Looking For New Camera. Please help

[Eaglefan9727]

One thing that may help you is to find a store where you can "play" with each of the cameras that have caught your eye. How do each of them feel in your hands? How intuitive are the menus of each camera? Those are important factors that can help you make your final decision.

I was already planning that for yesterday which I did as my wife and I went Xmas shopping and while we were out. We stopped at Best Buy to take a look at the cameras.

Also...understand that whatever camera you take is not going to give you "great images". That is the responsibility of the photographer. One of the biggest myths in photography is the idea that a better camera is going to automatically yield better images.

I know that it has a lot to do with the person who is shooting and I consider myself a good shooter, But not a great shooter. Like last month when my wife and I took our first trip to WDW last month. I came home with a good amount of great shots from a camera that was giving me problems throughout the trip.

Canon and Sony lens mounts are different so its best to stay in the same family

I had a pretty good idea that would be the case with any camera.

This paragraph says you really don't quite get it yet.

Like I have said before, I am brand new to the DSLR world or whatever you want to call it. I have been using the point and shoot cameras all my life.

Since you haven't had a DSLR before are you comfortable with the fact that the avg DSLR will be much bigger and heavier than what you have been used to carrying?

After holding most of the choices in my hand yesterday at Best Buy. I think I would have no problem with them at all.

That is nice shot Bob100. As for the "refurbished" comment. I will end up with something new or nothing at all as whenever I make this kind of big purchase on anything. I always buy new.

 

[havoc315]

That is nice shot Bob100. As for the "refurbished" comment. I will end up with something new or nothing at all as whenever I make this kind of big purchase on anything. I always buy new.

Camera makers certainly love that attitude. But it's unnecessary unless you are buying a brand new, just released model.
I can see a limited reason to buy camera bodies new, but Canon's program is fully warrantied, so you save money with no downside.
With lenses, I've never purchased brand new. It's simply a waste of money. Would you rather have a "used" mint condition Babe Ruth baseball card, or a brand new 2013 packet of baseball cards?
Lenses retain a ton of value. And when buying used, I can always resell it for the same price. In fact, the 1 Minolta lens that I chose not to keep, bought for $120 and sold 6 months later for $135.

In Sony's lineup, I find the a57 and a55 to be much better cameras than the a58.. And a discerning buyer can get them for less than the cost of the a58. (In many ways, the a58 is a scaled down a55/57).

Among all brands... For the price of a new entry level model, you can often get a used upper level model, which remains superior to the new entry level.

Still, there are some excellent entry level cameras. If I was getting into the market for the first time, I'd consider a Nikon d3200 strongly or a Nex. I'd compare buying them new, to what's available used for the same price.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

Camera makers certainly love that attitude. But it's unnecessary unless you are buying a brand new, just released model.
I can see a limited reason to buy camera bodies new, but Canon's program is fully warrantied, so you save money with no downside.
With lenses, I've never purchased brand new. It's simply a waste of money. Would you rather have a "used" mint condition Babe Ruth baseball card, or a brand new 2013 packet of baseball cards?
Lenses retain a ton of value. And when buying used, I can always resell it for the same price. In fact, the 1 Minolta lens that I chose not to keep, bought for $120 and sold 6 months later for $135.

In Sony's lineup, I find the a57 and a55 to be much better cameras than the a58.. And a discerning buyer can get them for less than the cost of the a58. (In many ways, the a58 is a scaled down a55/57).

Among all brands... For the price of a new entry level model, you can often get a used upper level model, which remains superior to the new entry level.

Still, there are some excellent entry level cameras. If I was getting into the market for the first time, I'd consider a Nikon d3200 strongly or a Nex. I'd compare buying them new, to what's available used for the same price.

Considering that it is $500 purchase. I would just feel more comfortable with it being brand new and not refurbished. My wife is the same way. The baseball cards is really not the same thing as you cant get a new Babe Ruth card in 2013. Of course, Everyone has their own opinion on things. Now, For a $100 and a $150 lens. I would be thinking about something like doing that as its much cheaper.

