Hello! Confusion over the Nikon D3200 and the Canon Rebel T3i

Flash619 · Aug 6, 2012

jimithing said:
I wouldn't say the T3i to D90 is an apples to apples comparison. I think the closest comparison in Nikon's lineup is the D5100. Whichever you're comparing I would highly suggest you go to a camera shop and hold them each in your hands and take some shots with them to make sure they feel comfortable. The Nikon's felt too small for me.

Whichever camera you decide to buy I think buying used is perfectly acceptable. If you're patient you can find decent deals on Ebay. There's also craigslist but IMO unless you are able to evaluate a piece of camera equipment in 5 minutes you shouldn't go that route. If you buy something and then get it home only to discover one of the features is broken then you have no recourse. I bought a used T3i with 120 clicks for much less than it would have cost new.

Unfortunettely, WalMart's in the area don't cary many DSLR's, and we have no real camera shops in the nearby area. >_<

I have held one though, but different models may feel different. But I've used both Nikon and Canon, I like them both to be honest, they each are ergonomic.

Well thats part of my worry. I can't actually hold the referbished item before I buy it, I mean, 90 day warrenty..... hmn.

KmH · Aug 6, 2012

Few 3rd party warranties are worth the money. Stores love selling them, because they are very nearly 100% profit.

I've never bought one for any kind of consumer electronics.

Flash619 · Aug 6, 2012

KmH said:
Few 3rd party warranties are worth the money. Stores love selling them, because they are very nearly 100% profit.

I've never bought one for any kind of consumer electronics.

Well, yea. If you buy the warrenty, and you never have to warrenty it while it's in the warrenty period. Then it was a waste. But suppose it does happen after two years, where I go to my new camera, and something small, like the af motor is shot. >_> I would only need the body, but it's still a 800 dollar body. Now I'm not saying that it will live forever. I do understand very well, that it could live through the three years, then die the day after. But It's really luck of the draw, and I honestly, consider my luck to be less than good. I would probably be the only person you know, who would get a referb on a D90, and get it broken four months later. I will admit though, the tablet dying was my fault...... a friend of mine left it outside..... in the rain.

I mean, sure if the camera does break out of warrenty, you can get things repaired. But I worry that those are going to be the same price as a new camera. Of course it depends on sevarity. But still.

The price of everything plus new + warrenty = 1.25k The price referb'd and no third party warrenty = 877. So It's worth discussing.

Also, I should point out, I have not decided on anything at this point, and any idea is still a possibility.

Also, whats your comment on buying referbished from places like Amazon sellers, not ebay.... I won't buy a 800 dollar camera on ebay. xD Not unless I can touch it first. Or at least get exact details and a good return policy.

Flash619 · Aug 6, 2012

So does anyone have any recommended places to buy the Nikon D90 new from? Just courious on your list of stores. ^^

DScience · Aug 6, 2012

It seems as though you are just stepping into the photography world. A word of advice: *many* photographers (including myself) baby their gear. Thus used gear on craigs list is often times the best deal. I have gotten a 85 1.4D in MINT condition a year ago for relatively cheap, and I got one of my most favorite lenses, the 105mm 1.8 AIS for like $150 and the glass on this thing is PERFECT.

Just keep an open mind. I have seen mint D90's with around 1000 count for around $500.

Flash619 · Aug 6, 2012

DScience said:
It seems as though you are just stepping into the photography world. A word of advice: *many* photographers (including myself) baby their gear. Thus used gear on craigs list is often times the best deal. I have gotten a 85 1.4D in MINT condition a year ago for relatively cheap, and I got one of my most favorite lenses, the 105mm 1.8 AIS for like $150 and the glass on this thing is PERFECT.

Just keep an open mind. I have seen mint D90's with around 1000 count for around $500.

3 people in my area on craigslist are selling, but none seem to list how many clicks in the camera's are. >_< *sigh..

Also, the lowest price is 800, which is still about 300 off retail, but the question, is it worth it........ :/

KmH · Aug 6, 2012

Many using entry-level gear have no clue how to use the gear, let alone find out how many shutter clicks. Do you know how?

Flash619 · Aug 7, 2012

KmH said:
Many using entry-level gear have no clue how to use the gear, let alone find out how many shutter clicks. Do you know how?

I know what you mean, but if I where to sell something with a bunch of features, and a nice price. I would look at other used sellers listings to see how they did it. Possibly google important factors to look for while buying one, to know what to show people when selling.

Also, Let me google that for you
No, Until now, I didn't know how. But as I said, I'm in this for learning. ^^;

Anything else I should know?

EDL · Aug 7, 2012

Just be aware the real money in photography is in the lenses, not the body. If you buy into the game and decide to pursue it much, you will invest heavily in the glass. Along the way you'll most likely upgrade/change bodies as you go (as your skills increase, as newer technology comes along, etc). So, make up your mind if you want Nikon or Canon now because once you have a few thousand in glass, you don't want to have to try and switch brands later and start buying lenses all over again.

With that said, based on the stats, etc the Canon T3i is more in line with the Nikon D5100 than the D90. Either way the sub-$1000 cameras are all entry-level DSLR's. That doesn't mean they aren't capable of good shots, it just means they lack some of the features of the higher priced gear, like weather sealing, metal bodies instead of plastic, more knobs and buttons instead of menu diving, etc.

Across the board, pretty much any of the major brand cameras are on par with each other. Some offer slightly different features and depending on the kind of shooting you want to do those differences might dictate your choice.

Nikon is typically considered better for low light shooting as they seem to produce less noise at higher ISO settings (google around and see for yourself). The D3200 you mentioned however may be an exception due to the tighter pixel density on the sensor (tighter pixel densities typically translate into more electronic noise).

I waffled back and forth on Canon and Nikon for a while and ultimately decided on the Canon T3i primarily because I want to do macro and I want the Canon MP-E65 lens ( a dedicated macro lens capable of 5:1..Nikon has no equivalent). Yes, you can do macro with Nikons, but unless you are happy with just 1:1, the set up requires different pieces parts like extender rings, reversing rings or bellows. You can get the same results, but the MP-E65 is self contained, super portable and more convenient. I also wanted the swiveling LCD of the T3i (and it has already been used in the short time I've had my T3i). It makes odd-angle shots from low to the ground, or on a small tripod, or over things much easier. Some don't like or care for a swiveling LCD, but I do.

As for quality of shot, you'll find any number of renowned pro's using Nikon and Canon. Both brands are very capable and produce high quality shots as long as you do your part.

Do yourself a favor and go handle each of the brand/models you are interested in. It does make a huge difference as the Nikons are physically slightly smaller than the Canon. I have big hands so the Canon fit me better too.

Don't get too caught up in all the button vs menu diving as entry level cameras are going to have a lot of menu diving in general vs the higher dollar cameras.

Based on what you have posted, the D5100, D3200, T2i, T3i or D90 would suit you just fine.