DSLR camera help

[rcraw45425]

Another T2i lover, I have the kit lens 28-85, the 75-300 zoom and just opened the 50 f1.8 today. The camera is very easy to learn, I definitely recommend a good book or class though. Looking forward to trying out the 50mm lens this weekend at the GF!

 

[DVCBELLE]

I just bought the T2i last week - and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I never thought I needed a big camera but seeing photos taken with "fancy" cameras made me realize I wanted one! But I get the whole lens point - I already want a new one!

I thought I was going to get the T3 on Black Friday and went to Best Buy to take a look. I really think holding it in your hand is important. Then I took the same shot with each of the cameras and without any effort the T2i took what I thought was by far the best shot (tied with the T3i but research showed me there was little difference between the two and not worth the extra money)

I bought it at Best Buy for $650, got a BB $50 gift card and free camera bag.

Slick deals has it posted on Amazon for a better deal now: Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18MP DSLR Camera with 18-55 IS Lens + AmazonBasics Backpack + 8GB Transcend Class 10 SDHC Memory Card + Tiffen 58mm UV Filter for $605 with free shipping

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

very easy to learn, I definitely recommend a good book or class though.

Yeah, DH bought me the Cannon EOS AND the corresponding book for Dummies

 

[Colleen27]

I really love my Sony Alpha. It doesn't have the fan following that Canon and Nikon do, but it is a great piece of hardware that gets excellent reviews from photo mags/sites and because the mount is compatible with Minolta AF lenses you can often find resale lenses for very reasonable prices. I have the A100, which was one of the earliest models, but am looking to upgrade to a translucent-mirror model sometime in the near future.

Regardless of which camera you go with, pick up a copy of the book Understanding Exposure to help you learn to get the most out of it. Several people over on the photography board recommended it to me and it proved well worth it - I learned a lot more from that book than from the rec-dept photography class I took!

 

[ccgirl]

I am really interested in getting a DSLR camera. Can anyone help me out?? I don't want to spend a $1000 on one, and know nothing really about them. I've heard a lot of people talk about the nikon d3100 but now I keep seeing the advertisements for the canon eos rebel and the t3 and t3i.
Help!!!

I did a ton of research and ended up with the Canon EOS Rebel T3 with the kit lense (18-55). Best Buy had it for $450 and I got it over Thanksgiving weekend and got a free bag, 8 GB memory card, and some sort of sunlight filter for free, along with an 8x8 photobook from Shuttefly. I also got 18 months free financing. I was very happy with that. Good luck with your decision, I know I felt overwhelmed.

My DD is a swimmer and the pictures from the point and shoots were not very good. In addition, I was always missing shots of my kids telling them to "hold on, the camera is resetting."

 

[Harters2WDW]

I did a ton of research and ended up with the Canon EOS Rebel T3. Best Buy had it for $450 and I got it over Thanksgiving weekend and got a free bag, memory card, and some sort of sunlight lense for free. I also got 18 months free financing. I was very happy with that. Good luck with your decision, I know I felt overwhelmed.

I did the same. I feel like it's a nice camera, very lightweight and not overly big. It seems like a good entry level camera for me as I too didn't want to spend a load of money to start out (that will come later when I know better what I am doing....). Good luck!!

 

[kristin1724]

I just wanted to say that I have a Pentax K-x and I love it! I know a lot of people aren't familiar with Pentax but it has really good reviews online (it seems to be popular in Europe). I have a superfast SD card and it takes amazingly fast pictures. I got so frustrated with how slow my point and shoot camera (Canon) was when I was trying to take a picture - especially of my two year old. My camera came with two lenses and it is one of the smallest dslr cameras available. My friend has a Canon and I think my pictures turn out just as well as her's do. QVC sells them - another friend ordered one after she saw mine although she had to get the k-r which I think is the newer model.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I have to disagree with this and think it is rude to use the knowledge of the saleman when you have no intention of purchasing. Part of the reason stores like Ritz are more expensive is because they have knowledgeable sales staff and you pay for that.

I never said "use their knowledge" I said "handle them" as in handle the camera to see if you like it. Big difference I'm not saying to go in and spend an hour with an employee and then leave only to buy online. I said to go to look at it, handle it, see how it feels in your hands. I have relatively small hands so anything larger than a Rebel is somewhat awkward for me. Best Buy has most of their cameras out to handle. I don't know how Ritz works- if they don't have the cameras out and you don't want to bother an employee by asking to see something then just go to Best Buy or Costco or whatever.

Another poster mentioned not to discount point and shoots. That's true- there are many point and shoots that could do almost what you could with a dSLR on auto. If you want to move to manual though or get into photography as an art at all- you're going to want a dSLR.

