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Wandalicious
PeaNut
PeaNut 325,126
June 2007
Posts: 135
Layouts: 1
Loc: Orange, CA
 |  Posted: 2/6/2013 8:45:14 PM
Okay, so I am a total camera newbie who hasn't used anything but a digital point and shoot for years. I took photography in college, back when we had to develop our own film (yes, I'm old) and got a C. So composition and shutter speed and all that was never my strong suit.
But we are going to Japan in a few months and I'm thinking it would be AMAZING to have a good SLR camera with us. Can any of you recommend an entry-level camera at a not-too-painful-cheaper-than-a-house-payment price?
I honestly don't know where to begin, so any advice or resources would be good. I find all the information on the consumer sites overwhelming! | |
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tifftiff2
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 283,357
November 2006
Posts: 2,293
Layouts: 6
Loc: Idaho, USA
 | Posted: 2/6/2013 10:43:44 PM
I will tell you I would start by going to a store where you can hold and play with some of your choices.
I tend to recommend either Canon or Nikon. They are exceptional quality and really you cannot go wrong.
Do you want video or not? Are you just planning on using this for vacations and whatnot, or are you wanting to dive back in to photography? |
~Tiffany
5D Mark II
50mm 1.2L | 100mm 2.8 | 135mm 2.0L
AB800 | Pocketwizard Plus | LumoPro LP160 | iMac | CS5 | |
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voltagain
OklaPhoma
PeaNut 18,334
July 2001
Posts: 35,142
Layouts: 15
Loc: State of cultural confusion. Yeehaw and Aloha have collided!
 | Posted: 2/7/2013 6:20:30 AM
If you plan to use it on auto all the time, I's suggest a high end p&S or hybrid instead of a dslr. You'll get the same image quality in a smaller camera to lug around.
The lens spec on a p&S are often what you would need several lenses for on a dslr. I think a dslr with a kit lens is going to deliver some disappointingly mediocre images for the price paid. Amazing photos are about the composition and the light; not the camera used. |
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yellow5
PeaNut
PeaNut 491,305
December 2010
Posts: 489
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 2/7/2013 9:48:25 AM
If you want a DSLR to take "amazing" pictures, then you also need to commit to learning how to use it. There's a steep learning curve, but if you are committed to learning about DSLR photography, you will see yourself go from total complete n00b to someone who takes stunning pics, in about a year's time, if you put a lot of effort into it.
I bought my first DSLR for the same reasons you did -- I was going to start traveling a lot. I received the camera about a month before my first trip, started learning about it, but was still highly disappointed in my pics. I kept at it though and today, the stuff I do NOW looks like it wasn't even taken by the same person. In fact, I recently got published on a charity's magazine cover! If you told me this 15 months ago, I wouldn't have believed you.
The good thing for you is that you have some time before Japan. If you're going to buy it, buy it now so that you can begin learning. Take beginning DSLR classes in your area, join Meetup.com and look for photography groups in your area (this helped me A LOT). Watch youtube videos by Bryan Peterson and Scott Kelby.
But if you buy it and don't make the investment and commitment to LEARNING about photography, you will not get amazing pictures. You'll get the same snapshots you had with your P&S, and you're going to be disappointed.
My first was a Nikon D5100 and I HIGHLY recommend that camera or its newer replacement, the D5200 (the price tag between the two are much different -- the D5100 is being clearanced out and can be found for a steal!).
I use Nikon, so obviously I'm biased  For a beginner though, go with either the Canon Rebel Series or the Nikon D3100/3200 or D5100/5200. Don't get anything higher-end than that because the controls on the cameras can be really confusing for someone new to photography and might leave you very frustrated.
Bottom line: If you think you're going to really get into photography as a hobby and want to make the commitment to learn, buy a DSLR. Also, be prepared to be overwhelmed!!
If not, then maybe get a higher-end P&S.
Good luck with your decision! | |
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Wandalicious
PeaNut
PeaNut 325,126
June 2007
Posts: 135
Layouts: 1
Loc: Orange, CA
| Posted: 2/7/2013 11:45:32 AM
Thank you for all your advice. This is really, really helpful. Right now, since I don't have a lot of time to spend learning a new hobby (there's a lot of paper around here to scrap), I'm leaning towards looking at a higher-end P&S. The advice about being frustrated if you don't take the time to really learn how to use it is quite on point and I appreciate the honesty from this group.
If I had gone to a shop, they would have probably upsold me into something far beyond what I am able to or willing to use, and I'd be one sad puppy.
Thanks again! I can always rely on my Peas! | |
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voltagain
OklaPhoma
PeaNut 18,334
July 2001
Posts: 35,142
Layouts: 15
Loc: State of cultural confusion. Yeehaw and Aloha have collided!
| Posted: 2/7/2013 5:55:51 PM
If I were looking for a camera to mostly use in auto mode, takes great photos, and still has some manual controls for the times I really want to play around with manual controls I'd pick this one: web page
Its smaller than a dslr but not compact pocket small. The lens is a 24-600mm equivalent with a maximum aperture of 2.8... this one will perform well in low light. A kit dslr will not. |
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pmarsiglio
PeaNut
PeaNut 577,308
January 2013
Posts: 52
Layouts: 9
| Posted: 2/7/2013 6:04:54 PM
I have used both Nikon and Canon. I used Nikon for years & used Canon in photo classes and liked both. I recently wanted to upgrade my DSLR, so I switched to the Canon T3i b/c the price was better and I'm really happy with it. I don't think you would go wrong with either, honestly. | |
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rcravey
PeaNut
PeaNut 579,849
February 2013
Posts: 38
Layouts: 1
| Posted: 2/8/2013 5:09:28 PM
I have an old Canon DS6031 and love it. My husband purchased it years ago and it sat on the shelf gathering dust. When I could no longer see the screen of my P&S without glasses (welcome old age), I pulled the Canon off the shelf and started using it. It takes fantastic photos.
I also had a Canon P&S that I loved as well. It was stolen and I have been using a Panasonic DMC-ZS7. It takes great photos but I still prefer my old Canon. | |
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