CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I shot the EF 75-300 for years, happily, both hand-held and from a tripod or monopod. It's a starter lens with a starter camera. This lens is a useful entry-level focal length. I'd go back in time and adjust my technique on this image, if I could. Like most things in photography, it's the limitations of the photographer, not the equipment, that most directly impacts the results.

Magnolia by Paul Sager, on Flickr

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Like vs reality are 2 different things.
Also appears to want an ILC DSLR type of camera.

ggab Loc: ?

The Refurb T7 and lens fit the bill nicely and under budget.

ggab Loc: ?

Two questions:

1- When did you start taking pictures
2- When was this taken?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Very nice.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Yes.

richandtd Loc: Virginia

From KEHcamera.com I got a nikon D300 for 154.00 which is a very solid built camera that when when went for 1800.00 add a nice used lens from the same site and with all the controls you’ll have and just the feel of the camera in your hands will make you feel like a professional.

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

If your friend/mentor is using a Nikon DSLR (D3000, D5000, D7000 series) get a Nikon (e.g., D3500) and if you plan to shoot pictures together, I would say get that even if your friend is using a full-frame DSLR.

You will probably continue to shoot together and she probably selected/purchased a suitable camera and accessories.

Your friend may help you learn faster and recommend YouTube tutorials

You can try your friend's lenses and accessories to determine if you want to buy that. And if you buy something your friend does not have, she can try yours. I stop short of sharing as sooner or later, there will be conflicting needs.

If none of these apply, it really does not make much difference which brand you buy into. You would have to really try to go wrong.

The capabilities of all the DSLRs exceed most users' needs. You can even find references in UHH where professional photographers send their current camera in to be refurbished because they know it so well and it satisfies all their needs. An upgrade would add features and a learning curve they do not need.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I have many cameras but for a quick grab and shoot camera I use the Lumix FZ80. It has a 20mm to 1200mm zoom lens, can use auto or manual settings, has continual auto focus, and a built in flash. It's $300 new and less for used on ebay. Also shoots up to 8 minute segments in 4K video. If you need a flip screen for selfies the Nikon Coolpix B700 is about $300 used on ebay. It is comparable to the FZ80 but has a 24mm to 1440mm zoom lens.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I think the 75-300 is a fine starter long zoom for most subjects calling for that range. My only caveat is the lens does not capture focus quickly enough for most sports usage. Having said that, if you pre-focus on a point with sufficient depth of field (say the finish line of a foot race) and turn AF off, it is quite serviceable. I used it for precisely that purpose when I first started out. But, if you need to run and gun, it has serious limitations.