 

[mrodgers]

Another poster mentioned not to discount point and shoots. That's true- there are many point and shoots that could do almost what you could with a dSLR on auto. If you want to move to manual though or get into photography as an art at all- you're going to want a dSLR.

With this being said, it must be known that someone who knows how to use a camera (doesn't matter what camera, a lot of point and shoot and superzoom cameras have full complement of manual controls, not just "scene" controls) is going to create a much better image in quality than someone who just uses a dSLR camera in auto mode.

A coworker and I both bought cameras at the same time. I bought a $200 Fuji and he spend in excess of $1500 in Canon dSLR and lenses. I spend a long time learning how to use the camera in manual while he happily shot away at his kids and his new house in the snow in auto control. My camera was capable of far better quality shots in true white balance, exposure, and color correction with me controlling the camera than his $1500 worth of "good" camera used in auto.

That is why I said earlier it is a waste of money purchasing a dSLR just to use as a snapshooter when a $200 camera will do pretty much the same thing.

 

[tikilyn]

I bought a Canon T3 too! I like that it fit perfectly in my hands. And the prices was too good to pass up. I think this will be a great introduction dlsr for me! Too bad it has to get wrapped up and put under the Christmas tree! Next on my list is the 50mm 1.8 lens for 100.00! It's sitting in my amazon account waiting for me to get paid! LOL

I'm also making a camera bag out of my new coach purse. It's a large cross the body bag that I plan on padding and making compartments for the camera and lens. It'll be great for carrying in the parks and while on vacation. And stylish to boot!

 

[rnorwo1]

I am one of those guilty of just using my camera in auto. I use mine to photograph my kids, soccer games, etc. I did very little research and bought a canon power shot sx10. I love the shots in natural light, but if I take a picture inside, with or without the flash, if the subject move it's blurry. So I've been looking for a nicer camera, although this one was $600 two years ago. Do any of these recommendations above do really well in low light or is this operator error on my part... I can't decide if i should upgrade or just make do with what I have.

 

[rock_doctor]

The T2 or T3 would probably suit your needs.

Too bad. On black Friday Walmart had the T3i with the kit lens for less then $500. That is a couple hundred less then what i paid for my T2i.

 

[ccgirl]

Too bad. On black Friday Walmart had the T3i with the kit lens for less then $500. That is a couple hundred less then what i paid for my T2i.

Oh man!!! Can't believe I missed that. I totally didn't see that in their ad. I think I did pretty comparable though with the T3 with kit lense, bag, memory card and UV filter for $450. My DH will be totally surprised. It's actually his Christmas present but I'm sure he'll share.

 

[eliza61]

I am one of those guilty of just using my camera in auto. I use mine to photograph my kids, soccer games, etc. I did very little research and bought a canon power shot sx10. I love the shots in natural light, but if I take a picture inside, with or without the flash, if the subject move it's blurry. So I've been looking for a nicer camera, although this one was $600 two years ago. Do any of these recommendations above do really well in low light or is this operator error on my part... I can't decide if i should upgrade or just make do with what I have.

I have a Nikon D3100. I love it. It does really well in low light without the flash but YOU MUST GET OFF OF AUTO!!

Now before you get nervous, let me say that the d3100 is super, super easy and user friendly. I brought mine last may right before I went to Paris. I signed up for a very easy on line DSLR camera basic class (15bucks) and then started shooting.

PM me and I'll send you the link.

I am never on auto any more. I primarily use the A function or the Manual setting.

My kit was 700 bucks and I got a zoom lense and a normal 55 lens.

I am not a pro by any means but I'm starting to get better.

This was my first night time picture. Arc de Triomphe. I had brought the camera only 4 days prior and it was astonishingly easy to figure out. No flash, not a great shot but not bad for 4 days out.

This was inside the "Conciergera". It's the jail where Maria Antoinette was housed before she lost her head

Inside Notre Dame. no flash.


Again I know these are NOT "great" shots but I had only had the camera for 4 days and was able to use figure out the low light shots from reading the manual.

 

[tikilyn]

Eliza61 I sent you a pm! Thanks for the info!

 

[mrodgers]

I am one of those guilty of just using my camera in auto. I use mine to photograph my kids, soccer games, etc. I did very little research and bought a canon power shot sx10. I love the shots in natural light, but if I take a picture inside, with or without the flash, if the subject move it's blurry. So I've been looking for a nicer camera, although this one was $600 two years ago. Do any of these recommendations above do really well in low light or is this operator error on my part... I can't decide if i should upgrade or just make do with what I have.

Both and other.

A dSLR camera has a much larger sensor than a point and shoot. Thus, it will do better in low light.

