Jcmarino

Nikon D 5100 or 7100 with kit lens (usually 18-55mm) and a 50mm prime (The one that is around 150.00 I think its the 1.8) If you have money left over get the 55-200mm telephoto

ole sarg Loc: south florida

OK

Go to a camera store or a big box and hold each camera you want to consider. After that turn the thing on and start going through the menus. Next feel the weight remember this thing will be hanging around your neck or off your shoulder and be doing so all day long. Then buy the one that is most comfortable and which will have a reasonable learning curve.

Nikon, Canon etc are all good cameras and none is better than the other.

However, I would question why a DSLR think about a mirorless camera and in doing so look at olympus and sony.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I am a Nikon shooter But what I would say is go to a camera store and try out holding the different models and brands and find the one that suits you the best. That is what I did back in the film days to find out what suited ME the best. You are the only one that can tell that!

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

I have to go along with questioning not wanting a refurb camera. They have been painstakingly worked on by a nikon tech and put back together with individual care. Cameras coming off the line don't get that kind of scrutiny. If I had it to do over, I would have preferred the refurb over new. Often they have fewer than 1,000 clicks which is just infancy in a quality camera.

4ellen4 Loc: GTA--Ontario

I started with the Nikon d3000 and found it to be a good entry level camera but in less than a year wanted something more advanced. I have the Nikon d7000 and find it to be a good camera.

the d7100 comes with a kit lens [up here in Canada at the store I deal with] that is an 18-105. And then I have a 70-300 which I find to be a good lens.
Hope this helps
take care
Ellen

twillsol Loc: St. Louis, MO

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Moles Loc: South Carolina

I will chime in with the D7100 with kit lens. I would save up for a 70-200mm 2.8, a purchase you will never regret. Sigma is OK if Nikon is out of range.

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

I think the d7100 might be a bit much for a beginner DSLR user. I would go with the d5100 or d5200 camera body. I have the 18-105 as a "walk around" lens That plus a couple filters like a polarizer and an ND-4 or ND-8 should still be within your budget. I have other lenses but get used to the camera first then start looking at additional lenses.

Moles Loc: South Carolina

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the D7100 have all the same beginner settings as the D5000 series, as well as more advanced functions? Plus it has a far better kit lens and is within budget, or just outside.

billybob40

We can tell you this and that, but you have to get what works and feels good to you. Go to a camera store that rent one or two for a day outing. Your the one that is going to use it every day.
I use Canon for a lot of reasons.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Hi Billy, I, too, m going to suggest that you consider buying refurbished equipment to increase your buying power AND get a better product. (You can read my earlier posts for a detailed explanation.) For example, Cameta shows the following prices fir Nikon refurbished equipment:

D5200 $479.00
18-105 $219.00
75-300 $369.00
_________
$1067.00

That will give you tremendous capability to enjoy now and later as you become more proficient.

This advise is sincere: I have purchased from Cameta several times and have found their service to be outstanding in every way.

And so that you know that I am sincere, I have purchased every major piece of equipment that I own as refurbished, either from Cameta or the Nikon Store (nikonusa.com)

Madman
(your Pasco County neighbor)

amehta Loc: Boston

The D5x00 has the scene modes on the dial right next to the shutter with 5 simple modes, plus the option for more. The D7100 has the scene mode from which you have to select from 16 modes, and choosing between them is not always obvious: Night landscape/Sunset/Night portrait? Close Up/Food? It is a higher level of complexity which some may find daunting.

dibsdone

I am a Nikon user but feel like the best sensors on the market at this time are the Fujifilm. I recommend the mirrorless Fujifilm XE-2. It has a fast autofocus, its small enough to travel with, and their lenses are being compared to Zeiss quality. They are relativley inexpensive at this time but as they become noticed they will go up. I highly recommend it. Mine is quickly becoming my go to camera over my Nikon D4. As their new models comes out I may consider selling all of my Nikon gear. The colors and focus quality are amazing. I predict Nikon will soon be asking Fujifilm to be making their sensors - again.

You can get an XE-2 with an 18-55 mm lens for $1300.

ddonlewis

Both Canon and Nikon make some great options. My first recommendation would be to go and handle each camera. I have large hands and the Nikon's feel better in my hands. Both Canon and Nikon have sales going on at the present time. You can go out to the B & H website and see the options. On the Canon side I like the SL1 with the 18-55MM and 75-300MM lenses for $748. The SL1 has the latest in its internal processing and focusing so it would be a great Canon choice. On the Nikon side the D5300 with the 18-140 for $1046 or the D3200 with both the 18-55MM and 55-200MM for $596 would be excellent. I think it gets down to what feels best in your hands.