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a la izquierda

(11,784 posts)
Mon Jun 18, 2012, 10:07 AM Jun 2012

Need some camera advice

Hi y'all, well I'm finally going to get a DSLR, as I want to have a year to work with it before I go to Europe (where obviously I'll use it for sightseeing, but also for photographing in the archives).

Anyway, I'm looking at three "starter" cameras that won't break my budget, and I'd like suggestions (has anyone used these before, or problems with them, likes/dislikes).

Thanks so much for your suggestions.

Cannon EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm IS Lens

Nikon D3100 14.2 MP Digital SLR Camera (with 18-55 mm Lens)

Cannon EOS Rebel T3 18-55 mm IS II Digital SLR Camera Kit with EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens Bundle

22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Need some camera advice (Original Post) a la izquierda Jun 2012 OP
T2i msedano Jun 2012 #1
Megapixels stop being important after 6mp. ManiacJoe Jun 2012 #4
Kit zoom lenses klook Jun 2012 #2
Kit lenses are quite good these days. ManiacJoe Jun 2012 #3
Good to know, thanks (n/t) klook Jun 2012 #5
I still haven't grown out of my kit lenses Major Nikon Jun 2012 #7
Thanks! a la izquierda Jun 2012 #6
Nikon and Canon are direct competetors and their cameras line up very closely Major Nikon Jun 2012 #8
I'd go with the T3 bundle... ljm2002 Jun 2012 #9
Thanks... a la izquierda Jun 2012 #10
Both Canon and Nikon make a 18-200 which is a quite nice vacation lens Major Nikon Jun 2012 #13
my wife has the predecessor of the nikon 3100,the d3000 rdking647 Jun 2012 #11
I have a d3000 too OriginalGeek Jun 2012 #12
Thanks, I'm going to play around with both today. a la izquierda Jun 2012 #15
Here is a pretty nice kit Major Nikon Jun 2012 #14
Thank you for all the suggestions. a la izquierda Jun 2012 #16
For the archives you will do well to get a fixed nadinbrzezinski Jun 2012 #17
I just bought the Canon Rebel T3i Auggie Jun 2012 #18
Either camera is fine canonfodder Jun 2012 #19
Thanks... a la izquierda Jun 2012 #20
If you really need good low-light high ISO performance, you may want to go with Nikon Major Nikon Jun 2012 #21
six or a half dozen canonfodder Jun 2012 #22

msedano

(731 posts)
1. T2i
Mon Jun 18, 2012, 10:16 AM
Jun 2012

i love my Canon T2i. the 18 megapixel chip renders color and focus spectacularly. The greater the megapixels the better an image. if you're doing close-up work, consider a macro lens like the canon 100mm good for portraits, too, or screw-on magnifier lenses.

ate.,
mvs

klook

(12,134 posts)
2. Kit zoom lenses
Mon Jun 18, 2012, 10:36 AM
Jun 2012

Last edited Mon Jun 18, 2012, 12:33 PM - Edit history (1)

that come with these "enthusiast" cameras used to be mediocre, but as ManiacJoe pointed out below, they're better these days. See this article for some good current info. on this: Canon EOS Rebel T3i Optics. Also: Nikon D3100 Optics.

I have the previous generation Canon Rebel. I bought just the body and got a good fixed-focal length "normal" lens -- a Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM. It's the equivalent of a standard 50mm lens on an old 35mm camera, if that makes sense--but with very good sharpness and low-light performance. You may be able to great zoom for less than I paid for that lens.

I highly recommend Imaging Resource for excellent advice and info about cameras and lenses.

Have fun picking out your new rig!

ManiacJoe

(10,136 posts)
3. Kit lenses are quite good these days.
Mon Jun 18, 2012, 11:16 AM
Jun 2012

Obviously not pro quality, but quite good. When you finally out grow them, get a new lens that is the right tool for the job at hand.

Ideally you need to get to a camera shop that has all the bodies you are interested in so that you can feel the differences between the size, weight, shape, button placement, etc. Nikon vs Canon, you cannot go wrong with either one.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
7. I still haven't grown out of my kit lenses
Mon Jun 18, 2012, 04:32 PM
Jun 2012

Even though I have many pro-quality lenses. If I'm taking pictures I know I'm just going to put on the web, in good lighting conditions, and I don't want to carry around a 4-5 lb lens all day, the kit lens is an easy choice.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
8. Nikon and Canon are direct competetors and their cameras line up very closely
Mon Jun 18, 2012, 04:36 PM
Jun 2012

If you're looking at the two within the same price range from Canon and Nikon, the differences are going to be minor. Both make very good stuff.

Canon calls their stabilization lenses IS where Nikon calls it VR. Both use the same technology and it's a worthwhile feature for most lenses that have it, especially for consumers that won't be using a tripod often, if at all.

ljm2002

(10,751 posts)
9. I'd go with the T3 bundle...
Mon Jun 18, 2012, 08:32 PM
Jun 2012

...sometimes it's nice to have the greater zoom length. Although I find it hard to get used to lugging around an extra lens, and changing it. But that's part of getting used to DSLRs.

Good luck, you can't go wrong with any of the ones you listed.

a la izquierda

(11,784 posts)
10. Thanks...
Tue Jun 19, 2012, 09:24 AM
Jun 2012

lugging around an extra lens while in Europe, and while carrying around a 30 pound pack may get annoying after awhile. But you're right, it is something I'll have to get used to.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
13. Both Canon and Nikon make a 18-200 which is a quite nice vacation lens
Tue Jun 19, 2012, 09:09 PM
Jun 2012

Both versions are relatively pricey, but for vacation use where you can't lug around that much gear it's a great lens to have.

