Good Basic DSLR

[ssmjlm]

DH really wants to upgrade to a DSLR and I agree. I wanted one earlier, but DH nixed the costs and then after our Alaska trip was all "we should have bought a DSLR."

So what's a good basic one for someone who is mostly going to try and get decent pictures of the kiddo, dog and a few vacation photos here and there.

While I'm sure DH would love to learn more about photography and all the workings, I know time will quickly get away from him.

We currently have a canon P&S, but I'm not brand loyal as my favorite camera was an old sony.

[electricmayhem]

The Rebel is Canon's entry-level DSLR; I think the most current version is the T3i? I have the xti, which is from a number of years ago, before they started including video. It comes with a basic lens that is good for everyday use. I love mine.

[y4m]

Stick to Canon or Nikon. Those two brands are the best and most widely used, and will have the best selection of lenses at various pricepoints.

[everam01]

When we were looking to purchase our first DSLR someone told me to go to the store and hold the lowest model Canon and the lowest model Nikon in my hand to see which feels better. Nikon worked better for me (we bought the D40, I think the lowest model is now the D3100).

[hamster]

I have a Canon t2i and have been very happy with it so far.

[mellie35]

Oct 30, 2012 12:06:18 GMT -5 everam01 said:

When we were looking to purchase our first DSLR someone told me to go to the store and hold the lowest model Canon and the lowest model Nikon in my hand to see which feels better. Nikon worked better for me (we bought the D40, I think the lowest model is now the D3100).

We were told the same thing. Don't think you can go wrong with either the Canon or Nikon. We ended up liking the Nikon and got the D3000. (This was a couple of years ago.)

[arch01]

We have the Canon T1i and I really like it.

Follow slickdeals on Twitter if you have it, there have been some pretty good bundle deals lately on the T3i since the T4i came out a few weeks ago.

[smiley]

I have a Nikon D3100 and love it. It's a beginner camera and I would highly recommend it.

[ssmjlm]

Oct 30, 2012 12:10:52 GMT -5 arch01 said:

We have the Canon T1i and I really like it.

Follow slickdeals on Twitter if you have it, there have been some pretty good bundle deals lately on the T3i since the T4i came out a few weeks ago.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll take a look.

[hbomdiggity]

I would go a step up from entry level. I know when I bought my d90 a few years back, the d40 was also avail, but there was something about the lens being more expensive and not compatible with the more advanced models.

I would also recommend the book understanding exposure to learn how to use the fancy camera.

[jenjen]

I have either the Canon T1i or t2i (I can't remember) but I love it. The 4 just came out so you can probably find good deals on the 3. Mine came with a standard short lens and a longer one. I've just ordered a better one for close ups an can't wait for it to be delivered. I use it for vacations/kids/dogs/house stuff.

[Deleted]

Ditto PP, stick w/ Nikon or Canon and really they are so similar, especially the intro cameras. Try them both out and see which feels better in your hands. I learned to shoot on a Nikon so it's my preference. I don't know where the controls are on a Canon and it's just awkward, but if I had started on the other I'm sure I would have the same feelings about Nikon.

[Deleted]

I like my Nikon D7000.

It is a good amateur camera.

[Ashley&Scott]

We're also in the market for a dslr, I'm leaning towards Canon since we love our Canon p&s.

Does anyone have recommendations for a lens, there are so many options: 18-55mm, 18-135mm, 55-250mm, etc.

[niq]

Oct 30, 2012 13:23:42 GMT -5 Ashley&Scott said:

We're also in the market for a dslr, I'm leaning towards Canon since we love our Canon p&s.

Does anyone have recommendations for a lens, there are so many options: 18-55mm, 18-135mm, 55-250mm, etc.

I really like having an all-in-one lens. Nikon makes one that's 18-200 and a new one that's 28-300. Not having to switch lenses is great. But, they're not MM.

Otherwise it depends on what you're shooting. The 18-55 will look the best if you're mostly taking pictures of people (babies, people standing in front of famous things, etc.). Otherwise my guess would be the zoom. The lenses that come with the kits have gotten pretty good lately.

I always plug Ken Rockwell, he's a pro non-wedding photographer who's been writing reviews for years, but he makes good recommendations for entry-level SLR users too.

[hamster]

Oct 30, 2012 13:23:42 GMT -5 Ashley&Scott said:

We're also in the market for a dslr, I'm leaning towards Canon since we love our Canon p&s.

Does anyone have recommendations for a lens, there are so many options: 18-55mm, 18-135mm, 55-250mm, etc.

I have the 18-55 and 55-250. Sometimes I wish I had more reach on the 18-55, but I also don't want to carry much weight so it works just fine for me. I may eventually get a 17-70mm I found the other day, but probably not for a few years.

[niq]

Oct 30, 2012 12:01:31 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

DH really wants to upgrade to a DSLR and I agree. I wanted one earlier, but DH nixed the costs and then after our Alaska trip was all "we should have bought a DSLR."

So what's a good basic one for someone who is mostly going to try and get decent pictures of the kiddo, dog and a few vacation photos here and there.

