Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Winslowe

Any reason why your post has nothing to do with the title??

Hartwell Loc: South Jersey...formerly all over

As I explained in a previous post I am still learning to navigate this site.
Not all of us are as fault-free as you seem to be.
Some of us are merely ordinary men with ordinary intellect.
But before I will bow down to you and your criticism I will leave this site and find another.
Our words and actions define us and I don't much like who you define yourself to be.
I will not be talked down to or tolerate your ignorance.
Out of here

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

It’s one thing to have your head so fully up Canon’s rear orifice, but there’s no need to spread false information about Nikon.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Some people have to prop themselves up by being critical of others. Most on this site are quite helpful. Don’t give up on us. Good luck on your hunt to find what works best for you!

DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

I have Canon bodies, and also, most of my lenses. I do have the Tamron 200-500, which is great. However, I buy many of my lenses directly from Canon refurbished. These are not field used, but may have been a display model. They are overhauled and look like NIB. They are cheaper than B&H, and come with a full year warranty. I am sure other manufacturers do the same thing. Look there first.
If you look at KEH or MPB, their ratings generally underestimate the lens. What they call very good, I would call excellent. Good luck.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The Quick Reply box is easy. It's the <Quote Reply> button that generates the ref-back text.

flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT

The only problem with the D3xxx and D5xxx cameras is something Architect1776 alluded to, but did not explain.

These cameras do not have an autofocus motor built into the camera body. This means if you want autofocus you must buy a lens that has a built-in autofocus motor such as the AF-S lenses.

You can mount older autofocus lenses such as the AF-D lenses, but will be limited to manual focus.

Nikon D7xxx series DX cameras do have the built-in motor and will focus with AF-D lenses such as the excellent 50mm f/1.8D which will act like a 75mm lens with the cropped sensor making it a good portrait lens.

MPB has a number of D7000 cameras in excellent condition for less than $300. Of course that camera is 16MP unlike the 24MP of the D5600...but still produces excellent images, and is well suited for the 8x10 prints you mentioned.

You can get a 50mm f/1.8D in the $100 or less range on eBay.

If you get the D5600 you will need the AF-S 50mm f/1.8G lens for a similar effect which could cost up to twice the price of the AF-D lens, but still within your budget if you get the D5600 at the price you found on MPB.

The D7000 at less than $300 would allow for an additional lens and still fit you budget.

Just food for thought, the decision is yours.

P.S. - I recently picked up a like new D610 and was not worried about the dirty sensor issue as the D610 was Nikon's fix to that problem with some D600s. I wanted full frame for my existing collection of lenses from my F100 film camera...so far I love it.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

I purchase my used cameras also from MPB. Very satisfied and high quality.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I don’t know why these people keep pushing a 50mm lens. Yes it’s a lens you can find for not a lot of money, but it’s not the lens you want if you’re looking to give yourself more distance from your subjects. As for Nikon D3xxx and D5xxx models needing AF-S lenses, Nikon has been making them since 1998. There are plenty of AF-S lenses out there for sale at good prices. If you’re looking to go DSLR then in your price range you’re better off staying with a crop sensor camera rather than full frame and something like an 18-140 or 18-200 lens.
As I said earlier if you’re not sold on going DSLR and you’re comfortable using your Lumix you might want to look at some of their other bridge cameras.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Hi Ken,

Here are several Canon options that might meet your needs:

Canon M50 with EF-M 15-45mm and EF-M 55-200mm lenses: $729 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1393462-REG/canon_2680c021_eos_m50_mirrorless_digital.html)
The M50 is a very popular camera for vlogging as well as a capable, lightweight and very compact 24MP still photo camera too. Easily able to make an 8x10" print. This is the original M50 on sale and bundled with the lenses to get the most bang for your buck. There is a new Mark II version of the M50, but there's not a lot of difference between it and the original. The two lenses cover everything from wide angle to fairly strong telephoto. If you were to buy camera and lenses separately, the cost would be more than you wanted to spend. You save a lot buying a manufacturer's bundle like this.

