what you need in subsequent lenses.

My first trip to WDW with a DSLR, I had a Nikon D60 (entry level model then), 18-105mm lens, and a 35mm 1.8 lens. The 35mm was for low light (hand held night shots, indoor shots, and dark rides). The 18-105 was for everything else. It was a decent little kit and, along with a tripod, allowed me to cover almost everything I wanted to shoot.

The more you put into learning your camera, the more you'll get out of it. An entry level DSLR with a kit lens can take some great photos, particularly in well-lit situations. But then... this is also true of point and shoots these days, too. It's the more challenging situations where the DSLR will really help you out--but then you need to know how to use the DSLR in those situations.

So that said... in addition to the camera and lens, I'd strongly recommend picking up a book about photography. Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson is a great place to start.

Finally, one last thing... can I ask why you are limiting your search to Canon and Nikon?

Have fun!

 

[Lisann]

The reason I am limiting myself to those two brands is that, every time I see a great photo (great for whatever reason), it's always a Nikon or a Canon. And in fact, I seem to be more partial to Nikons for the most part (or at least their lenses). Now, bear in mind, too, that the lenses on these great photos were also Nikon or Canon lenses as well. I know one can purchase different lenses from different companies to go with the Nikons/Canons.

I definitely intend to learn more about DSLRs, that's why I want to get one now. But I don't want to be overwhelmed until I feel confident with an entry-level model and until I have had some photo time under my belt. And I know myself, I will, at first, just go for the automatic setting until I figure things out.

Thank you for your response...it made a lot of sense to me (I'm not interested in the basic non-DSLR point-and-shoot cameras as the glare drives me insane! I need to actually look through the view finder thingy. ).

Is there a Nikon model you would recommend? Or a Canon model? Most of my shooting will be outside.

I think I will look for the book that you recommended, it might get me started in the right direction. And I have until December to figure out the camera.

Thank you so much.

 

[reimero]

I agree with NLD's suggestion that you go to the store and try holding a couple different models in your hands to see how they feel, how easy it is for you to operate the controls, that sort of thing. Canon and Nikon are usually very, very close in terms of features, cost and capability, so it comes down to a personal preference, generally speaking.

It's now a discontinued model, but I'm a big fan of the Canon Rebel T2i. The T3i is also solid, and the T4i is the "new kid on the block", as it were. That said, price-wise, the T4i is starting to get into the 60D price range. Also, if you're going Rebel, I'd go with an "i" rather than a non-"i" (that is, get the T3i rather than the T3. There is a very large difference between the two.)

As the previous poster mentioned, most of these cameras come with an 18-55mm kit lens, but many also have 18-135 or 18-200mm options. Any of these should work. I personally have an 18-55mm kit lens and a 55-250mm zoom.

On the Nikon side, I'd probably start with the D3100 or D5100. I shoot Canon, so I can't say as much about these, but they're both solid cameras.

One other thing to keep in mind is that you're not just committing to a camera, you're investing in a platform. If you buy, say, a Canon Rebel T3i and start getting accessories, you're going to be more or less locked into Canon gear when you're ready to move up. The same is true if you get a Nikon.

As for limiting yourself to Canon or Nikon due to those making great photos, I think it's a more accurate statement to say that Canon and Nikon dominate the market, so most of the pictures you see will necessarily be with Canon or Nikon equipment. If you find a Pentax or a Sony that looks good and feels good, don't hesitate to give it serious consideration. 95% of what makes a great photo is the person looking through the viewfinder.

 

[photo_chick]

The reason I am limiting myself to those two brands is that, every time I see a great photo (great for whatever reason), it's always a Nikon or a Canon. And in fact, I seem to be more partial to Nikons for the most part (or at least their lenses). Now, bear in mind, too, that the lenses on these great photos were also Nikon or Canon lenses as well. I know one can purchase different lenses from different companies to go with the Nikons/Canons.

The camera doesn't take a great photo, the photographer does. There's some people on this board who have made fantastic images at Disney with Sony, Pentax and Olympus. Many photographers also use third party lenses and unless you're peeping at the EXIF data of every image you'd never know if they were.

Thank you for your response...it made a lot of sense to me (I'm not interested in the basic non-DSLR point-and-shoot cameras as the glare drives me insane! I need to actually look through the view finder thingy. ).

A through the lens viewfinder is why I have a DSLR. I get wanting that.

My suggestion for choosing a camera is to list the features you want. Find the models that have those features that are in your price range. Then go play and see which one feels good. And only get the kit lens to start off. Don't spend a lot on other lenses until you understand which ones will be right for your shooting style.

