Help- Beginner looking for DSLR!

[mom.of.many.horses]

I am very uneducated when it comes to cameras. The fanciest one I have owned is a Sony Cyber Shot that I purchased four years ago. I am in need of a simple, easy to use DSLR that won't break the bank. I have tried to research them, visit stores, and read reviews, but everything is just over my head. I really need help and suggestions.

I am in the horse business, and attending weekly horse shows and trying to snap pictures with my current camera is next to impossible. I need something with burst mode/continuous shooting to catch that moment over the jump. I am going to sound totally ignorant, but is this a standard feature on all DSLRs? I would also love one that is able to record video, if possible. I have a good friend who is a professional photographer who has offered to give me a few lessons, all I need now is the camera.

I am not totally ignorant of the price of a good DSLR, but since I am not a professional I don't want to spend huge bucks on one. I am also not opposed to buying a used one, but only if it is in good condition. I don't feel comfortable looking at used ones currently since I don't know much about them, I'm can’t tell if they are in good enough condition or if they are reasonably priced.

So please- educate me further, make brand and model suggestions, and send me links to cameras for sale.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Look at the Nikon D7000 or the Canon 7D

What also matters is a fast lens.

 

[FineBlend]

Keep in mind, if you want to shoot video that won't have a horrible "jello" effect on a dslr, you will need a solid tripod or monopod. The 7d would be a great choice, but I don't know if you would consider it affordable.

 

[SoulXquisite]

-Considering your friend is also a photographer, you could ask them for some insight on your inquiry.

D7000 is a nice camera, but has a price tag to boot, just depends on how far you want to go into photography.
I mean you can get a D3000 and get amazing pictures as well without breaking the bank. my 2cents =)

 

[chito beach]

How much is the bank? price range would be nice

 

[mom.of.many.horses]

Thank you all for your suggestions. My friend has been trying to suggest cameras, but she is busy with pre-holiday shoots and I don't want to take up too much of her time. I have a very tech-savvy friend who has been helping me also, and while I value his advice I though it would be helpful to get feedback from people who actually work behind the cameras.

chito beach, as for my bank: cheaper is always better as long as it is still a quality camera. Under $700 is a must but I would prefer something under $600 if possible.

Some models my two friends have suggested are:
Canon Rebel XS 10
Pentax K-X 16319
Samsung NX10 EV-NX10ZZBABUS
Nikon D40

Much simpler models than the ones that everyone here has been suggesting, but for a beginner who just wants to take action shots at shows for personal use, what do you think?

 

[chito beach]

Thank you all for your suggestions. My friend has been trying to suggest cameras, but she is busy with pre-holiday shoots and I don't want to take up too much of her time. I have a very tech-savvy friend who has been helping me also, and while I value his advice I though it would be helpful to get feedback from people who actually work behind the cameras.

chito beach, as for my bank: cheaper is always better as long as it is still a quality camera. Under $700 is a must but I would prefer something under $600 if possible.

Some models my two friends have suggested are:
Canon Rebel XS 10
Pentax K-X 16319
Samsung NX10 EV-NX10ZZBABUS
Nikon D40

Much simpler models than the ones that everyone here has been suggesting, but for a beginner who just wants to take action shots at shows for personal use, what do you think?

sensor performance and ISO performance I would suggest the Pentax K-X.

The K-X also will be ahead in overall cost savings as the body has the image stabilization rather than the lenses as Nikon and Canon rely upon, that makes the lenses cheaper for the same IQ and less weight also.

The Pentax is also weatherproofed the others are not.

With all the new beginner DSLR's out there I would steer away from buying used........the reason they are selling them is to get better quality than the one they are selling

 

[Light Artisan]

Buy my D300s, it will serve you well.

 

[kassad]

Looks like I beat the other "sony guy" here. If your looking for simple to use look at the Sony A55 or A580 They have 10fps and 7fps shooting rates. In order to get a 10fps rate you'll have to pay a fortune from any other comapny plus get a lot or bells and whistles you might not need.

 

[DirtyDFeckers]

Buy my D300s, it will serve you well.

I'll pick it up from you To the OP... For 600 bucks, you can't get a better camera than the Nikon D3100, Period.

 

[KmH]

....I need something with burst mode/continuous shooting to catch that moment over the jump. ..... I would also love one that is able to record video, if possible.....

This requirement ↑ ↑ ↑

chito beach, as for my bank: cheaper is always better as long as it is still a quality camera. Under $700 is a must but I would prefer something under $600 if possible.

Is incompatable with your budget ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑.

As with most new to DSLR's you are neglecting considering the lens/lenses you would need.

 

[flyingember]

....I need something with burst mode/continuous shooting to catch that moment over the jump. ..... I would also love one that is able to record video, if possible.....

This requirement ↑ ↑ ↑

chito beach, as for my bank: cheaper is always better as long as it is still a quality camera. Under $700 is a must but I would prefer something under $600 if possible.

Is incompatable with your budget ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑.

As with most new to DSLR's you are neglecting considering the lens/lenses you would need.

This

I spent $2100 just on a body and it gets 7fps. It doesn't have video

 

[Stradawhovious]

Try this one. I think there was a recommendation earlier for it.. it does 3fps and high def video. Also, from what I understand, it has great IQ.

Nikon D3100 Hands-on Preview: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Or if this doesn't fit the bill........ Step up your budget and buy what you want the first time, instead of settling out of the gate, and wishing you hadn't.

That's no fun.

Ask me how I know.

 

[sobolik]

Forget the video on a DSLR. I have the Nikon D90 that does video and I am pondering upgrading to the D7000 that does video. If you want a fair amount of video instead of the occasional after thought video then get a stand alone video recorder. You will be much much better off.

If you are totally over your head now then I would reconsider getting a DSLR. they do not lend themselves to ease of use. Kind of looking at some sort of control board and asking "well what buttons do I push" But if you insist then you really need to also identify the required focal length of lens for the horse distance. Let me suggest a Nikon D40 with a 55-200mm lens would do the job nicely. The whole rig can be bought used for about $400

 

[kassad]

....I need something with burst mode/continuous shooting to catch that moment over the jump. ..... I would also love one that is able to record video, if possible.....

This requirement ↑ ↑ ↑

chito beach, as for my bank: cheaper is always better as long as it is still a quality camera. Under $700 is a must but I would prefer something under $600 if possible.

Is incompatable with your budget ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑.

As with most new to DSLR's you are neglecting considering the lens/lenses you would need.

The Sony a33 with 7fps is available directly from Sony for $699