Operator error also comes into play. If you don't understand why a photo is poor taken in low light conditions, you can't fix it. Shutter speed is the main reason, it must be fast enough to be able to stop the blur in where you say "subject move it's blurry." Once you know why shutter speed is important, you can also learn that part of the reason is how you hold your camera. A more stable stance will get you better results at a lower shutter speed. The photographer uses his body to stabilize the camera, hold the camera up to the eye, feet a bit more width apart, and elbows tucked in to stabilized as opposed to the people who hold a point and shoot out at arms length looking at the LCD screen.

Now for the other, which is the lens. The aperture opening limitations will determine whether you can or can not achieve the shutter speed needed in low light situations. Point and shoot cameras don't have very large aperture, but also, the kit lens that come bundled with most "beginner" dSLR cameras don't have very large aperture either. That is why the 50mm f/1.8 is a pretty popular lens. It has the wide aperture that allows you to be able to select a higher shutter speed for low light conditions without compromising with higher ISO that may produce too much noise.

 

[ccgirl]

I have a Nikon D3100. I love it. It does really well in low light without the flash but YOU MUST GET OFF OF AUTO!!

Now before you get nervous, let me say that the d3100 is super, super easy and user friendly. I brought mine last may right before I went to Paris. I signed up for a very easy on line DSLR camera basic class (15bucks) and then started shooting.

PM me and I'll send you the link.

I am never on auto any more. I primarily use the A function or the Manual setting.

My kit was 700 bucks and I got a zoom lense and a normal 55 lens.

I am not a pro by any means but I'm starting to get better.

This was my first night time picture. Arc de Triomphe. I had brought the camera only 4 days prior and it was astonishingly easy to figure out. No flash, not a great shot but not bad for 4 days out.

This was inside the "Conciergera". It's the jail where Maria Antoinette was housed before she lost her head

Inside Notre Dame. no flash.


Again I know these are "great" shots but I had only had the camera for 4 days and was able to use figure out the low light shots from reading the manual.

Really cool pics!!! Would you mind pm'ing me the link as well for the class? THanks!

 

[Lewisc]

I have to disagree with this and think it is rude to use the knowledge of the saleman when you have no intention of purchasing. Part of the reason stores like Ritz are more expensive is because they have knowledgeable sales staff and you pay for that.

+1 I don't think it's right even asking to handle a camera if you have no intention of buying from that store. Handling the camera for a couple of minutes won't really tell you anything. I'm not even sure the store staff is that knowledgeable with DSLRs.
Read the reviews on amazon. Read http://www.dpreview.com/

The Canon and Nikon get the best reviews. Consumers gives the Nikon D3100 (and Rebel T1i, Rebel T3) best buy ratings.

Last time I was in B&H I asked a salesmen. He said Canon and Nikon were the 2 best DSLR. I may have it reversed but my memory is the Nikon was better if you're going to use it to take video and the Canon might be marginally easier to use for photos.

From dpreview

There's no doubt that the D3100 is one of the best entry-level SLRs available, offering very good image quality coupled with speedy operation and straightforward handling.
You can't go wrong with the Nikon D3100

 

[tink_lover]

I have been looking at the DSLR cameras too. Right now I use a couple different point and shoots, but can't take fast pictures and zoom isn't enough for kid activities shots. Today I looked at the Nikon 1 and think it may be more what I'm looking for as I am not looking for more professional shots and probably won't take photography up as a hobby. Does anyone use that camera and can comment on it?

 

[gracie1]

I have a Nikon D3100. I love it. It does really well in low light without the flash but YOU MUST GET OFF OF AUTO!!

Now before you get nervous, let me say that the d3100 is super, super easy and user friendly. I brought mine last may right before I went to Paris. I signed up for a very easy on line DSLR camera basic class (15bucks) and then started shooting.

PM me and I'll send you the link.

I am never on auto any more. I primarily use the A function or the Manual setting.

My kit was 700 bucks and I got a zoom lense and a normal 55 lens.

I am not a pro by any means but I'm starting to get better.

This was my first night time picture. Arc de Triomphe. I had brought the camera only 4 days prior and it was astonishingly easy to figure out. No flash, not a great shot but not bad for 4 days out.

This was inside the "Conciergera". It's the jail where Maria Antoinette was housed before she lost her head

Inside Notre Dame. no flash.


Again I know these are NOT "great" shots but I had only had the camera for 4 days and was able to use figure out the low light shots from reading the manual.

These photos are great!! I am looking for something that won't have the blur images like with sports activities. And something that will definately zoom!!! I am going to check out the cameras in a store and handle them like everyone suggested and go from there. But I am definately leaning towards the nikon d3100.