Camera/lens recommendation for a $500 or less budget

[Garvey]

The D3100 is an entry level camera, but it is still a great camera. Now that the new D3300 is out, there will be a lot of stores marking down the D3100 to get them out of their inventory. I've seen prices with a 18-55 Kit lens around $350 - $380 dollars, new. That leaves you with enough budget for a refurbished 55-200 or 300 4.5-5.6 zoom lens. I recently purchased one from Adorama for less than $100, and I can not tell that it is not a new lens. This is still a slow lens (smaller maximum aperture) but, with a tripod or monopod and using a higher ISO, you should be able to get some great shots without going over budget.

 

[g4ptek]

First of all, I'm a hobby photographer. My kids are in sports so I take a lot of pics there which means I use zoom a LOT and also need good action shots in both gym and outdoor settings. I've done a couple small weddings for friends and a few senior portrait sessions. Not in it for money, just to help friends/family out plus I love doing it. Also enjoy nature, landmarks, etc.

I just purchased a Fujifilm S8200 bridge camera in June 2013. I love it, and I'm probably not using it's full capabilities, but I'm looking in to biting the bullet and getting an DSLR camera. I am currently borrowing my cousin's older model, a Sony A230. I took both cameras out last weekend for some comparison shots, putting them side by side in collages to compare (I even wrote down the settings used on each pic). I do like the Sony pics better. He'd sell me the Sony for $100 but I'd want to purchase lenses/filters/etc but the main dealbreaker is it does not take video which I do use quite a bit. Don't want to carry two cameras.

Keeping my budget at $500 or less, I've been told Canon is the best. I'm looking at a Canon T3 or T3i. Is that a good choice?

I'm overwhelmed at the lens and filter options though. I love zoom, want pics with good bokeh, action shots. Where do I even start?

Canon t3i/ 600D is nice for nubie, For bokeh canon prime 50mm 1.8 best for it

 

[HookdOnPix]

I'm considering purchasing sonicbuffalo's used Nikon D5100 on here. It will come with the original 18-55 kit lens.
Can someone tell me:
A) will the following two lenses work with the D5100
B) do they seem like a good deal.

Signma 70-300mm lens

Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens

Thank you!

 

[robbins.photo]

I'm considering purchasing sonicbuffalo's used Nikon D5100 on here. It will come with the original 18-55 kit lens.
Can someone tell me:
A) will the following two lenses work with the D5100
B) do they seem like a good deal.

Signma 70-300mm lens

Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens

Thank you!

The Sigma I think is one without a built in focus motor,so it would "work" if you wanted to manually focus, but it wouldn't autofocus so I wouldn't recommend it. You need one that has a focus motor built into the lens in order for it to autofocus on the D5100:

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Autofocus Lens for Nikon F 5A9306 B&H

Same thing for the 50 mm, the one you have linked is an older version without a built in autofocus motor:

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens 2199 B&H Photo Video

You need the AF-S G version, it's a bit more expensive but well worth it. Fantastic lens.