Black Friday coming Help! I want to get a good DSLR maybe on Black Friday deals. Nikon probably but not married to that. I see kits with all different lenses, cases etc on line. I am a...

irishgirl

I want to get a good DSLR maybe on Black Friday deals. Nikon probably but not married to that. I see kits with all different lenses, cases etc on line. I am a novice although I have experience with an old Canon Rebel. Please any advice, things to look for, things to avoid, how many mp what lenses— anything appreciated. Thanks. Irishgirl

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Irishgirl, you need to give us more info. What do you like to shoot? What is your budget? Do you have any lens from previous cameras that would fit Nikon or Canon cameras? Do you have a local camera store where you can see and handle different brands and models?
My first piece of advice is to do a LOT of research on a brand and camera model. Does it do what you want it to do, does it have the features you want, does it feel good in your hands, is it to heavy for you, is it to advanced for you? I can't answer these questions for you, only you can.
Once you have done all of your research and handled the cameras on your short list do not over look a refurbished model. Can save you some $$$. Only deal with reputable firms, Nikon USA, Canon, Adorama, B&H, Cameta and KEH.

Good luck with your search and let us know what you decided on.

And BTW, a big welcome to UHH, glad you joined us.

Don

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

irishgirl wrote:

I want to get a good DSLR maybe on Black Friday deals. Nikon probably but not married to that. I see kits with all different lenses, cases etc on line. I am a novice although I have experience with an old Canon Rebel. Please any advice, things to look for, things to avoid, how many mp what lenses— anything appreciated. Thanks. Irishgirl

Yes, there will be some good deals on Nikon and Canon crop sensor cameras. You will most likely see the Nikon D3400, D5500/5600 cameras sold as a 2 lenses bundle kit. Canon will probably have the Rebel Series, T7 and T7i with 2 lenses. The T7i is probably the best to purchase as a crop sensor, IMO. Check reviews first before you buy. Good luck.

tjjm Loc: Saint Louis, Mo.

irishgirl wrote:

I want to get a good DSLR maybe on Black Friday deals. Nikon probably but not married to that. I see kits with all different lenses, cases etc on line. I am a novice although I have experience with an old Canon Rebel. Please any advice, things to look for, things to avoid, how many mp what lenses— anything appreciated. Thanks. Irishgirl

Hello Irish, a lot of questions to be asked before an answer can be given. What are you hoping to photograph, budget constraints, and so forth. The more info you can give the more appropriate responses will be.

Tom

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

irishgirl wrote:

I want to get a good DSLR maybe on Black Friday deals. Nikon probably but not married to that. I see kits with all different lenses, cases etc on line. I am a novice although I have experience with an old Canon Rebel. Please any advice, things to look for, things to avoid, how many mp what lenses— anything appreciated. Thanks. Irishgirl

If you want weatherproofing for Irish weather, I suggest the Olympus E-M5 mrII or the Panasonic GH4 with a weatherproof or Pro lense from Pansonic or Olympus. Remember that the lenses and bodies are interchangeable for all basic functions. If you want a higher level camera than those two, I suggest the Olympus E-M1 mrII or the Panasonic GH5. Both are still weatherproof and still shot / video capable with the Olympus having the advantage with still shots and the Panasonic having the advantage with video. One of the best travel camera combinations compared to any format is the Olympus E-M1 mrII with a 12-100mm f4 Pro lense. No problems handholding at 2 seconds. Just suggestions at smaller, lighter, and less costly.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

irishgirl wrote:

I want to get a good DSLR maybe on Black Friday deals. Nikon probably but not married to that. I see kits with all different lenses, cases etc on line. I am a novice although I have experience with an old Canon Rebel. Please any advice, things to look for, things to avoid, how many mp what lenses— anything appreciated. Thanks. Irishgirl

Not so fast non Nikon married to that. Nikon is currently having their twice annual lens sale. Go to Nikonusa.com and check it out.
Also, they are currently running specials, for instance, the D500 with the 16-80 lens is currently on sale. Last year toward Christmas they also through in a battery grip and discounted this combo by another $200.00. Your patience will be rewarded. Remember, Cyber Monday to Christmas is when the big discounts come. WAIT FOR IT.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1214162-REG/nikon_1560_d500_dslr_camera_with.html?sts=pi-ps

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

irishgirl wrote:

I want to get a good DSLR maybe on Black Friday deals. Nikon probably but not married to that. I see kits with all different lenses, cases etc on line. I am a novice although I have experience with an old Canon Rebel. Please any advice, things to look for, things to avoid, how many mp what lenses— anything appreciated. Thanks. Irishgirl