That being said, both the 18-55 and the 55-200 are pretty light to carry around. Both of them together weigh about the same as the 18-200.

 

rdking647

(5,113 posts)
11. my wife has the predecessor of the nikon 3100,the d3000
Tue Jun 19, 2012, 11:34 AM
Jun 2012

its a great camera for her. Not overly complex,lightweight and takes great photos under normal conditions.

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
12. I have a d3000 too
Tue Jun 19, 2012, 07:18 PM
Jun 2012

I love it and it is not overly complicated but as I learn and grow it CAN be if I want it to be. That's the beauty of it.

I haven't used the Canon but I believe the posters here who say they are both very close.

to OP: I can't imagine either will let you down in the picture dept so just get the one that feels best in your hands.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
14. Here is a pretty nice kit
Tue Jun 19, 2012, 09:58 PM
Jun 2012

Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera Body & 18-55mm VR & 55-200mm VR Lens USA - $564.95

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D3100-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-18-55mm-VR-55-200mm-VR-Lens-USA-/200776976588?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item2ebf3d88cc

This is a factory refurbished kit, but you'll probably save $100-150 on the price of a new kit with the same lenses. Cameta is the official Nikon dealer for Nikon factory refurbished products. I've bought several Nikon refurbished cameras and lenses over the years and never had a problem. You still get a 1 year warranty, and the camera comes in the box with all the accessories just like brand new. In fact, you'll have a hard time telling it from a brand new one.

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
17. For the archives you will do well to get a fixed
Wed Jun 20, 2012, 11:07 PM
Jun 2012

focal length lens if you can afford, it, a macro. Oh and a tripod.

As others have pointed "kit" lenses are pretty good these days. I am using my kit lens for even profesional news photography. It might serve you well at the archives as well. IF you can afford it, go for the Nikon 5100 for one simple reason, no not the megapixels, silly wabbit, they stopped matering a while ago... the size of the sensor... at the archives, that tend to be low light, and no flash allowed, might be good to have.

For those use Aperture priority, if you go for auto it will deploy the flash.

(And carefully sucking money away for a pro lens that will be a nice tele, and needs to be fast too)

Auggie

(31,061 posts)
18. I just bought the Canon Rebel T3i
Sat Jun 23, 2012, 01:44 PM
Jun 2012

My wife and I plan to use it professionally. It's a lot of camera -- as simple or complex as you want it be be. The one feature that swayed me is the positionable view finder.

You can view a video on how to use it at www.lynda.com.

 

canonfodder

(208 posts)
19. Either camera is fine
Wed Jun 27, 2012, 06:12 PM
Jun 2012

Sorry this is a bit late.
Just now noticed your thread.
Either the T3 or D3100 will suit your needs. Both are pretty much equal in capabilities.
Physical sensor size is nearly identical. The sweet spot for the aps-c/DX type sensor is right around 14mp.
The D5100 is about a hundered bucks more.
If you opt for the T3, I might suggest you make sure it comes with the MkII version of the 18-55.
I know Adorama has the T3 plus the MkII 18-55, 55-250mm bundle for $650. Not a bad buy.
For your needs, I don't think you really have to go much more.
If you find you really begin to enjoy photography, you can always move up at a later date.

A couple things you might keep in mind when shooting indoors without a flash.
Run your iso up to at least 1600. Higher if you don't mind a bit more noise creeping in.
Set the white point for the type of light.
Do not use aperature priority unless you use a tripod.
Use shutter priority, and go 1/30th of a second. Faster if light permits.

a la izquierda

(11,784 posts)
20. Thanks...
Wed Jun 27, 2012, 06:15 PM
Jun 2012

especially for the tips. I'll be shooting a lot indoors without flash. No archives let you use flashes, and flash popping in 800 year old churches is generally frowned upon (or points you out as an idiot tourist even more than the large camera does).

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
21. If you really need good low-light high ISO performance, you may want to go with Nikon
Wed Jun 27, 2012, 09:35 PM
Jun 2012

Low-light, high ISO performance is one area in which I think Nikon is head and shoulders above Canon. The Nikon D3100 high ISO performance was rated much higher than the Canon T3i by DXO labs. For a little more money, the D5100 is an even bigger increase in performance.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/%28appareil1%29/698|0/%28brand%29/Nikon/%28appareil2%29/692|0/%28brand2%29/Canon/%28appareil3%29/664|0/%28brand3%29/Nikon

The D5100 has the same sensor as my D7000 which has incredible low light performance. You get a lot of bang for the buck with the D5100.

 

canonfodder

(208 posts)
22. six or a half dozen
Wed Jun 27, 2012, 10:08 PM
Jun 2012

Depending on the review site, each has there own subjective review.
Both Nikon and Canon are pretty much neck and neck when it comes to ios performance.
Naturally, it only applies to similar cameras of each.

A few other things came to mind.
Regardless of the brand you choose, see if you have a friend that might loan you a 50mm f/1.8 or better yet, f/1.4.
This would be of great help indoors.
Tripods are a pain to lug around. A nice light-weight monopod fills in nicely.
Make sure you have at least one charged spare battery, and at least one extra SD card.
Remember, the auto flash can be disabled in the menu section.
While you're in that part, also disable the auto sensor clean. Do a manual clean when you change lenses.
Practice as much as possible indoors at home before you go.
I hope you enjoy whichever camera you buy.

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