Is this even possible?

[DisConPodcast]

Hi there,

This is my first post, so please let me know if I've broken some unknown rule.

Due to job loss and medical problems, my husband and I have to move across states to southern California to be near family. My husband is having a hard time with all of this, but I am hoping to cheer him up by making one of his dreams come true. He has always wanted to walk around Disneyland and just take pictures with a good camera. We will have passes, live about 15 minutes from there, and plan to go at least once a week, so I think that will be possible!

Unfortunately, we don't have any photography equipment. He has been the second photographer in many different photo shoots, and he LOVES it. He always claimed that buying the camera, editing software, and all the other stuff needed would be too expensive. I really want to get him some starter things to give him for his birthday in May. I am completely fine with buying used or not the top of the line. I just want to get something to cheer him up.

My budget will be $200-$300, and he really wants a DSLR camera. Is that even possible to do? What would be the very basics that I need to get him so he can start? I know nothing about photography. I would appreciate if you would let me know if that budget is crazy, so I can make other plans for his birthday.

Thank you in advance!

 

[sharona]

You can find a used dslr with a kit lens for that price. I frequently buy used and refurbished cameras and lenses and have saved a lot of money going this route. Check online stores that are reputable like Adorama, Cameta or Keh (normally would include B&H but I don't think I'll be shopping there again after the latest discrimination lawsuit). Stay away from the other online deals that are too good to be true or at least use Google to find reviews before buying from them. Many of them are bait and switch sites and have horrible reputations.

I don't know anything about Canon but I can recommend these two from Nikon as good starter cameras:

http://www.adorama.com/l/Used/Cameras/Nikon~Digital-SLR-Cameras?sel=Model_Nikon-D3100_Nikon-D5100

with the Nikon 18-55 kit lens you have your dslr starter kit right there. Other accessories are just extras - many people start with just the body and single kit lens and add on from there.

http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/d...p_price_sort|0&term=nikon--18----55&ShowMsg=t

another great lens for cheap is the Nikon 35mm

http://www.adorama.com/l/Lenses/Nik..._35mm|ItemCondition_UsedItems&term=nikon-35mm

Good luck with your move and hope your health issues turn around!

 

[havoc315]

As Sharona said... You can do fine, you'll need to buy used. Look for something 1 or 2 generations old, with kit lens. And it will be a good start.

 

[DisConPodcast]

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[elmoandzoey]

If your husband has been a second shooter for someone else, I'd ask him what camera brand he usually used. That's probably what he's most familiar with. I'd buy according to that.

 

[cmwade77]

I wish I had seen this yesterday, but if you are willing to do mail-in rebates, you can get some great deals.

The following deal has expired, but it gives you the idea of what you can do with mail-in rebates:
http://slickdeals.net/f/8544595-can...te-free-shipping?src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV2

Another viable choice is to look at mirrorless cameras, these are a relatively new type, but are sure getting popular.

The other alternative would be a higher end point and shoot camera.

I would also suggest that no matter what you get, you check out the reviews on dpreview.com first.

 

[KVH]

I will give you a slightly different perspective. But straight from the factory. You can get a refurbished unit which the average person will not be able to distinguish from new. Here is a perfect example <link>. The great thing about these is that Canon has actually fixed anything that might be wrong. Actually reduces the chance of buying a new one that slipped a flaw past QA check.

 

[cmwade77]

Hopefully you will see this and be able to act on it, this is a one day only sale, but here is a Canon Rebel T5 with lens for $299:
http://electronics.woot.com/offers/...1&utm_medium=affiliate+-+electronics.woot.com

This is the same camera and lens that the PP posted, but is new instead of refurbished. My personal experience with Cameras is new is always better than Refurbished. Cameras are the one place where I have had issued with refurbished.

 

[CMDTA]

Hi there,

This is my first post, so please let me know if I've broken some unknown rule.

Due to job loss and medical problems, my husband and I have to move across states to southern California to be near family. My husband is having a hard time with all of this, but I am hoping to cheer him up by making one of his dreams come true. He has always wanted to walk around Disneyland and just take pictures with a good camera. We will have passes, live about 15 minutes from there, and plan to go at least once a week, so I think that will be possible!

Unfortunately, we don't have any photography equipment. He has been the second photographer in many different photo shoots, and he LOVES it. He always claimed that buying the camera, editing software, and all the other stuff needed would be too expensive. I really want to get him some starter things to give him for his birthday in May. I am completely fine with buying used or not the top of the line. I just want to get something to cheer him up.

My budget will be $200-$300, and he really wants a DSLR camera. Is that even possible to do? What would be the very basics that I need to get him so he can start? I know nothing about photography. I would appreciate if you would let me know if that budget is crazy, so I can make other plans for his birthday.

Thank you in advance!

There is another options. A lot of high end camera shops rent out equipment. If you are only going to use it every once in a while, that could be an option.