The question that I have right now is this. What are the big differences between the Canon T3 and the Canon T3i? I know about the 12.1 MP to the 18 MP, But what else is the big difference between the two?

 

[kofslinky]

Like I have said before, I am brand new to the DSLR world or whatever you want to call it. I have been using the point and shoot cameras all my life.

What photo_chick is saying is that it's not all about the camera, it's about the photographer. To become a better cook you don't buy new pots and pans and expect miracles- you take classes, read books, try things, and improve. It's the same way with photography. The camera is the "pots and pans" of this analogy. If you want to get bette, it's not all about the camera.

I was in the same boat as you a few years ago. I owned a little P&S and got a DSLR. The pictures that I took at first with the DSLR were no better than the P&S pictures because I didn't REALLY know what I was doing. I joined a project, forced myself to learn, looked at what others were doing that could help me, and read books and articles on how to improve. (Understanding Exposure was great for that).

Unfortunately, there is no straight out of the box scenario to give you everything on your wish list. You've gotten some really great advice throughout this thread. Refurbished and used bodies and lenses can be great (I'm using some of my father's old lenses that are older than I am, most of which are better glass than what I can get now) and help widen your range. It's not like buying them at a flea market where you get what you get- they are like new when bought through a reputable company.

There are some very knowledgeable people on here, and they have given you some great advice. Sift through it, test out what you can, and go from there. Nothing will get you everything you want, but what will get you what you need and can expand into what you want later? That's my two cents. Good luck!

 

[havoc315]

Considering that it is $500 purchase. I would just feel more comfortable with it being brand new and not refurbished. My wife is the same way. The baseball cards is really not the same thing as you cant get a new Babe Ruth card in 2013. Of course, Everyone has their own opinion on things. Now, For a $100 and a $150 lens. I would be thinking about something like doing that as its much cheaper.

The question that I have right now is this. What are the big differences between the Canon T3 and the Canon T3i? I know about the 12.1 MP to the 18 MP, But what else is the big difference between the two?

Easy enough to read up on the differences.
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-T3-vs-Canon-T3i

http://whichcamerashouldibuy.org/canon-rebel-t3-vs-t3i/

Other than the rx100, which I bought when it first came out... And other than accessories like memory cards, all the camera gear I've purchased in the last 5 years has been used or open box. Typically saving me 20-30% compared to buying new. Camera bodies will lose value over time. But in terms of good lenses, other than the 20-30% "not new" markdown, their value remains pretty consistent as long as the are kept in good condition.

My most expensive used purchases were probably the Sony 16-50 2.8 lens. $800 new--I got it for $450.
A Minolta 135/2.8 for just under $300. They don't make an equivalent lens anymore, but the closest "new" similar lenses are $1800. (A much better lens but not six times better). My flash is $350 new, I got it open box for about $280.
Tamron 10-24 is $499 new... I picked up a mint used copy for $390.
So as you can see, when building a kit, savings can really add up.

 

[hakepb]

Considering that it is $500 purchase. I would just feel more comfortable with it being brand new and not refurbished. My wife is the same way. The baseball cards is really not the same thing as you cant get a new Babe Ruth card in 2013. Of course, Everyone has their own opinion on things. Now, For a $100 and a $150 lens. I would be thinking about something like doing that as its much cheaper.

The question that I have right now is this. What are the big differences between the Canon T3 and the Canon T3i? I know about the 12.1 MP to the 18 MP, But what else is the big difference between the two?

While I would never use this link as the final answer (some facts are wrong in some of their comparisons ). It makes for an interesting starting point comparing spec sheets:
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-T3-vs-Canon-T3i

Based on your talk about some action and low light use, I think the T3i has enough slight advantages that you will grow into.

 

[havoc315]

In bargain shopping older models... All those slightly older cameras will still lead to great results if used properly. Just be careful though, that after 6 months you don't have regret...
Like suddenly realizing how helpful an articulated LCD would be. Or wishing you could push the ISO just a tiny bit higher. Or shoot action at a higher burst rate. Or suddenly wishing you could print 14x20 instead of just 8x10.

