Who knows about cameras?

danabsd

We'd like to buy a nice camera, a DSLR.  Currently we only have our iPhones and a little point and shoot, that I am not sure even works.  No specific price in mind.  I look at it as an investment so I don't mind spending a little extra.  We want something quality, that will last and fairly easy to use as we are no pros over here.

I've been looking at the Cannons but really have no idea what I am looking at. 

Help!?! TIA. 

>:D<

melody921

I have no knowledge, but will be stalking this thread, because I could have written this. It's sad that my iPhone takes a better photo than my old point and shoot.

kdsmith43

dimples12 said:

I love my Nikon D5100. Easy to learn and it will advance as I do. I got the standard lens and 55-300mm. The second is amazing to zoom in. I've gotten some great CJ shoots and outdoor/wildlife. I'd like to get a soft flash for even better CJ pics. Bonus pro is that newer models have WiFi capability. Cons: kinda bulky and I won't take it on certain trips (beach, solo with CJ out) due to price. The P&S is nice backup. We got ours Xmas 2012 for about $950 (everything - lens, SD cards, case). Good luck. It's been a great investment for us!

Same. I love my 5100. I bought both kit lenses, and I have a 35mm 1.8 and a 50mm 1.8. I would start with the lens that comes with it - get some practice and upgrade from there. I find the photography board here to be really helpful.

I would consider myself to be an intermediate level. I've been learning exposure/shutter speed with my 35mm lens - it is a 1.8 aperture, so that means more background blur or "bokeh". Here is a picture I took a while back with my D5100. (Sorry, only one I have access to).

Meet Dingo:

jenmbott

How much time do you think you will invest into the camera?  Do you think you will mainly shoot in the 'auto' mode or do you want to eventually want to try to learn manual?  What types of pictures do you like? (is there a blog for reference?)

DH got me a Nikon D5100 right after DD was born.  It came with the kit lens which was an 3.5 - 5.6 18 - 55 mm.  I loved it and shot in auto.  I couldn't quite get the photos that I wanted which was DD very sharp against a very blurry background.  I took a course last summer to learn manual mode and since then have been shooting all in manual mode.  It's not as hard as I thought it would be.  Anyways, it turns out the the lens that they sell with the camera isn't all that great and I upgraded my lens to a 1.8  50 mm.  A lot of people call it the nifty fifty lens.  The lower the decimal number, the more blur you can get with pictures.   

So I would recommend the Nikon D5100 but with the 1.8 50mm lens. You can buy the body and the lens on amazon.  I wouldn't advise you to get the package that the store puts together for you.  With that being said, the 50 mm lens is not a zoom lens, it will always shoot from a fixed point.  It took me a little getting used to but I never take it off my camera.  

ETA:  The reason why the kit lens got replaced is because I was getting too much blur in my indoor pictures.  The lens wasn't able to open wide enough to let enough light in so that the shutter speed could capture DD while she was moving.  

jenmbott

This site compares camera bodies really nicely (nikons and canons) 

danabsd

Thanks ladies! I'll check out the D5100.

@jenmbott‌ I took a photography class in high school, we were required to everything in manual but it was also on film. Ha. I could probably benefit from a class. I always see groupons for them.

Eastie156

My Cannon Rebel T3i is really good if you are looking for a Cannon. I honestly couldn't tell you all the features of it, but it's taken some quality shots. It's a DSLR and has a couple lenses with it.

@auroraloo has the same one, I don't think she's been around here for a bit, but she can tell you more about it.

LyndseylovesHugh

I have a Cannon Rebel XS and love it so much! I got it a few years ago so I'm sure they have a more recent rebel model, but that line in general is great. I had numerous professional photographer friends tell me it was one of the best beginner cameras. It came with a lens and I have since bought (or received as gifts) three more. I also took a class on how to shoot out of auto at the local community college and that was really helpful, so I recommend doing something like that so you can learn more about the features.