Complete Newbie - Need Camera + Lens Suggestions for $800-$1,000 budget

[brokerassistant]

Hello!

I work for a commercial real estate broker who asks me to take photos of office buildings (interior and exterior). The broker gave me a budget of a maximum of $800 to $1,000 and asked to purchase a camera for this purpose which would take decent photos above what is possible with typical point and shoot cameras. We want to stay within this budget, but if the budget absolutely has to be adjusted we can probably accommodate it. Can someone point me to the right direction please as I am completely new to photography and have very limited knowledge of the subject. Asking a sales person at a retail store does not seem very reliable.

A few things to keep in mind: We need a wide angle lens to take interior photos (not super wide, but more than a point and shoot can provide). We do not need a telephoto lens. We will only take photos of stationary objects (buildings). We will be taking photos during the day. We will be using a tripod.

Thank you very very much for any help you can provide!


brokerassistant

 

[rickabobaloey]

Sales person at a retail store does not seem reliable? Sure, if it's Wal-Mart. However if you go to an actual CAMERA store, I've found the people to be very reliable and full of advice.

 

[Jarmo]

I have a Canon 550D and it is a very decent camera for the price with similar functions from more expensive cameras. It comes with a 18-55mm kit lens which should be suitable for your needs.

 

[bazooka]

I'm not sure the 18mm on a crop body would be wide enough, would it?

 

[Jarmo]

I'm not sure the 18mm on a crop body would be wide enough, would it?

18 mm is pretty wide. But if it's not enough you could buy the 550D body and a Sigma 10-20mm F4.0-5.6 EX DC HSM. Should be in the budget?

 

[Ouhei]

I'm not sure the 18mm on a crop body would be wide enough, would it?

18 mm is pretty wide. But if it's not enough you could buy the 550D body and a Sigma 10-20mm F4.0-5.6 EX DC HSM. Should be in the budget?

Probably your best bet is that lens and whatever camera body you decide on. You can pick them up used between $300-400 so that leaves you a decent amount for a body. I'd personally recommend hunting for a D90 body, but I'm biased. You should do some reading about the different cameras and go to a store and handle the different models to see what fits you best.

 

[will-jum]

canon 550d, you cant go wrong, great little starter. Be warned you may grow out of it quickly!

 

[ghache]

get a body that has a really nice iso performance and a tokina 12-24 F4 II and a tripod of course
550d or a d3100

 

[brokerassistant]

Thank you all for the advice. After doing a lot more reading and visiting two different camera stores and talking to associates there (who you were right were very knowledgeable and very willing to help), I've decided to settle on the d3100.

The Canon 550 came at a close second, but the features it has superior to the Nikon I have little use for (e.g. bracketing). The $250 savings allowed me to purchase a good tripod, a Hoya HD polarizer lens, good camera bag, remote control, lens hood, class 10 memory card, and a three year accidental protection plan, all with three day shipping for about $900. I should be receiving all the items on Monday or Tuesday of next week.

I might suggest to my boss to upgrade to a better lens than the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR Nikkor Zoom Lens at a later point, but per both associates suggestions and what I've read online, it seems like a good idea to get a better feel for the camera for newbies like myself before doing so.

 

[kacielynch]

If I could go back in time and pick my first camera to shoot with (I had close to the same price range) I would have invested in a Canon 5D. Its Full Frame, and lots of photographers that have since upgraded to the 5D Mk II still have their 5D's as back ups, and I've seen some for around $1000.

 

[kacielynch]

Opps... for a lens suggestion, I recommend starting with a 50mm 1.8. Great lens for the cost!