Stayseeliz Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 I was WAY into photography when I was in high school and college and I'd like to get back into it. I'm asking for a good camera for Christmas this year. Something $600 or less. I'll buy more lenses later. I'd like something with a lot of creative control but something easy to tote and shoot with since I'm going to be shooting mainly my kids. Any thoughts? The Canon Rebel T3 looks interesting. Also the Nikon entry level series..Maybe the D3000? I'd love some input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unscripted Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 I am a recovering professional photographer, and every time a client asked (over the last 11 years) about a camera recommendation- my instant answer was the current model Rebel. The creative flexibilty is all in the lenses you purchase... So just focus on get a solid body that will get you where your going- and invest in glass. *disclaimer: I have only shot on canons professionally, and a Olympus when amateur. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 The lowest level Canon is not a very good camera. I don't know what it is called in the US, but it's the EOS1100 in the rest of the world. Maybe it's the T3? I would go up one step to the EOS550 or 600. The entry level one is cheaply built and not made to last. I have had more than one friend have issues with it from when it is quite new. In contrast the next model up has been very long lasting for a number of friends and myself, I have the EOS350D which is pretty much the original Rebel, it's 5 years old now and still going strong. I'm about to upgrade though as I'm going to be studying photography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jar7709 Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 I love my Nikon 3100! Probably at the top end of your price range but it takes great photos. The 5100 is really nice too, but a little more expensive. I checked Consumer Reports before I bought, and was interested in both the 3100 and the Canon T2i...then I went to best buy to hold them both irl too see which I liked best. The 3100 just felt best in my hand. Then I bought online for the best price. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Governess Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Canon Rebel. :). If you want something smaller but still nicer than a point and shoot, look into the Olympus EP line of 4/3 format cameras. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iucounu Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 It's false that the entry-level Canon is "not a very good camera". You can't go wrong with any entry-level model from Canon or Nikon, or even Sony if you don't want the extensive lens lineups of Canon or Nikon. The lens and accessory lineups for Canon and Nikon are roughly comparable. My advice is to shop around for a Black Friday or holiday deal on last year's model. You can probably find a good new entry-level DSLR for just a few hundred dollars, leaving more for lenses and accessories. My last budget purchase was a 450D, when those were still being sold retail, for $300, and it's still a decent little camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 It's false that the entry-level Canon is "not a very good camera". You can't go wrong with any entry-level model from Canon or Nikon, or even Sony if you don't want the extensive lens lineups of Canon or Nikon. The lens and accessory lineups for Canon and Nikon are roughly comparable. My advice is to shop around for a Black Friday or holiday deal on last year's model. You can probably find a good new entry-level DSLR for just a few hundred dollars, leaving more for lenses and accessories. My last budget purchase was a 450D, when those were still being sold retail, for $300, and it's still a decent little camera. Yes, but the new entry level Canon is a lower quality than the 450D, that was the old entry level. In the past I would have agreed with you, given I have an earlier version of yours, but the 1100D... not so great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iucounu Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 (edited) Yes, but the new entry level Canon is a lower quality than the 450D, that was the old entry level. In the past I would have agreed with you, given I have an earlier version of yours, but the 1100D... not so great. It's built fine for an entry-level camera. If your friends have experienced multiple failures with the 1100D, you're in a minority for knowing multiple friends with one, and a much tinier minority for knowing multiple friends who've had issues with one. I've seen nothing indicating that it's especially prone to failure-- keeping in mind that all mass-produced products fail occasionally. The 1100D is a fine entry-level camera. The only question is the best price point at which one can get it. I'd definitely snap one up if I could save hundreds off another current Rebel. BTW, your 350D is not comparable in any way to any new Canon model. You certainly can't lump it in with the 550D and 600D and compare them as some sort of category with other models. Nor is the 350D comparable to the 450D, really (they have quite different builds, AF systems, LiveView is absent on the 350D, etc.). You simply don't have current experience yourself with a newer model, and I would hesitate to draw any conclusions at all based on your second-hand anecdotes. Edited November 3, 2011 by Iucounu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Yeah, I belong to a photography group with many newbie photographers. So you are right, I am in a minority. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratford Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I'm a total amateur, but I recently got a Nikon D3100 and I'm enjoying it! Simple to use but has more advanced features if I need them. My pictures are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unscripted Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 The lowest level Canon is not a very good camera. I don't know what it is called in the US, but it's the EOS1100 in the rest of the world. Maybe it's the T3? I would go up one step to the EOS550 or 600. The entry level one is cheaply built and not made to last. I have had more than one friend have issues with it from when it is quite new. In contrast the next model up has been very long lasting for a number of friends and myself, I have the EOS350D which is pretty much the original Rebel, it's 5 years old now and still going strong. I'm about to upgrade though as I'm going to be studying photography. T3 is the American equivalent... And in my experience, with multiple associate photographers that have worked under my supervision- we haven't had any issues with them, at all. In fact, my opinion is that it out-performs it's price point. And again- this is with eleven years as a bonafide professional (brick-n-mortar studio, license, insurance... So not a backyard amateur). I mean no offense, it's just that I do know a bit about them, since I used to have one in my hands hours daily. That said- I would just recommend that the OP head on over to dpreview.com. They have excellent non-biased reviews there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Well I am pleased