dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Happens constantly to me. :)

MontanaTrace

Punctuationwasmyonlyproblemthatkeptmefromgoodphotosnowitseemstobesomethingelse

OonlyBonly

Someone said Canon, other than a 60D, would be too expensive but there are a number of very good Canon camera and lens kits available in your price range.
The most important item to consider however, imo, is how you and the camera get along. I suggest you go to a good camera store and hold (use, fondle, etc.) the various cameras in your price range. I'm pretty sure one of the major brands will feel just right to you. Check out the menu systems for the one that seems most logical also.
There's no need to get caught up in "Pixels are everything" or "you absolutely need high ISO capability" at this stage either.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

Just to clarify, when you say "faster" do you mean shutter lag or low light?

I've heard lots of people complain about their point & shoot being slow and they're referring to pressing the button and the dog has already jumped through the hoop by the time the camera takes the photo.

If you're talking about low light and needing a "faster" lens that alters what kind of equipment folks need to suggest...

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

You've probably already received lots of different ideas on brand and model of cameras most based on personal preference. Mine would be the Canon t3i. I own one and it's an excellent dslr for both stills and video.

There are newer Canon models out there that have more features but why? It is considered, by many reviewers, as the best current consumer level dslr on the market for simplicity and the quality of it's sensor.

If you're new to dslr shooting then you may or may not use the features on the camera, I never use any of the "sport" or "landscape" type settings... why?

So which ever camera you end up choosing remember this.
There is a learning curve to all dslr cameras... they are not point and shoot. They can be used that way but you'll not get the results you're looking for if you do.

Bottom line: Chose the camera you want but be prepared to take some time to learn how to use it properly. Don't be afraid of it be aggressive and learn the camera.

Good luck

Ralphwg

I've been around for months. This is my first posting. Suggest you go to a full range store try several mirrorless and DSLRs there. then rent the one that feels the best in your hands with a along with a decent zoom lens to try for a few days or a week. repeat process until you find body and lens that you like within your price range. Then buy either used or re-furbished body and lens. Have fun and good luck.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

It's a slippery slope, Abby.
You might get there with a one shot "lunch box" purchase.
But you might find yourself (like I did) wanting more from what today's DSLR's have to offer and are capable of doing.
Enters the Glass equation. And glass costs MO-money.

>$750.00 mark.
I bought a "lunch box" Nikon D3300 with two lenses (18-55mm; 55-200mm) and almost immediately longed for more telephoto. My subjects were Hummingbirds. Even with the 200mm I had to be too close for their comfort, even though they know me. (I have feeders up and a large flock of regulars)

>$1166.00 mark. (750 + 1166 = 1916)
I got in line for my first chunk of glass.
After about 2 months I found what I wanted locally and got out of line as soon as the lens was mine. Woo-Hoo! Happiness with range!

>$650.00 mark. (1916 + 650 + 2566)
Saw a refurbished Nikon 10-24mm W - I - D - E angle lens on the Nikon site. Rave reviews, the kind of pictures I wanted to capture.

Cool! 10-24mm, 18-55mm, 55-200mm, and 150-600mm. That pretty much covered Bach to Rock in my little world.
Then I discovered the Little World of Macro. Fantastic!
Do you know what a fascinating world is within a few feet of your door?
So there is various ways to approach Macro Photography. I covered all those.
Then got a Macro lens, too.
But being shrewd I got it for $649.00 and scored. It's genuine.

So you see what I mean about a slippery slope?
I think I'm approaching $4K.
But this is where I wish I was decades ago with my hobby photography.

How far you slide down it depends on where you want to go after that initial jump. The initial lens(es) might be fine.
My Uncle, who has been a lot of places on Photo safari's, including Africa several times, is currently lusting after my Tamron 150-600mm lens.

But I'm happy with my gear. :-D

A few samples:

Macro

(Download)

W_I_D_E

(Download)

Tele

(Download)

Close range, Tele

(Download)

cntry Loc: Colorado

The A65 is a great camera and besides the YouTube videos if you do Facebook there are two (that I know of) groups that are devoted to the A65 - no other cameras allowed. They are a great group of people and help, if you need it, is just a post away from someone else who has exactly what you have. You won't get smarta** replies or told to "read the manual". Here are some shots from the A65, all are straight out of the camera (maybe cropped) so you are seeing what the camera can do and not what I can do in the computer.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-249008-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-250325-1.html
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-241872-1.html

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's always something. :D

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Things you should consider:
Max shutter speeds, I prefer a body that can handle 1/8000s
Weather sealing, you may not think you'll ever need it, but if you have it (and lenses that are too), it's just a little extra piece of mind.
At least 2 dial wheels (forefinger and thumb) for adjusting being able to quickly adjust settings
Adjustable back screen (for low/high angle shots).

dabbe Loc: Mountain Home, Arkansas

SonnyE, good story and great photos. Love the hawk! How did you get the mouse to pose for that last shot?

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

If I was starting out with a new system and had a better budget than you specify I would choose the Samsung NX1 as of this moment.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I recommend the Nikon D5200 or D5300. Get it as a kit and you will be well within your budget.

It takes the same images as the substantially more expensive Nikon D7100. Plus it is lighter, IMHO easier to operate, and has a highly useful articulated screen.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Hi dabbe,
I went out into the backyard to try some close range with the Big Tamron. (Inspired by Regis' results)
I set the tripod by the back fence and took some Humming bird photos. Then the hawk flew in between ours and the neighbors and landed on the pole in their back corner.
It stood up there for the longest time looking all around. I can only surmise it was/is the mate to the feathers in the neighbors front yard from the weekend before. I moved the rig around to a better vantage point to capture the hawk.
While taking pictures of the hawk, my attention was drawn to the mouse who had fallen into the pool and was swimming for all it was worth trying to find a way out.
When I had enough hawk shots, I began looking for the mouse and it had climbed onto that water toy the Grand Kids had left in the pool a day or two before.
So from about 12-15 feet away I snapped up a bunch of the stranded mouse. And the hawk was gone the next time I looked up.
I felt sorry for the hapless little rodent and finally rescued it and it disappeared into a wood pile I have for a chiminea back near the back wall.
But, it was riding that water toy until I began to approach with a leaf basket. Then it jumped ship and tried to swim for it again to get away from the human.
The picture is untouched and as it came out of the camera. But probably one of the sharpest I've captured to date.

A bit of wind started to drift the little mouse and its make-shift Huck Finn raft. And I got this back side shot.
But they all show what unskilled hands could get with the Tamron glass.
I told Nikonian72, "Even a blind mouse gets a piece of cheese now and then." (Referring to my rank amiture standing.) ;)

@400mm

(Download)

@350mm

(Download)

@600mm backside

(Download)

dabbe Loc: Mountain Home, Arkansas

I'm a bit surprised the hawk didn't prey upon the little fellow. Some backyard drama! Thanks for the great story and more mouse pics. They are keepers!