SESchild

Hello all! My wife and I are in the market for a DSLR camera, but neither one of us has any experience or knowledge (or equipment!). I've been researching all corners of the internet, and the more I read, the more confused I get! I've been enjoying reading your posts over the past couple of months, so I knew this was the place to go for help.
First: our goal. We want to get great pictures of our kids (7, 5, and due in August) - and some seashore shots for kicks. There will be stills, and there will be action shots (all manner of sports).
Second: my research. Through my research, it seems that the market is 50/50 on Canon/Nikon. It seems the best camera for us (based on quality and price) is the Nikon d3200. I'm good with that (unless you feel strongly otherwise). I'm hoping to get everything we need for $700 or less. And "everything" seems to be (1) camera (2) 18-55mm VR (3) zoom lens??? (4) UV filter (5) memory card (6) bag (7) tripod (8) top mount flash???
The confusion comes with the lenses. All cameras seem to come with an 18-55mm lens. But we feel it will be important to have the ability to zoom to the kids from afar. So I've read up on Nikon's 55-200 VR, 55-300 VR, and 70-300 VR And I've noticed some others such as Sigma. They all have pros and cons - and I've gotten to the point that I don't know what to do! I could really use your expert advice on finding an appropriate zoom lens.
Sorry for the long post, but I figured the background would help. Thank you in advance for all of your wonderful guidance.
PS My wife and I will take some classes once we get going. I'd love to post some pictures on here when the time comes to see what your opinions will be!

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

hope you do. i'm 4,000 in, camera was 700.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Welcome to the Hog, SES. Take a look at B&H Photo. D3200 @ $496 add the 55-300 for $250. Your covered from 18 all the way up to 300mm for $750. Accessories can follow as you need them. ;)

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

First of all, Welcome to the Hog. You will receive a lot of advice very shortly, I'm sure.

My personal opinion is that a D3200 would suit you well, although an 18-55 probably won't work for the distance shots you will be looking for. Eventually you will want something in the neighborhood of, say, 70-300. It kind of depends...

First of all, check out some of the photos posted here and see what is taking the pictures you find most appealing but I think you are on the right track.

A couple of things to keep in mind, I have seem awesome pictures from the Canon T3i, which is in your price range but at least one of them has a lens that is somewhere around $1750.00, so you get what you pay for. Something else to check out is how the camera functions in low light. I shoot with a D5000 and it sucks with the lenses I currently have. The last thing to keep in mind is that a lot of users here are VERY good at post-production editing so whatever you decide upon, resist the urge to compare. Trust me, it's frustrating.

Whatever you decide on - read the manual, check YouTube and anyother online resources you can find and ask other users. There are people here who will have your camera and are willing to answer any questions you may have and last, take pictures to see what works. It's not like you have to wait to have things developed. Have fun with it and share your photos. We tend to like it. Good luck.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

Welcome to the HOG! The 55-300 is a great lens, but if you can spring for a little more, I would recommend the 70-300 instead. You will use the 18-55, as it is a very nice, sharp lens. Good luck with your new venture. Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc. are all great camera's. Your lens selection will make your photo's come to life. I have a Nikon D5100 and a Nikon D80. Lenses: Tokina 11-17 fisheye; Nikon 18-55, 70-300, 70-200 2.8, nifty 50 and a few Sigma's too boot.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

:thumbup: :thumbup:

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

SES, welcome to the Hog!
First, let met correct your research. The market is not split 50/50. That would be wishful thinking.
33% MORE DSLR shooters choose Canon over Nikon. I presume they all did research as well.
SES, eat meat, 1 million wolves can't be wrong!
I'll let others tell you how good their cameras are.
Enjoy your new Canon Camera. ;-)
Again, welcome.
SS

SESchild

You guys are the best! Thank you for the quick responses. I'll keep an eye for more. I feel like I'm on the right track. What a relief!

John Lawrence

Hi and welcome to the forum. If you haven't already done so and there is one in your area, it would be helpful to stop in to a full line camera store and actually handle the equipment you're thinking about buying.

If that's not possible, stores like B&H, Adorama, etc. offer a no hassle 30-day full refund period on new equipment you order from them. You can order the lens you think you want with the option to return it in 30 days and try another.

On a personal note, I purchased my first 35mm camera when we started our family over 40 years ago. Our home is now filled with albums containing happy memories of everything they did over the years. You'll love it.

John

Gobuster Loc: South Florida

I question your logic. For example, more people drive Fords than Mercedes - does that make Ford the better car? Based on your data, one could opine that Canon is the choice of the masses and Nikon that of the connoisseur!

To the OP, try both Canon and Nikon and choose which feels better to you. After using Canon film cameras for years, I preferred Nikon's digital models so went with them and am happy with the decision. Your opinion may differ! Really, both are good products.

amehta Loc: Boston

Welcome!

Since you have done the research and gotten to a D3200, that is an excellent choice. Last year, I helped two friends get the D3100.

Here are some opinions on your questions:
(1) camera: Nikon D3200 + 18-55mm refurbished, $450 @ Adorama
(2) 18-55mm VR: included
(3) zoom lens???: Nikon 55-200mm VR refurbished, $90 @ Adorama
(4) UV filter: Hoya 52mm, $16 @ Adorama
(5) memory card: SanDisk 32GB, $31 @ Adorama
(6) bag: some recommend a diaper bag. I expect you know about those better than me. :-)
(7) tripod: don't need it for now
(8) top mount flash???: don't need it for now

The total is $600 before the bag. There are better lenses, but none for these prices.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

OK Buster, cut me a break! More people drive Mercedes than Yugos as well. So what the heck does THAT mean?! It means more people are willing to shell out $50k+ on a car that in ten years will be worth less than a FF camera. So does that mean that those people are rocket scientist?

Buster, I hope the OP thinks your opinion is worth something, cause that's all it is.
I gave the OP an undeniable, irrefutable fact, obviously, to you a fact is meaningless. You may as well also tell the OP that you switched to Fruit of the Looms. :lol:
SS

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

hi and welcome. at this point I would recommend starting off with used equipment. give a call to adorama,bh, or keh. 5tell them your price range and what brand you like and i'll bet they will hook you up with a good kit.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Don't eliminate the "Bridge" super-zoom cameras. For your usage it would make more sense since you would have a longer zoom range without having to change lenses. You can find several very good 'bridge' cameras from Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Fuji, etc that also have provision for external flash with a hot shoe, and the lens equivalents of 24mm wide angle thru 600-1200mm telephoto.

These cameras all are well within your price range, including an inexpensive flash unit, extra batteries, etc.

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I have the 70-300, use frequently. If you can afford it look at the 28-300, I have Nikon's but others will attest to other manufacturers.