Newbie to DSLR: Looking for a Camera to Shoot Landscapes during Hiking

[Furashu]

Hello,


I am an avid Hiker in Southern California and I want to start getting into DSLR technology to capture the mountains/trails that I hike.
I hike during the morning/afternoon.
That will be the main purpose of the camera at first, but eventually I just want to be able to take cool photos during traveling( i plan to go to hawaii and new york in the next 9 months)

I've been reading introductory guides all day, and I am not sure which camera to get?

I've been looking at the Canon XSI, and the T1i, T2i and T3i.
I found two XSi for $200 body only on my local craigslist and t1i body only for $360.
See a few deals for the t2i refurbished with a lens kit for $550ish online.
The XSI being the cheapest, but it doesnt have the video feature and the jump of ISO between the t1i and t2i is huge...( might be beneficial if i want to take photos at night?)

I'm not 100% sure if I want or need the Video Recording feature, though it would be nice to have.

I am trying to spend less than 550 USD on a body and one lens for now.
I know a Tripod would be very important too, but I need to consider weight( if i Hike over 10+ miles)

What are your thoughts?

I am okay to look at other cameras too, those were the ones i did the most research on.
I am not sure which lens would be good for me.

I am in no rush to buy, I can save up money, but I don't want to spend too much money... I understand lenses are very expensive!
Just looking for advise before I buy, I'd rather have a plan first before i start dropping the big bucks haha.

Thank you.

 

[tirediron]

Any of the Canon Rebel series, Nikon 32/5200, or entry-level Sony or Pentax will do all that you want feature-wise. My suggestion would be to go into a store with a good used & new department and try the various cameras until you find the one that you like the best. There's going to be very little difference between them for landscape work. Nikon and Canon have the widest range of accessories, but are also the more expensive.

IF you're going to get a tripod (a very useful accessory, but a polarizing filter is even more important) than look for a nice, second-hand Gitzo or Manfrotto carbon-fibre unit. DO NOT buy some cheap <$100 Best-Buy piece of junk.

 

[Furashu]

Yeah not going to gimp on gear, but don't wanna spend a zillion dollars either.
Thank you for the advice on the tripod. That will be purchased later down the line. Though I can't be lugging around a HUGE tripod during hiking... will have to look into lighter or smaller ones haha.

I'm just trying to strategize on which body + lens would be a good start.

 

[Furashu]

I did some research on lenses, and am considering Canon 10-22, Tokina 11-16 or Sigma 10-20 for the wide angle...
though the average price is between $450-650, what do you guys think?

are there cheaper lenses that will give me the same result assuming i go with a rebel camera?

 

[shefjr]

I did some research on lenses, and am considering Canon 10-22, Tokina 11-16 or Sigma 10-20 for the wide angle...
though the average price is between $450-650, what do you guys think?

are there cheaper lenses that will give me the same result assuming i go with a rebel camera?

I don't know the answer to your question. That said, I have heard nothing but good things about the Tokina 11-16 2.8. That is my next purchase.

 

[Furashu]

do you know if the version two for the Tokina 11-16 is already out?

Assuming it makes the version one price drop, i will just wait.

 

[bratkinson]

Since you're hiking, I'd probably defer on getting a tripod. Unless you're shooting nightscapes or inside of caves, natural sunlight, even cloudy and rainy days, should not be a problem when shooting handheld.

As for a camera, as mentioned above, any of the Canon Rebel series should be adequate. Note, too, I'm a Canon shooter. I'd also recommend a single lens, but something more like the EF-S 18-135mm (my personal favorite), rather than zooms with 'wider' (lower focal length) ranges. I find that other than very cramped spaces, at 18mm, even on the cropped-body Canon 30D I had at the time was quite adequate. The 135mm on the telephoto end gives it a good zoom 'range', and I thought the 18-135 was a great all-around lens, especially for outdoor work. Indoors, however, it needs a flash.

I'd also look at buying used, rather than new. When I moved to a DSLR 18 months ago, I found a very good condition used Canon 30D complete with software, cables, etc. They also included the instruction book, original software CD, and a battery holder/grip with 4 extra batteries. I also found the lens at a good price, as well. Be sure to check out the major camera suppliers such as B&H, Adorama and KEH and look at their used equipment.

 

[sovietdoc]

If you're a hiker, get EOS-M with 18-55 kit lens.

 

[Furashu]

@bratkinson, yeah i will def hold off on the tripod.
I am still learning about lenses, but wouldnt a wider angle lens be better for landscape shooting? I'm not sure why i would need a focal length range up to 135mm?
my plan is to get one lens and stick with it for a while... if the 18-1355 is bad in low light, id just be spending more money on the flash, which i have no idea how much it cost.

@SovietdocThe EOS-M is pretty expensive, no? $800 with a kit lens?
I'm planning on buying all refurb or used gear.
-If i look hard enough i can probably get a t2i with a tokina 11-16 for about $900.

i think i'm going to use the next 3 months to buy a lens and body and wait for the perfect deals on used or refurb gear.
thank you for the suggestions.