Best Combo Under $600

[starscream59]

I realize the same question is asked about 100 times/day and there are near that many responses, but I figured I'd to get a little feedback.

I'm looking to purchase a DSLR for Christmas. Up until august I had a working T2i, since I've been shooting film. I still have my kit lens from the T2i (18-55mm). I was thinking about getting a T3i/T4i/T5i, to stay in the same range of body. But, I was also considering upgrading to a 60D and using the 18-55 until I can upgrade. Or possibly going to a Nikon body with kit lens. My main concern is still image quality, rather than video. One aspect I liked about the T2i, was that it allowed me to use older manual focus lenses with an adapter and still retain metering. I realize that I can use older lenses on a Nikon body, but won't get metering. I'm not quite sure in which direction to go, but I would really like to have a DSLR again... I have a relative who is willing to help contribute to the cost (budget still $600), but their stipulation is that is has to be new, no refurbs, no used.

Thanks.

Edit: Unless someone knows how to get a warranty used...

 

[robbins.photo]

I'm looking to purchase a DSLR for Christmas. Up until august I had a working T2i, since I've been shooting film. I still have my kit lens from the T2i (18-55mm). I was thinking about getting a T3i/T4i/T5i, to stay in the same range of body. But, I was also considering upgrading to a 60D and using the 18-55 until I can upgrade. Or possibly going to a Nikon body with kit lens. My main concern is still image quality, rather than video. One aspect I liked about the T2i, was that it allowed me to use older manual focus lenses with an adapter and still retain metering. I realize that I can use older lenses on a Nikon body, but won't get metering. I'm not quite sure in which direction to go, but I would really like to have a DSLR again... I have a relative who is willing to help contribute to the cost (budget still $600), but their stipulation is that is has to be new, no refurbs, no used.

Thanks.

Edit: Unless someone knows how to get a warranty used...

Well if you'd like to use older, manual focus lenses then Canon would probably be the way to go - but my guess is your not going to find anything new in your price range other than a T3i. If still image quality is more important the Nikon would be the way to go, but unfortunately in your budget range with the incredibly bizarre and nonsensical restriction that the camera has to be new rather than refurbished your options there are also going to be tremendously limited. You might want to explain to your relative that you can get a whole lot more camera for your money by getting a refurbished, and that if you buy from someplace reputable like Adorama or B&H you'll get a full year warranty which is pretty much the same as what you get when you buy new. That would open up a lot of options in your price range and you could get into a really good camera whether it be Canon or Nikon.

As it is if you can't convince them to at least let you look at refurbs, odds are good the T3I is going to be the best you can do with those restrictions.

 

[starscream59]

I figured I could at least consider a D90 or 60D if I could go used/refurb. Anyone familiar with squaretrade or somehow registering your camera gear under renters insurance?

Random thought... Any thoughts on a Pentax K5/K5 II? Not sure if it's a viable option, but they seem to really offer a bang for the buck.

 

[robbins.photo]

If you can go refurb I think best bang for your buck right now would probably the the Nikon D5100 - doesn't have the autofocus motor but for what you'll save you can get a good 50 mm 1.8 that will autofocus with it as well as the standard kit lens

Nikon D5100 16 2 MP Digital SLR w 18 55mm DX VR Refurbished by Nikon 25478 B 0018208254781 | eBay

Nikon 50mm F 1 8g AF s Nikkor Lens Nikon U s A Warranty 2199 0018208021994 | eBay

You'd be looking at a year warranty on both, and with both together I think you'd be just a few dollars over budget - 5 bucks or so. As far as bang for your buck that would most certainly be the most you can get for your money.

 

[robbins.photo]

I figured I could at least consider a D90 or 60D if I could go used/refurb. Anyone familiar with squaretrade or somehow registering your camera gear under renters insurance?

Random thought... Any thoughts on a Pentax K5/K5 II? Not sure if it's a viable option, but they seem to really offer a bang for the buck.

I know a couple of guys that shoot Pentax and love them, I've shied away from them myself simply because the used market for them isn't nearly as large or as prevalent as it is for Nikon or Canon. Since it's not likely I'll be buying new when I do finally go to upgrade, the more options I have to choose from and the more people who are selling either D7000's or D7100's the better from my perspective. More sellers mean lower prices.

