need help deciding on my first dsl.

frankgtrs · Mar 25, 2012

hello everyone my name is frank and i am completely new to the dslr world ( actually i haven't even entered yet ). so my question is which camera do you recommend so far i've looked at the d5100, slt a55, t3i, 60d, and even thought is pushing my budget by quite a bit the d7000.

im kind of leaning towards the slt a55 and the 60d because i don't like the d5100's auto focus and the t3i is only $100 less than the 60d when you account for the kit lenses. and the d7000 is quite a bit more expensive yet i can't find any defining feature which would make me buy it over the slt a55 or the 60d.

so which one do you recommend specially between the slt a55/a57 or the 60d i don't know why but it seems most pictures online taken with slt's aren't quite that good ( this might be the lenses the photographers or i don't know maybe just the auto focus) and the electronic viewfinder doesn't bother too much since i am a noob so im not used to anything in particular. also which cheap lenses do you recommend by cheap i mean the closest to $0.00 the better but under 300 maybe 400.

thank you

Snakeguy101 · Mar 25, 2012

What are you wanting to use it for? Are you wanting to expand your gear later to lighting equipent etc? Do you understand the exposure trinity and how to shoot manual? have you thought about getting a factory refurbed camera or a used one to start?

Mrgiggls · Mar 25, 2012

First time posting on these forums, but I just wanted to say that you're not really choosing a camera so much as choosing a camera system.

With the 2 giants like Nikon and Canon, I personally wouldn't consider Sony. I'm a Nikon guy. I'm a Nikon guy because I think that Nikon offers better lenses in the enthusiast level, and their ergonomics/ease of use wins over Canon.

Really though, you can't make a bad choice between the 2 companies.

As far as bodies go, that decision shouldn't worry you much. Digital bodies today, even the entry level ones, are capable of capturing amazing images, and I agree with Mr. Rockwell that MP's is almost a useless figure when shopping for a body. Far more important is getting the right lens for the job, and making sure you are driving your camera correctly.

frankgtrs · Mar 25, 2012

well i don't have a specific photography style but i do know that good low light situation is a big plus for me that said i don't know how much low light performance is enough as i don't have experience with dslr's other than my cousin's 60d. and yea im familiar with the exposure trinity i've never heard that term to refer to it but if you mean aperture,ISO , shutter-speed then yes. and i usually shoot manual with my point and shoot and my cousin's dslr. and i also plan on on buying a lightly used or preferably refurbished camera over a new one unless i decided to go with the a57 which isn't out yet so i would buy new.

apples · Mar 25, 2012

Nikon has better low light performance, which is what you want. But your cousin does have a Canon you might be able to share accessories and lenses with, and you have previous experience (if its a good one, mind) with it...either way you cant go horribly wrong.

Mrgiggls · Mar 25, 2012

And to add to apples post....for indoor/no flash shooting this is one of the best ways to spend $200 I can think of.

Snakeguy101 · Mar 25, 2012

I went with a Nikon d80 refurb. It was inexpensive and a great camera. I really like having the 2 dial to control the shutter speed and apperture. ISO can be controlled with a simple push of a button a turn of a dial too which is much easier than going into the settings on the LCD and searching through the menu to do it like many of the new entry level slr's make you do. The low light performance is pretty good with the right lens and settings but not amazing (you get what you pay for). I am currently expanding into flash photography and this camera has a nice commander function for the built in flash and essentially has all of the features I need as I expand my skills.

My recomendation would be a good used/refurbed d70 or d80 or if you have the money for it, a new d90. They are great cameras.

ClickandDestroy · Mar 25, 2012

I agree with above post. Get a decent used camera (d80 d90) and spend the rest of your money on a lens.

Glass covers your a** is what I always said. Good glass makes up for any fault your low end body could have.