There are no hard and fast rules, but there are trends. You will seldom see legitimate, drastic sales on good cameras. There might be lenses or other items added, but don't expect tremendous drops in prices. With that in mind, here are some links to sites that say when different things [i]generally[/] go on sale. Buying used or refurbished will save you considerable money year round.

https://digital-photography-school.com/when-is-the-best-time-to-buy-a-digital-camera-3-questions-to-ask/
https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/best-time-to-buy-things/index.htm
https://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/23/the-best-time-of-the-year-to-buy-everything.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-time-to-buy-almost-anything-in-2017-2016-12
Some cautions -
http://www.ebay.com/gds/15-Most-Common-Mistakes-When-Buying-a-Digital-Camera-/10000000177628223/g.html

sidpearce

It might well be better to think about a good quality bridge camera to start with. A Panasonic Lumic FZ1000 would get you into photography for a year or two then part exchange for a DSLR and lenses. Refurbished can be a good way to get a quality camera if you stick to known dealers i.e Adorama is probably one of the better dealers. If possible, always try the balance and weight in your hands before buying

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Hey, Irishgirl, can we ask your price range? And, do you have a DSLR now?

GLKTN Loc: TN

Check out a mirrorless camera. You get much more camera for the money. Avoid Nikon and Cannon. They are not the best for this. Find someone knowledgeable for what to buy.

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

irishgirl wrote:

I want to get a good DSLR maybe on Black Friday deals. Nikon probably but not married to that. I see kits with all different lenses, cases etc on line. I am a novice although I have experience with an old Canon Rebel. Please any advice, things to look for, things to avoid, how many mp what lenses— anything appreciated. Thanks. Irishgirl

You haven't mentioned the genre of photography you are mainly interested in, so it is difficult to recommend lenses: but for your camera I would suggest Nikon over Canon. As far as I'm concerned Nikon sensor's are superior. I have owned 7 x Canon DSLR's over the years and only one Nikon (my current DSLR) and I doubt I will ever return to Canon. I own a Nikon D500, but a D500 may be a bit over the top for you - though worth looking at if you can pick one up at a good price. The beauty of the D500 is that you will never grow out of it. The Nikon D7200 is also a brilliant camera and a lot cheaper than a D500: I was tempted to buy one to partner my D500, even though I also own an Olympus EM1 mark II. I am a wildlife photographer and I use a Nikkor 300mm f4 PF VR + TC14EIII teleconverter, a Nikkor 200 - 500mm f5.6 and a Sigma 180mm f2.8 macro lens and Sigma 1.4 TC with my D500.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

There are 2 major makers of DSLRs that offer a huge selection of lenses, Canon and Nikon. It is important to chose between them carefully at the start, since you quickly accumulate brand specific accessories (lenses, strobe) making it harder to change. The best way is to go to a store that has both on display. Hold them. Which feels better? Look at the menus. Which is easier to understand? Preferences are a personal decision. Renting is a way to make sure.

First, to reduce cost I recommend reconditioned. Purchase from a reliable company (the manufacturer or one of the ABCs (Adorama, B&H, Cameta) or KEH). Beware of stores that don't make it obvious that offer gray market items. If the price of a new camera is too good to be true, it isn't.

I can speak about Canon, so I would recommend the entry level DSLR T7i (the T7 is a stripped down model) and (though it costs more than the 18-55mm) either of the 2 later versions of the 18-135 mm zoom. A higher camera model is the 80D. If price is a concern, the older T6i is a fine entry level camera.

daddybear Loc: Brunswick, NY

irishgirl wrote:

I want to get a good DSLR maybe on Black Friday deals. Nikon probably but not married to that. I see kits with all different lenses, cases etc on line. I am a novice although I have experience with an old Canon Rebel. Please any advice, things to look for, things to avoid, how many mp what lenses— anything appreciated. Thanks. Irishgirl

go to a store where you can use them, touch and feel them. I have told this story before. When my wife and I went shopping for our first we handled the all. A Canon XTi body "felt" the best in my wife's hand. Thus, four cameras later and lenses from 11mm to 400mm my wife is still using her XTi as her walk around. Just because it "felt" good we became Canonites.

DeanR.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I agree with wdross. I have the OlympusM5 II and adore it. the image stabilization is awesome, the weatherproofing stood up to Niagara Falls. Paired with the 14 - 150 II, also weatherproof, a delight to use. Light weight kit. Great images!

Idaho

I like the bridge camera idea for a novice. This would be a smallish camera with a fixed (non removable) lens. The make isn't critical. The idea is that this would get you started and give you time to decide on an SLR - if you eventually even wanted one. There are other choices. This first camera would become a second camera suitable for "easy carry" when you didn't want to have to deal with something bigger. In many cases lugging a bigger camera, and lenses around, just isn't what you will want to do so it will be left at home. All serious photographers need a good small camera.