 

[NLD]

Lisann,

Don't get me wrong... I'm a Nikon shooter and love my camera. Certainly not trying to steer you away from Nikon or Canon.

That said, at the entry level range, it's quite possible you could get more bang for your buck with one of the other brands. Any brand on the market right now is capable of stunning photos--with the right person behind the viewfinder.

And just in case you need any more convincing... try taking a stroll through Groucho's flickr stream.... he shoots Pentax:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/grouchodis/with/7511949466/#photo_7511949466

Point being: don't limit yourself on the basis of most images you see being Canon or Nikon. There are reasons to pick either C or N, but stunning images isn't one of them. If you find yourself drawn to something else, don't worry about it being a lesser or inferior product.

Speaking of viewfinders though--totally hear you. I can't understand how people put up with framing shots through the LCD anymore.

 

[Lisann]

...As for limiting yourself to Canon or Nikon due to those making great photos, I think it's a more accurate statement to say that Canon and Nikon dominate the market, so most of the pictures you see will necessarily be with Canon or Nikon equipment. If you find a Pentax or a Sony that looks good and feels good, don't hesitate to give it serious consideration. 95% of what makes a great photo is the person looking through the viewfinder.

Hmm...I never thought of it that way. I guess I will keep an open mind about all the other brands. My budget is in the $600-699 range, I hope/think I can find something decent.

 

[SplashMo]

Look at the Canon Rebel or if a Nikon then:

www.kenrockwell.com has Nikon advice.

The lenses are the most important part.

The Sony NEX-5 is a nice camera that would be fun to take to WDW...

 

[zackiedawg]

Hmm...I never thought of it that way. I guess I will keep an open mind about all the other brands. My budget is in the $600-699 range, I hope/think I can find something decent.

It's true - you can go out and buy the two most amazing, top of the line, full-frame, pro-body Nikon and Canon cameras, with top-of-the-line multi-thousand dollar glass, and put them both on the rim of the Grand Canyon, and neither one will take a single photo without a photographer to help!

Honestly, there are great photos out there from every camera brand, as long as it was being wielded by a great photographer...and because there are more Canons, followed by Nikons, it's just more likely that you're going to see shots from those brands than the others. I can tell you I've seen some photos taken with a P&S pocket camera that were better than 1/2 of all DSLR owners' photos...because the photographer behind the camera was brilliant...and most DSLR owners are average folks with little camera experience who bought it hoping it would magically make their photos amazing. Unfortunately, it doesn't - it still requires some photographic skill behind the lens.

Of course, a DSLR is an excellent tool to learn with, because it is capable of a wide range of shots, has excellent controls and abilities, and is fully expandable with a variety of lenses for every need. You can spend more as you get better and feel you can justify the expense!

Your budget should be fine to get you in the door - plenty of entry-level cameras with kit lenses can be found at around $700 or under...I unfortunately don't know off hand what the current sale prices are, but I'd strongly recommend looking at the most recent two models of Canon and Nikon DSLR (both the current entry model and the previous entry model - ie: 600D and 650D, or D3200 and D3100 - the last model can often be found at good closeout prices). Also worth a good look are the innovative Sony SLT models - currently A37 & A57, or previous model A55 - which integrate video capabilities better than DSLRs due to the continuous phase-detect autofocus during video. And from Pentax, the KR will be within your price range as well as possibly the K01, which has an excellent sensor and a mirrorless design. You may also consider the mirrorless line of cameras, which are more compact than DSLRs yet share similar sensor sizes and interchangeable lens capabilities - the Sony NEX line has the same APS-C sensors as most DSLRs do, and the Olympus and Panasonic M4:3 line have a slightly smaller sensor that's still far larger than P&S cameras. All of these are expandable systems, with manual controls, and all capable in a variety of lighting conditions and shooting situations.

You'd be capable of becoming a much better photographer, and of taking gorgeous photos that could be sold or published, with any of these cameras. It's you and your skill level that will limit you or let you soar!

 

[reimero]

The issue with going mirrorless is that most of them do not have a viewfinder, they rely exclusively on the LCD screen.

Frankly, given the $600-700 price range, I'd be looking at a Canon Rebel T2i on closeout ($630 at bhphotovideo.com - it's the camera I have and has tremendous bang for the buck, but it's a recently discontinued model), a Nikon D5100 ($647 at B&H, the counterpart to the T2i/T3i), or possibly the Sony Alpha A37 ($598 at B&H - one of the faculty where I work got an Alpha because he says the viewfinder is much more friendly if you wear glasses).