My First DSLR!

[cjpic]

Hello everyone! This is my first post here on the forum. I'm seeking some advice. I'm looking to purchase my first dslr. I have a budget of about $300 to get a used body and lens. I currently take photos on my iPhone. I like taking sunset pictures, landscapes, nature, action shots, and well really anything that strikes my interest. I know that cameras that perform the best in low light are the more expensive ones. However, I would really like to try to find something under $300 that will get decent low light shots. A few cameras that I've been searching and believe could be good for me are:

-Canon Rebel XS
-Canon Rebel XT
-Canon Rebel XSi
-Canon Rebel T3
-Nikon d3000
-Nikon d3100

I am open to others, however I would prefer to get a Canon or Nikon. Please leave me some suggestions either about the cameras listed or other bodies you would suggest I look into. I''m looking for a camera to mostly learn on, however I still want it to be a decent camera that will perform well once I become more knowledgable. Thanks in advance.

-cjpic

 

[TCampbell]

$300 is a tight budget. A T3 or D3100 are based on more current technology than the others. These are "currently" marketed bodies. They're the start of the entry-level DSLR range, but at least they aren't discontinued bodies. The XS and XT, for example, were also low end entry-level bodies, but are so old that they're not currently marketed. The ISO range will be less, the image noise even at moderate ISOs will be greater, etc.

Basically I'd nudge you to go with the "newest" sensor technology you can afford and that would be the T3 or D3100.

 

[cjpic]

$300 is a tight budget. A T3 or D3100 are based on more current technology than the others. These are "currently" marketed bodies. They're the start of the entry-level DSLR range, but at least they aren't discontinued bodies. The XS and XT, for example, were also low end entry-level bodies, but are so old that they're not currently marketed. The ISO range will be less, the image noise even at moderate ISOs will be greater, etc.

Basically I'd nudge you to go with the "newest" sensor technology you can afford and that would be the T3 or D3100.

Thank you for the feedback! What about a d3000? I would prefer a T3 or D3100 but would need to save up longer and I'm looking to get something as fast as possible.

 

[brunerww]

Hi cjpic - if you want a relatively modern DSLR with the kit lens for $300 right now, a used D3000 is pretty much your only choice. As of this post, there are 5 of them below $300 on Amazon right now.

A good entry level body for the price.

Hope this is helpful and good luck!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution

 

[zcar21]

$300 is a tight budget. A T3 or D3100 are based on more current technology than the others. These are "currently" marketed bodies. They're the start of the entry-level DSLR range, but at least they aren't discontinued bodies. The XS and XT, for example, were also low end entry-level bodies, but are so old that they're not currently marketed. The ISO range will be less, the image noise even at moderate ISOs will be greater, etc.

Basically I'd nudge you to go with the "newest" sensor technology you can afford and that would be the T3 or D3100.

Thank you for the feedback! What about a d3000? I would prefer a T3 or D3100 but would need to save up longer and I'm looking to get something as fast as possible.

Don't get the d3000, it is probably one of the worst cameras you can get (read the reviews), a used nikon d80 go 250-300 that's a lot better. If you go with canon I recommend the xsi. However, you might be a few dollars short to get the lens with those two bodies. xt and xti although good are too old.
Let us know what you decide.

Edit: I just noticed somebody is selling a nikon d60 for 165 in the buy and sell section. Add a kit lens for $100 and you're ready, just something to consider.

 

[TruckerDave]

Save the extra money and then get something. There will still be sunsets, buildngs, trees etc etc etc next week or month.

 

[nickzou]

For what it's worth, I think the Rebel XT is a hell of a little camera.The main thing I like about it is that it has a dedicated LCD display panel which only higher end cameras have now. From my personal experience, I think it's low-light performance is actually better than the D80.

 

[cjpic]

$300 is a tight budget. A T3 or D3100 are based on more current technology than the others. These are "currently" marketed bodies. They're the start of the entry-level DSLR range, but at least they aren't discontinued bodies. The XS and XT, for example, were also low end entry-level bodies, but are so old that they're not currently marketed. The ISO range will be less, the image noise even at moderate ISOs will be greater, etc.

Basically I'd nudge you to go with the "newest" sensor technology you can afford and that would be the T3 or D3100.

Thank you for the feedback! What about a d3000? I would prefer a T3 or D3100 but would need to save up longer and I'm looking to get something as fast as possible.

Don't get the d3000, it is probably one of the worst cameras you can get (read the reviews), a used nikon d80 go 250-300 that's a lot better. If you go with canon I recommend the xsi. However, you might be a few dollars short to get the lens with those two bodies. xt and xti although good are too old.
Let us know what you decide.

Edit: I just noticed somebody is selling a nikon d60 for 165 in the buy and sell section. Add a kit lens for $100 and you're ready, just something to consider.

Thank you for the feedback everyone. As right now I'm a broke high school student with only $60 to put towards a dslr. So it's not really the matter of saving up more, it's just saving up. I've been doing some more research and I think I'm going to go with the XSi. It's not too old and seems like a great match for what I want. So I think in a few weeks I'll find an XSi body and 18-55 lens to get myself started.

 

[gmazz]

I bought my 350d body for $50. So just keep a lookout for good deals.

 

[TheBlues]

I love my D3000...but it was bought from a friend, used for $300...so unless you check ebay, you might have to increase your budget.

 

[nickzou]

I bought my 350d body for $50. So just keep a lookout for good deals.

I'm going to keep saying it. The Rebel XT is a freaking great camera. It has its limitations but for the price you can get it at now it is quite amazing.

 

[Gavjenks]

If you're going to continue to be that broke for a long time, I'd suggest the nikon over the canon.

Entirely because nikon is instantly compatible with any lenses going back significantly earlier than canon, notably entirely manual lenses. Back to 1960 or something.

This would allow you to build a pretty impressive lens collection and cover a wide range of shooting styles with old manual glass, yet still be able to shoot digital and have all the conveniences of downloading your images, not paying for film, learning more easily with instant feedback, changing ISO easily, etc.

I'd say that's the best way to get high quality digital images in a wide variety of styles for the least amount of money, as the cost of having to shoot full manual mode all the time.



(Note, you could also do this with a canon and an adapter or two, which would make it a somewhat moot point, but some of those adapters cost like 200-300 dollars, which is double your budget, lol.)

 

[EDL]

SOME of the adapters can cost that much, but many are way, way cheaper than that (less than $25).

 

[Gavjenks]

SOME of the adapters can cost that much, but many are way, way cheaper than that (less than $25).

Oh I was specifically referring to nikon -> canon adapters, since many people would prefer to use lenses from these two brands.

But yes, if you're happy with Olympus or random T-mount brands or whatever, then you can get adapters from < $25. In fact this would probably indeed be noticeably cheaper in the long run. Especially if you find a cheaper brand that consistently yields high quality you can trust, and then stick with them (or if you get a huge lot of lenses from a yard sale all one brand that works for you, then just one adapter). Even if not, though, you may end up saving enough money to cover the loss from a few "duds."

Good plan for the somewhat more adventurous.

 

[gmazz]

You can also use m42 lens with an m42 to EF adapter (which are dirt cheap). Not sure if they make a nikon adapter.