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[drave199]

so i was on here before on getting a camera. http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...ducts/310569-what-camera-get.html#post2810559

anyway i was looking at the t3i but thought to myself; am i not only willing but have the time to really learn how to use it to its potential, especially for $600-$700 dollars? as much as i really want to, i dont know if i have the time or want to invest in something that will not get used properly. maybe someday because i really want this to become a hobby.

so my question is, what would be the next best thing? mirror less camera? price range $200-$400 max

or should i just stick with cell phone pictures until i am ready to learn with something like a t3i?

or do some of you think i should just go for it? is it that hard to learn? are there free courses out there to help teach me? i did take a course in high school like 6 years ago but remember very little. and it was with older SLR cameras.

anyway i appreciate any and all help!

 

[Benco]

second hand DSLR maybe? some of the older model superzoom P&S cameras could be worth a look too, they can give you manual control and a big focal range and they're cheap, nothing like as good as a DSLR of course but you can learn the basics on them.

There's some good essays and tutorials on these sites.

Cambridge in Colour - Photography Tutorials & Learning Community
The Luminous Landscape

 

[deeky]

I'm hearing a lot of indecision. Nothing is going to go well unless you personally decide to commit to it. Are dslr's easy to learn? Yes - auto mode, point, click. Are they more difficult to learn to use well? Yes, it's a process, it's going to take time, work and commitment. There are a ton of resources out there, a lot of them free that will get you going quite well. And there are helps for whatever type of camera you want to use.

Bottom line, whatever you end up doing, you need to commit and own it yourself for it to have a chance of going well. We can't tell you where you are at in those decisions. I can only wish it were that easy. Decided what you ARE GOING to do, and then buy accordingly.

 

[goodguy]

If you want a camera that will be easy on the wallet, easy to work with and maybe potentialy be able to learn how to advance when you find the time/will then why not concider the Canon G15 ?
Its a fantastic camera in your price range, its a point and shoot, has an excellent picture quality both in low and high ISO (takes good pictures in good lighting situation and low lighting situation) is built like a tank (great built quality) has a fantastic lens, shoots JPEG and RAW and if you want to go advance gives you FULL manual control with 2 dials to control shutter speed and apature just like DSLR. If you feel a bit ovewhelmed you leave it on AUTO mode and the camera will do all the work for you.

I have the G15 and its my second body camera and I am highly recommending it to all who doesnt wish to use a DLSR or want to have a smaller point and shoot with excellet performance across the board.