explorer114

I have read several excellent post. I loved photography in my youth, but I never pursued my interest. Back in the 1980s, I captured some really great shots at weddings and outdoors with an old 35mm camera. Fast forward to 2017, I really want to explore my love of photography. I hope to grow to an advanced amateur level at the least. I have saved $1000.00 to start my adventure. On the advice of several friends, I was considering purchasing a Cannon T6i. However, After reading some of the opinions on this site my mind is open to purchasing some used eqipment and/or a combination of new and used equipment. I need some advice. I want a camera and lenses that would allow growth. What is the fun of point and shoot. Photography is about creativity. I'm willing to learn about lighting and ISO etc.
Questions:
1. Nikon, Cannon, Pentax, Sony
2. Used body, new higher graded lenses or some combination
3. Best sites or stores to purchase from
4. Essential equipment to get started
Thanks for any advice, I really appreciate it.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The Canon T6i is a camera you will love for many years to come. You can get one with an 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses, along with a 16gb SD card, and shoulder bag for $749. New, from B&H Photo Shop.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

1. All that you mentioned make good cameras. I use Nikon.
2. In my opinion, good lenses are more important than bodies.
3. I have been using B&H for over 25 years.
4. A 50mm lens (35mm lens if you have a crop sensor body.)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum!

1. I've been using Nikon cameras for decades, currently the D750. Great camera.
2. Refurbished bodies are a good deal.
3. Dealers: Adorama, Amazon, B&H, Cameta, Costco, Crutchfield, Hunt’s, Robert’s
4. Good body and lens. I like zoom lenses because you get infinite focal lengths in one package.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Suggesrions from Tony Northrop:

STARTER CAMERAS:
Basic Starter Camera ($280 used at Amazon): Canon T3 http://help.tc/t3
Better Starter Camera ($500 at Amazon): Nikon D5300 http://help.tc/d5300
Better Travel Camera ($500 at Amazon): Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II http://help.tc/em10ii

LANDSCAPE CAMERAS:
Good ($550 at Amazon): Sony a6000 http://help.tc/a6000
Better ($1,400) at Amazon: Nikon D5500 http://help.tc/D5500 & Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 http://help.tc/s35
Best ($3,150) at Amazon: Pentax K-1 http://help.tc/K1 & Pentax 24-70 f/2.8 http://help.tc/p24

PORTRAIT CAMERAS:
Beginner ($950 at Amazon): Canon T6i http://help.tc/t6i & Canon 50mm f/1.8 http://help.tc/c50
Better ($3,000 at Amazon): Nikon D610 http://help.tc/d610 & Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 http://help.tc/t200
Best ($5,300) at Amazon: Nikon D810 http://help.tc/d810 & Nikon 70-200 f/2.8E http://help.tc/n200e

WILDLIFE CAMERAS:
Starter ($1,100 at Amazon): Canon 7D http://help.tc/7D & Canon 400mm f/5.6 http://help.tc/c400
Great ($3,200 at Amazon): Nikon D500 http://help.tc/d500 & Nikon 200-500 f/5.6 http://help.tc/n500

VIDEO CAMERAS:
Beginner ($500 at Amazon): Panasonic G7 http://help.tc/g7 & Panasonic 14-42mm http://help.tc/p42
Better ($1,400 at Amazon): Panasonic GH4 http://amzn.to/2p5dAmD & Panasonic 14-140 f/3.5-5.6 http://help.tc/p140
Best ($4,300 at Amazon): Panasonic GH5 http://help.tc/gh5 & Metabones Speed Booster XL http://help.tc/mbxl & Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 http://help.tc/s35 & Sigma 50-100 f/1.8 http://help.tc/s100

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

Be sure to look at factory refurbished cameras. I bought a Canon in August and saved over $250. You can't tell it from a new one.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras?cm_mmc=GA-_-CameraGroup-_-140911Brand%20Paid%20Search-_-canon%20refurbished%20cameras&Ap=EOS%20Cameras&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_ebegeLZ1wIVSY1-Ch1ReAWSEAAYASAAEgJahPD_BwE#facet:-8103697983328210198101108328454105&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:&pageView:grid&pageSize:&

