Cameras

[Drugstore Cowboy]

so i've been doing a lot of photography within the last couple months and have actually began to take a serious interest in it. However i don't really know much about cameras and i was wondering which cameras would you recommend for an amateur photographer.

 

[looseliam]

I have moved to digital after being a 35MM for ever and a half.

I went from an old Nikon Nikonos II (I did a lot of underwater stuff) to a Nikon D5100 (doesn't react as kindly to water immersion.) It's been a bit of a learning curve coming from something that everything is manually-set to something that can do it all.

I like that I can use a lot of old glass on the D5100. The menus are straight-forward and the layout it really nice. It fits nicely in the hand. The stock lens is okay, but if you're into photography, I'd suggest buying the body and a different all-around lens.

I've read the D3100 is great for an entry-level DSLR. For me, though, the D5100 had the right balance of features/cost over the D3100. I thought about the D7000, but I expect a revised D7100 will be coming out next year. Plus, I would really rather upgrade to a full-frame camera at that time.

I couldn't speculate on other manufactures as I've always been and always will be a Nikon man.

So yeah, a basic entry-level DSLR, I'd recommend the D3100. If you're going to do more than point-and-shoot of the dog, I'd go with the D5100.

But remember this: a good photographer can still produce great images with an inexpensive camera. A shitty photographer can produce shitty images even on the best equipment. The camera is just the tool.

 

[ozguy]

I've been a Canon devotee for years and the Canon EOS range of entry level DSLR cameras are excellent cameras if you want to get serious about your photography. They usually retail for $600 - $1,500, depending on the particular model you're interested in.

The 1000D, 1100D, 550D and 600D are all great cameras.

 

[greyhorse]

Good luck with that - a great hobby but you never know where it will lead you. Cheers, G

 

[QuakrBoi]

I've been a Canon devotee for years and the Canon EOS range of entry level DSLR cameras are excellent cameras if you want to get serious about your photography. They usually retail for $600 - $1,500, depending on the particular model you're interested in.

The 1000D, 1100D, 550D and 600D are all great cameras.

Im also a HUGE fan of Canon........first camera was a Kodak and that broke after a year....every camera ive had since has been a Canon and I still love every single one of them! Wish I knew how to use the DSLRs though haha....I play with em at work every so often but still don't know how to use em haha

 

[Corny]

Another Canon fan here. The EOS 1000 and 1000D are great beginners cameras. The 1000D is quite cheap now, but I played a bit around with the 1100D in the store the other day and the "automatic mode" from that camera could be helpful for you to learn a bit more about the basics of DSLR photography.
The 600D is also really great and has a very fast autofocus but it is a bit more expensive .. in the end - I would start with a cheap body - you will spend most of the money for good lenses anyway.

 

[Drugstore Cowboy]

Cool! thanks a lot guys! i'm seriously considering either the Canon 1000D or the Nikon D3100, but i'll be honest and say that i am slightly leaning towards the Canon camera.

 

[looseliam]

Go to a place that sells both. Bring a memory card. Play with the cameras, take some test shots, and see which one you like more.

 

[Drugstore Cowboy]

do they let you play with the cameras in stores?

 

[Corny]

yes, any serious store will let you test the cameras