Rodbolt Loc: Western Colorado

So I'm new to the forum and I need help!

I haven't used a quality camera (better than a Sony point and shoot) since I parked my Pentax ZX-7 35mm due to the cost of film and processing.

I set out searching for a DSLR and nothing could have prepared me for the confusing quagmire that is the digital photography world. To make matters worse there's no legitimate camera stores within 250 miles of where I live in Grand Junction, CO. I have a Best Buy here so I'm relegated to playing with mainline Canon and Nikon cameras tied to the shelf with a dog chain. Add to that half of their cameras are broken so I can't even really play with some of them.

So, long story short I've spent countless hours on the Internet reading articles and watching videos on cameras and comparisons. I started out leaning toward Pentax since I've had them in the past but hesitant about buying something I can't find local to try out. I compared the Nikon D7100 and Canon 70D and felt that the 70d was the answer. Then I discovered mirrorless... I really liked the looks of the Sony A6000 but I dislike the 16-50 kit lens and I'm not wild about the selection of other lenses available. I like the idea of an 18-135 for most situations and a fast prime for portraits and low light. Now I'm back to the 70D but doubting myself after looking at all my options, reading rumors about auto focus problems, and having explored the mirrorless arena.

Im wanting this camera for shooting great photos of my kids in fast action as well as portrait. Outdoor shooting and hobby use as well. I'm also interested in great video and ditching the camcorder for just one camera to carry (hence the 70D).

I know this is generally the kind of question that gets beaten to death on these forums and usually gets answers like "They're all great cameras so you can't go wrong". It's difficult because I really can't afford to buy into the wrong type of system and have to start over later. Is buying into DSLR a waste of money with changing tech in mirrorless?

Sorry for the long post but thanks so much for any photography wisdom you can impart especially first hand experience.

Sheesh, I didn't agonize this much over choosing a bride!

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

Hi, RODBOLT
The first thing that comes to my mind after reading about your plight is to try to narrow it down to 2 or 3 selections then go rent one for a week. If you don't like it then try renting the next one. A Canon T3i or T5i rent for about $35-$40/5 days. More expensive camera go for over $100 for 5 days.
TomC

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Welcome to UHH. I know this is a daunting quest. It drove me nuts. You have two primary camps surrounded by a host of campers. There is really no bad decision because photography is more about the photographer's ability than anything. Good glass is important and a box that makes you comfortable. I'm a Nikon shooter and I am extremely happy with my selections. I also own a Canon and a Sony, go figure. I wish you good luck.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Rod, that's because brides are not near a complicated as a dslr.
Rod, welcome to the Hog.
You're asking for experience. I'll try and be brief with mine.
After being a long time shooter with film, I wanted to move into digi and eventually shoot professionally. So after starting with a loaner, I was ready to buy into a system. So after researching cameras I arrived where you are now, but I knew that bodies come and bodies go, that's why I had a free loaner.
So I started to research WHY pros choose what they do.
That led me to lenses. So after reading about dream lenses, I started comparing them from company to company. I found there was an overwhelming leader in lenses.
Making cameras is EASY but not the lenses.
Initially I was going Nikon, but their lens lines were not near as extensive as Canon. But for you, lenses may NOT be important.
If you like mirror-less, look at the lenses! If they have every lens you would EVER want to use, then you're OK.
But our goals may be vastly different.
I just want all those options in my corner, whether I ever use them or not. And other's philosophies are very different that my own!
Good luck with your choices. ;-)
SS

