Best camera for beginner (with budget and subject interest)

[Jeckler]

Hey everyone,

I was in to photography in high school (film) and it's been about 12ish years since I've done anything even remotely related. I am really interested in starting over and am looking to get some ideas on options for my budget and interests. I don't know a lot other than the lurking I've done here over the past couple of weeks and reviews I've read on some cameras.

Budget - $600-800 (Updated: Got a nice bonus at work and can spend a little more. Amazon only still)

I'm really interested in starting off trying to get action shots of my dogs (updated: Main interest is dogs playing, etc. Took out sports as that's out of budget). I'm also interested in sky/lightning/storms/etc (Floridian) but that isn't an immediate need.

I look forward to all your help and getting back into this.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

Edit - I am really interested in mirrorless due to the weight/size due to my hand issues. Been playing with the Sony A6000, but haven't been able to find any others in my area. I don't think I'd want any smaller than that. My main fear from all my readings (sansmirror and all the other articles linked in this thread) it seems like there are very few lens options, and doesn't seem like there are many coming.

I really like the EVF (live view is nice) and it's probably from having not used a SLR in so long.

If I don't go mirrorless then I'll probably pick up a refurb D5200. Any chance that Nikon goes mirrorless in the ASP-C and the lenses carry over? This is probably a lot for a beginner to worry about, but I really want to make sure I invest in something that keeps me interested.

 

[kittywolf13]

I'm curious to see this too as I'm in the market for an upgrade.

 

[Ruston]

This is what I started with and have been very pleased...
Refurbished Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera w/18-55mm DX VR Lens, Refurbished by Nikon #25472B 25472 B

 

[AlanKlein84]

Get a camera with quick focusing that you'll need for sports and dog shots. Also, consider a screen that articulates upwards so you get keep the camera low down for better dog shots on its level rather than shooting down all the time from a standing up position. The camera should have a T shutter setting for timed exposures for lightning. I'm not suggesting any particular models. I leave that to others. Another thing you can do, is call a company like B and H Photo and describe what you need and price range, They should be able to make some recommendations. Good luck

 

[Jeckler]

Get a camera with quick focusing that you'll need for sports and dog shots. Also, consider a screen that articulates upwards so you get keep the camera low down for better dog shots on its level rather than shooting down all the time from a standing up position. The camera should have a T shutter setting for timed exposures for lightning. I'm not suggesting any particular models. I leave that to others. Another thing you can do, is call a company like B and H Photo and describe what you need and price range, They should be able to make some recommendations. Good luck

Thanks a lot. This has a lot of great information to better my search criteria!

 

[ruifo]

For your budget range you will need to start humble and upgrade later.

in amazon, look for:

D3200
Amazon.com: d3200: Electronics

D3100
Amazon.com: d3100: Electronics

D5100
Amazon.com: d5100: Electronics

For sports/action/low light/indoors shots you will need a fast lens, like these marked "f/1.8G AF-S", for instance, for Nikon cameras.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...eywords=f/1.8g+AF-S&rh=n:172282,k:f/1.8g+AF-S

 

[Mashburn]

While I do agree with the above of 3100 and 5100. I would suggest getting a 3100. Because it comes at a cheaper price because it is older. and then when you decide you want to do more, then you can upgrade easier because you saved a little.

but the 3100 vs 3000 is a lot of difference for just a little bit more. you get 4+ megapixels, the ISO is doubled. and you can do movies. and you find it for just 50$ more.

the 5100 is very nice. but it comes with you spending more, $500. and with you wanting to get just a begginer, then I assume you are wanting to test the waters to see how much you like this. and if you like it a lot, then you will be looking to buy a better model in the future. right?

You can always get lenses for it and move it to your next model you buy in the future. So I suggest finding out if you like Nikon or Canon better. and I like nikon better.

Lastly, look at craigslist. unless you do not like meeting people. I just always meet people in a parking lot where it is a high traffic area. (note: I bought my D7000 for 500$ with extra lenses pieces because a guy was upgrading and needed just a few hundred to get there, so he parted on the low side with me. )

 

[Jeckler]

then I assume you are wanting to test the waters to see how much you like this. and if you like it a lot, then you will be looking to buy a better model in the future. right?

Yeah, that's pretty much the jist of it. I was a fan of photography when I first started in high school, but without access to a dark room and not having a lot of money for film, I never really went anywhere with it.

I've always bought P&S Nikons, but it was because they seemed to always be on sale when it was time to upgrade and I just got used to them.

 

[TCampbell]

Action and sports photography are the most demanding. As Scott Kelby describes... you need "a suitcase full of money". He's only partly joking.

Some cameras have fast continuous burst shutter speeds... some not so fast.
Some have lots of focus points and excellent subject tracking... some just a few basic focus points.
Some lenses have fast focusing motors which are snappy to focus... others slow and can't keep up with rapidly changing focus distances.
Some lenses collect a lot of light (low focal ratio)... others are variable focal ratio zooms with moderate light collecting abilities when zoomed in.

It turns out that sports and action photography want the higher end on everything. Hence the "suitcase full of money" comment.

