Novice Looking to Purchase Camera

[mulligan]

Hey guys,

I am looking to purchase a camera, specifically a DSLR for high quality/res images.

I will be using this camera on vacations worldwide for different shots of landscape, architectural buildings, touristy stuff.

A major use of this camera will be used for my website. I am breeding bearded dragons, and have not been as satisfied with the photo quality from other cameras I have had in the past (non DSLR). I want to be able to showcase exceptional pictures online of some of the dragons that I am breeding.

I found some websites which could provide examples as to the type of photos I am looking to have with this camera if anyone could please provide a recommendation.

Right now I was thinking that the Canon EOS 600D lens efs 18-135mm would be a good fit. However, I am a complete novice and would appreciate advice from an expert!

Thanks!

Female Breeders - SpiceDragons - Bearded Dragons to Spice UP Your Life!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/RIAL_Dragons/332295493454393

 

[Designer]

Welcome! What is your budget?

 

[goodguy]

Good camera ?

If you are interested only in Canon then go for the Canon 6D, excellent picture quality and amazing low light capabilities.
If you are willing to go with an other company then the Nikon 600D is the camera to go with.
You will also need few good lens, zoom and prime lens.
Both these cameras are full frame and I would define them as best quality in their price range.

The 600D which is also called the T3i and also the newer 650D and 400D are all sharing same good but yet old sensor and unless you are strapped for cash I would say go with the new and modern 6D.
Again if you are willing to go with Nikon then it has new and modern cropped sensor cameras that have few advantages over Canon current cropped sensor cameras like the D5200 and D7100

 

[texkam]

Consider used.

 

[mulligan]

Thanks. I would like it to be under or just around $1000.

 

[dxqcanada1]

A light box would be handy: How to Create an Inexpensive Photography Lightbox: 15 Steps to get some nice soft even lighting.
... and possibly off camera flash.

 

[mulligan]

Right now it looks like I am deciding between the Canon EOS Rebel T3i w/ 18-135mm lens. VS The Canon EOS 60D with 18-135mm lens. It is a cost difference of $200, which is not a big deal. Any big differences between these two cameras?

By the way I love the lightbox idea and will incorporate that! thanks

 

[Juga]

Right now it looks like I am deciding between the Canon EOS Rebel T3i w/ 18-135mm lens. VS The Canon EOS 60D with 18-135mm lens. It is a cost difference of $200, which is not a big deal. Any big differences between these two cameras?

By the way I love the lightbox idea and will incorporate that! thanks

If that is the case then go with the 60d...better low light performance. Not to mention it is weather sealed, faster shutter speed, less shutter lag, and 9 cross type AF points.

 

[goodguy]

For 1000$ I would get the Nikon D7000 with either the base kit lens 18-55mm or the better 18-105mm depends of the price you find it.

 

[TCampbell]

The 60D is a better camera than a T3i all the way around. Both have 9 point auto-focus systems, but on the T3i only the center point is a high-precision cross type point. On the 60D all the points are cross-type. The 60D has a control layout much more like a pro body. It's weather sealed (note that weather sealing is limited protection form moisture and dust... it is not waterproof.)

The 18-136 is a good all-purpose lens for walking around. But when you get a DSLR, remember that it's the lens which projects the image onto the sensor... the sensor simply records what landed on it. The better the lens, the sharper the image.

While you'll probably be quite happy with the 18-135, if for some reason that's not sharp enough, there are a few prime lenses which are sharper and, specifically a macro lens will be significantly sharper still. For example, the EF-S 60mm f/2.8L Macro USM is able to resolve extremely fine detail - but it's in the $400 ballpark.

Regardless of how good the lens is, it's possible to get soft images simply by missing the focus. The camera's auto-focus points will always lock onto the nearest thing for which it can get a positive lock. If that thing happens to not be the thing you were interested in having sharp, then you'll be disappointed with the shot. You can force the camera to use a specific focus point (you don't have to let it lock onto just any point.) Also keep in mind that if you're shooting close-up then the depth of field (the range of distances at which something will seem to be in reasonable focus) becomes extremely narrow.