aellman Loc: Boston MA

In addition to all the other good suggestions, you can make a call to B&H photo. Their reps
will listen to your situation and give you some informed camera options (in your price range)
based on their expertise. They have new and used equipment, and they know pretty much
everything. They won't pressure you to buy. I have used them for this purpose very successfully
in the past. Sales: 1 (800) 606-6969.

jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania

If you have a Walmart or Best Buy or some other similar store near you, I would check on what they have that you can look at and see some options. I understand being on a tight budget since I am retired and have limited resources available. If you go to one of the stores, take a look at whatever entry-level DSLR kits they have. As an example, where I live Walmarts have a Nikon D3300 kit with 1 or 2 lenses and they also have a Canon T6 or T6i kit with 1 or 2 lenses. These usually are somewhere between $500 - $600 range. A lot of times you can get either an older model or a refurbished kit for less. When I got my first DSLR, Walmart had a Canon and a Nikon kit but the Nikon D3100 kit was on sale at the time for $449 so I went with it since the Canon model was not on sale. The normal price is normally just about the same or either brand. If you don't already have money invested in lenses for a specific brand whether you choose Canon or Nikon doesn't really matter since Either would work well for you.

jnuss

Search out any camera clubs near you. Lots of free helpful advice and many of the members will be happy to show you their gear and certainly
give you advice. Generally, the club has regularly scheduled meetings where they teach photography and offer critique on your photos. Do a google
search on used cameras and you'll find dozens for sale. As has been mentioned here, stick to an entry level of a major brand (Canon, Nikon, Sony).
A fellow camera club member probably has or knows someone who has a dslr body and lens for sale. Good luck!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

A used camera bought off eBay typically won't have much or any warranty and can be a bit risky. (I buy and sell a lot on eBay, but only collector/vintage cameras... not my daily user work gear that I have to rely upon.)

Buying used from KEH.com, Adorama or B&H Photo may cost a little more but is considerably less risky because they inspect things pretty carefully before offering them and typically stand behind their used gear with a store warranty (usually 90 days).



The Fuji mirrorless are excellent cameras, plus they have some wonderful lenses for them. Unfortunately they're also quite expensive. XT-1 with an 18-55mm kit lens costs $1700. and XPro1 with a 35mm lens costs $1900. While quite nice and a pretty good selection, the Fuji lenses are also relatively pricey.

Due to their trendiness and current popularity, mirrorless cameras tend to be more expensive than DSLRs.

I wasn't very impressed with the earlier Canon M-series, but they are finally getting their mirrorless act together a lot better with their M5 (built-in electronic viewfinder) and M6 (no viewfinder, optional accessory). Those are selling for $1050 and $850 respectively, with 15-45mm kit lens. I don't know much about it, but there's also the new, more entry-level M100 with the same lens for $600. The problem with the Canon M-series is that so far Canon has offered a fairly limited selection of EF-M lenses. There are some interesting third party lens options for them, though. And there are a lot of adapters that allow various vintage and modern lenses to be used on the M-series cameras.

Regarding Walmart and Costco... They usually only offer the very cheapest kits. Best Buy might be a bit better, but I've always thought their prices were a bit high.

Be EXTREMELY careful buying "fantastic deals" online from unknown retailers. If you see prices significantly lower than either Adorama or B&H offer, be very suspicious and cautious. There are a lot of "bait n switch" shysters hawking camera gear on the Internet!

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Also check the camera makers' Web sites for sale prices. If you can't afford a new model,
there are a great many used models available from camera stores and on ebay. I have a
Sony alpha a350 DSLR that I bought used on ebay. It is a great camera. There are always several
available on ebay for around $250 with kit zoom lens. In case you're not familiar with ebay,
only buy from a highly rated seller with a bulletproof return policy. Good luck. >Alan

cytafex Loc: Clarksburg MA

My experience is neither digital or film is superior and have something to offer. There is not one camera or system that is best for all situations, and the idea is to use the right tool for the job at hand. As to digital offering more control, maybe you have never worked with view cameras with extensive control of perspective, focus, and composition? I'll take a Hasselblad any day backpacking for a week in the mountains in the Winter. No batteries to contend with and camera controls much easier with gloves on in freezing conditions and very rugged. Have also brought 8x10 cameras in the field w/o electricity and able to make finish prints on site with instant materials, try that digitally! Now before you call me a film snob, I have used digital tools since the mid 90's and my last river trip in the Grand Canyon this Spring I only had digital cameras due to space limitation, otherwise I would have brought both systems. Try and make a 8 hour time exposure with digital and try tell me digital is better.

bleirer

If you want new, Costco has nice canon or Nikon bundles with 2 lenses for around $600, plus you can return no questions asked within 90 days if you don't like it. Plus free tech support if you run into a problem.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

LucyCO7 wrote: "you to have a camera that can switch to manual but, also be digital??"

