Choices, choices...

[Mr_Mac]

Over the years I have loved to snap pictures and, on occasion, take photographs. When I had my film camera (Minolta X700) I did pretty well with it. While I never made any money or had any of my pictures featured in any magazines or newspapers, I think I did okay with the little knowledge I had. Now, at almost 54 years old, I have decided to take some classes at the local community college to see how I can improve and grow in my hobby. Finding a class was the easy part. Finding a camera, well, that's been more of a challenge!

As with most consumers, at first I was taken by the whole mega pixel thing! I was determined to find a camera with the most pixels I could for my budget ($1,000)! Now, I have settled down a wee bit and am looking at things from a different perspective and looking at the features available to me in each camera.

To date I have narrowed my choices down to the venerable three major players in the entry level field; Canon, Nikon and Sony. I do know that asking everyone's opinion on which camera to buy would be like asking who loves their kids more (parents of teenagers excluded, of course). So, I am looking hard at the Canon T4i, the Nikon D5100 and the Sony A65 (yes, I know, mega pixels).

So, my question is, for those who have previously labored in this decision making process, what features did you decide were most important in this realm of DSLRs and, is that what lead you to the choice you made on which one to buy?

 

[Awiserbud]

I was in a similar situation a few years back and spent weeks scouring the internet reading reviews and asking opinions, I think most people will advise you to buy what they have as you mentioned but in my opinion all those brands you mentioned will serve you well and probably do what you ask of them.
I suppose you have to ask yourself what you will be using it for (standard salesman question) but rarely have i come across a salesman that can answer this and provide you with the most suitable piece of equipment for your specific needs, they will all pretty much do the same thing unless theres a specific feature you think you may need.
It might be an idea to look at what sort of photography you will be using it for most and see which model deals with those situations the best, I do a lot of party and function shoots which sometimes calls for low light level shooting, naturally i chose a DSLR that had good high ISO performance.

 

[Designer]

Mr_Mac; Hi, and welcome to the forum. If I had it to do over again, I would stretch my budget to encompass a full-frame DSLR. I was really looking at the D90, but when it came time to make the order, I went with the D5000 instead. Nowadays, you can get a clean low-mileage D90 for about the same as a new D5100.

Body is one thing, lenses are another. The D5100 needs lenses with the AF motor inside them (designated with an "S"), and will not auto-focus the older motorless lenses.

If you get a body only, be sure to budget for some nice glass. If you go for a new "kit", you will most likely get a fairly good, albeit not the best, lens but what the heck; you can learn with the cheaper lens and save up for better lenses.

I got two zooms included in my initial purchase, and I consider them acceptable for the average hobbyist. I also got a small bag (way too small), and cheap tripod, and a SD card that has very tiny memory. So among other things, I obtained some additional SD cards, and a speedlight.

(edit) by "full frame" I was referring to the sensor size, not the camera frame. The D5100 is a "crop sensor", meaning the sensor is not as large as the "standard" 35mm film frame. Still makes pictures though.

 

[sm4him]

IF it were me, knowing what I know now, I'd consider a lot more than just the "which camera do I like best" question. For instance:

1. What do you plan to take photos OF? Wildlife? Landscape? Sports? Casual shots of your family? Portraits? Macro? The list goes on, and each one may mean the need for a different range of lenses. The lens that is fine for casual shots of your family Thanksgiving isn't necessarily going to make the grade for shooting high-action, low-light sports. A lens for landscape may not be satisfactory for macro work. And lenses...THAT's where all the money starts to get sucked straight out of your wallet!

2. In consideration of #1, what is your photography budget beyond the initial expense of the camera? That is, do you foresee that $1000 as being the bulk of what you can spend for the next year? Or do you plan to be able to buy lenses, flash, tripod, etc in the short-term future?

3A: If the answer to #2 is, there will be no (or very little) budget beyond the initial $1000 for the foreseeable future, I'd probably buy either the D5100 or the T4i. I've loved my D5100, but my advice would be to go get your hot little hands on both models and see if one *feels* better to you than the other. Buy them with the best lens you can afford (whether that's the kit lens or an upgrade), learn to use them to the absolute best of your ability. They are both PLENTY of camera to get amazing results with, if you know what you're doing (which, I don't, but that's another story...lol)

3B: If the answer to 2 is, yes, I'll have a pretty decent budget through the coming year or two to buy additional lenses, a flash, tripod and other items as I discover what I need--then I'd spend as much as possible on getting the best camera body possible, and a kit lens. D7000 for Nikon, no idea for Canon. My thinking on that is the camera body is the "foundation"--that's your starting point, and you might as well get the best you can afford.

