Lucky Guy needs help

[JerryPH]

No, don't listen to people that own these cameras, they are biased... lol

Actually... DO LISTEN, becuase they use the brand and can give you their real life experience with that brand or model, but take it all in stride. Temper their enthusiasm a little, and store that info as you compare.

Having said that, I suggest the Nikon line of cameras, yes, becuase I own Nikon, and have in the past. It is a personal preference.

For a first time dSLR user or a beginner, I would tell you to not go with the D200 or D300 or some other semi-pro level camera. You will get frustrated with it very fast and just not use it as much, get bored and have wasted a $2500 gift certificate.

My suggestion:

- Nkon D-80
- Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 HSM lens for indoors
- SB-600 flash (or SB-800 if it is wthin the budget)
- Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 for outdoors
- Nikon 50mm F/1.8 as a portrait and low light lens
- an extra battery for the camera and with what is left over, lens UV filters and some cleaning accessories.

With this setup, you have an excellent camera that will serve you well for years and thousands of photographs.

Now, you can easily do the same kind of setup in the Canon line and have a camera that will give you an identical level of quality and pleasure. That distinction and fun choice is all up to you.

Good luck!

 

[RyanLilly]

www.dpreview.com
This website has excellent and comprehensive reviews of cameras, before you buy anything, check the review here. Sit down with a pot of coffee or a six pack, because there reviews cover everything and you need a bit of time to read a few of them. Don't buy before reading. Then go try them out at the store.

And good lenses are much more important than the body, with your budget I think you can get a very nice set up to begin with.

Decide what you main subjects will be to start with, if its friends and family and typical walking around town, something like a F/2.8 wide-medium tele lens would be a nice place to start. A lens like that could be from$800-1000, a nice body ~$1K a flash $300, $200- memory cards, camera bag, misc.

That could be your whole budget right there, or you could look at sigma lenses, used bodies, etc... Read the reviews and ask questions at the camera store. They know that you will be spending $2500 regardless so there should be no sales pressure, the sales person won't care I you by one canon L series lens for $2500, or if you buy 10 reels of film.(i have no idea what film costs these days its just and example)

Above all other things, HAVE FUN!

 

[bmwardo]

Let us know what you end up getting. It is a nice "problem" to have