Best Digital SLR under 2grand for portraits

[enjoyshanjoi]

Hello
Im a newbie, haha.
Lately I have been tinkering around with my old 35mm film cameras, but i feel that it is time to go digital.

But, i was wondering whats the best digital slr to get that is under 2grand?
It will be used for portraits of people.

thank you so much for any help

 

[Sw1tchFX]

with lenses?

 

[enjoyshanjoi]

Either way, body onlys or with lenses.
The most i will go after lenses is 3 grand

 

[Azuth]

Tough call in that particular bracket. How about a Canon 30D with a 24-105 F4L IS Lens?

 

[usayit]

If I were starting from scratch with around $2k USD as my starting budget, this is what I would get:

Canon 30D with EF28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM and card - $1434

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/494371-REG/Canon__EOS_30D_Digital_Camera.html

add 85mm f1.8 - $340

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12182-USA/Canon_2519A003_85mm_f_1_8_USM_Autofocus.html

add 50mm f1.8 - $80

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html

then start saving for a 420EX flash, off shoe cable, and some sort of flash bracket.

You get a nice proven body w/ media card, a decent IS zoom, and two high bang for buck fast primes for low light and portraits.

 

[DigitalDiva]

I have a 3 year old Canon Digital Rebel 6.3MP and have been very happy with it. I shoot mainly portraits. I concur with others. Go Canon.

 

[JIP]

The D200 is less than two grand http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/407284-REG/Nikon_25235_D200_Digital_Camera_Camera.html and if you say three with a lens well the remaining $1500 can get you much good glass.

 

[The_Traveler]

For portraits Fuji S5 (Nikon 200 with different sensor) and 17-55 Nikon lens.

 

[enjoyshanjoi]

Thanks so much guys!!! especially usayit, big help
So it looks like the 30d would be good
but if i had the money and got the nikon d200 and some lenses ( a little over 2k, but i think i can go three even) would that be better?
Infact, yes i will be able to go up to 3,000 after talking to my family.

So i hate to change topics, but if i had 3k to spend.
what would be the best choice in the 2,000-3,000 range after lenses?
Im guessing the 5d, and the two lenses usayit suggested, and then a 135mm lense (a little over 3, but hey, im glad im able to go up to three)
or would something be better?

 

[fmw]

As a Nikon shooter, I'll recommend something Nikon.

85mm f1.4 Nikkor telephoto lens
Nikon D50 body.

 

[The_Traveler]

Before we get yet again into the Canon/Nikon debate, let me be the first one to say that great work can be done with virtually any body and acceptable to good glass.

The learning curve in photography, digital slrs and the post-processing that they require is a formidable challenge.

Never think for an instant that terrific equipment will mean terrific pictures.

 

[usayit]

Since this is a beginner's forum, I'm assuming you are new to DSLR photography. "The_Traveler" is correct, don't think for an instant that even more expensive/terrific equipment means even better pictures...

With that said.

My advice still stands. Stay at $2k and save your money. Shoot for a while and you will soon learn what you feel is missing in your system. Once you have a feel for the type of equipment you require, purchase that equipment at that time.. no sooner. Buying an even better camera or lens is just pointless at this point (waste of money). The 30D is no entry level camera and most likely more than you need now and for a long time.

Canon and Nikon both offer similar options... don't think for a minute that either is better than the other at an entry level. I recommended Canon simply because I am a Canon shooter....

 

[enjoyshanjoi]

I now see yalls point, and 100 percent agree.
I will stick with the 30d and wait until i at least have some expierience with digital before going and diving in with a powerhouse camera.

Thank yall so much, again.

 

[usayit]

Also you said portraits... lighting, reflectors, fill flash are also involved. You won't know exactly what you need until you get some experience under you belt.

Spending all your budget (and stretching some) at this time and with just a body and lens just doesn't make sense.

 

[Mike_E]

If you go with a Canon, from the examples I've seen, get a Metz flash (maybe a Sunpak 622) or go straight to studio lighting.

Why only portraits? No criticism here just curious.

What ever you get make sure that you get a PC connector in camera. You can get an attachment but that gets annoying. Most Canons by the way (so I'm told) will die a quick death if the voltage is much above 6V from a flash. (Nikon says their cameras are good to 250V, or at least the manual for my D200 says so)

mike