Noob looking for best $300-400 DSLR

[wumpus]

So I recently have been more and more interested in photography, and figured it was time to get a half-decent camera for once. I have a pretty good amount of technical knowledge and should be able to at least eventually figure out how to use a damn camera properly lol.

I was thinking of picking up a used/new DSLR in the 300-400 price range, but was wondering which models i should be looking for and which to avoid. My knowledge of camera brands and models is almost non-existent, at the moment they are almost all the same to me

If anyone has any recommendations, it is greatly appreciated!

 

[redessa]

I don't think you'll find a new one in that price range. Even used, you're proabably looking at an entry level camera a few years old. But those are certainly great to learn on. Anything Nikon or Canon is a fairly solid place to start.

 

[flatflip]

Everything you need to know about buying a camera | The Verge

 

[maaatter]

There's a used Nikon D3000 with a 18-55 for $400 in the Buy/Sell thread on it. Could be a *decent* one to start with.

 

[o hey tyler]

There's a used Nikon D3000 with a 18-55 for $400 in the Buy/Sell thread on it. Could be a *decent* one to start with.

TBH, it's not by this days standards. It's got a CCD sensor, and it's an entry level body. It's quite undesirable, especially for $400 bucks.

You could get a used Canon Rebel XSi w/ a kit lens online for around $400, and that would come with a CMOS sensor. As well as any Canon lens you buy for it will Autofocus, whereas that isn't necessarily true on the D3000.

 

[wumpus]

so its looking like im going to have to spend more than 400 bucks....I suppose this can happen.

I was really kind of intending on buying a few years old camera off of a forum or something...Im not even what you might call a hobbyist yet....dont need anything nice lol


as far as lenses go...Im going to be shooting mostly medium distance stuff, like 15-65 feet maybe. Not going to be zooming in pretty much at all, I know that much.

and thanks to flatflip for linking that article!

 

[Dominantly]

If you can find a D40, I'd snag it. It's got semi special powers also shared with the D70, that you might find useful later.

 

[maaatter]

If you wanna go this route, Adorama has a refurbished kit with the 18-55 for $419.

If you can find a D40, I'd snag it. It's got semi special powers also shared with the D70, that you might find useful later.

 

[Dominantly]

Make sure it's not a D40x though.

 

[maaatter]

No sir. "Nikon D40 6.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera 3X Zoom Kit Outfit, with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor Lens - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A."

 

[jbarnes.US]

I have a Canon T3 and they run on Amazon for around $420, free shipping with an 18-55mm kit lens.

 

[Dominantly]

No sir. "Nikon D40 6.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera 3X Zoom Kit Outfit, with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor Lens - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A."

That'll work!

 

[wumpus]

http://www.adorama.com/INKD40KR.html

is that the one?

I may be getting that once I get the cash to spend....

found a few like new ones on another forum, also look good. Only 350 too....a canon rebel XSi w/ a 50mm lens for 350

also found a D3000 body for 350 as well

EDIT;

also, how is the D40X any worse or less desirable than the regular D40?

 

[Dominantly]

The D40x had a mechanical shutter which is limited to a flash sync speed of 1/200. The D40 has an electronic shutter which is arbitrarily limited to 1/500, but from what I've read, can even sync at 1/1000 with non TTL sources.

 

[nickzou]

Everything you need to know about buying a camera | The Verge

I don't agree that Pro DSLRs are hard to use. They are easier to use than entry level DSLRs because you don't have to mess around in the menus as much.