wayoflife

My cousin has started to get interested in photography and asked me to help her choose an entry level DSLR. She is in college and on a budget, and a beginner and wants something good but wants to keep it under 1000 or lower. I was wondering if anyone knows any good entry level Dslr for beginners on a budget. Any help at all is appreciated, thanks.

Jaime Loc: Los Angeles

Frankly, I would rent first. Go to lensrentals.com and rent a Nikon low end and a Canon low end camera and lenses for a week and try them out. Photograph the same things at the same time of day. Which images do you like better? Which camera fits your hand better? Which menu/settings are more intuitive for YOU to navigate. It's a personal choice so before making a financial commitment, rent. My 2.

notnoBuddha

The two big boys seem to be Nikon and Canon at this time. I only know a little about Canon because that is what I use and in general the Rebel series is considered a nice enty level camera and yo ucan get at least two of two models with kit leses for under a grand. I feel sure that Nikon offers one in the price range. Thes would be my first choice if I thought I would ever upgrade to one of their other model so I could also use the lenses I had already puchased and would know the basic control layout. That being said there are several brand that you most likely could get for less and would do most people very well. Something else to keepin mind is the size - some will purchase them and are then surprised how heavy they are to carry around; there are other smallers camera with full manual controls and more options then most ever use. Ask friends - go to a camera store; not a Best Buy or box store unless you only want to get a feel for them. Very hard for anyone to recommend a camera for another - too many veriables. The other reply is very good, rent borrow, or beg - carry & use differnent cameras around for a while

RFranko Loc: Albuquerque, NM

My recommendation...Canon. Go to www.CanonUSA.com-->Consumer & Home Office. View All. Look at their EOS line. They start under $~600. and go to more than $6K. The Rebel line is where you will probably be. The T3i is their latest and comes as a kit. I Also recommend you check on line stores or places like Best Buy for lowest prices.

RFranko Loc: Albuquerque, NM

My recommendation...Canon. Go to www.CanonUSA.com-->Consumer & Home Office. View All. Look at their EOS line. They start under $~600. and go to more than $6K. The Rebel line is where you will probably be. The T3i is their latest and comes as a kit. I Also recommend you check on line stores or places like Best Buy for lowest prices.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

Costco - Nikon D5100 - $999.95 A great kit price & camera.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11659644&search=D5100&Mo=1&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=D5100&Ntt=D5100&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

RFranko Loc: Albuquerque, NM

CANON!...;)

user2071 Loc: New England

If she is definite about a DSLR as opposed to one of the new smaller format interchangeable lens cameras, the T series Canons are really nice. The T3, which is the one I bought is okay, but if you can afford to go a bit more $$, there are a couple of models that I think are a better choice (I feel disloyal saying this!). I don't know about the Nikons, but I am sure they have nice models and no doubt people will suggest them. The Canon XSi is also a good choice.

Pretty much any entry level DSLR you choose will have everything you need.

I'm just going to make one suggestion, no matter which camera you choose.

Don't get the 18-55mm kit lens with it. Get the body and a better lens, maybe an 18-135mm (that's a Canon, but I know Nikon has an equivalent) or even an 18-70 (pretty sure both Canon and Nikon offer one or something close). The kit lenses really are not quality lenses, so why pay the money for them? Get a body and a better lens!

Some places offer kits that include better lenses ... B&H and Adorama both do, sometimes even Amazon. You don't need one of those bogus kits with cards and filters and stuff ... you can usually do better buying that stuff separately. Just get a better lens. You'll wind up buying a different lens anyhow.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

LOL

user2071 Loc: New England

Well, there's no such THING as an entry level Leica or you could be SURE I'd have one of them! How about an entry level Hasselblad? I'd go for THAT too :-)

There are lots of choices, but why bother? Everyone wants one of the biggies. There are some good reasons for choosing the top sellers, especially good availability of lenses and other accessories ... and good warranties. Also lots of used equipment you can pick up fairly cheap.

I do think you get more for your money buying a Fuji or an Olympus (not a 4/3 ... they do make standard DSLRs too), but who'd listen? Why bother to recommend something if no one is interested?

I picked a Canon when I bought a DSLR because I'd been using Canon P&S's for years. I figured I'd be familiar and therefore comfortable with the style of menus and button/dial setup. I was right. It was WAY easier learning how to use the Canon than it was getting comfortable with the Olympus.

I advise people to do the same. Manufacturers are consistent in their interfaces. If you get familiar with one, barring a compelling reason to switch affiliations, why not bank on your experience? So I bought the Canon and it was VERY easy to learn. It was the wrong camera, but I bought it for the right reasons.

PokerInsider Loc: Las Vegas, NV, USA

I am waiting for my Canon T3i to arrive. I picked it up through Amazon for$1,007. Specs: Canon EOS Rebel T3i Digital SLR Camera Body & EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens with 55-250mm IS Lens + 16GB Card + .45x Wide Angle & 2x Telephoto Lenses + Flash + Case + Battery + Remote + (2) Filters + Accessory Kit. For even less you can get the T3, T2i, T2, T1i, all of which are acceptable entry level Canons.

PokerInsider Loc: Las Vegas, NV, USA

Everything I read about the 18-55 II IS (the kit lens with the T3i (not the other T series) ) is that it was a really good lens and the main improvement over the T2i. Having not used it yet (should be here tomorrow), I cannot say for sure.

user2071 Loc: New England

I hated it.

dongrant Loc: Earth, I think!

For a user friendly entry level camera I have not seen anything that can touch the Nikon D3000. It will almost tell you what you want to know. I have seen other Nikons and Canons (does not come close- sorry Canon users you lost big time here). If you want to go up a notch then Look at the Nikon D5100, Canon's Rebel series, and Lower range Sonys and a few others). But what ever you do. I would suggest that you go to the store and run through the functions - focus (bright light, low light). change setting etc, hold it in your hands and try using it. See if it feels right to YOU. If it does not feel right you will not use it, no matter how good the specs are.

beegal Loc: Pennsylvania

I second that... i just bought this camera at costco for $1000. with 2 lenses. I LOVE it.




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