Which one to buy? (Page 4): I doubt that the poor guy wanted to get in the middle of the Canon/Nikon silliness. There are a lot of great cameras out there and they are not all made by...

ThomasS Loc: Colorado

I doubt that the poor guy wanted to get in the middle of the Canon/Nikon silliness. There are a lot of great cameras out there and they are not all made by Canon and Nikon. How his daughter plans to use her camera is the most important piece of information we need at the moment. Maybe an advanced P&S would be all she ever needs.

BlowingBubbles Loc: Texas

I would go with the new Nikon D7100 with the 18-105mm lens. Ken Rockwell's review states its the best DSLR DX format camera on the market. I have one and I love it. I'm new to photography and though I have a lot to learn, I have found the camera easy to use. I am already shooting in manual mode and getting some really awesome photos.

ThomasS Loc: Colorado

Snapdragon57 wrote:

I would go with the new Nikon D7100 with the 18-105mm lens. Ken Rockwell's review states its the best DSLR DX format camera on the market. I have one and I love it. I'm new to photography and though I have a lot to learn, I have found the camera easy to use. I am already shooting in manual mode and getting some really awesome photos.

The Nikon D7100 is an excellent camera, but the daughter might not need that much weight and "horsepower." Nice flower pictures, by the way.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

wlgoode wrote:

What Wabbit said. I have that camera and darned glad I do. Re: the flash, a darned good one, the SB400 but check out the Yonguo YH465N. You can see performance of both at Speedlihgts.net. And you can compare flashes side by side there.

I think the YH465N has a little more power doc, but the SB400 is idiot proof .....

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Wabbit wrote:

I think the YH465N has a little more power doc, but the SB400 is idiot proof .....

I have the YN455N and it is built great and pretty idiot proof as long as you leave the dial in ITTL.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Without having the age, interest and other factors it is hard to give advice, but the OP did say $1,500 and we base it on that. Now let's suppose his daughter is really interested in photography, wouldn't it be nice to have a camera she can grow into and not out off?

ThomasS wrote:

The Nikon D7100 is an excellent camera, but the daughter might not need that much weight and "horsepower." Nice flower pictures, by the way.

TaysCreations

dooragdragon wrote:

Damn, do you need a son?????? I'd like a new $1500.00 camera too .

Right! God if only I had parents like that! They wouldn't even HELP my purchase a hundred dollars camera!

ThomasS Loc: Colorado

Brucej67 wrote:

Without having the age, interest and other factors it is hard to give advice, but the OP did say $1,500 and we base it on that. Now let's suppose his daughter is really interested in photography, wouldn't it be nice to have a camera she can grow into and not out off?

Bruce, you're thinking like "us." I love the big, heavy (made like a tank) cameras, with every bell and whistle I can afford (apparently you do too), but not everyone thinks like that. If they did, those camera/phones wouldn't be so popular. We need to find out how the little lady likes to shoot, and what she likes to shoot.

granpa steve Loc: north fort myers, fl

i bought my daughter a nikon d3100 kit with 18 55 and 55 300 lens, to replace her old kodak digital. about a year or so ago, as uhh members advised and she loves it. and it takes great pictures, and easy to use.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Bob K. wrote:

My first post.
Going to purchase my daughter her first DSLR.
Budget limited to $1,500.00.
Which camera would be the best for the money and why?

Thank you for your input.

Bob K.
Southern Indiana

Bob:
Ignore all recommendations for a specific brand or model of camera. The reality is that for $1500 you can get a really good set up, period. Another reality is that she will need to feel comfortable holding and using the camera. Otherwise she will not like to use it. If at all possible take her to a camera store and let her spend time looking at,holding and even using the camera. What we think is a great camera may not be the one she likes the most. Not only do Nikon and Canon make great cameras but so do Sony, Olympus, Fuji, and others. Once she has narrowed down her choice then do the market research to see which might be the better buy. Most likely you could do it right on the spot using your smartphone or pad. A great camera isn't much good if it sits on the shelf because she doesn't enjoy using it.

ThomasS Loc: Colorado

charles brown wrote:

Bob: br Ignore all recommendations for a specific ... (show quote)

Excellent advice! Lately it seems that all our "advice" turns into an episode of Nikon/Canon Camera Wars.

anotherview Loc: California

Canon Rebel T4i with the kit lens to start:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist.jsp&sku=870176&A=cart&is=REG&q=1&Q=add

You'll then have hundreds to spare. Buy a spare battery, a decent camera bag, a tripod, a plain-word how-to book, and Photoshop Elements.

Adobe has a Web site with free videos explaining use of its programs:

http://tv.adobe.com/

You could buy a refurbished T41 for less:

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategory_10051_10051_-1_29252#

This Web site offers free photography instruction:

www.photo.net

Click the Learning tab.

You may spend less than the $1500.

Good luck.

Bob K. wrote:

My first post.
Going to purchase my daughter her first DSLR.
Budget limited to $1,500.00.
Which camera would be the best for the money and why?

Thank you for your input.

Bob K.
Southern Indiana

Land Formation Off Utah Hwy 24, Near Capitol Reef NP

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Bob K. wrote:

My first post.
Going to purchase my daughter her first DSLR.
Budget limited to $1,500.00.
Which camera would be the best for the money and why?

Thank you for your input.

Bob K.
Southern Indiana

Uncle Bob, what about me?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Bob K. wrote:

My first post.
Going to purchase my daughter her first DSLR.
Budget limited to $1,500.00.
Which camera would be the best for the money and why?

Thank you for your input.

Bob K.
Southern Indiana

Would you be willing to adopt me?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

patrickwilson86 wrote:

Don't just read on them, go into a store and handle them, see which one fits you, see which one has controls that make the most sense to you....consider the lens line up..consider what type of photography you want to do....everyone has their opinions on the best camera(s)...but YOU will be the one using whatever it is you wind up with.

Camera Reviews

http://www.dpreview.com

http://www.snapsort.com

http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/equipment.html

Slight procedural change. Have your daughter handle the cameras, including models with the lightest and heaviest lenses she's likely to want within the next few years. Have her pick two or three favorites. Then have her sleep on it. You may have to make several visits before she's ready to make a decision. One urgent request. Please do not go into a real camera store, spend hours with a sales rep, pick out her favorite and then order om-line. Thank you!