NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

Ok I have about 2k budgeted for my 1st SLR but don't know which one and which maker to go with after I purchase I will have to use it for at least 5 yrs before the Mrs. would let me get another :)The choices I have narrowed down to are a Canon 5i or Nikon 5300 with room for better glass or Canon 70D or Nikon 7100
with Kit lens. My question is would better glass and cheaper body be better or a better body with cheaper glass to start out with serve me better in the long run? Than should it be the Canon or Nikon and why. I shoot a lot of Nature (mostly birds) and Landscapes followed closely by Grandkids with my Canon SX40HS

LPigott Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA

Canon users are far more numerous. Nikon users are far more outspoken. That's my observation for the past year on UHH. (You can't go wrong with either.)

renomike Loc: Reno, Nevada

Check here... It's been discussed many times before, plenty to read....;0)

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=canon+or+nikon&u=&s=0

Mike

OonlyBonly

Glass, like diamonds, is forever. Bodies, like bodies, come and go.
Prosumer camera with Pro glass, imo.

skiman Loc: Ventura, CA

Nikon D7100 with 18-300mm lens is a great first setup for that price range.

buffmaloney Loc: Indiana

Check out all 4 cameras and decide which feels best in your hand and which has features and menu you prefer. Then go with Hasselblad. :p Seriously though, comfort should not be ignored. If you are not comfortable with the camera, the images will suffer. If you can live with the lesser camera, go that route and get better glass.

tramsey Loc: Texas

Cameras depreciate, glass does not. But for the camera, go to a camera store and see which 'feels' the best in you hands, which one has the controls easiest for you to reach. Nikon or Canon same as Ford or Chevy.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I suggest, if you decide to go with Canon, the 70D body with the EF24-105mm f/4L IS lens. If you shop around you should be able to stay quite close to your budget. The 70D is one of Canon's newest so in 5 years it shouldn't be showing its age by very much. The 24-105 lens is a very good lens which will give you a very usable focal range. Since it is an EF lens, if you decide in 5 years to go full frame you will not have to upgrade it as you would with the kit lens that would come with a 70D kit.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Virtually all cameras on the market today are highly capable, with some variation in features.

Yeah, go to a store that has them and check them out in person. Likely one model or another will "feel better" to you, which will help make you more comfortable using it.

I also strongly agree with the "glass before body" suggestion. Lenses make more difference to your images, than the camera they are used upon. Consider the features of the camera, sure... but buy the least camera you can to leave as much in the budget for lenses as possible.

Also budget for peripherals such as extra memory cards and batteries, software for processing, additional storage on you computer, yada, yada. If you plan to make prints, seriously consider at least a basic computer monitor calibration tool. At the very least, the vast majority of consumer grade computer monitors are way too bright to work with photos and can make for overly dark prints, in turn making for wasted paper, ink and sanity trying to get it right.

I highly recommend some books too... Whatever camera you buy, head for Amazon and look for a guide book specific for that model to help shorten the "learning curve". I always get one of those books, any time I get a new (to me) camera model.... I can recommend books by Michael Guncheon, Charlotte Lowry and David Busch, tho I'd bet some of the others are excellent, too. I also strongly suggest the book "Understanding Exposure", by Brian Peterson. It's a really good overview of modern SLRs and their workings. Should be mandatory reading for all new owners.

Have fun shopping!

NormanTheGr8 Loc: Racine, Wisconsin

Thank You Everyone Now I'm down to the 5300 or the 5i
:thumbup: :thumbup:

cntry Loc: Colorado

Sony = Cadillac
:wink:

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

I myself would go for the D5300

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

You will do well with the D5300 an an 18-300.Good luck.

Cameoblue Loc: British Columbia Canada

Exactly, what ever feels best in your hand.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Best advice yet!
Emphasis should always be on excellent lens(es). Consider a refurbished used camera though, to avoid the need for early upgrade.