to hear that the experience of those that I know is an aberration. I like Canons a lot, and if you can get a decent entry level for the price of that camera, then that's pretty good huh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unscripted Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Well I am pleased to hear that the experience of those that I know is an aberration. I like Canons a lot, and if you can get a decent entry level for the price of that camera, then that's pretty good huh. Well- and there is always something to be said for where it's manufactured and just "how" equivalent they are... Not trying to call anything an abberation- but my experience and what I have heard back from clients that use them has just been so radically different from yours. I really don't mean any offense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Unscripted, do you have an opinion on the 60D vs the 7D? I'm heading towards the 60D because I can't see anything that justifies the extra cost for the 7D, but I'd be interested in your thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I've been learning on a Rebel T2, and am now at the point that I'd like to upgrade. It's been a great little camera to learn on. I don't know much about Nikons, except that they feel awkward and backwards in my hands :D. But there are people who will say that Nikon felt great and Canon felt awful to them. A lot of it is personal preference. My suggestion would be to go into a camera store and play with a few different models in your price range and see what you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureMoms Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Canon Rebel would be my first choice too. I have a Canon (a higher model, but older) and I think I spent too much for what I do with it and should have gotten a Rebel. The newer ones are really nice and not very expensive. Black Friday will probably bring some excellent deals . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stayseeliz Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 I think for what I want to do with it the Canon rebel would work fine. The Nikon 3100 does sound interesting though. I know I'm going to stick with either Canon or Nikon. I have a Canon Powershot that I use now that I love but I want more control, better features, a sharper image, etc. Like I said it will be mostly my kids, family, etc. Some landscape photography if I have the time. I learned photography on an ooooooold manual Nikon in the early 90's. It was my Dad's. What a fun camera that was! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I bought an entry level Nikon (D40) 2 years ago (I think the 3100 replaced this model.). If I had to choose now, I'd go with the 5100. I plan to upgrade to it eventually. I'm just now getting to the point where when the photo does not turn out the way I like, I can figure out why. Some of it is camera limitations. Consider going up a step from the first entry level if you can swing it. I can get great pics with my camera, and do not regret the purchase, but we get six months of winter here. It has visible noise at ISO speeds over 400. Kind of a bummer on cloudy days (which is most of them!) and indoors. I prefer not to use a flash whenever I can avoid it. One positive point about Nikon cameras is that the lenses will generally fit from an older one. Not that you'd want to use an old lens when the newer ones are so much better anyway, but some pretty old lenses will fit the newest cameras. The pics here were taken primarily with this camera (Some of the Arizona pics were taken with a Canon point & shoot.): https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/112064462717263639240/albums You can see what I mean about the noise on some of the indoor shots--and how much of an amateur I am! lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unscripted Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Unscripted, do you have an opinion on the 60D vs the 7D? I'm heading towards the 60D because I can't see anything that justifies the extra cost for the 7D, but I'd be interested in your thoughts. Everything depends on use to me- so not knowing your style or subject matter, here goes: I would go with the 60D. The 7D is nearly twice the price, but is not twice the camera. The speed and resolution are nice on the 7D- but will you really use that. I had quite a diverse clientele (private clients to public officials to corporations), and I wouldn't need it. If it were closer in price range- then it would be more of a consideration. I would also be concerned that the 7D would be a battery eater with all of that resolution and cross-focusing points. I don't know anything about its real world running to make a claim either way on the power issue. All that said- I am a lens-whore. I would rather bump down in a body and buy extra lenses with the extra money left over. So take my recommendation with that grain of salt. One extra note: back in the day I was in the market for the 5D- and a good friend to a canon ambassador (and crazy awesome and celebrated photographer)... His job was to show off those 5d's. His rec to me was to get a couple of the 50D's. For some of the same reasons that I see between the 60 and 7. I still love that camera. Again- you know your style and subject- so there may be some compelling reasons to go with the 7 for you. But dayum... You could do a lot with the cash in between the two- lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Thanks, yes, that's pretty much the same conclusion I came to. I've been told that for my course I need the 60D, 7D or 5D MkII and I can't afford the 5D, and I can't see enough to make me want the 7D over the 60D. Interesting about your friends recc, very interesting. The only thing the 5D seems to have that really stands out is the non cropped sensor, but whhoooo boy, the price! And with the 60D, I can spend a bit more dosh on the lenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unscripted Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Yep, the crop would have been my only reason to purchase the 5D at the time... And quite honestly- I had shot with the crop for so long, that i didnt want the full frame. Made enough money and awards with a crop... But other would go all wiggy about it. So that's where the "style and use" disclaimer comes in. Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stayseeliz Posted December 17, 2011 Author Share Posted December 17, 2011 Thanks so much for all the advice! I ended up going with a Nikon D3100. I love it so far but I've only had it for a few days! I was all ready to buy the T3 and I went to Best Buy and toyed around with the camera and the Nikon just felt right so I sucked it up and spent a bit more. I learned on a Nikon back in high school/college. I'm looking forward to getting back into photography! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Congrats on the new camera! Hope you enjoy it :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymilkies Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 I love my Canon Digital Rebel XT 350D. I bought it used on ebay. I've had non-digital rebels before and I just love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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