DSLR Canon - Nikon

[foxtrot762]

KEH.com sells used and refurbished gear

[GolfTango]

Yea, everyone needs a $1500 D7000 or a $1000 D90.

The used market is best for a first time photo bug. Last I checked, the D90 can be had in the 700s new/refurb.

Edit: D90 $749, free shipping.

http://www.adorama.com/INKD90R.html

[speedn16v]

I'm partial to Nikon, since I've been shooting with them for nearly 25 years

I would stick with Nikon or Canon, as opposed to Sony. Many more choices as far as lenses, and accessories. The noise performance with Sony isn't on par with Nikon, or Sony. The higher ISO is what makes the camera more usable. I can get shots now I could only dream of back when.

I do a lot of stage/performance photography. For the most part I'm locked into ISO 3200, and shooting at f/4.

As far as bodies go, if they are in a similar generation of sensor, they will give similar results. A more expensive body gives you more FPS and buffer, build quality, and more buttons to access things.


Dave.

[adrew]

The used market is best for a first time photo bug. Last I checked, the D90 can be had in the 700s new/refurb.

Refurb'd D5100 for $492 is what was tempting me:
http://www.adorama.com/INKD5100R.html

...but I hadn't realized how they'd gotten rid of all the buttons.

D5100 - where are they all?

[MZMDCM99]

DSLR is incompatible with my lifestyle. The camera bodies are freakin' huge. The bigger the camera, the less likely I'm going to lug it around with me.

I think most people would be better off with a premium compact camera like the Canon PowerShot G12. Really good lens. 28mm lens with 5x optical zoom. HD video clips. It fits in your pocket. MSRP $499 and an internet street price of $400-ish with no tax and free shipping.

I have an Olympus Micro 4/3 camera with a bunch of lenses and an electronic viewfinder. It's halfway between a DSLR and a premium compact. Most of the time, I'd be better served having a premium compact.

The best camera you own is the one you carry with you. I have both a G12 and a Rebel T1i with lenses and use the G12 about 90% of the time.

[valfaw]

...but I hadn't realized how they'd gotten rid of all the buttons.

D5100 - where are they all?

welcome to entry level dslr

[GeoffD]

The best camera you own is the one you carry with you. I have both a G12 and a Rebel T1i with lenses and use the G12 about 90% of the time.

My point exactly.

In a former life, I had an EOS 5D with a bunch of EF L lenses. My ex-wife wanted the camera so....

My foray into micro 4:3 cameras and lenses was a reaction to my experience with that camera. I was reluctant to carry around a $2,500 camera body with a $2K lens on it and a bag of other $1K to $2K lenses. I figured my world wouldn't end if I destroyed a $600 camera body or wrecked a $600 lens. I also figured that I'd be more likely to carry the smaller form factor camera around with me. I destroyed my Zuiko 9-18mm ultra-wide zoom in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I would have been really bummed to wreck a Canon EF L lens.

[sakigt]

This website has the refurbs for $500 with a one year warranty included....seriously thinking about saving myself the $200 and buying refurb....

http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-D5100-Di...Demo-62313.cfm

I have a D40 which Im quite fond of....its just time for an upgrade. $200 resale means Ill probably keep it around as a just in case....

[O_o]

Yea, everyone needs a $1500 D7000 or a $1000 D90.

There are compacts that are about as good as a D5100. Obviously, you can't change lenses on them, but if you want a lens collection, it's going to cost you a lot more than a good camera, so why not pony up? If you're not going to ever change lenses, then WTF do you need an SLR for?

Just my $0.02.

[Mk1Racer]

My point exactly.

In a former life, I had an EOS 5D with a bunch of EF L lenses. My ex-wife wanted the camera so....

My foray into micro 4:3 cameras and lenses was a reaction to my experience with that camera. I was reluctant to carry around a $2,500 camera body with a $2K lens on it and a bag of other $1K to $2K lenses. I figured my world wouldn't end if I destroyed a $600 camera body or wrecked a $600 lens. I also figured that I'd be more likely to carry the smaller form factor camera around with me. I destroyed my Zuiko 9-18mm ultra-wide zoom in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I would have been really bummed to wreck a Canon EF L lens.

I'm guessing the only reason your ex wanted the camera, was because it was yours.

I have a reasonable collection of DLSR gear. I hate lugging it around if I'm not out specifically to shoot pictures. I've got an SD-790is that I've had for ~4 years that I always have with me, just to take snapshots with. I have gotten some great images w/ it, as have others who have borrowed it.

