DSLR Camera - What kind do you have?

[dev22]

And would you reccommend it?

I am going to buy myself one for my graduation present ;D

[heightsyankee]

Nikon D80. It's bad ass. DH got it for me as a birthday/christmas last year. I don't know why he chose Nikon over Cannon but I do know he is the kind to do a lot of research. I love it. I didn't think I wanted the video capacity bc my point'n'shoot has that, but sometimes I only have the big camera and wish I could grab a video. Basically, if I had to do it again, I'd ask for the D90 but very, very happy with my Nikon.

[mominatrix]

I have the Canon T3. It's kind of the Toyota Yaris if the camera world - good, cheap, basic, by a great brand.

We managed to get body, two zoom lenses, one fixed lens, and a bunch of little needs (bag, etc) for under $1k.

Learning to shoot in manual, so many features present in other cameras not that necessary...

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[arborgold]

Nikon D90 with a couple of zoom lenses, and a fixed 50mm (love love love that one).

I don't remember what we paid for it - the ex and I got it for ourselves as an xmas present one year. It was the ONE thing I got in the divorce. Douche.*

*My apologies for any divorce-related non-sequitors over the next week or so. I just heard from the ex on Tuesday that he's been informed that it's been finalized, and he put some rather nasty digs at me in the FYI email, so I'm feeling particularly stabby right now.

[housegeek]

I have a Nikon D7000, but you probably don't need that much camera. Its awesome though Id recommend some decent glass too, a 35mm 1.8 or a 50mm 1.8

[cbwm1]

I started with the Canon XS. The newest version of this is the Canon T3. It's a great camera and a great camera to learn with! I always recommend getting the 50mm f/1.8 in addition to the camera. It's great for shooting in low light situations without having to use your flash and will give you the nice creamy, blurry background (a.k.a. bokeh) and it's only about $110.

Additionally, I cannot speak highly enough of B&H. Their customer service is amazing.

www.bhphotovideo.com

[I've since upgraded to the 50D and hope to upgrade again to the 7D in the next year or two - but I'm pretty serious about photography as a hobby.]

[earlgreyhot]

I have a Nikon d5000 with a few different lens. It's been a great camera for the last 2.5 years but as I shoot entirely in manual I'm itching to upgrade to something that allows me to get through the controls faster. But it's really a great camera!

I suggest buying the body only and a "fast" prime. Avoiding the "kit lens" will allow you to spend more on the camera body, and a fast prime (I suggest a 35 mm over the 50 mm) will help you avoid the on-camera flash.

[hamster]

I have a Canon t2i. I paid $600 for it with a kit lens, and I've been extremely happy with my purchase. It's not the best starter model out there, but I don't need it to be either. If you can find a deal, I'd absolutely get the kit lens. It's not the best, but if you're learning it's more than adequate while you figure out what you want.

[snarkymalarky]

I'm glad this topic came up. I really want a dslr camera because I learned the hard way that kids move too fast for point and shoot digitals. I need a fast camera that will actually take a good pic so my kids childhood pics aren't all blurs. I'm really intimidated by these cameras. They're so big and bulky with so many buttons. So any recs for me?

[bluelikejazz]

We have the base model Nikon. DH loves it. But he's not a huge photo buff either.

[OscarQ]

Another vote for Canon. I have the T3i and love it. So easy to use.

[emilyj]

I have the no-longer made Nikon D50. It's been a great entry-level camera for learning the ropes of shooting in manual. For what I need, it's served me well!

[emisi]

Canon XSi. I love it, although they've updated it to something else, so it's no longer made.

[dev22]

This is the one I have been looking at (not going to buy it on Amazon, just browsing there):
www.amazon.com/Canon-T3i-Processor-3-0-Inch-Vari-Angle/dp/B004J3V90Y

Seems like quite a few people have it. So besides the body and the lense that it comes with, what do I need to get started? I see a few of you reccomended a second lens, anything else?

[heyjude]

Canon xsi. Yes.