Dont even bother with kit lenses because they're garbage. Especially if you are thinking of doing low light no flash.. Sure they may do the job bit paying 200 extra with a body for a kit lens isn't worth it. Buy a d80 off Craigslist or eBay for 250-350 and spend 110-200 on a 50mm 1.8 or 35mm 1.8. Those are fixed lenses and will teach you how to frame and compose while giving you amazing Low light performance.. Take it from me. I made the mistake of buying a kit camera (d3000) only to lose 200 off of it to buy a d90 body.

Also keep in mind your investments.. Go up on the camera scale not sideways. D40 d60 d3000 d3100 d5000 d5100 are almost all the same. Just different prices. I sold my d60 to get into a d3000 only to be disappointed. Even though I could be doing nearly the same things still on my d60 that I do now on my d90.

Mrgiggls · Mar 25, 2012

The D80 and it's generation of bodies are as capable of capturing great shots today as 4 years ago. But having said that, I would not, under any circumstances (unless maybe it was free) choose a D70. I say this simply because the crappy 1.8" LCD monitor is almost useless. I had a D50, which was one of the best low-noise sensors of it's generation, and would probably still be using it today except for the fact that the monitor is so poor. I would go out and shoot a while, and when I got my pics on my laptop find several shots that I thought would be keepers were junk when seen on a better monitor. The big, bright and silly-sharp 3" monitor on my D90 was nearly worth the upgrade cost itself.

frankgtrs · Mar 25, 2012

thanks for replying everyone. ummm so no sony.. thanks for suggesting the d70-d90 i had consider them before but even used they are more expensive compared to the d5100 and from what i understand the video and image in the later are a bit better. from what i gather the d90's biggest advantage over the d5100 is its better build body and that because it doesn't have the tilt/swivel screen many of the controls are easy to access i'll definetly look into them again.

can any of you tell me which do you use more manual focus vs auto focus in both video and or photos

Mrgiggls · Mar 25, 2012

frankgtrs said:
can any of you tell me which do you use more manual focus vs auto focus in both video and or photos

I can't comment about video on a DSLR, but the only time I manual focus is if I'm doing macro-photography.

Also, The D90 gives you an internal focus motor, which the D5100 doesn't. Some of Nikons best values in lenses are non AF-I/S that require a in-body motor to auto-focus. The 50mm f/1.8D for example. Dirt cheap but fast and sharp.

sovietdoc · Mar 25, 2012

Before you buy anything, you really have to ask yourself what do you want to do. Once you decide on what you will be shooting with it, then you look at all cameras available to you and pick a few that will do exactly 100% of what you want.

Then you refine that set comparing prices and their various ablilties. Obviously D7000 is the best choice but it may not be the best because you won't use it's features and capabilities, which in the end, will make it useless to pay that much more of a price.

Like people have said here, choosing Nikon or Canon is not much of a choice in different camera bodies, it's more of a choice of a system.

What I would suggest is, look at their prices, look at their accessory prices, lens prices and etc. Find what you think you'll use today and/or in the future and compare reviews/stats/prices.

It also helps to stop by your nearest camera shop and try different bodies in your hands. You want you camera to feel right in the hand. Oh and lastly, just make sure you're getting exactly what you need. Not less, not much more way over your head, but exactly it (maybe with a little headroom to learn). If you find a camera that feels good and you get this feeling about it, it will be the right choice for you to make.

Just do your homework right and understand what you want versus what the camera can do.

greybeard · Mar 25, 2012

I have the d5100 but I can tell you that any modern entry level DSLR is capable of capturing great images. I would recommend either Nikon or Canon as they make equipment for a photographer at any level. I personally think Nikon's lower priced lens offerings are the best bang for the buck out there but, that is just my opinion.

frankgtrs · Mar 28, 2012

i went to the local camera store yesterday ( B&H ) and held the d5100 60d and d7000 and i kind of fell in love with the d7000. it felt like the first time you sit on porsche 911 it'll be at least a few years before i can afford the Porsche but if i stretch my budget a bit i can get the d7000, so i think i'll go with that after all its not like i was going to anything with that money its just that the most expensive thing i've ever bought its $350 for a wacom tablet and spending $1200 makes me uneasy. im not completely decided however.