Canon T7i with EF-S 18-55mm STM and EF-S 55-250mm STM lenses refurbished: $720 (https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-eos-t7i-ef-s-18-55-ef-s-55-250-is-stm-bundle)
Except for the packaging Canon refurbished are "like new" and even have the same warranty as new. It's a good way to stretch your budget, but factory refurbished are only available directly from Canon USA. It so happens that T7i are currently out of stock, but if interested you could keep watching for them to come available. The T7i is another model that's one generation old, but still quite viable. This is a DSLR instead of a mirrorless. The T7i is a "mid-grade" consumer camera, there are a couple models below it, as well as a couple above it using the same size sensor. The lenses sold in kit with it also are a step or two up from the most entry-level.

Canon SL3 with EF-S 18-55mm STM and EF-S 55-250mm STM lenses refurbished: $719 (https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-rebel-sl3-efs-18-55m-is-stm-lens-kit-black and https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-s-55-250mm-f4-5-6-is-stm-telephoto-zoom-lens-refurbished) More factory refurbished.... The camera is currently out of stock, but only offered with the 18-55mm kit lens. The telephoto lens is available separately refurbished right now. The SL3 is very similar to the T7i, except the SL3 is the world's smallest and lightest DSLR. It has a relatively basic AF system (less sophisticated than the T7i's) and uses a smaller battery. But it's still a reasonably full-featured camera. The previous SL2 model is fine, too, if you find one. The main difference between them was improvements to video functions.

A very low-cost Canon I do not recommend buying is the T7 (note there's no "i"). It's a very basic camera that lacks many features found on the above models. While not great, the camera is okay. A bigger problem is the lenses bundled with it. Those are always the most entry-level Canon makes. The telephoto zoom in particular (EF 75-300mm III) is particularly low quality. The EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lens in the two above kits is a much better lens in all respects.

Of the above, if you anticipate shooting sports the T7i probably has the best AF system for that, though it would be possible to shoot with the other cameras too. Another advantage of the T7i is that it can optionally be fitted with a battery grip that allows you to use two batteries, as well as providing a neat vertical grip and secondary controls. The other cameras do not offer that option. The mirrorless M50 system is quite small and has limited lenses, but can use all EF/EF-S lenses (made for the DSLR system) quite well via an inexpensive adapter. As mentioned, the SL3 is the one of the smallest and lightest DSLRs anyone has made. Even so, it's got a lot of the same features as the larger T7i. (Features that the T7 lacks, such as a self-cleaning sensor.)

Again, Canon factory refurbished are a good way to stretch your budget, but are only available bought direct from Canon. There's little difference from new. I just bought a refurbished lens and it came in a plain brown box, but otherwise was no different from brand new and works perfectly. Other brands sell refurbished, too... but most of them I've looked into don't have as long a warranty as Canon. Used gear may come with a store warranty, but it's also usually shorter than what you get buying new. This type of used equipment warranty isn't with the manufacturer... it's with the store and if something fails they'll either have it fixed or replace it with a similar item or refund your money. Reputable used equipment dealers (KEH, MPB, Adorama, B&H, Roberts Camera and a few others) can be trusted. But some others may not be as reliable. Purchasing from a private party gets you no warranty at all (even with newer gear that's still in warranty... it's not transferable).

There are similar possibilities in other brands, I'm sure. You're smart to look beyond the camera itself at the other things needed, such as lenses. Think of buying a system, not just a camera. Maybe you'll want to add to it in the future, though any of the above would be a good start.

Be a little careful. There are good deals online... and there are too-good-to-be-true deals online. Watch out for the "shysters" who pull bait n switch or sell you gray market items (also called "store warranty" and "international warranty"). Those have no warranty at all, though to be fair it's rarely needed. Most gear works fine right from new. But.... if for some reason it doesn't, a few $ saved buying gray market can end up costing you more than just buying "right". Basically if you see prices significantly less than what Adorama, B&H Photo and a few other places offer, be suspicious. Also be wary if you see a big "bundle" of goodies in addition to the camera and lenses. Sometimes places like Adorama or B&H throw in a decent camera bag or a memory card or something useful like organizing and editing software.... But other places take it to the extreme with all sorts of "freebies" (lens cleaning kits, tripods, auxiliary lenses, non-name memory cards, filters, maybe a flash and more). Most of that stuff is cheap junk that's a waste of money.

Have fun shopping!

Leitz Loc: Solms

Interesting how we all think differently. I was wondering why the title has nothing to do with the post!