Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Oh, now - that's sweet, J ... don't know if I'll be doing that kind of shooting, anyway ... lots of trees around here - difficult to see the stars at night ...

I tend to shoot a lotta sunsets, and the occasional sunrise shot, too - over the lake ... as well as lots of trees and flowers ... handheld ...

Undoubtedly - once my lady friend arrives, that will change ... time will tell - how that will be, though ...

I tend to shy away from people shots ... because so many folks get their knickers in a twist, you know?

But, when you actually have someone with you, to shoot ... permission lies within the bond ...

graybeard

Spoken like a true Nikon snob. Pentax was for me in film days, Canon nowadays. But I concede there are many other good cameras out there, something a Nikonite is incapable of.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

One more thing, J ... I pointed out the K-70 had an articulating screen - because I believe ALL DSLRs should have them, by now ...

In fact - of my dozen ... at least, half - have them ... let me see, now ... D5300, D5500, T4i, 60D, a77, a77 II ... yes - exactly - HALF! ...

And two of those are Touch Screens as well (D5500, T4i) ... so, I am thoroughly used to them, and do know their advantages on a tripod, too ...

Although both the SL2 and the K-70 - are pretty small, they should still be usable on a tripod ... as should the T7, D3500 and the a68 ...

So, these are not serious considerations in the overall scheme of things ... I already have the best camera for stargazing ... the 60D ....

Its sheer immense size - plus its fold-out screen - lend well, to use on a tripod, and to ease of use, at night ... but, I'm not giving that away!

If I do give her something I already have - it's likely to be the D3200 ... a pretty good beginner DSLR ... just NOT the latest and greatest, you know?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Gray ... now, now ... Reed is entitled to his opinion ... let it ride!

The reason I decided to pick up at least ONE offering from every APS-C DSLR maker out there, is because I didn't wish to be seen as biased, in any way.

So, it was going to be - THREE of each major brand - one beginner model, one intermediate model, and one Semi-Pro model ...

I did it - just about right - with Canon, at the beginning, and with Sony, at the end ... but, in the middle - it got kinda mixed up ... know what I mean?

Like some recent movies I've seen ... I guess ...

The problems started when I picked up a used K-3, and wound up sending it back ... in the meantime, the Touch-Screen D5500 came out, so I got that.

Then, after the credit had been issued on the K-3, not wanting to spend the considerably higher price for a new one, I decided to go with the D7100 ...

When, I did start thinking seriously again - about a Semi-Pro level K-3 or K-3 II ... I found they'd all gone, apparently ...

So, I just decided to stick with the dozen - I'd originally aimed for ... two less Pentax models, and, in their place - two MORE Nikons than planned ...

But, I don't think that makes me more biased towards Nikon ... in fact - I have twice as much Canon glass as I have Nikon glass ...

And, for that matter ... I also have twice as much Sony glass as Pentax glass ... understandable, I guess - when you figure in the extra bodies ...

So, consider me - an all brands user ... with a heavier trend in Canon glass, and a heavier trend in Nikon bodies ... so, what????

graybeard

So this: Unlike you, I am a po' boy, got to restrict myself to one brand of camera (at this point I have a dozen lenses) so I have to restrict myself. Besides, I wouldn't own a Nikon, as I have to keep my feet on the ground, and my head out of the clouds.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Well, right now, Gray ... I am pretty poor, too ... my camera-spending days are long over ... I can only wish, right now ...

My experiment is over with ... ended in 2014, when I bought my last Sony ...

I even had to sell a few of my two dozen lenses, to make ends meet ...

But I would never sell any bodies ... you'd never get back what you paid for them ... that's how fast the digital scene changes ...

After a couple of years - they're not worth anything, anymore ... they depreciate faster than cars - it seems ... er - G'Nite, Gray ... sleep tight!

graybeard

OK gonna sack out now too. I am saving up for a Canon 77D.

rcarol

The Canon SL2 has some nice features such as an articulating LCD and dual pixel focusing. Other than that, any of these cameras are capable of producing excellent images.