Albert2000

Fuji makes outstanding lightweight mirrorless cameras that produce outstanding photos even in very low light. The X-T20 is VERY popular and there are outstanding YouTube tutorials and several Facebook support groups. Quite few pros have switched to Fuji because of the size and great quality. The Fuji lenses are the best in the business. You should take a look before deciding. I LOVE mine.

causnorign Loc: NY

If you plan on going pro it would probably be best to go with Nikon or Canon. I've had Canon cropped sensor cameras and switched to Nikon cropped sensor cameras, can't remember why or whether one was any better than the other. I wish when I switched I would have considered something in the 4/3 format like maybe an Olympus, just because its less weight to carry around. Personally I like the 4x3 ratio better than the 3x2 for viewing, but thats just me.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I agree that this would be an outstanding kit. It will provide most of what you need to get back in to the hobby. You can add speedlights, a macro lens, and other accessories depending upon what direction you wish to go. You can always spend more money later if you feel it necessary, but you would not regret getting this kit.

Also - you will learn from this site that we mostly feel that it is very important to support any local "brick and mortar" camera store that still exist in your area. If you don't have such a store, the major camera stores that always take good care of photographers are the "ABC's:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
http://www.adorama.com/
http://www.cameta.com/

Also: KEH camera is renowned for quality used photo gear.

ALSO: be aware that photo equipment is either imported by the manufacturer and will carry a "USA Warranty" or it will be "gray market" - in which case it will be purchased overseas and imported by another person/entity. These may or may not come with a third-party warranty. The different manufacturers deal with gray market products differently: Nikon will not offer to repair them at all. Canon will repair gray-market items, but they will not be covered by any warranty. Any camera or lens that does not clearly say "USA Warranty" should be assumed to be gray market. So - you pay your money and take your chances.

Also - the best customer service seems to be with Canon. I am biased, but I read rave reviews here, and I know that I emailed them a question one time and within two business days a camera repair technician had responded to my question. I was very pleased to get such personal service.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I use Nikon, but would be equally comfortable with Canon. I've had two Sony cameras, advanced point and shoot (~$1000 each) that had sensor failures, so I am a little wary of them. Nikon and Canon have the largest selection of lenses - and Nikon has a huge collection of legacy lenses that will work to some degree in modern digital bodies.

If you are open to used equipment, you can find a D800/D800E with a 24-86mm lens used with a low shutter count and within your budget. If you don't like that lens, the older AF 28-105 F3.5-4.5 IF is pretty darn good and costs only $150 on average. I have used that lens with a D800 with pretty good results - and I am very fussy about image quality - but I do recognize a good value. Crop cameras will not provide the same level of image quality as a 36mp full frame - and the D800 will be as close as you can get to the quality you had with your 35mm camera.

There is a nice subjective review here:

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_zoom_02.html#AF28-105IF

You'll be getting an excellent general purpose camera that provides pretty much uncompromising image quality for a wide variety of subject matter, and because it is two models old, for a total bargain. Nothing you could buy new would touch it.

You can look here to get a sense of it's ability to work for a broad range subjects

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Hog, enjoy.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

The only thing I would add to this is to get a copy of a book by Bryan Peterson - Understanding Exposure - read it, then have some fun.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

I agree. The future is with mirrorless cameras, and Fuji is the one company that offers continuous firmware upgrades to its cameras. The XT-20 would be my choice, offering total control - a wonderful camera to learn your craft on. Fuji lenses are the best. Price with the excellent 18-55 xf lens is $1099. Definitely a camera for growth and artistic adventure!

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

Wow, another READER with a need to comprehend that he's got $1,000. Go have another cup o' jo and wipe away the cobwebs in the attic, friend.

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

I think if I had $1000 to spend I’d take a Florida birding full day with wildlife birding photographer named Mark Smith cost is $300 for full day maybe buy a Tamron 10-24 for my D500 with the left over money