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Newbie... need camera advice... Nikon...canon...or Pentax? How do you decide?
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Sep 12, 2017 06:56:40   #
Mary Kate Loc: NYC
 
teresajewell wrote:
I am looking at becoming more proficient in photography. I currently own a Canon T3i. Yes....quite old, I know, I am looking to upgrade and have done a lot of research. I do have a limited budget but have been considering the following. Canon T7i, Nikon 5600, Pentax K1 or KP. What do you all th9ng about these and are there better options that I should be considering?

Thanks,
Teresa


Teresa: What ever you do do, do not ask; do you think I should spend $5,000.00 on a new camera? You will get some good information here.

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Sep 12, 2017 07:03:27   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Welcome to the forum.
(My T1i is older.)

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Sep 12, 2017 07:32:28   #
Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC
 
teresajewell wrote:
I am looking at becoming more proficient in photography. I currently own a Canon T3i. Yes....quite old, I know, I am looking to upgrade and have done a lot of research. I do have a limited budget but have been considering the following. Canon T7i, Nikon 5600, Pentax K1 or KP. What do you all th9ng about these and are there better options that I should be considering?
Thanks, Teresa

Unless there is something you don't like about your current camera or Canon in general, I think you should stick with what you know and already have some money in. With any camera your expertise grow by knowing it so well it becomes an extension of your eyes and hands without thinking about the camera, leaving you to focus solely on the lighting, composition, action, etc. Of course it doesn't take all that long to learn a new camera, but why not take full advantage of your current equipment and experience?

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Sep 12, 2017 07:52:34   #
Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina
 
As Sharp Shooter said you need to look at what you have and more importantly where wou might want to grow to in the next 1, 5 and 10 years. If you want to grow and develop it is important to understand that you are buying into a System. The deeper you invest into that system the harder and more expensive it can be to change to something else. If you just want a decent camera and a couple lenses then which brand you choose is not such a big deal as they can all take good pictures. You might want to invest in some better glass for your existing camera. One great Canon lens for the money is the 85mm f1.8. But it also depends on your short and long term budget and what types of subjects you want to shoot. If you change brands there will be some learning curve to learn the new camera's controls and menu system. Good luck with your decision.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

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Sep 12, 2017 07:53:06   #
Tom M Loc: 77429
 
teresajewell wrote:
I am looking at becoming more proficient in photography. I currently own a Canon T3i. Yes....quite old, I know, I am looking to upgrade and have done a lot of research. I do have a limited budget but have been considering the following. Canon T7i, Nikon 5600, Pentax K1 or KP. What do you all th9ng about these and are there better options that I should be considering?

Thanks,
Teresa


The Pentax K1 (and KP, for that matter) are in another league compared to the Canon and Nikon you mentioned. In my opinion Pentax delivers much more bang for the buck. I haven't actually used the Canon and Nikon mentioned, but I did pick them up on a recent trip to Sam's Club (T6i and D5600), and quite honestly they felt like toys compared to my K3...very plastic and small dark viewfinders.

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Sep 12, 2017 08:02:36   #
Boris Ekner Loc: From Sweden, living in Guatemala
 
teresajewell wrote:
I am looking at becoming more proficient in photography. I currently own a Canon T3i. Yes....quite old, I know, I am looking to upgrade and have done a lot of research. I do have a limited budget but have been considering the following. Canon T7i, Nikon 5600, Pentax K1 or KP. What do you all th9ng about these and are there better options that I should be considering?

Thanks,
Teresa


Welcome to the Hog.
Here's my answer to a similar question in another thread.

Here's what I did:
-Budget: no more than $500. (This was the most important criteria I had.)
-Searched for $500 DSLR's on eBay & Amazon in order to understand what I might get.
-Found some favorite models that I compared side by side at cameradecision.com. I refused to have any brand preferences.
-I read plenty of reviews on the cameras I found interesting.

My priorities were; very good professional reviews, the highest pixel count possible, RAW format option, wifi, built in GPS, fair prices & f/values on future lenses.

Nikon D5300 turned out to be my final option. With my personal preferences, and budget, it was by far the best one. Price paid: $449 on eBay, including an 18-55mm lens, plus some other (now useless)-stuff in the bundle.

I've had the camera since January 2017, and I have no regrets on my purchase. On the contrary, I'm very happy with what I got for the money spent.

