recommend dslr camera

[Maleficent&Goons]

I love taking photos especially now with having a new one. DH wants to buy me a new camera but i'm not sure what to get. I'm leaning towards the Rebel or the Nixon D3000

 

[ukcatfan]

You cannot beat the price and feature set of the Pentax K-x right now. For the time being, it is the best bang for the buck. Plus, it comes in four different colors! I went with red (so did a number of other DISers on here). The other colors are navy, white, and traditional black.

 

[disneyboy2003]

I love taking photos especially now with having a new one. DH wants to buy me a new camera but i'm not sure what to get. I'm leaning towards the Rebel or the Nixon D3000

So you already have a new camera, and now DH wants to buy you a new camera?

The first question we usually ask you here on the message boards is whether you really need a new camera. Are you encountering limitations in your current photography because of your new camera? If you are, then you might be ready to consider a DSLR.

Honestly, any brand's entry-level DSLR is going to give you great pictures, so it doesn't matter which brand you go with...whether you go with a Canon Rebel, a Nikon, a Pentax, a Sony, etc. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. Like Coke and Pepsi, some people just prefer one brand over another.

However, you really should go down to your local camera store or Best Buy and hold these cameras for yourself. The camera that "fits" the best in your hands, including the buttons, menus, etc. will be the best camera for you.

Oh, and to get the most out of your DSLR, go to your local bookstore and check out any one of the dozens of different Intro to Digital Photography books. The most recommended one on this message board is "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

Hope that helps. Let us know which one your DH buys for you. Hope he buys Canon!

 

[SrisonS]

I love my Rebel T1i. But like other people will probably suggest; try to go to a store to actually hold the different cameras. The technical differences among entry level dslr's are somewhat minor. So besides maybe price, your final decision might be based on how the camera feels in your hands, and maybe if you like how the controls are laid out. Also determine how important video is for you.

 

[Maleficent&Goons]

Opps a new little one. we just had a baby 9 weeks ago. I'm camera crazy with her. LOL Thanks for the advice so far. I'll stop at best buy and see which feels better. Right now all I have for a camera is an ancient Nixon P2 coolpix and my Iphone. So yeah I need a upgrade.

 

[KarenAylwood]

The Canon G11 is supposed to be a good bridge camera, my friend who is a wedding photographer just bought one for a cruise (didn't want to take her dSLR).

I think that a dSLR might be a bit much if he doesn't specifically want one already. I'd personally want some input if someone was going to buy me a dSLR, not just surprise me with it because I find it to be pretty personal.

I think a bridge camera like the others mentioned or the G11 would work well for him. Great zoom range and good quality. Have a look in Best Buy but I don't recommend buying from them. They won't be able to give you very much help and you'll likely get a better price online somewhere. Definitely compare prices- BB was running $100 more on a lot of what I've looked at.

 

[ukcatfan]

Opps a new little one. we just had a baby 9 weeks ago. I'm camera crazy with her. LOL Thanks for the advice so far. I'll stop at best buy and see which feels better. Right now all I have for a camera is an ancient Nixon P2 coolpix and my Iphone. So yeah I need a upgrade.

If you can, go to a real camera store. Not only are they more knowledgeable and have larger selections, but they are an endangered species and need business. Chances are that their prices are comparable. Unless you are going to save a lot, I would recommend buying from one of them due to the much larger after the sale service that a first time DSLR buyer will likely need.

 

[Maleficent&Goons]

The Canon G11 is supposed to be a good bridge camera, my friend who is a wedding photographer just bought one for a cruise (didn't want to take her dSLR).

I think that a dSLR might be a bit much if he doesn't specifically want one already. I'd personally want some input if someone was going to buy me a dSLR, not just surprise me with it because I find it to be pretty personal.

I think a bridge camera like the others mentioned or the G11 would work well for him. Great zoom range and good quality. Have a look in Best Buy but I don't recommend buying from them. They won't be able to give you very much help and you'll likely get a better price online somewhere. Definitely compare prices- BB was running $100 more on a lot of what I've looked at.

