canyondweller Loc: Tucson,AZ

I bought my first SLR back in 1978. It was a Pentax K1000. Fully manual film camera. I still have it. I am finally ready to move into the digital world. There is so much information out there that it is overwhelming. I am trying to decide which is the better choice of camera for me. I am a hobby photographer. I take all kinds of pictures. I would like to know if one is easier to use than the other. I also want to look at cost of ownership. Are lenses more expensive for one brand than the other. Is there regular maintenance required.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

BebuLamar

Get the K-1. It's only 3 zero's less in model number and about 2 zero's more in price.

canyondweller Loc: Tucson,AZ

I was hoping to get a more educated response.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Yes, you can purchase a brand new full frame Pentax K-1 for $1900. You may want to check availability of lenses for it. All other new full frame brands will cost much more. Or check out crop sensor cameras in both Nikon or Canon. There are some good ones to select from.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

There is a dearth of lenses available for the Pentax K-1 see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIVfRji8JMM&t=348s

It depends on what, really, you want to do. As a DSLR user, I would ask yourself what type of photography you want to accomplish once you convert to digital. Cannonites and Nikonistas will argue the fine points in succeeding posts (and don't even bring up Sony Fanboys), but really (really) modern DSLR's are pretty easy to use, once you get beyond the plethora of buttons, menu items, etc. The learning curve is about the same for Canon or Nikon.

I'm a Nikon shooter, so my bias will recommend a D7200 with the kit 18-140 lens; B&H has this for $1300. This is a great place to start. The kit lens is not the greatest in the world, but it will allow you to get comfortable with the technology before you decide a more advanced lens.

Now, everybody else tell me who wrong I am. :-)

BebuLamar

If you get the K1 and you put on the lens, or lenses from the K1000, they will fit and work exactly like that on the K1000. No crop factor BS to confuse you.

Bill_de Loc: US

Nikon and Canon are not the only options. As mentioned above, Pentax is still a decent camera even if not as popular.

You asked about lens prices. B&H carries just about every lens you could want. You can compare prices of the sizes that interest you on their site.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/

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Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

You will not get an "educated" response---a least a definitive one. If you are serious, do much research, and then flip a coin.
Here is a normal response: I vote Nikon, because that is what I shoot.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

There is little difference between the mechanics of a Nikon vs a Canon camera. The lenses are both expensive and inexpensive for both cameras, depending on the quality you will be looking for. It is generally less expensive to buy a cropped sensor (DX) camera, as the camera and lenses designed for them are more novice oriented. Both cameras have models that are easy to start using, and more difficult. As with any mechanical tool, there is regular cleaning, and sometimes adjusting, to be done on either brand. The best advice that I would give you is to go to a local camera store, or a Best Buy store, and handle the different models to see which one is more comfortable in your hands and has the weight that feels good in your hands.
That being said, I use Nikon and like the brand very much. If you want to start out with a smaller investment, but want to stay with a middle of the line camera, I would suggest the Nikon D7200. It is a quality camera with a DX format that will last you for a long time. If you enjoy shooting action shots such as birds in flight or sports, you may want to move up to the Nikon D500. It is more of a pro oriented camera body, still in the DX format. If you are looking for a full frame (FX) camera, the Nikon D750 is a great camera that will serve any of your needs as long as you do not desire printing large prints. If you think you would like to produce banner size prints, the Nikon D810, or the new Nikon D850 would serve your needs very well.
One thing to remember, no matter what you purchase today, the camera companies will bring out a newer and better model almost annually. Good luck with whatever you choose. Hopefully someone will give you some suggestions on Canon as well, I just do not own any Canon bodies, so I would not know what to suggest from my experience.

canyondweller Loc: Tucson,AZ

Thank You

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Perhaps if you formulated your question and title a little more carefully you would receive more informed, or at least more focused responses.

Secondly, you did get feedback, and yet apparently did not appreciate it as you said you would.

In answer to your questions: "I would like to know if one is easier to use than the other. I also want to look at cost of ownership. Are lenses more expensive for one brand than the other?" The simple answer is yes, to all over the above. The more complicated answer is, it depends.

Perhaps you could start over with a little more thought and detail.

What do you mean by easier? What do you consider to be a reasonable cost of ownership? What do you mean by expensive? Some brands have "equivalent" lenses available that vary hugely in price, depending upon quality and capability, and what it means to you personally.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Canyon, welcome to the Hog!
This is going to be very untechnical. I shoot Canon and started doing so in 08.
With absolutely no technical BS, this I why I picked Canon.
There are probably twice as many Canons out there, than Nikons. The volume makes most things Canon a bit cheaper and easier to get.
All 3rd party releases go to Canon first, again because it's a bigger market.
More lenses available, period.
More used stuff available as well when you wanna save some money.
Just plug Nikon and Canon into Craig's List, simply more available.
Canon is a more complete line with printers, papers and inks, AND with stellar customer support for all of it.
It can't be overlooked that more pros shoot with Canon than Probably all the other brands combined! Last year, of the 45 World Press Awards given out globally, 28 were shot with Canons, 12 with Nikons and the other 5 with all the other brands!! Also 40 were DSLR FF's!
That's from the folks that make a living with their cameras!
I'll let others give you all the techno mumbo jumbo of mirrors and ML!
Good luck with you're inquiry!!! LoL
SS

https://petapixel.com/2016/02/19/here-are-the-cameras-that-won-world-press-photo-2016/

canyondweller Loc: Tucson,AZ

thank you. I was leaning towards Canon and I think you just gave me more reason to persue that brand

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Good luck on your choice.