Later I've bought a 55-200mm(used) and a 35mm(used) lenses. A better speed light/flash, a good tripod, petal lens hoods, third party battery grip, extra batteries, twin charger, better/faster memory card, and some other stuff. All from eBay who time after time confirms to have the best prices.

Your best option is probably not my best, and vice versa. It is not about the camera as much as it is about the photographer. Just as a good stove and pan isn't enough to cook you a good dinner, right?

In order to update my knowledge I started off with reading Nikon D5300 For Dummies as well as Stunning Digital Photography by Tony Northrup. The third book was Secrets To The Nikon Autofocus System by Steve Perry, which is my favorite so far. It was all well invested pennies. At the moment I’m reading Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. As knowledge has no weight it is easy to carry...

http://backcountrygallery.com/secrets-nikon-autofocus-system/

Best of luck on your pursuit of your best camera. ...and don't rush it to get one. Take your time, i.e. weeks, to learn about your options and what you favor.

Examples of pictures I've shot are found under my name at 500px.com as well as at Instagram.com. 

500px.com/borisekner/galleries

instagram.com/borisekner

A very informative D5300 Review:
https://sleeklens.com/nikon-d5300-review/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-blog&substat=blog

PS
I had the same procedure when I looked for, and bought, my sons camera. (He turned 6 at the end of July) The budget was no more than $80, had to be fully automatic, as well as having manual features to grow with as he gets older and if his photo interest persists. Best option: a used Fujifilm Finepix S8600 (it's a bridge camera), for $76 on eBay. 
And there are instructive videos on his camera on YouTube for him to watch later.

PPS
Here’s a different opinion on this issue.
https://petapixel.com/2017/03/24/battle-micro-43-camera-outsold-full-frame-dslr/

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Sep 12, 2017 08:27:18   #
wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN
 
teresajewell wrote:
I am looking at becoming more proficient in photography. I currently own a Canon T3i. Yes....quite old, I know, I am looking to upgrade and have done a lot of research. I do have a limited budget but have been considering the following. Canon T7i, Nikon 5600, Pentax K1 or KP. What do you all th9ng about these and are there better options that I should be considering?

Thanks,
Teresa


Sony, they are leading the way to the future with the A9 and Zeiss optics.

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Sep 12, 2017 08:51:58   #
Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC
 
Tom M wrote:
The Pentax K1 (and KP, for that matter) are in another league compared to the Canon and Nikon you mentioned. In my opinion Pentax delivers much more bang for the buck. I haven't actually used the Canon and Nikon mentioned, but I did pick them up on a recent trip to Sam's Club (T6i and D5600), and quite honestly they felt like toys compared to my K3...very plastic and small dark viewfinders.

I agree about the viewfinder consideration. There is a difference between a pentaprism and a pentamirror. You are already used to a pentamirror. Before you spend money on another body, check out a prism camera from any of the brands you mention just to see if you notice a difference, especially if ever use manual focusing. If you use only auto-focus, this is less of a factor in my amateur opinion.

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Sep 12, 2017 09:29:21   #
TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland
 
wmurnahan wrote:
Sony, they are leading the way to the future with the A9 and Zeiss optics.


Do not forget the EVF vrs OVF. Once you go with the Sony EVF you will not go back to OVF.

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Sep 12, 2017 09:33:07   #
tjjm Loc: Saint Louis, Mo.
 
terry44 wrote:
You have a fine camera, if I were you I would keep the camera and buy a good lens that will fit your needs.


Point well taken!

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Sep 12, 2017 10:20:52   #
gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast
 
As you can tell by the replies, it depends …

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Sep 12, 2017 10:35:46   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
teresajewell wrote:
I am looking at becoming more proficient in photography. I currently own a Canon T3i. Yes....quite old, I know, I am looking to upgrade and have done a lot of research. I do have a limited budget but have been considering the following. Canon T7i, Nikon 5600, Pentax K1 or KP. What do you all th9ng about these and are there better options that I should be considering?

Thanks,
Teresa


If you want to become more proficient, I recommend you save your money. Instead, go out and take pictures with your existing gear, and more pictures and more pictures, until you know you gear like the back of your hand. When you get to that point you will understand what (if any) deficiences you gear has, that are limiting you and you will understand what features you need to get in your new gear.

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Sep 12, 2017 10:42:38   #
LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field
 
JD750 wrote:
If you want to become more proficient, I recommend you save your money. Instead, go out and take pictures with your existing gear, and more pictures and more pictures, until you know you gear like the back of your hand. When you get to that point you will understand what (if any) deficiences you gear has, that are limiting you and you will understand what features you need to get in your new gear.






