Mandonan Loc: On the Road full time!

Oh man, you mean these cameras don't do it all for you! :shock: :lol:

Well see how much I learn, and how quickly!

PhotoGator Loc: Florida

Market share means more people believe Canon has a better product.

You are absolutely correct. NIKKOR produce the first lens in Japan. But who produced the first Japanese camera?

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/nikon_canon.htm

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

"Market share means more people believe Canon has a better product."

No, it means Canon has done a better job of marketing their products (making people think it's products are better)...Another point to be made is that, until recently, Canon was better at bringing out new features on it's camera lines than Nikon, but that gap no longer exists. Seems they leapfrog each other with new releases now..

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Same camera as camera stores. It's a very good price which is that low because the T4i dominates that marketshare now, the T5i is now happening, and the T3i will eventually be phased out after store inventories are gone. Also because Sam's Club buys in huge quantities and sells very low.

The T3i is an excellent camera and many users are completely happy with their kits and never go any further than that. The lenses will certainly serve you well as a beginner and even as you advance. Just because professionals talk down about kit lenses doesn't mean kit lenses are useless. They're far better than anything you've had in the point & shoot market so that's more than adequate to get you going.

You will know inside yourself when you can see the difference between the kit lenses and other superior glass. Until you can see the difference and feel frustration because the lenses are holding you back, don't waste your time thinking about it. Canon kit lenses will do you proud.

PhotoGator Loc: Florida

Just think the equipment photographers in 1945, 1968 had to work with and how many great images we enjoy. It is not the camera and lens, it is the photographer.
The picture we cherish the most was taken with a Canon P&S we bought for a trip in 1992.

northsidejoe Loc: pittsburgh

Hello mandonan
I also purchased that very same set-up canon t31 from sam's well worth the money.
I have owned my for about 9 months now I and had not
one problem with it.
The lens that come along in the kit are ok to start with.
If you would like go to my post and view some pictures with the canon kit lens I think you will be pleased with the result
I would recommend this to a friend it is a very good buy for the money'
I hope this helps you on what ever decision you make.
saying hello from Pittsburgh.
p.s. I also purchased a four year warranty for $79.00

Ralloh Loc: Ohio

I use Nikon but this should still apply, and of course, it's just my opinion. I recently went from a Nikon P&S to a Nikon D3100 with the kit 18-55mm lens. I bought it through ebay from a dealer who gets the manufacturer refurbished. That kit from Walmart cost $449 plus tax. I bought it for $339, no tax, and it included shipping.

I just bought the Nikon 55-300mm lens also on ebay through Adorama. It is also manufacturer refurbished and was $239. New ones now tend to be around $300.

So that gave me some tremendous savings for items that are essentially brand new and have a warranty. I've bought many manufacturer refurbished items over the years and have never had a problem.

Just something you may want to consider.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

What is the problem with gray market? I assume but am not sure, that they are imported items? I bought a lens a little cheaper that was imported, BH claimed it was the same lens.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

No difference in the lens. Grey Market products come into the country from other channels than the officially licensed ones. Since they are not brought in through the "official" channels, then Nikon USA will not honor the warranty. You have to use B&H's warranty service or send the camera to the Nikon facility that the original market was to....I use Nikon in my example as I shoot Nikon..

PhotoGator Loc: Florida

Grey Market products are produce for non USA markets and are not warrantied by the manufacturers within the USA market.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

To me you sound like a very smart person Buy from Sam's Club. You will be able to get all the help you need right from this Forum and a few book's from the book stores. Yes it nice to get advice from the folks at camera stores if you can however I live in the LA area and the store I buy from is in Pasadena Ca. and they don't help that much I think their motto is to sell sell sell do you get my point.

Mandonan Loc: On the Road full time!

Thanks all, I think I may have decided to get the Canon T4i due to someone's suggestion here and talk with my hubby. I don't plan to ever upgrade the body so it probably makes sense to get the best I can in body now. Then I can have fun with lenses after I learn how to use it fully and what lenses I want. Thanks for all your input, I plan on the Canon T4i with the 18-135 lens. On sale at B&H for not too much more that I was planning to spend. So glad I found this forum!