Yet Another What To Buy Thread (T3I or A65 or Other?)

[Maverick0984]

Getting married soon and me and the soon to be Mrs. are on the lookout for a good value SLR or SLT to have for quite a while. Would be for travel, kids, etc.

I'm by no means a camera snob and have no set affiliation with any brand, and am open to whatever is the best camera at our price point. I am however, very tech savvy. Traditionally, my extra money has gone to computers, tv's, and audio equipment, so I'm not afraid to purchase tech, and generally enjoy it quite a bit.

I've looked around and narrowed things down to the Canon 600D T3i and the Sony A65. I'm looking to keep it around $1000 at this point, but don't want to spend money just for the sake of spending money either.

I know Canon and Nikon have been the staple brands for a while now but I'm reading that the new Sony stuff is really pushing the envelope in terms of features. Are these features worth the price premium? Do they hold up? Gimmicks?

Then, after a decision like this, do I buy just the body, and hand pick my first lense, or do I go with the standard 18-55mm lense that seems to come with them and let that simmer for a while before I decide what I want later on?

Thanks for any guidance!

 

[jaomul]

As no one has put anything in. I have canon and would be slow to go to Sony now but in this case i might just recommend it over the canon. You seem to be looking for a family camera and Sony slt cameras have point and shoot type menus as well as well more traditional setting. Photographers use their cameras a lot so require a system they are comfortable with. the evf is something traditional photographers seem to not like. if starting out and yourvhappy with this the Sony has a lot going for it as a family cam with video.

 

[Maverick0984]

As no one has put anything in. I have canon and would be slow to go to Sony now but in this case i might just recommend it over the canon. You seem to be looking for a family camera and Sony slt cameras have point and shoot type menus as well as well more traditional setting. Photographers use their cameras a lot so require a system they are comfortable with. the evf is something traditional photographers seem to not like. if starting out and yourvhappy with this the Sony has a lot going for it as a family cam with video.

Yes, it will end up being a family camera, but we're young and not exactly afraid of some settings and technology. I was hoping there was a clear winner, and not just a what's better for your situation kind of deal.

 

[jaomul]

Well i think SLRs beat SLTs for the moment at least. The translucent mirror stops a little light so shots will be slightly noisier and I don't like evfs as much, but i don't care about video either. I have the 550d which is very similar to the t3i and would highly recommend it. Where I live at least it is easier to pick up canon lenses and accessories also. I just contradicted my first response but would think the canon is a better photographers camera but the sony may shine as a general family one.

 

[nmoody]

Although the Sony is a nice piece of hardware, there is not as many lenses and accessories available for Sony when compared to Canon or Nikon.

You are not just purchasing a camera, you are buying into a system that will grow with you as you progress. Lenses stick around for a long time, longer than your camera body will. When you eventually replace your camera body you will most likely want to keep your lenses and not buy all new ones again.

This is why I wouldnt concider a Pentax or Sony unless you are already invested into their system.

 

[Maverick0984]

If I went with the Sony or the Canon, should I get the body only, and get a 50mm lense? Or is the standard 18-55mm lense sufficient for now. I honestly don't see myself ever having more than 2-3 lenses. I won't be going crazy with them, so I want each one to be very useful.

What exactly is the difference between a 50mm and a 18-55mm lense? I believe there are some focal numbers tacked onto them I am completely forgetting which I imagine are pretty important.

 

[nmoody]

Get the 18-55mm, its a good general lens and perfect for learning with. Unless you really get into photography you wont be replacing it.

The 50mm is a prime lens meaning you can not "zoom" with it. You can read more about this here: http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lenses.htm

The common entry level lenses (for canon) are 18-55mm, 50-250mm, 50mm. Between these three you would cover a good length for not that much money.

Just start out with the 18-55mm there is a reason its the default lens in entry level kits.

 

[Maverick0984]

And what if I am taking it on our honeymoon right away? We're going to Bora Bora. Wondering if I should get an 18-250mm lense for the zooming ability.

 

[belial]

And what if I am taking it on our honeymoon right away? We're going to Bora Bora. Wondering if I should get an 18-250mm lense for the zooming ability.

Just me but I wouldn't go with the 18-200. I hear it's decent though for a super zoom. Great for vacations but you can always rent one

 

[Maverick0984]

And what if I am taking it on our honeymoon right away? We're going to Bora Bora. Wondering if I should get an 18-250mm lense for the zooming ability.

Just me but I wouldn't go with the 18-200. I hear it's decent though for a super zoom. Great for vacations but you can always rent one

Not sure I'd want to deal with renting one, wouldn't even know where to look. At the admission of my laziness, is it significantly longer than the standard 18-55mm? Is it that cumbersome to make the 18-250mm my default lense by buying the a65 body only and then getting just an 18-250mm?

 

[belial]

Of you look for it you can find a t3i with the 18 and 55-250 as a kit then just add the 50 for low light and youre set

 

[Maverick0984]

Of you look for it you can find a t3i with the 18 and 55-250 as a kit then just add the 50 for low light and youre set

At the risk of sounding dumb, why would I get an 18-55mm and a 55-250mm, if I can get one at 18-250mm?

 

[belial]

At the risk of sounding dumb, why would I get an 18-55mm and a 55-250mm, if I can get one at 18-250mm?

Long focal lengths tend to make more compromises in image quality

 

[StandingBear1983]

At the risk of sounding dumb, why would I get an 18-55mm and a 55-250mm, if I can get one at 18-250mm?

Long focal lengths tend to make more compromises in image quality

It doesn't really matter when you shoot in good light conditions (when shooting at f8 most of the time). maybe for the pro, but not somebody that is starting out anyway.

Hi Maverick - I would choice between Canon & Nikon, not Sony, with all do respect, if your starting out, go to a shop and check them both out, see what feels better in your hands, if you want to buy RIGHT NOW, Nikon has the edge with the D3200 (with the general low light performance and resolution of the Sony sensors [yea Nikon have Sony sensors in them, funny ha?, somehow Nikon Achieves higher performance then Sony with them]), though in a couple of months i guess Canon will come out with the T4i to compete with it. but as i said, you can't really "go wrong" with either Canon or Nikon. - both have vast options you can grow with.