NEW Help me out please!

ChrisMags · Dec 10, 2012

I'm debating on a Nikon or Canon Camera but I don't know which one to choose from. I know that it would be your own opinion but I want to hear out others advice. I really don't know which lens to use either because I don't have experience but I'm willing to learn! I do have a budget which is $1500. I'm trying to create music videos and personal day to day project for my blog with this camera. Any advice would be appreciated!

DorkSterr · Dec 10, 2012

I vote Nikon D7000 + Nikon AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6.

SCraig · Dec 10, 2012

It honestly doesn't matter, they are both equally good in competent hands. Pick the one that feels the best in your hands and never look back.

cwcaesar · Dec 10, 2012

I hear that the Canons are better for video across the range of DSLRs. I however did not buy my camera to shoot videos and have yet to use video mode, so I can't comment on that. However, for pictures, I will have to agree with the previous poster with the D7000. I would add a 50mm or a 35 mm prime lens pretty quick to the lens mentioned above. Good luck in your search!

ChrisMags · Dec 10, 2012

Thanks for replying to my post @DorkSterr @SCraig @cwcaesar I'm really thinking about buying a Nikon D7000 and most likely will post photos in the future.

joshua_ · Dec 10, 2012

Chris,

Is the $1500 just for the camera body or is that what you want to spend for everything you need? Are you looking for a lens/camera primarily for video?

I recently went with the Nikon d3200 and so far I'm very happy with it. I've read on here that video is better on the Cannons though so you may still want to check around.

The camera I went with came with a kit lens (18-55) for about $560.00. In addition I bought a 55-300 and a 35mm prime lens. So far the 35mm prime is my favorite. Due to the crop sensor it is really more like 52mm, but it has been great so far.

The reason I asked about how you are budgeting is just because all of the other stuff adds up quick... you may want a microphone, tripod, extra lenses, batteries, carrying bag for your gear, speed flash or lighting for your videos, extra memory, filters, etc. I started to go with a more expensive camera up front until I started adding up all of the additional costs involved.

I'm a new guy to all of this so hopefully others will help you out. Keep checking around here, I've learned a lot from these folks and from a few good books so far.

Light Guru · Dec 10, 2012

SCraig said:
It honestly doesn't matter, they are both equally good in competent hands. Pick the one that feels the best in your hands and never look back.

Thats right, one other thing to consider is do any of your friends also do photography, if so you may want to go with the same brand that they have. It makes it a little easier for them to help you learn the camera, and it also lets you share lenses with them.

tirediron · Dec 10, 2012

SCraig said:
It honestly doesn't matter, they are both equally good in competent hands. Pick the one that feels the best in your hands and never look back.

Take your wallet and haul your butt down to a CAMERA store, (NOT a big-box store that sells cameras) and explain what you're doing and how much you have spend. The salesman should show you the different models in your price-range, explain pros and cons, and let you play with them. As Scott mentioned ergonomics are very important and almost always overlooked!

ChrisMags · Dec 10, 2012

@joshua_ I'm planning on using the $1,500 on the whole kit and then working my way up. Is their any specific lens for videos? If so lmk because I want to make music videos for my personal project. Thanks for your feedback!

@Light Guru Uhm, I'm looking to take some classes but sadly I don't have friends who are into photography that are local. Hopefully in the future they will. Thanks for your feedback!

ChrisMags · Dec 10, 2012

@tirediron I will sure try local camera stores! Thanks!

joshua_ · Dec 10, 2012

I wouldn't say there is a specific lens for videos, but there may be a lens that fits your needs better than others.

Just my guess, but I'd still imagine for the cost that 35mm will be a good choice. You may want to ask that specific question in the DSLR video section just to see what others who do lots of video have to say about it.

I'd imagine the microphone, lighting, and tripod will be pretty important to you for shooting music videos.

Mully · Dec 10, 2012

See if you can rent one ...try it out You can't go wrong either way but what may be great for me might be a PIA for you. Anyway play with both of them in the camera store ...don't just buy the pretty "girl" she may make you uncomfortable.

TCampbell · Dec 10, 2012

Don't agonize over the brand. You'll find the pros are split down the middle too. If one were clearly 'better' then you'd see a strong alignment toward just one of these brands.

Your skills, lighting, and lens choices will all have more of an impact on the results than the camera body. And that means you might want to budget a little more for lenses and less for the body.

Just about every camera will come with a "kit" zoom lens. That lens will have a variable focal ratio that varies from f/3.5 (on the wide angle side) to f/5.6 (on the telephoto end). Those lenses are great for situations where you have plenty of light, but they don't do as well in low-light situations. Although you can buy a zoom lens with a better focal ratio, those lenses tend to be very expensive (e.g. you'd blow the whole camera budget on just one lens.) SO... I'd suggest you pick up a prime lens (a lens that does not zoom) with an attractive low focal ratio such as f/1.4 (great if you have the budget) or you could save a few bucks by getting an f/1.8 (the f/1.4 will have better build quality and typically more aperture blades -- more blades mean a more "rounded" aperture which means out-of-focus areas look smoother.) But the f/1.4 lenses tend to cost more than double what you'd pay for the f/1.8 version. A 35mm focal length (or something close to it) would be a great choice, although the 50mm is extremely popular.

ChrisMags · Dec 10, 2012

@joshua_ Okay I will look more into it. Thanks!

@Mully I believe there's a spot in Berkeley, CA where you can try out different cameras so I'll go and check it out. Thanks!

@TCampbell Thanks Tim for your opinion and will look more into the lenses.