What camera and lens combination should I get for under 1000?

[Leandrys]

I am a beginning photographer, and I'm only had previous experiences with point-and-shoot cameras. My current budget is $1000, but I am hoping for something around $600-800. I am not sure if I should spend more money on the lens or the camera. I would like to shoot wildlife/nature photography, like landscape/seascape, macro, and bird photography.

 

[xzyragon]

I'm sure you could find a rebel or maybe even a 60d with the 10-18mm + 18-55mm + 55-250mm for under your budget.

 

[SnappingShark]

Olympus om-d e-m10 with a 14-42 $749
Amazon.com : Olympus OM-D E-M10 Compact System Camera with 14-42mm 2RK lens (Silver) : Camera & Photo

Olympus 40-150 lens $199
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-40-150mm-F4-0-5-6-Panasonic-Cameras/dp/B0066J6EOU/

Spend the rest on Amazon prime and it'll be with you in 2 days, and under $1000!

But of course, this is just my suggestion for a beginner. YMMV

there will be hundreds of options available to you across manufacturers.

 

[Designer]

Here's one:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital...8&qid=1407980162&sr=1-38&keywords=dslr+camera

Or a better one used:

https://www.keh.com/358741/nikon-d7100-digital-camera-body-24-1-m-p

 

[Designer]

I am not sure if I should spend more money on the lens or the camera.

I say get the best body you can afford now, and practically any lens. Your next lenses will be upgrades anyway, so start with a body that wipes out your budget and then start saving up for bodacious glass.

 

[dennybeall]

The Nikon D80 was a good camera with 10 mp sensor, lots of features to learn on and some OK kit lenses. The are very inexpensive right now. A little bigger and heavier than some others but nice fit in your hand.

 

[robbins.photo]

I would probably go with a d5200 and a used 70-300 mm lens myself.

A 70-300 will be a little short sometimes for birds but anything with more reach gets expensive quick and would eat up most of your budget just on the lens.

 

[jtmiv]

I am a beginning photographer, and I'm only had previous experiences with point-and-shoot cameras. My current budget is $1000, but I am hoping for something around $600-800. I am not sure if I should spend more money on the lens or the camera. I would like to shoot wildlife/nature photography, like landscape/seascape, macro, and bird photography.

Dear Leandrys,

Take a step back and ask which ones out of your posted preferences mean the most to you?

If your greatest interests are birds and wildlife then I'd suggest you look for a used Canon 40D or 1DMK2 and a used Sigma 150-500 OS. Both cameras are more than capable of taking a great picture, and well within your budget. Six or eight years ago they ruled the photographic world and all great pictures were taken with them, or the comparable Nikon, or Sony or maybe even a Fuji or Olympus?

I am a hobbyist photographer with no illusions of grandeur. I take pictures because that is something I enjoy doing whilst walking in the woods or along a stream or through a cornfield or wherever I happen to be at the time. I don't expect excellence or perfection with ever shot I take. If I elect to post a shot or two on a message board then a kudo or two on a message board like this would be like a kiss from God, but that's besides the point. My point is that a good or great photograph would be one regardless of the camera and lens that was used to capture it. We get far too caught up in sensor wars. lens speed wars, pixel wars, etc. etc. Just get out there and shoot!

Gear doesn't do anymore than is asked of it.

This is the greatest picture ever taken in my lifetime, according to me.

http://www.halloffamememorabilia.co...11x14-photo-ali-over-sonny-liston-hf-2285.jpg

It was shot with gear that 75% of today's photographers wouldn't even know how to begin to use.

The gear changes for all eternity, the ideas and thought processes never do.

Good is always good.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

 

[erotavlas]

if you're moving from point and shoot, get a small mirrorless camera. It's lighter and more portable, and some of them have the same size sensor as DSLRs which means just as good image quality. There are several by Olympus as well as Sony for under your budget. Someone above mentioned the Olympus E-M10 (or if on sale the E-M5 could be under your budget). Also you could look at something by Sony like the A6000 or A5000. Just make sure it has or you can adapt the lenses you want later on (a zoom lens for wildlife, wide angle for landscape, a macro etc)

Whatever you do, get something that you are happy with and that you will carry around with you. If you get something that you hate to carry or is too complicated to use you will not take many pictures at all.

 

[Leandrys]

Thank you all for your replies, they have been very helpful! I've narrowed my choices down to a selected few, and I'm going to BestBuy some time this weekend to get a feel of them before deciding Thanks again.