To clarify: I want the DSLR. DH is just the money LOL. I just have to tell him what I want and find it at the best price. I'm thinking Amazon will be my best spot.

 

[disneyboy2003]

I just have to tell him what I want and find it at the best price. I'm thinking Amazon will be my best spot.

I usually buy my camera equipment online from B&H Photo (link) or Adorama (link). They usually have the best prices, HUGE selection, and fast shipping. Both are very reputable companies that pro photographers frequently use. Certainly compare prices elsewhere, like Amazon.

I agree with ukcatfan, though, about supporting your local camera store, especially if they've spent a LOT of time helping you make your purchase decision, letting you touch and hand-hold several cameras, explaining things about dSLRs, etc. If they've done all that to help you out, then the slightly higher prices they may have are totally worth it, compared to the online superstores above.

As a customer, I feel totally guilty walking into a camera store, spending so much of their time, asking all my stupid questions, absorbing all the pearls of photography from them, only to walk out of the store empty-handed with the intent of buying online to save $50. So I've made it a point to try to support my local camera stores whenever I can.

In my experience, though, their prices are pretty competitive with the online folks, and they do keep an eye on B&H prices pretty closely.

 

[Snappy in OK]

Amazon does not always have the best price. I have been looking at a new dSLR camera lately, and the price has been lower on other sites. You could start looking at bizrate.com, and you can compare the price at various sites. I have noticed that some sites have lower prices once you put an item in the cart and these lower prices are not on bizrate. Bizrate also shows the ratings of the various places, which I have found helpful.

I have ordered from B&H and BuyDig.com in the past and have been very happy.

As far as the camera goes, like a PP, I recommend going to a store to handle the various cameras to see what feels right. I did this when I looked for my first dSLR, and there is a difference in how the cameras feel & operate. Technically, the cameras will be similar. Find a camera where you like the feel of the controls (placement, operation, etc).

Good luck!

 

[boBQuincy]

The Canon G11 is supposed to be a good bridge camera, my friend who is a wedding photographer just bought one for a cruise (didn't want to take her dSLR).

I think that a dSLR might be a bit much if he doesn't specifically want one already. I'd personally want some input if someone was going to buy me a dSLR, not just surprise me with it because I find it to be pretty personal.

I think a bridge camera like the others mentioned or the G11 would work well for him. Great zoom range and good quality. Have a look in Best Buy but I don't recommend buying from them. They won't be able to give you very much help and you'll likely get a better price online somewhere. Definitely compare prices- BB was running $100 more on a lot of what I've looked at.

Canon's G11 is a good bridge camera, and *loaded* with features (the manual is the same # of pages as the Xsi manual). Still, the *only* time I carry it is when I just don't want the size of the SLR, usually on my bicycle. To me, the G11 is more difficult to use than the Xsi, it takes more care to get a good photo out of it since the sensor is so much smaller.
The other thing I really miss on the G11 is wide angle, it is not bad but just doesn't go wide enough since I am spoiled by the 10-22!

 

[Maleficent&Goons]

I looked a little bit today and so far the Nikon D3000 and D5000 are the top two. Any views on these 2?

 

[VVFF]

I looked a little bit today and so far the Nikon D3000 and D5000 are the top two. Any views on these 2?

Both are good cameras. It really comes down to the features you want/need. Chances are both will exceed your needs at first but both will allow ample room the grow.

Hopefully you got a chance to take a look at options from at least Nikon, Sony, Canon, and maybe even a Panasonic/Olympus.

 

[ukcatfan]

Both are good cameras. It really comes down to the features you want/need. Chances are both will exceed your needs at first but both will allow ample room the grow.

Hopefully you got a chance to take a look at options from at least Nikon, Sony, Canon, and maybe even a Panasonic/Olympus.

What, no Pentax!

 

[VVFF]

What, no Pentax!

I hope she could try out a Pentax as well but you and I both know how difficult they can be to find...especially for people that don't live near major cities.

The K-x is a fantastic value!

 

[DVC Mike]

I looked a little bit today and so far the Nikon D3000 and D5000 are the top two. Any views on these 2?

I have the Nikon D5000 and love it.