Getting a DSLR camera on your budget isn't so much the problem -- but you'll need to have reasonable expectations about the performance you can get at that price. A single zoom lens with low focal ratio will blow that budget several times over. A decent 70-300mm zoom (not a great one... just a decent one... avoiding the low-quality gear) will probably be some $500-600 on it's own.

You'll want to shop for "refurbished" gear (sold directly by the manufacturer's online store) or shop for used gear that's still in decent shape.

 

[Derrel]

The Nikon 70-300 AF-S VR-G is the best 70-300 Nikon has made, and is available used for $300-$349, and would be the best quality lens you could probably buy for under $500. The budget is realllly tight for a d-slr and a lens...you'll have to 'settle' somewhat. From Amazon or BestBuy, you ought to be able to get like a D3100 refurbished kit with a simple zoom for under $450 total check out price. IF at all possible, go for the newer, better-sensored D3200, and maybe look for that refurbished.

 

[Jeckler]

Action and sports photography are the most demanding. As Scott Kelby describes... you need "a suitcase full of money". He's only partly joking.

Some cameras have fast continuous burst shutter speeds... some not so fast.
Some have lots of focus points and excellent subject tracking... some just a few basic focus points.
Some lenses have fast focusing motors which are snappy to focus... others slow and can't keep up with rapidly changing focus distances.
Some lenses collect a lot of light (low focal ratio)... others are variable focal ratio zooms with moderate light collecting abilities when zoomed in.

It turns out that sports and action photography want the higher end on everything. Hence the "suitcase full of money" comment.

Getting a DSLR camera on your budget isn't so much the problem -- but you'll need to have reasonable expectations about the performance you can get at that price. A single zoom lens with low focal ratio will blow that budget several times over. A decent 70-300mm zoom (not a great one... just a decent one... avoiding the low-quality gear) will probably be some $500-600 on it's own.

You'll want to shop for "refurbished" gear (sold directly by the manufacturer's online store) or shop for used gear that's still in decent shape.

Excellent information. Based on the previous posts, I did see how quickly it can get out of hand. The absolute #1 priority for me is going to be working with my dogs. I can definitely temper my expectations as I am well aware I am not a pro, nor do I have the budget for that kind of gear.

Either way I'd like to get into something and be able to take a shot (no pun intended) at some fireworks tomorrow, but I definitely don't want to rush a decision.

Appreciate all the great information from everyone. Quite the warm welcome to a beginner.

 

[Jeckler]

I've ended up with some extra credit, so my budget to get started is a little bit higher. ($500 at Best Buy/Amazon to be exact)

So far I am looking at these

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-alpha-a58-dslr-camera-with-18-55mm-lens-black/8753642.p?id=1218890195538&skuId=8753642&st=categoryid$pcmcat180400050000&cp=1&lp=2
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/nikon-d3200-dslr-camera-with-18-55mm-vr-lens-black/4826999.p?id=1218542603974&skuId=4826999&st=categoryid$pcmcat180400050000&cp=1&lp=2 -- This one puts me a little over but not much.

Didn't really find any Canon's that match up specs and price wise.

 

[ruifo]

Both are great.

 

[Jeckler]

Both are great.

Is there any major downside to Sony? Or that it has a digital view finder? I had a Konica Minolta SLR and thought I read the Sony might take those lenses?

 

[ruifo]

Sony and Nikon are business partners. Sony does some of Nikon's sensors, for instance. So the camera bodies from both are really good.

The main thing you have to decide is which system to "marry" with. Once in the future you may be buying new lenses for this system, that will make any change of system in the future a hard thing to do. I "married" with Nikon, and today I have many lenses for the Nikon mount. It is more and more hard to change from Nikon to Sony or Canon, or whatever other DLSR brand. But I am pretty happy with my Nikon choice.

As both cameras are great, try to concentrate which system will make you more happy in the long run. Consider the number/quality/price of lenses, superior camera bodies and assessories in general. If you fall in love for the DSLR world, you really have to consider that.

I'd recommend Nikon just because that was my own choice. Nothing else. But in fact, Sony, Canon, Pentax etc. are as good as Nikon. My personal choice was based on the number of lenses availible (Nikon has a bit more), its quality, the higher megapixel (that most people just don't like), and the personal recommendations of some Nikonian friends I have. If I had more Canionian friends, or Sonian, or Pentaxian friends, I could have gone a different way. Most chose Sony because Sony is really trying to be a head of Nikon and Canon on tech improvements, and that's a fact nowadays, like mirrorless, and eletronic viewfinders etc. Some prefer the old way, with optical viewfinder and heavy SLRs etc.

Read this article:
Nikon vs Canon vs Sony

It will give you some tips about what I am trying to say here.

In the end, it's all about you.

Several sites show head to head comparison as well. Take a look in some of them here:
Sony SLT Alpha 58 versus Nikon D3200 - Side by side camera comparison - DxOMark
Nikon D3200 vs Sony SLT A58 - Our Analysis

Most of the sites give more advantages towards the D3200, not to the A58.

Here are my Nikon D5200 sample shots, with several different lenses:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruimc/sets/

Have a look and let us know who will you "marry" with. Good luck!!