New P&S or Old DSLR?

[_amass]

I'm sure you guys get this question all the time, but which would be the better choice for someone just getting into photography?

Would it be more wise to spend money on an older DSLR or the same amount of money on a new Point and Shoot? I'm looking to spend about $300 to get into this. I know it doesn't sound like much, but I want to make sure I want to get into this. So pretty much I've been looking at the Canon 30D. I'm just unsure if it would be wise to get that at 8.2MP or go out and spend $250 on a 16MP Point and Shoot? Any other advice as to which older DSLR model to choose is much appreciated.

Thanks In Advance,
Adam

 

[Buckster]

What do you want to shoot?

Chances are, that 30D and whatever lens it (hopefully) has on it for $300 will be just the tiny tip of the money iceburg that right now seems like it might be managed by your wallet, and it's important that you know that going in.

In no time, there's a REAL good chance you'll need a tripod, off camera light(s), light modifiers, stands, backgrounds, extension arms, radio triggers, other focal lengths (lenses), better apertures for isolating subjects or faster lenses for low light (more expensive lenses), specialty lenses (like for macro or tilt shift), CP and ND filters, remote shutter, software for editing, time and training for learning both the camera functions and the software editing, and assorted equipment in the do-dad categories will add up like you can't believe.

Seriously.

That $300 budget is barely going to get your little toe in the photography door. Just be prepared. This is NOT a hobby for the faint of wallet.

 

[_amass]

I COMPLETELY understand that. I realize it's an expensive hobby, and I'm not nessicarily looking only for a hobby. I suppose it could potentially be a profession one day. That's why I want to not spend a ton but still get something that I can learn on and then move up to more expensive stuff.

As far as what I want to shoot. I have absolutely no clue. I guess my plan is to take pictures of everything and see what I enjoy most. I think it would be landscapes, if I had to decide on one thing. So in the end, it will most likely be landscapes.

 

[Buckster]

I COMPLETELY understand that. I realize it's an expensive hobby, and I'm not nessicarily looking only for a hobby. I suppose it could potentially be a profession one day. That's why I want to not spend a ton but still get something that I can learn on and then move up to more expensive stuff.

As far as what I want to shoot. I have absolutely no clue. I guess my plan is to take pictures of everything and see what I enjoy most. I think it would be landscapes, if I had to decide on one thing. So in the end, it will most likely be landscapes.

If you intend to pursue photography, then definitly skip the P&S and get a DSLR. The 30D is just fine to learn on. What lens does it come with?

 

[_amass]

18-55. From my understanding its a good all purpose lens. After that I'd probably looking into a 70-300.

 

[_amass]

Or a 10-22mm which seems to be better for wide angle landscape.

 

[Buckster]

The 18-55mm is a good place to start.

 

[StandingBear1983]

If you want to learn and advance from the P&S experience, go with the 30D and kit 18-55, its really a different feel then a P&S...you actually feel that you have a good machine in your hands and i think its smart to start like you want to, not to go 'all out' until you know for sure that you want to persue this wonderful hobby\profession\art, learn on the 30D, save more cash while your'e learning, THEN buy the a new body, by the time you'll get a newer body, you'll actually know HOW to take photos...which many skip this stage and just buy new from the start without really knowing if they want to persue photography and then they end up selling it, or worse leaving it to take dust in a cupboard and using it maybe once a year.

You got a good plan there, good luck.

 

[bratkinson]

I moved from point and shoot to a 30D a bit over a year ago. It was a great place to start with DSLRs. Good enough to do everything my old 35mm equipment could do and more!

I found my 30D body only, used, for around $350. I just now checked ebay, they're going for $250ish body only. So if someone has a package deal in good condition around $300 with lens (preferrably the 18-55), decent battery, etc, take it.

 

[Solarflare]

If you want to get into PHOTOGRAPHY then nothing beats the old DSLR. More controls, more control, and often even better picture quality (*). On top of that, you can start getting different lenses that you can plug on more powerful camera models later, at least as long as you either go Canon or Nikon or whatever other company doesnt go the Sony route and completely ditches their DSLRs.

(*) When I say "better picture quality" I talk about better dynamic range, less noise, better tolerance to low light etc, on the fotochip, and much better lens quality, i.e. less resolution, less distortions etc - NOT about more megapixels.

[...] This is NOT a hobby for the faint of wallet.

Or you can choose to reduce yourself to what you like to photograph. Then you dont need most of the stuff you listed. :mrgreen: Just whatever your field requires. Lets hope its not action sports under bad light conditions. :mrgreen:

 

[Dao]

If I were you, I will go with the 30D with kit lens as well.

If you are still debating between P&S and low budget DSLR, you have another option.


The older Olympus mirrorless camera E-PL1 is quite a bargain now (Refurbished about $239 with kit lens and 1 yr warranty) . This type of camera sit between DSLR and P&S. Third party lens manufacturers start making lens for them now.

$239 kit
Olympus PEN E-PL1 Micro 4/3 Digital Camera & 14-42mm Lens (Slate Blue/Black)-Factory Demo includes Full 1 Year Warranty

Others
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[Buckster]

[...] This is NOT a hobby for the faint of wallet.

Or you can choose to reduce yourself to what you like to photograph. Then you dont need most of the stuff you listed. :mrgreen: Just whatever your field requires. Lets hope its not action sports under bad light conditions. :mrgreen:

First, let's make note of the fact that I use the words, "Chances are" and "there's a REAL good chance", but that I have some pretty good evidence to back it up, which I'll note before this post is done. Here's a hint: It's tens of THOUSANDS of posts in this very forum, and hundreds of thousands of posts like them in other photography forums. You will, of course, be free to cite your own sources to back up your own assertions.

Now then, to address your particular assertion: A noob can choose to be forever satisfied with one genre, knows what that genre is off the bat without going through a period of self-discovery and experimentation, and can therefore gear cheaply for that one genre alone.

You actually find that to be a realistic scenario? Seriously?

Sorry, but I don't. From my experience and observation relative to photography, most people want to branch out, experiment, emulate shots they see from others, try new things, and it doesn't take long after getting the basic gear that those impulses kick in. We see it literally ALL THE TIME around here.

It's usually only after that period of learning and discovery and trial and experimentation that people find their "groove", and even after that, they'll occasionally want to stretch out again into other genres to break up the monotony anyway, and that gear they picked up along the way that may seem to spend most of it's time on the shelf or in the corner gets used again.

Like other hobbies or trades that use tools, the person doing it generally has LOTS of tools to address not just the everyday work, but the oddball stuff when it comes up, and they also need or would at least prefer to already have the skills to address them when the time comes.

I call "shenanigans" on that part of your post in particular as unrealistic.

 

[_amass]

Cool beans. Thanks a lot for the help guys, I really appreciate it. Due to having some problems with my car I was unable to buy the 30D but I'm gonna keep saving and hopefully get a camera soon. I plan on sticking around the forums and learning as much as I can.

 

[mjhoward]

I would skip the 18-55 and get the 18-105 VR instead. It is still a very cheap lens but it will likely be the only kit lens you'll need or feel like you need. With the 18-55 you might end up craving longer focal length and feel like you have to get the 55-200 to fill that void. Just get 1 kit lens and start saving for other things like high quality glass, lighting, etc. This of course is assuming you enjoy what you've started and what to take it futher.

 

[_amass]

Figured I'd update you guys on what ended up happening. I ended up getting a really good deal on a refurbished Canon T2i for $470. This was a kit with the 18-55 lens. I just wanted to thank all of you again for the initial advice and support. The camera is supposed to be delivered later today so Ill snap some pics and post them. Thanks again for the advice!