This is the common sense answer. When you know the gear--and it's the limiting factor, then go shopping.

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Sep 12, 2017 10:55:57   #
wj cody Loc: springfield illinois
 
teresajewell wrote:
I am looking at becoming more proficient in photography. I currently own a Canon T3i. Yes....quite old, I know, I am looking to upgrade and have done a lot of research. I do have a limited budget but have been considering the following. Canon T7i, Nikon 5600, Pentax K1 or KP. What do you all th9ng about these and are there better options that I should be considering?

Thanks,
Teresa


hi Teresa, and welcome to the site. i've used the Pentax K1 and i don't believe there is another digital slr that comes close to it in build quality and features. the lens system is weather sealed along with the camera. great ergonomics. if you've a chance, get to a camera store and try them all.
good luck!

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Sep 12, 2017 11:33:24   #
SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont
 
teresajewell wrote:
I am looking at becoming more proficient in photography. I currently own a Canon T3i. Yes....quite old, I know, I am looking to upgrade and have done a lot of research. I do have a limited budget but have been considering the following. Canon T7i, Nikon 5600, Pentax K1 or KP. What do you all th9ng about these and are there better options that I should be considering?

Thanks,
Teresa

Teresa, a better camera will not make you a better photographer, but it will give you better/newer technology to work with. I agree with those who suggest staying with Canon, because unless your lenses are no good [?], you already are invested in the Canon system. I am a Nikon user, so do not know a lot about Canon models, but when I purchased my first DSLR my final choices were between a Nikon and a comparable Canon. I chose the Nikon because it felt better in my hands and the technology [at that time!] was newer. Overall, it really does not matter what system you choose, because both make good cameras and lenses.

You need to ask yourself about why you need/want a newer camera. What is it about the one you have that you feel makes it inadequate for your needs? [This falls in line with those who suggested keeping the one you have, and those who asked what are your photographic objectives.] Remember, a camera and lenses are tools to do a job. Better tools will not improve your skill using them, but WILL provide added qualities that make your job of using those skills easier.

You did not state your exact upper limit for spending, but my advice is to buy the best you can afford. If you already have great lenses, and do not feel that you could improve your selection, then it is best to buy a new camera. A new camera should be sufficiently better than the one you have to give you room to grow into it. If your lenses are not the best, and none of them are fast [f/2.8 or better], then buying new lenses for now would be the way to go. Faster glass will open up your opportunities for low-light photography and for action photography. You can also use full-frame [FX] lenses with your crop-sensor [DX] camera, just making sure you keep the "crop factor" in mind. FX lenses will increase your choices and while DX lenses are good quality, FX lenses tend to be better built. This would also prepare you for the possibility of moving to an FX body.

I have purchased my cameras new, but my lenses are pre-owned or refurbished. If you want to save money and get a better quality camera or lens than you could if purchased new, pre-owned or refurbished is the way to go. There are plenty of places to find great deals, but be sure you are buying from a trusted vendor. The main online vendors that fulfill this are B&H, Adorama, Cameta, KEH. Also directly from the manufacturer. If you see a price somewhere else that looks too good to be true, it probably is. Nikon and Canon dictate the prices at which their new and refurbished gear can be sold, even when they are on sale, so there is not much variation there. Vendors will make their price more attractive by adding things into the "package", which is equivalent to a discount! There are various things that determine that "trusted" label, including fair dealing, honesty when answering questions, good return policies, as well as a good selection of merchandise. Their pre-owned gear have been inspected and graded as to whether it is "like new" or shows different levels of wear, with nothing kept back from the purchaser.

A bit more research on your part should help with your decision. B&H has a very good "side-by-side" comparison tool so you can see what one camera/lens has that another does not, and where they differ in specifications. Nikon has the same thing, and Canon probably does as well. If you do not understand what all the letters and numbers mean, look them up [Nikon has a photography glossary on their website, perhaps Canon does as well]. For instance, using Nikon as an example, there are different levels of autofocus in their lenses, designated by AF, AF-S, AF-P. These changes usually are as a result of technology changes/advances. With cameras, so many features are the same, it is the differences that will help determine which ones you prefer within your price range. Sensor size [FX vs. DX], LCD screen, available ISO sensitivity, frames per second, number of card slots, presence or absence of a built-in flash are some of the things that make a difference.

Good hunting! Hope this helps.
Susan

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