GrahamS Loc: Hertfordshire, U.K

My suggestion: A Nikon D3100 with the 18-55 kit lens and the 55-200.

See here: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

I recently purchased a Canon 60D..very similar to a T4i. Love the articulating screen. Compare it side by side with the T4i, about $10 differance, and yes, internet purchase is good. Use Adorama, B&H or a couple of other reputable dealers. Buy the body, withoug a "kit" lens, then choose a good landscape lens, or something more all around. 11-22mm landscape. I like my Tamron 18-200 for most shots.
Happy shooting. DJT

kaz6756 Loc: Canarsie,Brooklyn, New York

.heck my shoes are the hardest thing I do in a day.

Get elastic shoe laces


I just got the Canon T4i and the Canon SX160. I love them both.

Besides Love should be multiplies, not divided.

the SX160 was taken 3 driving lanes away. I was sitting in the car.
T4i was taking out my back door

Kaz

SX160


t4i

ole sarg Loc: south florida

I can empathize with your back problem having had the same.

Have you considered a bridge camera like the new canon sx50? If not, perhaps you may want to. They weigh nothing.

You may not look as cool as the guy with the sherpa towing all his lenses, tripods, filters, meters, etc, But you will if you learn composition and light probably get better pictures!

GaryS1964 Loc: Northern California

I agree. Not only that but the best camera to have is the one you have with you when a great shot presents itself. I have a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 which is always in my vehicle. It takes good pictures and it shoots RAW for good PP work. Displayed on my monitor or printed at 4x6 the IQ is more than acceptable. Not as good as my T2i or 7D take but plenty good at normal viewing sizes. If I knew how to post pictures I'd post a couple.

If I pixel peep my T2i takes slightly sharper pics than my 7D but no noticeable difference at up to the largest pics I have on my wall. But if you really want a DSLR I would buy a refurb regardless of which way you go Canon or Nikon. Canon, B&H, Adorama and others all sell refurbs. Everyone I ever talked to or read there posts have had great results buying refurb. Pretty much everyone says they look like new and perform great. I just ordered a Canon 18-200 refurb a couple of days ago direct from Canon. Saved $307 off the new price. Buy refurb and buy another lens with the savings.

Take a look here. http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategory_10051_10051_-1_29252

And here. Under your budget and you get a good camera with a decent walk around lens. (I know some hate that term)
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_331230_-1

Or buy the body here and picky your own len(s).
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_320718_-1

Larrie Loc: NE Ohio

That would be your first good move. Try several brands and models and find one that fits your grip and has a control layout that works for you. Nikon, Canon and Sony all make similar products and you should make an informed decision and not rely on marketing hype. At this point I make a vocal cough that sounds suspiciously like Nikon!

I do miles of walking and lots of traveling so carrying more than 2 lenses will never be something I desire to do. If there was the ONE PERFECT lenses what would it be? Should I buy kit with the 18-55 or body and get a ?

Never say never! As your photographic skills increase so will your interest expand. Your current interest cover quite a lot of lens abilities. For Landscapes you will want wide angle and for sports and animals (wild?) you will want telephoto with as much legs and speed as you can get. You will eventually want a fast lens but your budget rules that out so you will have to be stuck with a kit lens. Also realise that a really fast powerful telephoto lens normally makes a poor walk about lens.

GaryS1964 Loc: Northern California

I forgot the lens issue. If you go Canon DSLR my favorite lens that is on my camera 90%+ of the time is my Canon 15-85. It has good IQ and takes good wide shots as well as short range telephoto shots. Whether I'm walking around Disneyland, Monterey/Carmel or other more confined and crowded places that is the lens that is on my camera. When at Lake Tahoe or other locations where I know I will need more reach I ALSO take along my Tamron 70-300. The IQ is not quite as good as the 15-85 but the results are more than satisfactory when I need the range.

With your budget in mind I say buy the T4i with 18-135. It's not the best lens and you will often need to do PP. If you don't mind changing lens get the T4i body and the 18-55 and 55-250 kit lenses. Buying refurb you can probably stay close to budget. These two Canon kit lenses actually take pretty good pictures. I have them both and sometimes carry the 55-250 over my 70-300 because it's lighter and more compact.

I know next to nothing about Nikon or other brands so I'll let others pitch those.:-)

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

You realy can't go wrong with any of the major brands. I chose Canon but I'm not going to lobby for them. If you do go Canon I'd start with the T3i, very capable camera and you'd save a little money over the T4i. Next I'd say get a Sigma 18-250mm zoom. I have personal experiance with the T3i and the older 18-200mm Sigma zoom. They make an excelent kit and provide the versatility that you'll need. A battery grip is an excelent idea you can't believe the difference it makes.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

In order to maximize your budget, you will probably be looking at used. I do like Sony, - but not to happen with your budget ! The Sigma 18-250 zoom is probably the best of the large ratio zooms presently out there. Otherwise, for a little higher image quality - I will recommend the older Tamron SP 28-105 F2.8 all the way. Comes in Canon or Nikon mounts. Does not go wide but you could do multi-image pano's and stitch them together. This lens will accept teleconverters. This lens will cost $300-350 at KEH, otherwise about $280 on e-Bay. I have this lens, I use it , I recommend it ! Another good lens about the same price used is The older Tamron SP 24-135 3.5-5.6 . Will not take converters though.

cecilia delacroix Loc: near Seattle

I agree. On a T4i, that'll be focal length of 24-136mm. They go for around $700 new, last time I looked. Do keep in mind though, that it has a variable wide open aperture, f/3.5 - 5.6.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If you absolutely must go wide, I recommend the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4 used for about $350.

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

Ah, I see. Thanks for setting me straight on that. Like I said I don't really know since I use Nikon.

Berliner Loc: Branson, Missouri

I certainly appreciate all the feedback and effort in conveying your thoughts and experiences.....thank you all

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

When was your fusion? I had 4 lumbar fused, and 2 in my neck. Titanium rods and cadaver bone all around. Almost a year ago now, time flies. For the first 8 months, I figured I'd never be able to get down on the ground and shoot like I used to. (D-70, D-200, D-7000), It was like overnight. I can almost remember the day I went to pick up a pencil, and I could do it without all the grunts and groans, and no pain. I'm back in the gym and pushing myself. ( at least until I get to go back in to have a big cancerous tumor the size of a softball removed from my gut, then I get to start all over again) My business partner shoots mainly with a D-5100 and loves the flip out screen. Resolution wise, you can't tell a difference. I use a lot more bells and whistles than he does, so the 7000 is my perfect camera. (even without the tilt feature) At weddings, I rarely have to get down on the floor anyway... unless it is because I drank too much. HA!

Berliner Loc: Branson, Missouri

Hello there, mine was 18 months ago, I too feel much better. I was looking at a wheel chair if I did not have the surgery. I used to limp now I can feel both legs. I never thought I would feel this old at 53. But I feel twice as good as I did. Photograph gave me something to look forward to. I walked progressively more all the time. Having a camera and learning the science behind it was awesome timing. I took over 15,000 photos in 2 years....with a crapola camera. I have been going to the stores and hold ling and feeling them out. I came home with. 3 photograph magazines today. I almost nought a T4i last night on the internet for $598 NEW. With a 18 -55. Today I went again and almost came home with the D5100. Grabbed a Canon D-60 and almost pooped my pants until I felt the action on the lenses. Oh to have so many parameters, budget, feel/fit, features and sub features. I am confident they will all meet my ultra-enthusiast level of expertise it is all a matter of finding, using and layout of those features. Really close to pulling the trigger. I will surprise myself with a new camera any day. Still do not know which on though.