Hello and welcome. There seems to be some confusion in that .

The term digital usually refers to the fact that an image is collected by a digital sensor rather than film.

Manual is a term meaning you set the parameters (ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance) as opposed to the camera being automated. This term is the same for digital or film.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Canon has a quality system with the widest range of new lenses of any other system. This includes esoteric lenses like TS E Macro lenses, 3 of them and DO lenses.
Also if your friends all have Canon you can borrow lenses when out together. Or if one odd friend has a Nikon you can get an adapter for the older lenses with aperture rings and use them just fine in auto or manual.
All EOS cameras have manual so the model depends on your budget. Try to stick with a 24mp original greater sensor. If you have the money Canon offer an incredible industry leading 50mp sensor camera.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

50mpx. And for the low-low price of only $3500 BODY ONLY. How many photographers
on UHH (for example) need this level of quality? Maybe it's only me, but I don't
plan on making any mural prints large enough to cover the wall of a gymnasium. >Alan

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Most seem to by the way they are scooping up the D850 as fast as they can even though it is only 46mp. You didn't read the full response obviously from your comment.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

There are many inexpensive used cameras for sale. Check eBay or Craigslist or sometimes here on UHH.

Canon is spelled with one N. Cannon shoots cannon balls. Canon makes cameras and a lot more.

Focus on getting a DSLR because all of them can shoot in M or manual mode or in other modes that are referred to as creative modes.

Ed Commons

You asked a question that will probably give you a lot of different answers.

I will assume you are looking at digital since that's the direction everything is moving. First, look at your budget. To answer your first question, a camera that can switch to manual and also be digital ????

The instructor want you to have a digital camera. That answers the first question. Digital. Digital cameras come with automatic modes and programmable modes. The camera does all the thinking, ISO, shutter aperture and shutter speed. Your instructor want you to get a camera that will allow you to turn off the automatic feature. You can now manually set your ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Don't worry about what all those technical things mean, that's why you are taking the class. Just make sure the camera allows you to switch to manual mode,

Next, you most likely will want a camera that will allow you to put different lenses on it (wide angle, telephoto, zoom). That adds a little to the cost, but for future flexibility you'll find the little bit more you spend now is cheaper than replacing the camera later when you want those features.

You'll hear a lot about Nikon vs Canon. Don't listen. Both are good and have great support systems behind them. (Lenses and accessories.) Stick with these brands, because later you may want a different lens or some accessory. Canon and Nikon has a large selection. Even better, there are some excellent aftermarket manufacturers that offer excellent lenses and accessories that will work on Ninon or Canon cameras. Usually for a lower cost than the name brand, and may be as good and sometimes better than the name brand. Some cameras like Sony and Olympus are also good, but the after market makers don't support those brands as well and their manuafacturer accessories and lenses can be a bit pricey.

Look at the Big Box Stores. They sometime packages a kit that includes the camera and a couple of lenses for a lower price than buying them individually. These are lower end consumer and beginning amateur cameras, but are still quality. And if you upgrade later to a more advanced camera of the same brand, these lenses and accessories will usually work on those.



Another place to look is on line at big camera stores like B&H or Adorama. They often have sales

Sometimes you can pick up a refurbished camera. The are usually cameras that have been used as demos or failed under warranty. They are sent back to the manufacturer who has gone through the camera fixed anything defective and made sure all else is up to snuff. These probably have been checked out better than the ones off the original assembly line.

And don't forget pawn shops. It's buyer beware, but a bargain can some times be found. Just do your research online first and know what prices are on the same camera new.

Bill_de Loc: US

First research classes in your area. Once you decide on one, contact the instructor and ask for a suggestion. Some suggestions on here so far are good, and some are from old folks like me who are looking backwards. No instructor can be familiar with every camera. Although the operations are basically the same, life will be easier if your instructor is thoroughly familiar with the one in your hand.

Good Luck!

--

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Take a look at a refurb Canon SL1. Has most festures found in higher priced dslrs, including full manual mode, and can be had for a song, comparatively. With the newer SL2 on the mkt, the 1 versions with 18-55 kit lens should be avail for well under $500. Good luck and welcome.