Budget DSLR for a beginner?

Calerid · Jul 27, 2012

Hello,

I am currently shooting with a Panasonix DMC-LX3. I am limited to a budget of about 470 Dollars. I would like a camera with at least 4 fps, and around a 16 RAW buffer. I do not want a fixed lensed camera. I would like it to be configurable and not a point and shoot. I know all the Nikon options right now, What is the Canon alternative right now? I know that I won't have the best camera for this price. What are some suggestions?

Solarflare · Jul 27, 2012

You are aware you also need lenses ?

If you just buy a camera body theres nothing you can do with it.

(Well ok you could make a very overpriced pinhole camera. Or you could start cutting your own lenses like in the good old days)

bratkinson · Jul 27, 2012

When I made the move from point and shoot to DSLR a bit more than a year ago, I looked around at the used market and found a very good condition Canon 30D and a new EF-S 18-135 at a very good price. I think the total came in about $600. Today, I think a used 40D and the same lens, used, would probably be in the $500 range. Instead of a 40D, used Canon Rebel T2i or T3i bodies might be in the same ballpark, as well.

I found mine on ebay. Of course, I only dealt with sellers with very good scores and had previously sold camera gear. Craigs List may also yield some good deals. But as always, "Caveat Emptor" (Let the Buyer Beware).

One thing more...you'll need a flash for most indoor work with any lens with a maximum aperature 3.5 or smaller (higher numbers are smaller aperture sizes).

samu · Jul 27, 2012

i started with 500d and 18-55 is lens, and later bought 18-135. I think 500D and 18-135 would be very good opinion when thinking buying first Dslr. Not very expensive and pretty good starter kit.

rlemert · Jul 27, 2012

If you're uncomfortable getting something "sight unseen" off the internet and have a reputable camera store nearby, you might find a pretty good deal through them. Even if they don't have what you want at that time, they could give you some idea of how often they get new inventory, and can even put your name on a list to notify if they get something in that would fit your needs.

This is the route I went when I got my camera.

enzodm · Jul 27, 2012

DSLR Cameras | B&H Photo Video (new, but 3fps only)

Used, various to check: Used SLR Digital Cameras | B&H Photo Video

KmH · Jul 27, 2012

Per the Beginner's forum description, this thread was moved out of the Beginner's forum:

Calerid · Jul 27, 2012

Yes, I know very well that I will need lenses. Most of the lower end DSLR's come stock with usually an 18-55mm anyways. I realise that half the battle is getting good lenses for what you need at the time. I was looking mostly at the D5100 in the first place, but I want to know all the options. I know and like Nikon, I believe that as far as optics Nikon makes the best. I also know that to get Nikons "best" you need a wallet with a good chunck of change to throw down.

sm4him · Jul 27, 2012

I can't offer you any opinions about Canons, but there's a D3100 for sale by Markw here for less than you'll find it just about anywhere else. It's the body only, but you can pick up the kit lens or another beginner lens used and still be under your budget.

enzodm · Jul 27, 2012

Calerid said:
I know and like Nikon, I believe that as far as optics Nikon makes the best.

among the best - typically some is the best in its category, some not. If one brand is the absolute best, the others sooner or later disappear, and at present Nikon has yet to reach Canon in cameras sold.

Calerid · Jul 27, 2012

Thanks, I am familiar with B&H and I have found this a very resourceful tool. There are some good deals on there.

Calerid · Jul 27, 2012

I do not believe that sales make the argument of better. If so then it could reasonably be said that people do not have the money to purchase higher quality products, or that Canon is simply for beginners and there are more beginners. So I stand by my statement. I was asking a question about what cameras are available in my price range, I would truly appreciate it if the focus was kept on the question at hand instead of making points out of my responce to a comment. I do appreciate your looking at this though!

3bayjunkie · Jul 27, 2012

I always recommend beginners to start out shooting with film. You will have much more respect and appreciation for photography and will . learn some thing that dslr shooters might miss

But no one listens to me.

I started with my first SLR in 2007. DSLRs were available but i was shooting film and i learned a lot without any help from forums or other people.

o hey tyler · Jul 27, 2012

3bayjunkie said:
I always recommend beginners to start out shooting with film. You will have much more respect and appreciation for photography and will . learn some thing that dslr shooters might miss

But no one listens to me.

I started with my first SLR in 2007. DSLRs were available but i was shooting film and i learned a lot without any help from forums or other people.

No one listens to your advice because you can learn and experiment with digital and not have it cost money. Film is much better and more rewarding to shoot when you know what you are doing.

3bayjunkie · Jul 27, 2012

o hey tyler said:
No one listens to your advice because you can learn and experiment with digital and not have it cost money. Film is much better and more rewarding to shoot when you know what you are doing.

Well i learned with film and a 70-300mm lens shooting people and cars and random stuff and i always thought it looked good. Not really that expensive either. Buy a camera for $100 and you just saved $1500 you would have spent on a dslr. Now you have lots of extra money for a good lens or some film... This day and age everyone wants some instant gratification with digital, well i actually enjoy getting my photos back from the lab and seeing the results. To me it is more exciting to wait. But i also always got excellent exposures back it gave me the confidence in my equipment. With digital people have an impulse to look at every photo right after they take it and i think it disrupts the work flow when trying to learn the art of photography. Most newer film cameras have pretty food light meters so you can trust you will get a decent exposure.

Dont get me wrong. This is not a completely biased opinion. I did shoot with a DSLR ( nikon d 7000) for a year while i was in iraq. It was impossible for me to get the film developed there so it was convenient. But i sold it because it just wasnt as exciting as using real film. Film has a nice look to it. Digital looks too clean and perfect for my style of photography. I like it to be natural and organic.

I think i might try a poloroid back on the contax 645 though. That would be fun to mess with.