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Feb 20, 2017 14:24:41   #
cetapp
 
I am amateur at digital cameras, but want to buy a fairly easy to learn and use DSRL camera. I have researched Canon and Nikon. Any advice at which company may have what I am looking for. I like taking scenery and wildlife photos and pictures of decorations at Christmas, inside and out. Thank you.

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Feb 20, 2017 14:37:29   #
Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.
 
Welcome to UHH.
Nikon has an entry level APS-C DSLR, the D3400. More advanced models are the D5600, D7200 and D500.

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Feb 20, 2017 14:38:33   #
brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky
 
cetapp wrote:
I am amateur at digital cameras, but want to buy a fairly easy to learn and use DSRL camera. I have researched Canon and Nikon. Any advice at which company may have what I am looking for. I like taking scenery and wildlife photos and pictures of decorations at Christmas, inside and out. Thank you.


Essentially, all cameras are gonna require the same amount of understanding and learning, despite the brand name. Keep in mind, these are simply the tools used in pursuit of the craft of photography. I'd recommend you find a book titled "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. It is a classic in this pursuit.

You don't mention a budget. You can spend as little as $500-$600 for an entry level camera/lens, or spend thousands of dollars for 'better' equipment. It would be easier to offer recommendations if we know how much you want to spend.

Good luck!! You'll love it.

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Feb 20, 2017 14:40:17   #
CO
 
I'm a Nikon person so I would recommend a D5600 or D7200. Unfortunately, Nikon eliminated the ultrasonic sensor cleaning feature in the new D3400. All of Nikon's recent DSLR cameras have had that feature. It's built-in flash only has one-half the power of the flash in the D3300. One big thing to consider is the viewfinder. The entry level D3xxx and D5xxx series cameras have pentamirror viewfinder. If you go with a D7xxx series or above Nikon you get a superior pentaprism viewfinder. The glass prism inside gives a larger, slightly brighter view through the viewfinder.

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Feb 20, 2017 14:50:11   #
bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA
 
As far as the brand of camera to buy you need to consider that when you buy an SLR, you will be locked into a brand for a long time to come since, for example, Canon lenses and accessories will not work on Nikon or Sony and vice versa. Therefore, you should not just look at the camera you are considering to buy now, but also the cameras and lenses you may want to move into in the future. I know that is very hard for a beginner since you do not have the knowledge to make those kinds of comparisons. I would, therefore advise you to find someone who is knowledgeable to advise you; a friend, photography instructor or professional photographer. I would not rely on a camera salesman for this depth of advice since they tend to be influenced by commissions and incentives.

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Feb 20, 2017 14:56:02   #
canon Lee
 
cetapp wrote:
I am amateur at digital cameras, but want to buy a fairly easy to learn and use DSRL camera. I have researched Canon and Nikon. Any advice at which company may have what I am looking for. I like taking scenery and wildlife photos and pictures of decorations at Christmas, inside and out. Thank you.


Hi All DSLRS are basically the same within the same price range, with some that have a few different buttons to press. Your concerns should be about what LENS to buy. Its important that the camera feel good and comfortable in your hand. For me I have shot with both Canon and Nikon and have a preference for the Canon not because it's a better camera than a Nikon but for the feel in my hand and the button layouts. Lenses on the other hand are a one time purchase and have specified uses in photography. In time you will have many lenses each for different shoots. Wide angle for landscapes, Zooms for close ups, Macros for really undistorted, up close, Portrait lens. Its economical to buy your first camera with a kit lens, IE EOS Rebel T5i with 18~135 mm lens. or any other. Keep in mind that manufactures lenses are not interchangeable, with this in mind, choose carefully the camera you will have for a long time.

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Feb 20, 2017 15:04:35   #
Robeng Loc: California
 
cetapp wrote:
I am amateur at digital cameras, but want to buy a fairly easy to learn and use DSRL camera. I have researched Canon and Nikon. Any advice at which company may have what I am looking for. I like taking scenery and wildlife photos and pictures of decorations at Christmas, inside and out. Thank you.



I recommend you go to your local camera store and try different cameras out. See how it feels in your hands and go from there. Both Nikon & Canon are established companies and have beginners to pro models.

I use Nikons.

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Feb 20, 2017 15:36:06   #
Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY
 
Any Point and Shoot camera meets your description, and if you don't make enlargements over 8x10, or maybe 11x14, you can save a lot by getting the simpler models (or used on eBay). As in many areas, the experts are not usually the best to ask--they are prone to tell you what meets their own needs (which tend to be very demanding). I sold cameras for 20 years, and believe me, most people who want a good camera end up buying one that stays in the the closet, eventually. I recommend that if you have some basic knowledge, buy a second camera first. That is, the simpler, plainer one that can be a backup for the fancy models, but can be used successfully at once. Then, if you find you want all the controls and options, you will have your spare, just in case. This takes much of the pressure away in making your first choice.

