sgtpappy Loc: West Virginia

Amateur landscape, Astro, and general family photography enthusiast wanting to purchase a new camera. Not wanting to break the bank but understand it’ll cost a few bucks any advice on equipment would be appreciated.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Budget?
Beginner, intermediate, or advanced skills?
Past experience?
Digital or film?
Computer experience?
Any system size, bulk, or weight restrictions?
Do you have any current gear?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

What is your budget? decent DSLRs start at around $600 for a body and go up to . Or maybe a "bridge camera" will suit you, but they are usually not great in low light so not the greatest for astro photography.
Also any restrictions as to size, weight etc? this could lead to mirrorless which are generally smaller and lighter.
Any experience or preferences as to brand?

I use Canon and am inclined that way. With Canon you can go to their online store's refurbished section and get discounted gear with the same warranty as new. (Most refurbed are returned items, overstock returned by stores, demos, show items etc. They are gone over by the repair/support people and probably get a more complete inspection than assembly line products.

RogStrix Loc: UK

Buy secondhand...

sgtpappy Loc: West Virginia

2g to start, intermediate experience, was a newspaper photographer in my younger days using a variety of film cameras, now that I’m retired want to up grade my basic point and shoot digital to a decent dslr, worked as a IT tech my last few years so I’m fairly competent on most computer systems and can do some programming. No restrictions. Still have a couple of film slr’s Cannon AE1P and a Minolta both with a variety of lenses.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

If you want to consider Canon then look here at the Canon Store's refurbished site:
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-products-information?cm_mmc=GA-_-CanonOnlineStore-_-141002Brand%20Paid%20Search-_-Canonrefurbished&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlqLdBRCKARIsAPxTGaUnyrg4xdYW_mX77L4pJHKQ0vEx3EOQJpsFLS9ZR_4c18CmLNOJuUMaApzVEALw_wcB

Keeping below your 2K budget if you want Full Frame than consider the 6D (I used one for 5 years) or the 6DII. If you want an APS-C crop sensor than the current top of the heap is the "soon to be replaced with an upgrade" 7DII (I used one of those for 4 years). Down from the 7DII is the 80D (I have one) and the non weather sealed 77D and just below that is the T7i. In general each model series starts with Tx, then Txi and with the T6 series the T6s and the T7 series it is the 77D.

As to the mirrorless, I can't help you, I have never so much as held one.

But since your interests are landscape, astro and family I would go for a full frame (better wide angle for the landscapes and astro also better low light performance). The only drawbacks are size and weight, fewer lenses (APS-C can use EF and EF-S lenses, FF only the EF) and less "reach" with a given lens. (APS-C crop sensor crops the frame to give the angle of view of a lens 1.6x as long, ie a 100 mm lens gives the AOV of a 160 mm).

As to editing/Post Processing work, you should have no problem with the Adobe CC package at $9.99 a month for Lightroom and Photoshop with automatic updates whenever they come out. If you want a simpler single program then the Photoshop Elements is under $100 and has some elements of both PS and LR. If you have never done digital PP work PSE has three modes, the middle one being "Guided" that has built in tutorials that guide you through the steps for each type of editing.

RogStrix Loc: UK

Sadly your Canon and Minolta MF lenses will only really fit Mirror less cameras via an adaptor. Whilst you can fit to some SLRs again via an adaptor I personally wouldn't recommend it. Honestly I think you'd be best buying something like an EOS 40D or 50D secondhand, and two lenses also secondhand, I'd be happy with two Sigma lenses, the 17-70 and 70-300DG. As far as a single lens is concerned try the Tamron 16-300. (Only drawback is these Canon's use CF cards which seem to be going out of fashion and production). Keep your costs down, use them and have fun, then you'll discover if you need something more powerful or not.

Jazzminjoy

Check out the Panasonic Lumix G85. It's mirrorless, so light, comes with a decent kit lens, and has excellent reviews. You can get a whole bundle of stuff for around $1000. The G9 is the newer model that came out this year. Pricier, but still well under your $2k budget. However, keep some of that budget money to use for travelling.

BebuLamar

For 2K bucks how about the Sony A7 and a kit lens?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Used Lumix G85 bodies sell for $600 to $800... plenty of good used Micro 4/3 lenses are available too... from KEH.com and MPB.com, Adorama, B&H, Cameta Camera. All are reputable dealers used by many here.

The G9 is Panasonic’s answer to Olympus’ OM-D E-M1 Mark II.

Go to http://www.dpreview.com and search the reviews of all the cameras that interest you. You can also find many reviews and tutorials on YouTube.

sgtpappy Loc: West Virginia

Thank you everyone, now the homework starts

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

I like the Nikon D7200 or D7500 bundles and you can use FX lens if you choose.

Good Luck

Brock

TSHDGTL

Are the Minolta lenses a-mount. If so, one of the Sony DSLT cameras would use them natively. For the price the A68 is hard to beat with ibis, mfa, evf $600 body.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I think Jassminjoy and burkphoto have given you good advice. If you don't mind extra size, extra weight, and extra cost in the long run, full frame and APS-C cameras are available too. I also suggest looking at Olympus 4/3rds as well as the Panasonic 4/3rds. If you like doing video from time to time, then Jassminjoy and burkphoto advice becomes more relevant. All 4/3rds lens will fit all 4/3rds bodies for basic functions. This allows you to choose from 100+ lenses.

ggenova64

Sony A7 ii, Magnesium body! with a lens kit.