BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Recent economic events found me selling the cameras I had just so we could have a little bit of money. The 2 I sold were Canon SX40 and Fuji HS50. Fortunately, our situation has changed and I will soon be able to purchase another camera except, this time, I want to get an entry-level or mid-level DSLR to shoot for general photography, sunsets, nature (including closeups), landscapes, night scenes, just things that a couple in their early 60's would enjoy taking (no complicated lighting situations or fast-moving sports). My budget will be $1K or less and I am OK with buying refurbished. Based on your OWN experience with cameras you have ACTUALLY USED, what would your suggestion be for a camera and lens or lenses that fits my budget and shooting situations? I'm well aware of the benefit of actually holding a camera to measure its likeability, but I simply need a starting point of cameras to go hold and that's where your personal recommendation comes in. Remember, I want you to tell me your choice(s) based upon your actual usage. If you are only recommending a camera based upon reviews or others' opinions, I want you to tell me why YOU think it is worthy of consideration---please do not simply refer me to a website for comparisons. Thank you in advance for your choice(s) and I wish you well in your own photographic journey.

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

Take a look at the Canon 60D. I've been shooting with mine for 2 years now and love it. For a lens I use a Sigma 18-250 and have it on my camera 95% of the time.

Good luck with your choice

Pappy

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Thank you, Pappy. I certainly will put this 60D on the list, mainly because of what I've read from posters here on UHH.

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

I've used the Nikon 3100 and 3200 and enjoy both. I have the two kit lenses, 18-55 and 55-200 for the 3100 and 18-55 and 22-300 for the 3200. Both cameras meet my needs: landscape/travel photos, portraits, library events. And both fit my rather small hands. I bought the 3100 refurbished and have encountered no problems.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Based on my experience with a t3i APS-C with various lenses, lugging them around, and reading reviews, I would think about a mirrorless system.

MarkD Loc: NYC

I've been using a Nikon D5200 for about a year and I'm very happy with it. I like the relatively light weight of the camera, and its image quality is excellent. I have several other lenses, but for general use I mostly use a Sigma 18-200 Macro OS HSM and a Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6. The 18-200 is Sigma's newest version, and it is very sharp with good contrast for an all-in-one. I like to travel light as I'm 70 years old. These two lenses cover a lot of ground and together with the D5200 they weigh a total of about three pounds.

If you don't want an all-in-one, I had a Nikon 18-105 VR. It's a very good lens and it's not expensive. My problem was that it wasn't long enough, and I didn't want to have to carry a telezoom also. If that's not a problem for you, I can highly recommend the 18-105 VR.

amehta Loc: Boston

In the past few years I have helped two friends buy the D3100 and another the D5100, and all three have had great success with them. One used the D3100 to take pictures at her son's wedding, and she liked her pictures better than any other guests' pics. The D5100 photographer shot a friend's wedding a month after buying it to everyone's satisfaction. The other D3100 user got great pictures while in New Zealand for 6 months. None have ever said, "I wish the camera did <this>".

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

I have and love the Nikon D5200. I got mine at Costco a little less than a year ago. It does everything I want/need it to. It came with 2 kit lenses - the 55-300 and the 18-55. For the type of photography I do, the 18-55 did not really suit my needs, so I purchased the 18-105. The 55-300 is the lens that is on my camera most of the time. I switch to the 18-105 when we are traveling in cities and I need a wider angle. One gentleman I spoke with tried to talk me out of the 18-105 on the grounds that it overlapped my 55-300 kit lens. Well, the 18-105 and 55-300 combo works for me! I probably should think about selling the 18-55. I mostly shoot wildlife and BIF and BOW, so the longer zoom suits my purposes quite well.
BTW, there is an newer model out that "replaces" the D5200 - the D5300. You might want to check that out, but I am pretty sure you can get a really good price on the D5200 now.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I got a Nikon D3300 in July (?).
I was pleased it came with two lenses, 18-55 mm, and a 55-200 mm. It has been fine for me.
My price for this "Lunch Box" was $750. Very palatable to me.
I bought mine at Sam's Club.
My other considerations were the D3100 and D3200.

I always look at the things beyond my reach to see what to look for that might be within my reach.
The processor in the D3300 is the same as the more expensive Nikon's. That helped clinch the deal for me.
Also I thought the video ability might come in nice sometime.

Most stores that carry cameras have them on display (tethered) so you can handle them and see what feels natural to your hands.

I wasn't happy with the reach of the 200 mm lens for my subjects, which is a plethora of Humming Birds in my back yard, and Grand-kids playing soccer.
So I recently added a Tamron lens to the arsenal. And I'm happy.
Good luck with your shopping! ;)

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

I second this suggestion. I used the Nikon D3100 for many years and loved it. I then moved up to a gently used D5100 for the articulated screen and the bracketing option. I found the menu so user friendly that I bought a second D5100 refurbished so that I could keep my key lenses on each without having to change in the field. The Nikkor 18-200mmVR lens is quite versatile for all kinds of photography and is much more affordable now that the longer reach lenses have come on the market. Either the D3100 or D5100 with the 18-200mm lens will keep you under $1000, especially if you go refurbished.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Nikon D610 are at $1000 to $1200 refurbished. With a full frame, new doors will open, new adventures begin. If not the 610 consider full frame anywhere. The full frame low light capabilities are superior to smaller sensors. This becomes invaluable in early morning and late evening shots.

BillH Loc: Lancaster County PA

Right now, and I don't know how long it will last, CanonUSA.com has the reburb 7D with a 18-135 mm lens for less than $900. It would be a great set up. If I were in the market for a new crop sensor camera, I would jump on this. Body only about $719. 7D is a great action camera.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Sony A3000 - $319 at Walmart with 18-55 lens. Look at the Sigma 19, 30, and 60mm f2.8 lenses @$200 each if you need faster/better lenses.

NeilL Loc: British-born Canadian

Glad your story has a happy ending. If I were in your position, I would look at "mirrorless", paying special attention to Fuji.

gessman Loc: Colorado

One of today's photography specials on Woot.com is a refurb Sony a3000 and it looks like it has the 18-55 lens for $229.99. http://sellout.woot.com/offers/sony-20-1mp-interchangeable-lens-digital-camera-6?ref=cnt_wp_0_1

Woot is also selling a refurb Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H300/B for $129.99.
http://sellout.woot.com/offers/sony-20-1mp-digital-camera-with-35x-optical-zoom-4?ref=cnt_wp_0_2