[mominatrix]

Dev... The differences between the T3i and the T2i are fairly minimal, you may want to consider the T2i, especially given that Costco has a nice T2i bundle.

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[dev22]

May 18, 2012 17:56:07 GMT -5 mominatrix said:

Dev... The differences between the T3i and the T2i are fairly minimal, you may want to consider the T2i, especially given that Costco has a nice T2i bundle.

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I will look into it, since Costco was certainly a place I was considering buying from.

[y4m]

I have a Nikon D40. You should buy Nikon or Canon--which will depend on which feels better in your hand. I went into the store swearing it would be a Canon--but Nikon just felt right.

D40 is defunct though. If you get a Nikon, get one with AF in the body, not the lenses.

[epphd]

We have a Nikon D60. We love it.

[locarb]

May 18, 2012 19:05:06 GMT -5 @publius said:

I would personally go with a Canon over a Nikon simply because IMO Canon has a better lens selection at a lower price for down the road when you're going to want to upgrade.

Make sure you get a lens cover (I'm talking about the glass cover that screws on to the front of the lens). It's infinitely better to accidentally scratch a $10 lens cover than it is to accidentally scratch and have to replace the entire lens.

I agree w/ this. We have the Canon T2i and have already been thru one lens cover (user fault). I'm so glad we purchased it.

[Deleted]

May 18, 2012 18:32:57 GMT -5 y4m said:

I have a Nikon D40. You should buy Nikon or Canon--which will depend on which feels better in your hand. I went into the store swearing it would be a Canon--but Nikon just felt right.

D40 is defunct though. If you get a Nikon, get one with AF in the body, not the lenses.

Same here mine is the D40x which is pretty much the same thing. And I agree about the AF in the body not the lens. It works for me since I will never ever be a pro or do much more than play around with mine.

[taratru]

I have a Nikon D50, which I LOVE and is pretty cheap now. I just got a 50mm 1.8 today and it's awesome.

[bluedaisyus]

I have a Canon 7D that I adore, but I wouldn't recommend it as your first DSLR. It's expensive and has more than a beginner needs, I think you'd be better off going with a more basic model and investing a little more in better quality lenses if you want to. I started with a Canon XTi and it was fine for me for 3-4 years. I think really any of the entry-level Canon or Nikon cameras are going to be just fine for someone starting out, although if you go Nikon I'd go for something that has the focus motor built into the camera body (this isn't a concern for Canon because all of theirs are in the body and not the lens). Sony and Olympus make good DSLRs, too, but if you end up really getting into it they don't have nearly as many options as far as lenses and accessories go so I'd stick to Canon or Nikon, personally.

I would definitely say that you should go to a store and try them out like y4m said, some people don't have a preference but I know people who have switched brands because they didn't try them both out and the one they went with originally never felt "right." Most people I know have a preference and knew right away which it was.

[angnshaun]

Nikon D40... ive had it since 2008 so im gonna upgrade soon.

[pescalita]

Canon EOS here, I don't remember the exact model, but it was an older one I think, so the kit price was under 500. The 50mm/1.8 I got for Xmas has been a fantastic addition, esp for kid photos.

IMO, for hobby/amateur use, a decent fit and good cheap lenses are important. You don't want to go overboard with features you won't take the time to learn. A good auto setting is often useful.

[eclaires]

I have a Nikon d80. Love it and we've had it since Jackson was 1. I mostly use a 50mm lens with it, which was an inexpensive addition (around $100).

[thejackpot]

I have the Nikon D40x and it has served me well.

[Deleted]

Nikon D5000. I love it.

[SallyJ]

Nikon D90 and a whole lotta lenses. The D7000 is the updated model from the D90 but the D90 is still a solid camera. It also has AF in the body, something I would recommend when looking at Nikons. (D40, D3000, D3100, D5000, D5100 all have to have AF-S lenses which cost more since they don't have AF in the body)

Hold a Canon and hold a Nikon...one will feel more natural for you.