The rule of thumb used to be "Canon for sports/active wildlife/action; Nikon for portraits/scenery/stills". It was still the rule when I bought a D300 about five years ago; not sure about today.

The recs from Ken Rockwell today are for the D5100, or if you can find the D3100 on sale to get that, but not the D3200 which is newer and still not on sale.

[housegeek]

If you can get your hands on them, the canon and Nikon are basically rivals and don't have so many differences in the entry level models, but they hold differently. I find the Nikon controls more intuitive, and I love my D7000, but the d3200 would probably be more than enough for your uses

[dutchgirl678]

I would recommend a Canon Rebel T2i or T3i. You don't necessarily have to get the kit lens though. It is an ok walk around lens. Remember that lenses that offer a long zoom are often not as good in low light. This is indicated by the f-stop. If you have a zoom lens that goes from f/3.5 to f/5.6 that means that at the longer zoom end you can only go down to 5.6 which is a major shortcoming. For this reason I recommend a fixed f-stop lens of f/2.8 such as the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. It is a great walk-around lens for around $400. Or you can get the kit lens but for indoors also get the 50mm f/1.8. They call that the nifty fifty and it's just around $100.

[lahoagie]

My husband likes the Sony brand. The thing that he has found really nice is that the stabilizer is in the body and not the lens. So we have been able to buy older lenses for a much cheaper price. We got a fixed 300 mm lens for about $1500. A current one would cost about $5000.

[housegeek]

You shouldn't take Ken all that seriously, he says a lot of tongue in cheek.

[smsm24]

DH just got me a nikon d5100. The model is being replaced so there are some good deals you there. It is easy to use and takes an amazing picture. DH is has a more expensive model and is jealous of the pics mine takes.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using proboards

[Rachael070707]

I went from a Canon P&S to a Nikon D3100, so not very brand loyal. I've tried my sister's Canon (Rebel??) and I prefer my Nikon. It's been easy to learn on and has taken great basic shots with the kit lens. I'm ready to step up to a nicer lens - some recommend skipping the kit but for me personally, it was good to learn on.

[kwynn]

I'm a professional photographer and would recommend the Canon Rebel series. You don't need the latest---T4i, T3i, T2i, or even T1i. You can go older---they barely make changes to the entry level in my opinion and you can save a lot of money.

Skip the kit lens and get a 50mm 1.8.

Hope that helps you out!

[regina22]

Canon t3i or if you could find a t21, it's a good option and would probably be a lower price for a still rock solid model.

[Deleted]

I have a canon dslr and love it! When I got mine I was able to save a lot of money by getting a refurbished one from adorama.

The only thing I will add is to really decide if you guys are going to truly learn to use the camera, before you buy it. Do you guys like the idea of turning your camera on and adjusting all the settings to get the perfect picture? (shooting in manual) or do you want a camera that you can turn on and snap a picture without having to do anything? I just see a lot of people buy a dlsr and just shoot in auto all the time. If you are going to do that, you could buy a very nice point and shoot camera for half the price.

Of course if money isn't really an issue, buy the dslr. Good luck!

[grey56]

I am also a pro photog and I second the suggestion to just get the body and the 50/1.8. IF you can swing it though, the kit lens (18-55) does an ok job, mostly outdoors, and you can't buy it separately for how much extra it would cost to buy it with the camera.

I am not a fan of the lenses with huge ranges like 18-250 or even 55-250 - what you gain in range, you lose in quality. There's a Canon EF 28-135 that is a GREAT walkaround lens. If I were shopping cameras now, I'd get a Rebel T3i (like PP said, cheaper now that T4i is out and check slickdeals for deals) with the 50/1.8 and then get a 28-135 down the road (there's a refurb for sale thru Canon for under $300 right now though).

A Canon lens that says "EF" can be used on any camera. If it says "EF-S" then it can only be used on the base level cameras - I would try to stick to the EF lenses.

[housegeek]

Laughing at all the momtogs popping up
A kit lens will be fine, they are still quality glass, no they aren't the absolute top of the line but you aren't planning on pulling income from this camera and the clarity you'll get from a kit will still blow any P&s out of the water. Start with a kit, get to know your camera, then buy addition lenses based on need.

[Deleted]

We have the Canon t3i, best investment ever. I chose the Canon because I had worked with them in high school photography classes and it felt more familiar. I agree with other posters that you should try to look at both a Nikon and Canon and see which feels better for you. We found ours with two lenses (telephoto and standard) along with a bag and other goodies for a great price on Amazon.

[mishap]

Oct 31, 2012 7:22:57 GMT -5 housegeek said:

Laughing at all the momtogs popping up
A kit lens will be fine, they are still quality glass, no they aren't the absolute top of the line but you aren't planning on pulling income from this camera and the clarity you'll get from a kit will still blow any P&s out of the water. Start with a kit, get to know your camera, then buy addition lenses based on need.

This. Save your money on lenses until you know what you're doing. I'm an admitted momtog who occasionally uses my Rebel XSi for work purposes, and the kit lens has more than suited my needs.

Take a basic camera class -- they can really teach you a lot. Sometimes libraries even hold them for free.