[adrew]

The new D3200 is actually looking pretty decent to me. There's no screw-drive focus motor — but it is cheap enough that I could get a new prime. The other thing that's nice is that it has a mic jack, which adds a lot of flexibility for video.

[TheDarkEnergist]

I have a D3100 and...damn that 3200 looks miniscule and doesn't have live-view.

[WeenerBoy]

I have a D3100 and...damn that 3200 looks miniscule and doesn't have live-view.

the D3200 DOES have live view, in fact you can even see the LV button on the picture above.. sorry, not tryin to be a dick..

my buddy had a D5100 and recently sold it to get the T3i and he absolutely loves the Canon much more. He's been shooting Nikon for at least 8 years and it was hard to switch to the darkside

he also recently bought the 70-200mm is usm lens for his t3i and ive seen his airplane pictures, they are amazing compared to his Nikon shots

[adrew]

I have a D3100 and...damn that 3200 looks miniscule and doesn't have live-view.

It has it (see the Lv button?) — and D3200 is actually a hair larger.
D3100: 124 x 96 x 75 mm (4.88 x 3.78 x 2.95")
D3200: 125 x 96 x 77 mm (4.92 x 3.78 x 3.03")

[TheDarkEnergist]

the D3200 DOES have live view, in fact you can even see the LV button on the picture above.. sorry, not tryin to be a dick..

Oh its ok. I know canon guys are dicks.

I didn't see or recognize the liveview button because on the D3100 it's like a swivel button around the video recording button.

It has it (see the Lv button?) — and D3200 is actually a hair larger.
D3100: 124 x 96 x 75 mm (4.88 x 3.78 x 2.95")
D3200: 125 x 96 x 77 mm (4.92 x 3.78 x 3.03")

Hmm. Strange. I have giant gorilla hands with sausage fingers so as soon as i put my vertical grip on it was like heaven.

[valfaw]

he also recently bought the 70-200mm is usm lens for his t3i and ive seen his airplane pictures, they are amazing compared to his Nikon shots

t3i vs 5100 is same camera different flavor lateral move. difference in the shots is the lens not the camera.

[WeenerBoy]

Oh its ok. I know canon guys are dicks.

i use the camera on my phone, pretty sure its not a canon

t3i vs 5100 is same camera different flavor lateral move. difference in the shots is the lens not the camera.

im not a camera guy, just what i heard. he had a nice 80-400mm for his nikon and he says the 70-200 doesnt have the reach, but is way better.. hes now after a 100-400mm to rent so...

[TheDarkEnergist]

i use the camera on my phone, pretty sure its not a canon

= I'm joking. Relax.

[phryxis]

My point exactly.

In a former life, I had an EOS 5D with a bunch of EF L lenses. My ex-wife wanted the camera so....

My foray into micro 4:3 cameras and lenses was a reaction to my experience with that camera. I was reluctant to carry around a $2,500 camera body with a $2K lens on it and a bag of other $1K to $2K lenses. I figured my world wouldn't end if I destroyed a $600 camera body or wrecked a $600 lens. I also figured that I'd be more likely to carry the smaller form factor camera around with me. I destroyed my Zuiko 9-18mm ultra-wide zoom in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I would have been really bummed to wreck a Canon EF L lens.

I use my M4/3rds wayyyyy more than my DSLR. The M4/3rds system is what I recommend to people looking to get DSLRs, because it's 80% of the quality with 40% of the bulk.

OP, you should consider what you are going to use the camera for and suit it to that. If you are going to only use your camera for photoshoots and planned events, then perhaps a DSLR might be good for you. If you want to use it for more than that, like for taking it out and taking pics of friends, look into a smaller camera.

I've extensively used M4/3rds and DSLR systems and I'll choose M4/3rds every time.

[WeenerBoy]

= I'm joking. Relax.

oh, i thought you were trying to lick me. apologies

[A.Wilder]

imo, spend more on lenses and don't worry about the body so much. You don't need a lot of pixels if you are just doing it for a hobby.

[valfaw]

im not a camera guy, just what i heard. he had a nice 80-400mm for his nikon and he says the 70-200 doesnt have the reach, but is way better.. hes now after a 100-400mm to rent so...

that's the point, the lens is the defining factor in that exercise. if they had bought a better nikon lens than he did, the results would have been improved in largely equal measure as opposed to swapping systems.

glass makes the difference.

As for the OP, figure out your intended use and buy a system that supports those goals. There's so much out there the canon v nikon just isn't the de facto decision anymore.