That's my 1.75 cents' worth.

 

[Mr_Mac]

Thanks for the info, all! In the past, the shots I took were a mixed bag. There were a lot of shots in nature (we love to hunt, fish, camp, etc.) as well as family portraits once a year, some sports action, and so on! Every once in a while I try to get a bit artistic and toss in an abstract shot just to play/experiment. That said I do know that a good mix of lenses that each do one thing very well is far better than one lens that tries to do all things but none of them well. That I learned from my X700 film camera. That said, I do plan to add to the lens arsenal as I go along but will likely start with a starter kit (camera and single lens) so that $1,000 will go to a better camera to start with.

One thing I have started to look at but haven't really had enough time to investigate is ISO and how that might/might not affect my choice in camera. If someone can point me to a decent tutorial on that, I'd be very grateful!

Again, thanks for the advice!

Mac

 

[Mr_Mac]

I just decided that now was a good time to look up ISO and found out real quick I already knew what it was from my film camera days - ASA. Good to go!

Mac

 

[Patrice]

After the initial excitement of getting a camera then is when you get to know it and use it. A very important aspect of any camera for any semi serious amateur is camera control and camera versatility. Sure, pixels and ISO are important, and to be honest, any of the currently available models will have ample capacity in those, but how the camera functions is just as important. That is why I would select a camera with, as a minimum, separate shutter speed and aperture controls, a depth of field preview button, a programable function button, an exposure comp button and easily accessed white balance and ISO controls.

 

[KmH]

Everything you need to know about buying a camera | The Verge

 

[Mr_Mac]

Thanks for the article! It does help!

Mac

 

[Designer]

Thanks for the article! It does help!

Mac

Yes, that article is very good. It does talk about ISO and how some cameras are better at low-light photography. The example given, the Nikon D3s, is expensive, but lower priced cameras will exhibit differing performance, so be sure to read some technical reviews regarding the ISO range and low-light performance.

 

[Derrel]

Out of the three listed, I would, personally suggest the T4i. If you could wait a few months, I would suggest the upcoming Nikon D5200--which will have a 24MP sensor and a 39-point AF system and be a pretty spiffy lower-mid-level Nikon body.

I don't know enough about the Sony to comment on it.

If one of these three models seems especially "special" to you, you could easily buy that model, and get on about the business of becoming familiar with it, and it would probably shoot good photos for you after a bit of familiarization on your part.

 

[Mr_Mac]

I've been investigating a bit more and have found that if I add just another $200 or so I can pick up a refurbished D7000 and a couple of lenses like this one. I know, some of the accessories like the tripod are less than top of the line stuff, but it looks like a good place to start.

 

[Horsemover]

Any thoughts on the above package?

 

[orb9220]

I've been investigating a bit more and have found that if I add just another $200 or so I can pick up a refurbished D7000 and a couple of lenses like this one. I know, some of the accessories like the tripod are less than top of the line stuff, but it looks like a good place to start.

Not overly exciting price but not bad either. The only drawback is refrubished meaning 90 day warranty. Tho the ML-3 remote,32gb SD card,tripod,etc.. makes up for some of that.

Amazons price is $1197 for body + 18-105vr and the 55-200vr lens is a hundred off promo so comes to $149 or $1246. Which gives you new and full 1yr. warranty as an advantage. Tho I buy all my stuff from craigslist used and never had an issue. D7000 body going $700-$900 without sometimes with the 18-105vr and the 55-200vr sells used in the $125-$150 range. Do love my 55-200vr as been a main walkabout lens for me last couple of years. And the 18-105vr is no slouch an outstanding performer for a kit lens and sharp.

Always comes down to deciding on saving a few bucks vs. buying full new. Whatever you decide the D7000 is an outstanding start. As still shooting my trusty ole' D90.
.

 

[Horsemover]

Not sure about the whole kit thing as I have heard some of the components are not the best but it certainly seems to give you a good start. What does everyone think about something like this package?

New Nikon D7000 SLR with 5 Lens Kit 18 55mm 70 300mm 50mm 8GB Much More 0018208254682 | eBay