 

[starscream59]

I would really like to get a 5D body. They seem to be going for $450-$500, I realize I can't use the 18-55mm, but I could get a nifty fifty till I save enough to get another lens..(I have an old 28-80 kit lens from an EOS 100). The 60D is no longer available from Canon Direct Refurb, unfortunately.

 

[starscream59]

I can get a 60D from Amazon for $599, new. I also have a $50 gift certificate. Anything wrong with that idea?

 

[jaomul]

I can get a 60D from Amazon for $599, new. I also have a $50 gift certificate. Anything wrong with that idea?

No nothing wrong with that idea. The 60d is a fine camera going at a great price now. Image quality will be similar to your last t2i but it has loads more features with better build and performance.

 

[goodguy]

You need to understand something, the T2i as old as it is will produce about the same pictures as would the T3i, T4i, T5i and 60D
Canon has a lovely trick its been doing for couple of years, they have been making roughly the same basic camera and just adding more bells and whistles on it as they went along.
The way I see it there isnt any real upgrade it you buy any of these cameras as you really are getting about the same camera.
If you want to stay with Canon then a true upgrade will be the Canon 70D and sadly that's outside your price range.

The way I see it you have 2 real options, if you want to get better image quality then either keep the t2i and get a better lens or move to Nikon.
The link robbins.photo recommended of the Nikon D5100 is a fantastic deal, the D5100 is a very good capable camera.

 

[robbins.photo]

I can get a 60D from Amazon for $599, new. I also have a $50 gift certificate. Anything wrong with that idea?

The 60d shoots a little faster (5 FPS as opposed to 4), has the higher max shutter speed (1/8000 as opposed to 1/4000). The D5100 has better image quality, in camera HDR, and better low light performance. If it were me and I were shooting sports/action type pictures a lot I might consider the 60d for that reason, but for portraits & landscapes I think the D5100 is the better value particularly when you look at the price difference. Entirely up to you of course, I think both are very capable cameras.

 

[starscream59]

I understand, that the sensor in the 60D is nearly equivalent to the 550D-700D, but I was also fine with the image quality of the T2i, it served my purposes fine. The only issue I have with the D5100 is that it forces me to use AF-S lenses due to lack of a focus motor. With canon I like the option of being able to use older manual focus lenses, as well as cheaper third party lenses (Tokina 28-70 f/2.8), which I seem to lose the ability to do with the D5100. I also like the idea of the weather sealed body.

 

[amolitor]

Using old MF lenses on a low end Nikon DSLR is totally doable, it's just a pain in the butt, and you don't get metering.

 

[DarkShadow]

60D would be a better choice IMO. It's a mid level entry. 5.3 FP, 1/8000 second shutter, weather sealing to command wheels for easy on the fly aperture and shutter speed adjustments, Top LCD display. Don't let that old sensor BS full you @ 18 mega pixels paired with high end glass you get fantastic IQ.

 

[goodguy]

I understand, that the sensor in the 60D is nearly equivalent to the 550D-700D, but I was also fine with the image quality of the T2i, it served my purposes fine.

Then why upgrade to a Canon camera when you know you will get roughly the same picture quality ?

Again I think if you dont want to get the D5100 then keep the T2i and invest the money in good glass.
I personally would go with the D5100 but that's my personal opinion but everyone here will agree with me that better glass=better image quality, better low light performance.
So better get a new glass then a new body that will produce same picture results.

 

[starscream59]

Then why upgrade to a Canon camera when you know you will get roughly the same picture quality ?

Again I think if you dont want to get the D5100 then keep the T2i and invest the money in good glass.
I personally would go with the D5100 but that's my personal opinion but everyone here will agree with me that better glass=better image quality, better low light performance.
So better get a new glass then a new body that will produce same picture results.

As I said in my OP, I no longer have the T2i, it stopped working in August, since then I have been without a DSLR. I am looking to replace it, and I figured if I'm replacing it, why not step up? I would love to invest $500 in lenses of which I can only salivate about for now.