Okay, I know there are a few professional photographers and quite a few talented amateurs here on CF. My son graduates from high school next month. He really enjoys taking pictures wherever we go and he actually has a good eye. He has a nice digital camera but it is not an SLR with interchangeable lenses. My wife and I would like to buy him a nice digital SLR camera. Not ultra expensive but something nice that we can add lenses down the road. I would appreciate any positive input regarding a good SLR camera and a good all around “starter” lens.
Thanks
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
I’m not sure what your budget is, but I’m partial to Nikon. Here’s a link to a pretty good starter setup…
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910170-REG/nikon_1503_d5200_digital_slr_camera.html
j
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88 'rude
This will be different advise than others give but here you go:
Buy a used high-end body (just the camera part) that was top of the line 5, 6, 7 years old, and get a couple decent lenses. You will save a bunch of money, and come out better because of the lenses.
For lenses:
- 50mm f1.8 (nifty-fifty)for indoor, portrait, and close up outdoor shots. This is a must have lens in my opinion.
- Zoom/telephoto lens for outdoor 55-200mm is usually well priced for a beginner lens. Otherwise, a lot of people think the 18-55 is the best beginner “all around” but can’t see as far away as the 55-200.
I bought the Nikon d3100 a few years ago and it’s a real nice cam for reasonable $. Makes the average Joe take pro looking pics
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How much money do you want to spend? They range from 400 to 10,000.
Stonefly is pretty dead on, although I would stay away from the 18-55 kit lenses. They are fine to start with but the quality isn’t great.
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
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Not trying to be a smart azz but how much I want to spend and how much I need to spend to get a decent camera may not be the same. I have looked at the Canon Rebel EOS T3 and the Nikon D3100 & 3200. They all came in “kits” with various stuff as well as an 18-55 lens. No good huh? I kind of balk at buying used as it is a gift and I don’t know what to look for in a used camera. Hope I am not being too vague.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
I like Canon and that’s what I “shoot” with… When I went to College my parents bought me a Camry not a Corvette, so I’d like to see him in a Canon 50D or 60D and a 50mm 1.4. Both can be purchased off Ebay for under $1K and retain their value… but the 50mm 1.4 he’ll keep for a very long time.
With today’s photography, he can repair/correct his photos with his computer. Have him start shooting in RAW format and edit his pictures in Lightroom. Lightroom is Photoshop for Dummies. Meaning it’s the best software out there to correct and make his photographs perfect without stress and frustration. They’ll let you have it for 30 days free, so send him to YouTube to learn about it then start your 30 trial.
Finally… and most importantly. Buy him whatever camera you want but get him a good “fast” fixed 50mm lens and tell him to shoot as much as possible.
If you want to get a kit lens, the only decent canon one is the 18-135mm. There’s a lightly used one in the swap shop here.
http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=144773
Any of the entry level DSLRs will work with this lens. It’s a great one to start out with. Many of them are close to the same quality, but have different features. Some will do HD video, some only still shoot. Most use the same cropped sensor though. Canon entry level bodies include T3i, T2, xsi, any of the rebels really.
If you run into a bind and can only get the body, give me a shout. I have an 18-55 you can have.
You can find the bodies online for cheaper than the retail stores like best buy. But best buy is a good place to go play with them and see which one you like.
T3 body only, under $300
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LW580O/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2/191-4640648-5058424?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=1JKC8FJKQSQYPZ5ZHKTB&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_i=B004J3Y9U6
And don’t skimp on the memory card.
Good read:
http://www.cnet.com/news/which-canon-dslr-roundup/
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
www.baturinphotography.com
I have a t3 cannon that I’m happy with. I paid extra to get the 18-135 lens because I didn’t want to be switching back and forth all the time from the bigger and smaller ones. My brother has the t5 and my parents have the t4 you really can’t tell much of a difference between all of them. On paper I think the t4 and t5 take better video quality and may have a faster shutter speed option. There might be better cameras but I think for me to notice the difference I’d need to be a better photographer.
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Thanks folks, definitely a lot of good information here and a good starting point. I initially started looking at body/lens kits but think now I will look at bodies and then find a good general purpose lens to start out.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Plenty of good nikon factory refurbs. Out there. Hundreds less than brand new, and just like new. Get at least a d5200, the technology gets outdated quick, just look at focus points.
Canon has a Customer “Loyalty Program” (yep thats what its called ) they will give you a good discount on new and refurbished cameras if you send them ANY…yes I said ANY old canon camera…working or not. You call the number…they tell you what they have available that month and you pick the one you want. They send you the camera as well as a prepaid mailer for the old one you are sending in for the credit towards it.Its a honor system thing. you have 30 days to send them the old one back for recycling. I saved 130.00 on my G10 that I take along in the boat.(I also have a older G9 which i like better than the newer G10…but both are good and tough little cameras) I went to goodwill and bought a old film type one for $3.95 as my “send in” at the suggestion of the person i spoke to at canon who said to try a thrift store or yard sale when I told him I didnt want to get rid of any of mine 
Just bought a little pocket size canon S110 also which is a really nice little easy tote camera.
miss’n fish’n
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I might have known you would have the skinny on deals. Thanks Penny!
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
quote:
Originally posted by penfishn
Canon has a Customer “Loyalty Program” (yep thats what its called ) they will give you a good discount on new and refurbished cameras if you send them ANY…yes I said ANY old canon camera…working or not. You call the number…they tell you what they have available that month and you pick the one you want. They send you the camera as well as a prepaid mailer for the old one you are sending in for the credit towards it.Its a honor system thing. you have 30 days to send them the old one back for recycling. I saved 130.00 on my G10 that I take along in the boat.(I also have a older G9 which i like better than the newer G10…but both are good and tough little cameras) I went to goodwill and bought a old film type one for $3.95 as my “send in” at the suggestion of the person i spoke to at canon who said to try a thrift store or yard sale when I told him I didnt want to get rid of any of mine Just bought a little pocket size canon S110 also which is a really nice little easy tote camera.
miss’n fish’n
212 SEAHUNT CC
Sea Squirt 16
You must have like a dozen cameras by now… 
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
www.baturinphotography.com
Ssshhhhhhh.
miss’n fish’n
212 SEAHUNT CC
Sea Squirt 16
If you haven’t purchased one yet, I have a Nikon I bought as a package deal. It has very low mileage and tons of accessories. I just don’t use it like I thought I would. We could probably work out a great deal…
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