The best thing about buying new is to avoid becoming outdated for a few years. But most of the cameras you are considering are already getting a little old in the tooth. They can still take excellent pictures.. But as you get better at photography, you may quickly wish it had more. My camera body model is 3 years old...I'm not quite jealously lusting after newer models... But gradually there are things I wish I had... Weather sealing, focus peaking...

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I only have one lens that I purchased new, all my glass I've purchased at significantly reduced prices by opting for the used market. Pentax Forums . com was a great place for me. Most sellers are verified. Its a smaller community than the other places... my K5 was even purchased new, in fact I think I'm going to grab another one soon, seeing as I haven't outgrown this 3 year old body yet

 

[fla4fun]

I am not going to talk you into a particular camera, because everyone has to decide which camera is best for them. You are getting a lot of great advice here. It's less about brand and more about what works best for you.

However, I have similar photo experience. Although I used to shoot 35mm with an SLR about 30 years ago, I got away from photography for many years, and when I was ready go back to it, film was pretty much history. So I bought a point and shoot digital. For about 10 years, I used the first, and then an upgraded second point and shoot, that had huge zoom capabilities and took good photos (for the most part). But about a year or so ago, I realized I wanted something more. I'd been pushing the few manual boundaries of my most recent point and shoot as far as I could and wasn't always completely satisfied with the results. I found myself using my iPod camera when I just wanted a snapshot, and using it more and more, and the camera less and less. If I was going to be serious about photography again, it was time for a new camera.

So I had to make a decision. I could upgrade again to an even more powerful superzoom point and shoot, or I could upgrade to a DSLR. There were pros and cons to each. I knew upgrading to a DSLR would mean re-educating myself almost from scratch since there are a lot of differences in shooting digital vs. film (and because of the long gap since I'd last shot film). I had to decide if I was willing to put in the work to re-learn what I had forgotten and learn the new technology as well. Was I willing to give up the ease of just turning the camera on and composing the shot without thinking about shutter speed or aperture? After all, I'd grown used to shooting with an iPod!

That is where you are right now. You like the ease and simplicity, not to mention the zoom capabilities, of the point and shoot. However, you are at a point in your photography where you think you might like a little more control over the camera and how it takes the photos. My question to you is - are you willing to put in the time and effort it will take to get yourself up to speed on a camera with changeable lenses? You say you might want changeable lenses in the future - how far in the future? Is it far enough that technology may have changed many times over before you buy new lenses? Or do you prefer to upgrade to a better point and shoot and let the camera do most of the work most of the time? Do you want the ease of just lining up the shot on your LCD and pressing the shutter button? There isn't a correct, one size fits all answer - there is just the correct answer for you. Only you can provide the answer to the question. You really need to decide on which type of camera you want before you can narrow down which model. So much of what you are saying tells me you really love the convenience of point and shoot, but you have the opinion that the changeable lens cameras have to be better and take better shots. Maybe that used to be true, but there are some great point and shoot cameras out there that give DSLRs, at least the entry level ones, a run for the money. Really think about what you want your end result to be, what you need to get there, and how much you are willing to carry around with you to make that happen (those DSLR zoom lenses can be VERY heavy).

For me personally, I decided I was willing to put in the time and the effort it would take to operate a DSLR. I've had my new camera about a month, with just the kit lens (minimal zoom) and a small prime (no zoom). Oh, it was tough those first couple times I went out and I couldn't zoom like I used to! I won't kid you about that. But while I'm still in the re-learning phase, I'm sticking with what I have until I learn what I might need. The ability to crop without losing image quality makes up for the loss of zoom most of the time, at least for now. I've had some really fantastic shots, and some I deleted faster than I took them - that's how it goes when you're a rookie! So it may be a few years before I buy anything more than what I have now. So far, I haven't had any regrets. But I did spend a lot of time on the Internet reading up on a lot of cameras before making my decision. Good luck with your decision!