What first DSLR should I get?

Rekomaged · Jun 19, 2012

Hey guys, so I have been into photography for a while now, and I have been using my digital photo teacher's Canon 60D. I really liked it so I told myself I want a DSLR. So I convinced my parents, and they agreed to getting me a new camera. I narrowed it down to two choices.

The Canon 60D or the D7000. I like the 60D's ergonomics, it's menus, and it's pretty solid. I was looking at buying it with a 50mm 1.8 and kit lens 18-135 OR a 70-300 f/4-5.7 and a 50mm 1.8

However, I like the d7000s shutter button and the amount of features it has over the 60D. So I need help deciding with what to go with. I was looking at purchasing the d7000 with a 35mm 1.8 and a kit lens 18-105...

I would also like to know what lenses I should be looking at (specific ones). I like night urban photography, some sports, and some nature shooting. Thanks. My budget as of now is about $1500 for a body and lens. A bag and sd card would be nice too. Thanks again.

EDIT: I am not completely new to dslrs, I use manual and have been studying and researching for a couple months. I have also been shooting with em for a while now.

fjrabon · Jun 19, 2012

If you get the Canon, I ABSOLUTELY wouldn't recommend starting with the 70-300 and a 50mm prime as your only lenses. Not having anything under 50mm on an APS-C will really limit what you can shoot. 50mm on APS-C is considered a mild telephoto, meaning you won't have any way to shoot 'neutral' or wide shots. They're both good lenses, but you need something that covers 20-50mm at least somewhat.

I think the D7000 is way better in low light than the 60D.

Of the options you've listed, I think you'd be much better off with the D7000 setup. The 35mm f/1.8 is, IMHO, the best prime you could possibly learn with, and the 18-105mm kit lens with the D7000 is plenty versatile to cover all your basic needs until you grow into wanting higher quality glass (and have a better idea of what you want to shoot).

Rekomaged · Jun 19, 2012

Yes, but I can always get the Kit lens for the Canon and maybe a prime with it.

BlueMeanieTSi · Jun 19, 2012

Rekomaged said:
Yes, but I can always get the Kit lens for the Canon and maybe a prime with it.

Sounds like you already made up your mind then if you're justifying the other camera.

pixmedic · Jun 19, 2012

BlueMeanieTSi said:
Rekomaged said:

Yes, but I can always get the Kit lens for the Canon and maybe a prime with it.

Click to expand...

Sounds like you already made up your mind then if you're justifying the other camera.

does kinda look that way doesn't it. In all reality, you can pretty much get the same lenses for canon that you can for Nikon and vice versa. It comes down to what you feel "suits" you better. look up specs and reviews on both body's and see which one you think will do more of what you want to do. people get into different brands for different reasons. My wife shoots Nikon because the photographer she studied under shot Nikon, that's what she learned on, and we bought some of his backup gear when he upgraded. so now we shoot Nikon and it works well for us so we've never had any reason to switch. I cant imagine you could go wrong with either one really, since both nikon and canon seem to make a pretty solid product. Hell, i'm pretty sure you could get a Pentax or Sony and put good glass on it and be happy. whichever way you decide to go, i'm sure you will be happy with the results. :thumbup:

fjrabon · Jun 19, 2012

Rekomaged said:
Yes, but I can always get the Kit lens for the Canon and maybe a prime with it.

Sure, by all means get the Canon, it's a fine camera. I'm just highly advising against one of the setups you mentioned as a possibility.

All else being equal, I think the D7000 is a better camera than the 60D in terms of low light ability and features, but if you like the 60D already, then just get it and save the $200-300 difference for lenses.

Rekomaged · Jun 19, 2012

I love them both pretty much the same, that's the tough part, but I will try and borrow a d7000 or rent and try it out for a while. Since I have a lot of experience with the 60d, I will try to compare how they match up to eachother.

mjhoward · Jun 19, 2012

The D7000 is more comparable to the 7D. I've used both extensively and prefer the D7000.

Rekomaged · Jun 19, 2012

Well, I am first going to try out the d7000 with the kit lens, if I like it, Ill buy it. In addition I'll probably buy the 35mm 1.8, sweet lens.

fjrabon · Jun 19, 2012

Rekomaged said:
Well, I am first going to try out the d7000 with the kit lens, if I like it, Ill buy it. In addition I'll probably buy the 35mm 1.8, sweet lens.

Yeah, the 35mm f/1.8 is hard to beat value wise. Since I got it, it's the 'stay on' lens for my camera. Ie it's always on the camera unless I have a reason to take it off, eg need an ultra wide or telephoto lens.

LizardKing · Jun 19, 2012

As mjhoward said, the D7000 is usually compared to the 7D... Anyway, this D7000 vs 60D question appears really often in the forum and you'll find tons of pages comparing them both, as well as the 7D. So, I usually suggest using this page to get a quick overview on the pros/cons of each and decide based on what's more important to you.

After all, it's just a matter of what's more comfortable to you. You can't go wrong with either of them, so play with both and see which one you like the most.

edit: about the lenses, I think I'd go with the kit + a good prime like the 50mm f/1.8G

Rekomaged · Jun 19, 2012

Ok so when I am using the D7000, I am going to buy it, and keep it if I like it, return if not. So what lens should I get...I was thinking the 35mm f/1.8 and 55-200 vr OR just get the 18-105, which I heard was a great kit lens. I think I will just get the kit lens and then if I like the camera invest in more lenses.