Buying a new camera - help needed

[smeagolsp]

Hi, I want to start clicking on a good camera now. So far I have owned a point and shoot. Which cameras would you suggest to a beginner who often goes on hikes? I am open to buying a DSLR provided its not very expensive. My budget is between $300 to $350

If you guys do not think a DSLR would be a good choice in this price range, could you point me to other good options?

Thanks!

 

[Mike_E]

Your budget is a little low for a DSLR unless you buy used. Try KEH.com or B&H or Adorama' used department.

Whatever you go with pay attention to the lens, that's the part that really counts.

Good luck.

 

[TCampbell]

That budget would get you a refurbished Canon T3 with kit lens (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) from Canon's direct shopping site. That would get you started.

Their refurbished cameras carry the same 1 year warranty as their new cameras and since you're getting it direct from the manufacturer, it's considerably less risky than just buying a used camera from, say, eBay, etc.

Here's the link: Canon EOS Rebel T3 Black EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens Kit Refurbished | Canon Online Store

It'll come with everything to start shooting EXCEPT a memory card... you have to pick up your own card (but those are fairly inexpensive... e.g. maybe $15.)

A DSLR is just a tool which offers you a bit more control over your image capture process than a point & shoot or camera phone. You can, of course, leave the camera in fully automatic mode, but that would be cheating yourself (because the camera just takes middle-of-the-road "safe" exposures when it's in fully automatic mode... it's not creative.) To get the best that it can offer, learn to get out of auto mode and control the camera.

You might want a good book or two to help you learn to exploit the camera's exposure capabilities.

Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure" is a good basic starting book in simple-to-understand language.

Also popular is the Scott Kelby "Digital Photography" series (which I think is up to 5 books in his series now.)

 

[Llamapants]

There are some decent bridge cameras that you can get for that price range. I got my Canon SX50 for $300 ish a couple of months ago and I am finding it lets me start exploring more creative features without the huge price tag that most DSLRs come with. There are some drawbacks of course, like I can't swap lenses, but that's ok for me, the learning curve without that is steep enough as it is.

 

[Stradawhovious]

Buy once Cry once.

If you can't afford what you want now, save up until you can. No sense in a $1000 camera costing you $1350.


If you just can't wait, buy an obselete DLSR on Craigslist fer cheep. The Nikon D70 body (used) will set you back about $100 on Craigslist if you look hard enough, and since it has an internal AF motor you can spent the other $250 on 3-5 older lenses to really get you started.

It may be 10 years old and a bit out of date, but it's DSLR and will allow you to hit the ground running. With the internal focus motor it will open up a world of inexpensive lens options since you can use almost every lens Nikon has produced in the the last 30 years.

My forgettable .02

 

[EJayD3300]

Hi, I want to start clicking on a good camera now. So far I have owned a point and shoot. Which cameras would you suggest to a beginner who often goes on hikes? I am open to buying a DSLR provided its not very expensive. My budget is between $300 to $350

If you guys do not think a DSLR would be a good choice in this price range, could you point me to other good options?

Thanks!

A DSLR would always be a good choice...if you can find one in that price range. It will be difficult. Most DSLRs start around $460.00, on sale, and go up from there. The Sony a3000 might be worth considering, though it may not be all that you would hope for. I recently saw one advertised for $361.46 with an included lens. Another possibility is to get a used camera, and lens. If going that route, a factory refurbished item would be best. Check Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony, etc, and see what they have available in the way of refurbs. Another choice would be to wait until you can afford more like $500.00, and consider an entry level DSLR such as The Nikon D3300.

 

[James Baranski]

Craigslist

 

[TCampbell]

Canon happens to have a deal on the Rebel SL1 going on today... it's a refurbished body (but that means it comes with a 1 year warranty). $323 for the camera & kit lens.

Canon EOS SL1 18-55 IS STM Lens Kit Refurbished | Canon Online Store