lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Nikon D7100 with a Sigma 150-500mm lens.

AlexS Loc: Minnesota

Don't over think, be sure you are comfortable with it. You will get a lot of advice but there is no 'right' answer


http://photodoto.com/first-dslr/

Good luck and have fun!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum!

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

When you write that you are a Newbie, how Newbie are you? Have you had any experience with the old film SLR cameras and thus are new to digital SLR only. Do you have a point and shoot digital camera now? etc.

If this whole camera thing is new to you, I would think you might be wise to start with a good quality Bridge Camera (one with a optical viewfinder also). There is no shortage of info on such cameras on this site.

Welcome aboard and good luck in your search.

NeilL Loc: British-born Canadian

Welcome, Deb. If your budget allows and your back is strong, a DSLR or interchangeable lens camera may suit you. You will need extra lenses with the camera. Heavy to tote around! Expensive! I would suggest you look at a bridge camera - fixed long-zoom lens, lighter, more budget friendly. Here are 4 that are well-worth a look.
Panasonic FZ 200
Canon SX50
Fuji X-S1
Sony RX 10
As other UHH'ers have suggested, find a camera store where you can feel how they suit you. Good luck! Let us know what you decide - and don't be afraid to ask more questions of us.

nakkh Loc: San Mateo, Ca

Go down to your local camera store and try out a bunch of different cameras. See what feels best for you.
you could also see if there is a place in your area that rents cameras and try out some for a few days. Have fun!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Assuming you are at least semi-serious, and have a reasonably appropriate budget, I would unquestionably recommend Sony A77. Go here - http://www.flickriver.com/photos/feltonphoto/ - to see what Jamie Felton does with her's .........

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

This is a little like trying to answer the question of "What kind of dress should I get for the prom?" The answer will depend on the girls goals for the night!

The common answer on UHH for birds and wildlife will always be "Nikon D7100 with a Sigma 150-500mm lens." (Or, the Canon version.)

Many, like my DW, get good results with far smaller, less expensive and more automatic "bridge cameras" like the Canon SX50 or Panasonic FZ200. She puts it in "automatic" then concentrates on finding and composing the shots. Others, including me, can be left behind as I set up my stuff.

My chosen approach to wildlife goes counter to the UHH common flow due to my dislike of large and heavy gear. Last year I found a very light and compact Panasonic Lumix 100-300 lens with the approximate telephoto reach of the popular Sigma and Tamron 500mm zoom lenses. I attached a Panasonic Lumix GX7.

Borrowing my DW's automatic techniques, I went out in the Arizona desert a few months ago and got a couple shots I like and offer as examples of what can be done with less than Nikanonian gear. (My apologies to those that have seen them before! I need to get out with the wildlife more often.)

Sonora Owl

(Download)

Sonora Hawk

(Download)

DalerDad73

I'm a Newbie myself, and I've tried both Canon and Nikon. I stuck with the Nikon because of the reviews and (I know this is far from scientific) it had a great feel in my hands. It also has user friendly dials, but of course you have the option of going semi to fully manual. Either way I'd choose Nikon or Canon just for the sake of options when you wanna upgrade your lenses. BTW, I'd rather buy a very basic DSLR and spend more cash on better lenses IMHO

shot this with the "action" button on my D5200

tomw

Most of us have strong ideas about cameras, because we have been photographers for years, gradually figured out what we want in a camera and what we want to do with it, and ended up with the "best" camera which we then, in our wisdom, will try to get everyone else to buy.

You can't know what is best for you at this point, and neither can I.

Buy a used or refurbished two generations back Nikon or Canon DSLR with a "kit" zoom lens. Put it in full manual mode, and start taking pictures. With every bad image, figure out what went wrong and learn from it. Eventually, the time will come when the problems result from limitations of the equipment.

Then, figure out what you need, look at cameras that meet that need, sell your old one (or keep it as a backup) and buy your "real" camera.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Nice shot! And perfect proof that the shooter counts a lot more than the camera!

Regardless of what the OP buys, the primary requirement will be to learn using it. It is not the gear that makes the photo, it is the brain in the human that is holding the camera.

K_Duncan Loc: Whiteville, NC

I would suggest a DSLR over a bridge camera. They are a little heavier, but not so much as to make a huge difference on entry level DSLRs. You have more options later ( lenses, etc.) with a DSLR. I would suggest a Nikon D3200/3300 kit or a Canon T3i/T5i kit to start with (Canon vs Nikon? I'm not going there :-) ). They are all lightweight and give you the ability to begin where you are comfortable and progress to more complex photography when you are ready. I just upgraded from the D3200 to the D7100. I loved the D3200 ( my wife basically took it away from me). The 7100m is a little more complex, I think it is a little much for a real newbie. IMO.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

By now you understand that us Uglies are divided between diehard Canon users and the diehard Nikon users (I was tempted by the devil to say "smarter Nikon users, but I resisted. :-D :-D ) with a few Sony folk and a handful of Pentax photographers.

My best advice is go quickly to Kenrockwell.com and read his advice. I have been reading him for the last 8-10 years and never had a bad recommendation.

My second best is, depending on your budget, look at the Nikon D3300 or the D7100.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

You entirely left out the rebel Olympus and Panasonic M43 group. We're small here, but we rock!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

For now, Birds and widlife remain the domain of APSc and associated full frame lenses. ...........While I fully respect Ken Rockwell - he is not a wildlife/bird shooter - so his opinions relating to cameras and lenses associated to that purpose should be considered !