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bubbie

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Hi all - I am new to this Forum! So far it's pretty amazing, so glad I stumbled across it!
I need some help, I am looking to purchase a SLR camera -
Something relatively low cost (haha, I know!!)
good camera for landscape shots and outdoor shots in general
something relatively easy to use
something with high MP
something good for a beginner yet will grow with me and the experience I gain
I like the feature of the Rebel with the movable screen

Also when is a good time to purchase a camera? I heard it's best to bbuy one in February.... I cannot remember why tho.

So, what do you think?!?!
 
An SLR has no MP-it's a film camera. You are looking for a DSLR.
You need to give us a budget for this.
MegaPixels do not matter. Billboards were printed with 2 and 3MP cameras. If you want more information on it google The MegaPixel Myth
There is no best time to purchase a camera. The prices do not fluctuate much at all and other than the black friday sales? you aren't going to find any amazing deals in any specific month.
 
What is your budget. Are you willing to buy used from retail or private sellers?
 
The most important thing is price range. What's yours?

You've listed some pretty demanding specs for a 'low cost' camera.

I'm going to suggest that you not be as concerned with megapixels, it's not something that you really need to take into consideration when purchasing a camera for the first time. Trust me.
 
An SLR has no MP-it's a film camera. You are looking for a DSLR...
Just because I'm in that kind of mood... "SLR = Single lens, reflex", that is, a camera which has a single lens, and uses a reflex mirror to project the focusing image through the pentaprism/mirror to the eyepiece. It matters not a whit whether it is a film or digital body; the "D" in "DSLR" is something that came about with the advent of digital SLR technology to allow the consumer to easily distinguish between film and digital bodies. ;)
 
high MP will be taken care of by buying a DSLR. Basically any DSLR you buy on the market today, the MP count will be more than good enough for any purposes you'd use it for. At this point MP count is just a marketing ploy, for all intents and purposes.

You'll probably want to look at the Canon T1i or the Nikon D3100. I have the D3100, but you can't really go wrong with either. Low light was a little more important to me, and Nikon has a slightly better reputation with low light, so I went with the D3100. I'm probably about ready to move up to a D7000 at this point, but I'm forcing myself to stay into this for 6 months before I allow myself to move up the chain. The D3100 still serves me really well. The image quality is outstanding, and on pure image quality, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between it and a D7000.

It's also pretty easy to get started with for a beginner, though to take full advantage of a DSLR, you'll have to read up and study on how to use all of its more advanced fucntions, because that's really the whole point of buying a DSLR, to take advantage of all the custom settings, and advanced features they have. If you just want a great image, that's easy to use, you might actually look at the Canon S95. it's a point and shoot, but on pure image quality, it can come pretty close to matching a DSLR that's on auto mode. Where a DSLR blows the S95 away isn't image quality, it's the amount of control you have over it (DSLRs do have a larger sensor, and do have better image quality than the S95, but the effect isn't huge, and most people new would be hard pressed to tell the difference in pure image quality).

movable screens are certainly nice, but when you actually use your DSLR, youll find that you use the viewfinder more than the screen. They're mostly an expense you don't need to begin with. With DSLRs, you mostly shoot from the viewfinder, not the screen, like a point and shoot.

As far as landscapes and outdoors, most cameras can be bought with a kit that will have a lens that covers the 18-55mm range, which will cover a lot of landscape and outdoors needs. To get the big sweeping vistas of a landscape, you'll want a small mm number (called a wide angle), the 18mm end of a kit lens will mostly give you this. For zooming in on birds, and other animals, you'll need a high mm number on your lens (the 55mm end is okay for this, but if you're big into shooting birds, you'll fast want a telephoto lens, something in the 55-300mm range or thereabouts). The camera body itself doesn't make much of a difference with whether or not it's good for outdoors or not, the lens is the big thing there.
 
It all depends on your price range, like most people are saying. The Rebel series is a great place to he started, especially if you'd eventually want HD video later.
 
How many of the Rebel's have a moveable screen?

Looks like just the EOS Rebel T3i/EOS 600D/EOS Kiss X5
 
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How many of the Rebel's have a moveable screen?

The T3i does, and on the next tier up the 60D has an articulating LCD as well.
 
With all the downgrades from the 50D to the 60D, it's hard to consider the 60D on a tier above the Rebels.
 
Well, the 60D shoots faster than all the Rebels. Not as fast as the 50D however. Not sure why they didn't keep that in the same ballpark. However, the video is quite good, which the 50D didn't have. The color depth, ISO performance, and battery life are all solid improvements though.
 
Wow, you guys rock!!
Ok - My price range is between $400-$600. This is just to start. I know I can add lenses at a later point. I am also looking at new and used cameras. I have looked on Ebay and Amazon and various other sites but if the price difference is only a small amount, i would rather purchase a new camera.

I have also been looking at film SLR cameras but I am not sure I would keep up with developing the film. I don't do it myself and I still find rolls of film from 10-15 years ago, i didnt have developed.

I was unaware of the MP myth - I always thought it was the most important thing in purchasing a camera. I know I sound like a complete moron sometimes because I am so new to this but I want to learn and I know this is a perfect place to do it.

So, what else do you need to know - Budget is $400-600; looking at new or used; I can add more lenses at a later date. :)

You guys are awesome btw!
 
Is the D3100 good for pictures a night? I noticed you mentioned something about low light.
 
For your price range, get a T2i and kit lens for around $600. Flip out screens are for wieners. :lol:
 
Agreed I have the 60d, the flip out screen is not something I care about much. May be nice for self portraits or some odd ball stuff. I'd buy a used 50D, you can get them pretty cheap and might find one with a decent lens. If you are patient buy used, lots of good deals for those who wait on craigslist.
 

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