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Hi Rod. And also welcome to the site. Like SS I have shot the same brand of camera for a long time. Professionally and now as a hobby. I started with Nikon film cameras. And I still shoot Nikon. I have only been digital for about 9 years now. My reason for staying with Nikon was the lenses too. But in a different way. All of my old lenses will still work on my D600 and the D300s. The biggest thing with a camera is how it feels when you pick it up. Nikons have alway fit my hand. They just feel right! I know you have a hard time getting to a store to handle them. But as far as renting a Canon and a Nikon to try is a good idea for you. And most of the time if you look on the site. You can not tell what kind of cameras has taken the picture. It is the nut behind it that makes the picture. It seems like you have done a little bit of shopping and looking. I guess the big thing is your budget. Look at body prices and then the lens prices. Just remember, bodies come and go. And now days that happens pretty fast. But if you get good glass, it will be around forever. No matter what brand you get. If you would like to talk cameras and lenses, just shoot me an email with your questions. I would be glad to try and answer your questions if I can.:)
Erv

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

If you go mirrorless (and you should), get one of the higher end ones from Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, or my favorite-Olympus.

I shoot a lot of landscapes, along with photos of my kids 4and 6. It beats lugging it the ol dslr and giant lenses.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Cd, but if you don't lug giant lenses, how will anybody know your a REAL man?? :lol: :lol: :lol: 👙 💄 💋
SS

Rodbolt Loc: Western Colorado

Erv,
You read my mind on the feel of the camera and budget. Although I haven't rented anything I have been able to handle several of them and even took some pictures in the store with the ones that interest me. The Canon 70D has been the most natural feel for me and I like the menu layout. Also, it just fits within the limits of my budget. I agree on good glass and buying into a system is part of my stress. I'm looking at this as a long term investment. (I may be emailing you specific questions so thanks for the offer)

This has been some of my trepidation with mirrorless. I love the small size and low weight. However, I'm concerned about the evolving technology bubble surrounding them. If I invest in Sony lenses but in a few years Canon comes around and outdoes them I'm going to wish I waited. DSLR technology seems solid and rooted. Canon and Nikon aren't going anywhere so either would be a good investment. Also, mirrorless seems high priced right now, kind of like my $1000 flat screen that can now be bought for $400.



What's the compelling reason for going mirrorless besides size? They seem to take fabulous pictures but so do DSLR's for less money. I really like the looks of the A7 but its out of my budget. I would like to stay APS-C or bigger so I haven't explored the M 4/3 cameras. I heavily researched the A6000 but don't like their lens selection.

I'm conflicted! :-)

rbfanman

Decide what you want in the way of features: MP, movies at 720 P, or 1080 P, at 30fps, or 60 fps, in camera panorama capability, in camera Image Overlay capability, more focus points, or less focus points, maximum ISO, top shutter speed (1/400 sec, 1/8000 sec, etc), HDMI out?, GPS, built in flash, accessory hot shoe, top speed of continuous shooting, tilt / swivel /flip out screen, manual exposure capability, DOF Preview capability, Bulb setting, rear curtain flash synch, SD card slot, CF card slot, etc. Then decide how much you are willing to spend for it all. Then find a camera which offers all, or most, of your desired features at a price you like.

The Nikon D3300 fits my feature / price requirements fine, but it may not be your cup of tea. If you prefer a Canon 5Ti, go for it, but be sure it is what you want. A Sony a65 could be what you need. Or a Pentax whatever. Start with how many MP you feel you should have, and go from there. I last had a 16 MP Fuji camera, so I was not about to go down to a 12 MP, or 10 MP, item from Pentax, or Canon, of which many were available, and in the low end of my price range. I decided that if I was going to get a new camera, I would step up to at least 20 MP, and would even prefer more than that...22 MP, 24 MP, or such.

After MP, I looked for fast top shutter speeds, high ISO, and an accessory hot shoe. If I were going to bother with video, I wanted to be as sharp, and fast, as possible, so I looked for 1080 P at 60 fps....or as close to that as I could get. I wanted at least 5 FPS continuous shooting capability. I also wanted Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and some form of Auto, or Program, exposure capabilities, so I could the camera to train my nephew's kids a bit in the different kinds of exposure. Most other things were optional.

