Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Nice pictures! Welcome, and post lots more... Beautiful girls, and you have the lighting just right. Not much help on the question, as I have never had a dslr. I used canon film slrs, but also some nikon from time to time. I agree with the other posts, that either of the two will do you proud - not to mention the 'lesser' brands... :shock:

fstop11 Loc: Huntington Beach Ca

Welcome to UHH.

Looks like you have a good start. Consider what you friends or family have, they can help you learn and you can borrow.

asjohnston3 Loc: Irving, TX

Ditto on the grand kids & being new to DSLR's. I looked at all of the above and decided on Nikon. I then narrowed it down to a D5100 or a D3200. ( cost was about the same) I then further narrowed it down to a Nikon refurbished 5100 from KEH on Amazon. (I shoot a lot in low light & the 5100 is slightly better at this)I did all the checks on it when received. It was in perfect condition with all new accessories. (shutter count under 500) I saved almost 125-150 bucks going this route. I'm learning the controls so for the time being I use the "Kids" scene mode most.... Good luck on which ever way you decide to go! 8~)

fklong

I have had Canons since I was 12 (now 46) and just got my first Nikon last Christmas. I LOVE IT and will stick with Nikon from now on!

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Vicki - just had a thought - don't be too hasty to buy your DSLR. The festive season is looming closer and closer ..... traditionally the time for the camera makers to do some crazy deals to get rid of stock. There's a "Black Friday" approaching too. If you make your mind up what you want and watch the deals carefully you might be able to get yourself a fast lens or two as well !

photog601 Loc: New York, NY

WELCOME Vicki

vsidles

I actually planned on purchasing my Nikon this way. I already have access to many of the Black Friday deals and the Black Monday deals. I am a buyer for the local school district and pay full price for NOTHING. Hope that doesn't make me sound cheap...just a smart shopper. LOL My last camera was $134 under the lowest cost I could find it anywhere else. The only thing I will not do is use a vendor...that is a no-no. I don't mind purchasing from one; that's not what I mean. I mean getting a "better deal" through a vendor. Can't do that. Puts me in a position I won't allow myself to be in. I buy computers and electronics for the school district so I can't allow myself to be seen in that light (owing a vendor a favor). If I purchase thru one of my existing vendors, I'll purchase online like everyone else. They do tell me about the sales coming up though, or when something will be discontinued and therefore being reduced. So that is a plus.
The D3100 vs D3200 has some advantages however the D3200 is 24meg. Will I ever need that much? I don't know. The coolpix I have now is 16 and prob more than I need. I do want several lens though, so I'm looking at a bundle deal. Not really caring one way or another about a wide angle at this point but I do want zoom and macro would be nice, as I've never done anything like that and would like to try. Almost everything I've done involve live breathing bodies....family or pets. Dance competitions, gymnastics, lacrosse, football, sporting events, stuff the kids and grandkid is involved in. I rarely do landscapes. I love what others do, but I rarely see anything that really does it for me. People, faces, children, babies, animals, that's my passion.

mickeys Loc: Fort Wayne, IN

you take great looking photographs!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Cappy Loc: Wildwood, NJ

I'm a Canon shooter and prefer Canon. But having access to other lenses may be the deciding factor.

Shutter Bugger

Inexperienced!!!!

Those pictures are fabulous.

I reckon Nikon is the way to go
especially as you can "pool" lenses... Having said that, I should be taking advice from you.

I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Welcome aboard. ;-)

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

I agree with Nikonian72. This way you can borrow and try different lenses before you buy. You can also "pool" your resourses.

vsidles

Thank you all for your replies and nice comments. I have quite a lot to think about!
Best regards, Vicki

Watchful Loc: West Virginia

Check. ( Canon T3, EF-s 18-55 & EF 75-300 for sale ) under the classified section of UHH. Sold by bphappy. Good luck.

vsidles

I sometimes only have my phone with me. So I try to stay creative and have apps on my phone also. But of course for the good stuff, anyone wanting me to actually take their portrait, I need a decent camera.

Bike guy Loc: Atlanta

Had the same dilemma. Nikon or Canon. My old DSLR was an early, early Canon.
I still have a Canon AE Program. But all my life, I am 72, I wanted a Nikon.
I tried them both out, T3 and 3200 and went with the Nikon. I love it.