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

I managed a camera department for 20 years, and I would recommend all those cameras mentioned. Look for something on sale and grab the best bargain. Often a beginner camera becomes a second camera (backup) later, so it does not have to be the answer to your dreams as long as it is a good brand with the basic features. Often today a new model will put the previous model on clearance at a tremendous savings, even though the older model is still excellent. I have also bought used on eBay with good results, but of course you would not be getting brand new--how you feel about that is up to you. I have bought (and sold) on eBay for a long time, and was never cheated. Just avoid the ones where the seller does not know if it works.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Very good choice, Gray ... apart from the Full Frame 6D Mk. II, that unit is the latest and greatest Canon offering (oh, and the Mirror-less M50, too) ...

Don't think you can go wrong with that one ... even has Stabilized Movie Mode ... a very desirable feature ... AND, it's only $650 right now ....

As soon as I have some spare dough ... I will most certainly grab one, too ...

Let me know when you have it ... okay, Gray?

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Yes, I know, R ... plus, you can pick one up in white, too ... I think she'll like that ...

But, I just may also pick up a K-70, for myself ... which we will share ... small enough for her hands, but with some fantastic features inside the box ...

Also, with a flip-out screen - sans touch ... but, still ...

I think those are the two best of the four (now five, with the new Nikon D3500) ...

Thanks for your input, R ...

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Good idea, Charles ... avoiding sellers who don't know if it works ... but, it's a present for my lady, Charles ... if I was going to give her a used one, I'd just hand over my D3200, which I rarely use, now. It's a beginner camera, with a 24MP sensor ... it'd probably serve her well, but the ones I've itemized, here - are quite a bit newer - especially, the D3500 - just now available for the first time, today ... and the K-70, and T7 (so new - nobody seems to have it, yet) and the slightly older SL2 ... all of which, have only been introduced within the last year, or two ... with the way digital technology improves every 2-3 years, most cameras are old-hat, when the next generation is announced ... so, buying old technology makes me shake in my boots ... e-bay, for me - is a non-no ... you can't trust what you find on there ... I've been burnt twice, now - buying used cameras - both, from reputable dealers, too ... I don't think I'll ever do that, again ... for me, it's either NEW, or - at the very least - Factory Refurbished ...

Thanks for your input, Charles ...

LESTAHL Loc: Colorado

Which one are you most familiar with? If you are going to surprise her with a gift, then you should be able to teach her. It's your responsibility. I would make sure she is truly interested in learning photography before buying a dslr. She may prefer a phone, with an interest only in snapshots. Good luck in whatever direction you end up going.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

That's a toss-up, Les ... had the Canons, the longest ... Nikons next - but I bought the D3200 a year after I bought the T3 (pictured) direct from Canon. The last Nikon, I bought - the D7100 ... was in 2015 ... just prior, I'd picked up my Pentax K-50, and somewhere in there, the three Sony SLT models. Suppose I'm least familiar with all the Sony models, actually ... the 77s are quite complicated - being, more or less - Pro models (still haven't figured out what a zebra is, or what it's supposed to do) but the ones I use the most - are the K-50 (child's play) and the Nikon D5300 and D5500 ... if I was going to give her a hand-me-down, it would probably be the D3200 (unless she decided she liked the a58 better) but, I really want her to have something NEW - the latest and greatest - so-to-speak ... I'm zeroing in, now, on either the SL2, or the K-70 ... unless, I can figure out if the new Nikon D3500 - just released for sale, today - retains the neglect of the Auto-Sensor Cleaning Mechanism (as did its immediate predecessor - the D3400) or it's back IN!

Thanks for your input, Les ...

LESTAHL Loc: Colorado

Sounds like you are familiar with everything you suggested. You can help her learn with any of them. I know you can use any of the Pentax lenses you already own, so why not get the Pentax and get her started. Just make sure she really wants to learn photography. It would be great to have her working with you on camera shoots, no doubt.