I liked the idea of being able to do both Panorama, and Image Overlay, shots in camera, rather than having to do them on my computer with some expensive software. Most other cameras in my price range could do one of these things, or the other, but not both. My wants, and needs, dictated my choices. Your wants, and needs, will dictate your choices. Study the field to see what features are available on which cameras, and what they are for. Then, make some choices. Having chosen enough features, your choice of cameras will narrow itself down a bit.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Rod, do keep in mind that if you are struggling with a budget, consider buying refurb, it's the only way to buy when it's an option. And also with Canon, if the camera is available as a Loyalty Program purchase you can save even more.
Plus, similar but older is a used 7d mkl for about $500-600. They are not as state of the art as the 70 but for the price could get you into the game for cheap.
Canon is the largest system made, including printers and paper with tech support for all of them by calling just one #. that has value as well. Stop the conflict and good luck. ;-)
SS

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

Of course if you don't want to lug lenses about you could go for a bridge camera like the canon sx50 or sx60. I know these are not mirrowless and don't quite match up to a DSLR in quality, but for getting close up to wild life you can't beat them..plus you can shoot video in 1080 quality.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Mirrorless will probably remain a separate market for some time. Mirrorless and DSLRs are better at different things and work better for different uses. System brand wise you might guess what I might say. If you have any Pentax A or F series lenses, send them right over. Seriously, why not Pentax? I am sure you would find either a K-3 or K-5II or K-5IIs all you need in a APS-C sensor camera. And a FF may be on the horizon. From the test lab results that I've read Pentax cameras are far better than many people think (owners already know). Note they used to be popular before the days of the Canon AE-1 and both Canon and Nikon blitzing everyone with advertisements. I'm surprised either company has any money left for R&D. Perhaps that is why the innovators seem to be Sony, Panasonic, Fuji, and Samsung today. But in the end, as they say, they are all good. And it is the photographer that matters most. So find what you are comfortable with. Many of us are brand-locked due to having a fortune in lenses. You'll get enough of suggestions here to sink a ship. Good luck.

P.S. How is the marriage working out? :wink:

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Welcome to the world of choices. It looks like you need someone to tell you to go for the Canon 70D. Canon makes great equipment and many amateurs, as well as many professionals, use this brand. You seem to like the features of the camera. Go for it. I shoot Nikon because I always have and it is what makes me comfortable. Others shoot Canon for the same reason. They are both great companies and both have great products. If your budget is tight, I would suggest looking into refurbished. The Canon USA web site has a section where they list their refurbished products for sale. They get a complete once over by factory technicians and are shipped out looking like new. They get the full one year warranty. Many are returned because the original purchaser decided they did not like them or they may be dealer demos. I always look at refurbished equipment first and have been very satisfied with my results. And they are all backed by a USA warranty, which is key. Go for the 70D, it will serve you well for many years. Let us know what you decide.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Hi Rod. I have a friend on the site here that shoots Sonny. From what he tells me. He can mount a lot of different lens on his camera with adaptors. And the little devil gets some very good deals on older lenses. And they do a very nice job too. I think his last lens cost him $35. He goes by tainck and his name is Tom.
I have never looked into the mirrorless cameras. I do know they make some great pictures too.
Don't be afraid to go with a referb tho. I just got the D600 from Carter here on the site. He has a little camera store in MT. He goes by MTShooter here on the site. But I think he deals with Nikons most of the time. But it wouldn't hurt to check with him.:)
Have you tried the search button at the top of the page? Just type in the camera you are looking at and you will get a ton of info.
Keep asking and I will keep trying to answer.:):)
Erv

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I have both Canon and Sony cameras. It was my opinion that the selection of Sony E-frame lenses for APS-C cameras was quite good--they have a variety of prime and zoom lenses. I have Sony a58, NEX-6, and a7R. I have the Sony 30 mm and 50 mm prime lenses for the APS-C cameras and have been pleased with both. Go to the Sony Web site to see lenses available for compact and full-frame sensors; you can buy directly from them. B&H has excellent prices on a tremendous variety of photographic equipment.
Between the Sony a58 and the NEX-6, the a58 has more megapixels in the sensor and more features, but the NEX-6 is smaller and lighter.