Most digital cameras can be set for "point and shoot" mode--and many photographers seldom take them out of that mode. Forget shooting birds at 1000 yards, or closeups of the faces of ants. If most of your shots are vacations, family, special events, get a camera with a zoom lens that covers your interests--the greater the range from wide angle to telephoto, the more it will cost (other things being equal). Most will cover 90% of the amateur interests, unless you have a specialized hobby, which might call for particular equipment. Limit your picture aspirations to what your camera does well--and that applies to the luxury models as well as the snapshot cameras. For instance, if you want to shoot a football game, just wait until the players are close to you (on the sidelines) and then find your shot.

A very serious part of getting pictures I want is simply waiting for my equipment, subject, skills, and weather to all cross paths. Henri Cartier-Bresson called it "the decisive moment." Earlier today I saw a great photo here that was taken with a cell phone.

On the other hand, even with the old-fashioned film "box cameras," we still had some options for setting things up for a special shot, and this is much improved today--with any digital camera over $50.

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Feb 20, 2017 16:05:15   #
JPL
 
cetapp wrote:
I am amateur at digital cameras, but want to buy a fairly easy to learn and use DSRL camera. I have researched Canon and Nikon. Any advice at which company may have what I am looking for. I like taking scenery and wildlife photos and pictures of decorations at Christmas, inside and out. Thank you.


All dslr cameras are about equally easy to use. It is not the camera that can be a problem, but the user and the settings you choose. But if you set your camera to auto or program than you only have to put in a battery and memory card and start shooting. However if you want to be in control instead of let the camera be in control (auto settings) things get more complicated because you have to know what you are doing. That means you have to learn how to take good photographs and how to use your camera.

Often you get decent pics using the auto or program settings. When you start using other settings you will probably get worse results early on, but when you get the grip of it you will get much better results than with the auto settings. But there are no shortcuts, it is either auto or you have to learn.

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Feb 20, 2017 16:07:57   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
cetapp wrote:
I am amateur at digital cameras, but want to buy a fairly easy to learn and use DSRL camera. I have researched Canon and Nikon. Any advice at which company may have what I am looking for. I like taking scenery and wildlife photos and pictures of decorations at Christmas, inside and out. Thank you.


There is the temptation to buy the most expensive one you can afford so that you 'grow into it'. But, if you are new to photography and not quite sure how much you will enjoy and advance, then the most expensive may not be the right one.
Most cameras work in exactly the same way. However their features - like how many pictures per second (Frames/S or FPS) it can take is less important if you don't want to follow fast sports or racing cars. It is the higher / better the features that distinguishes one camera from another more than the make or model. Newer cameras are always coming out with better features so what was good 5 years ago is still good - but there is better now out there if you think you will use those newer features. if not then a cheaper alternative may be better.

Some cameras have a fixed lens that will take pictures reasonably close up and reasonably far away. Bridge,compact,etc. Some cameras use interchangeable lenses. You decide what you want to take and then buy the appropriate lens. This allows you the most flexibility. (it can be the most expensive too).

I would advise, what you say you want to photograph NOW is well within the capability of any interchangeable lens camera and most Bridge cameras. However it is likely that you will develop and want to take lots of other subjects too.

If you are thinking of taking classes you need to look at mid priced cameras new or second hand rather than the bottom of the range. Go and handle a few and ask about their features rather than "can I take a photo of this or that".

If you are certain that this is a hobby for you to enjoy for a long time then an upper or semi-pro camera will meet your learning needs for quite a while.

At some point - 'something' will not quite give you 'the edge' no matter which camera you buy. Individual cameras do not progress at all - but you do!

Take your time choosing - photography is not going away.

Have fun

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Feb 20, 2017 19:02:27   #
cetapp
 
Since this is my 1st one, I 'd like to keep it $500-$600. Thank you.

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Feb 20, 2017 19:52:53   #
Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY
 
OK. Canon is selling the Ti6 DSLR for $449--regular $549--with 18-55 zoom. I use a version of this all the time and like it. It has far more versatility than I will ever use (and I use more than a lot of people do). You would add a long lens at some point, but the kit zooms are not too expensive. (55mm is about portrait length, longer than normal for this size camera.) There are many choices in your price range.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-rebel-t6-gray-ef-s-18-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-ii-kit

My cat below was shot with it.



cetapp wrote:
Since this is my 1st one, I 'd like to keep it $500-$600. Thank you.



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Feb 20, 2017 19:54:29   #
snfapm1983
 
Sonikcanolumix!

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Feb 20, 2017 21:16:41   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
cetapp wrote:
Since this is my 1st one, I 'd like to keep it $500-$600. Thank you.

Pentax K-70 is running around $600. It has a penta-prism which provides a nice bright viewfinder, it is Weather Resistant, and the body provides Shake Resistance.

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Feb 20, 2017 21:28:06   #
BebuLamar
 
cetapp wrote:
I am amateur at digital cameras, but want to buy a fairly easy to learn and use DSRL camera. I have researched Canon and Nikon. Any advice at which company may have what I am looking for. I like taking scenery and wildlife photos and pictures of decorations at Christmas, inside and out. Thank you.


All the DSLR's are easy to use. Much easier than the P&S. The more expensive DSLR are the easiest to use but the low end are still easy enough. Much easier than those cheap P&S.

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