HELP! Suggestions please!

[turtlegirl1]

Hi -
I have finally convinced my DH that we need to upgrade & enter into the dSLR world... he got agravated trying to take pictures at DDs 5th grade graduation ceremony - - low light = slow to focus, often grainy/blurry pictures. He said "this just won't do for Disney!"

So, now where do I being on choosing a entry level dSLR? I know NOTHING about photography, but am willing to learn. We have 3 kids and would love to have a camera that is suitable for our needs (sports, vacations, kids, pets) for longer than 2 years.... want video too.

I was thinking possibly the Nikon D3100

Please let me know what you all think! TIA!!

 

[ukcatfan]

I think you should first set a budget, find all options in that budget, narrow down the list based on specs and reviews, then go try to actually handle some of them in person. Since both of you will be using it, the right feel might be tough if you have different sized hands. Some entry level models do not have much of a grip and feel uncomfortable in larger hands.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

We're in the process of searching for a DSLR too and I think the best advice I've gotten is to go into a store (we have a best buy nearby) and pick up all the cameras and play with them. Test out the controls and how they feel in your hand. Really at this point I think most people are gonna say that all the DSLRs will work for what you're wanting, its then just a matter of how much you want to spend and what feels good to you. Personally I think we've narrowed our search to the Canon family (particularly the T2i) . But I"m really taking my time to decide what feels good and what I like best because it is a large/expensive purchase. Good luck on your search!

 

[n3rdgrl]

I agree hold them in your hands, some are heavier then others and some are tiny and feel hard to grip while taking a pic. Also look at things like battery life, how much additional lenses run, accessories, see which may be cheaper in the long run. I am a Canon person, whole family has been, I can interchange lenses with them with out having to buy some. There are some great deals to be had but watch out for grey market websites, if it sounds to good to be true it is! also look into get getting a book bag type carrier versus the traditional side bag, walking thru disney with that on one side kinda gets heavy and hurts! And if you will be shooting a lot in low light, try a 50mm... good luck!! You won't regret a dSLR

 

[mom2rtk]

Congrats! By the time you get to high school graduation, you'll be SO glad you're in the DLSR world!

There are some great cameras out there. You get more for the money with every passing year. FWIW though....... I was just scrapbooking with some pictures from my very first 6MP Canon rebel. Even those shots look good! You'll be fine with any of the major brands. Be sure not to leave off Sony and Pentax. You can get a lot of features for the money. The one thing I'd do differently if I had the choice now is to choose one with image stabilization in the body (Pentax and Sony have this), so you didn't have to pay for it with each lens you buy later.