DSLR research - confused

skooz · July 2013

I haven't been very happy with our camera for several months, and I'm thinking about getting a DSLR. I know very little about the settings and plan on taking a half semester intro course at our community college because there's no way I would invest that kind of money and not learn how to use the camera. If I enjoy the intro course I'd think about taking 5-6 classes to get an actual certification.

Anyway, I started doing some research tonight and I'm so overwhelmed. Does anybody have a site that you like for explaining features and pros/cons? Cnet recommended the Nikon D5200 as the best option in my price range (under $1000).

I'm particularly confused about the different types of lenses available. Feel free to recommend a camera/lens too. I started reading the recommendations in the FAQ on the photography board, but was also overwhelmed by the million responses.

skooz · July 2013

Ambsies:
There is a free online "course" by a photo site called 2 Peas in a Bucket.
The course is called 12 weeks to better photos and you can do it at your own pace. It's amazing and highly recommended by the ladies on TB's photography board.
The kit lenses that come with your camera are usually crap. If you can buy just the body, I would *personally* do that.
My absolute favorite lens is my 35mm f/1.8 prime lens. It's a prime lens so there is no zoom, but it's amazing for day to day pics. I rarely take it off my camera. Another prime lens that people seem to love is the Nifty 50.
I would love to upgrade my camera but I am going to wait a while. I droooooooll over the Nikon D700 and I would loooooooove to have a Sigma 35mm f/1.4.
Lurk on the photography board- I'm sure you can find some great info there.
HTH

Thanks! Just read through the first week of that online course, and found it really helpful. I'll definitely be using it when I get a nicer camera.

You aren't the first person to say the kit lenses are no good. What's so bad about them? I was confused why some of the kit lenses had a range like 18-55mm instead of just one number like the one you recommended.

ETA: nevermind, found the answer to the lens question in the Two Peas material

Bemyselfandi · July 2013

I use my kit lens and I get amazing pictures.
I like my other lens too..but the kit lens is still amazeballs.

tumblefluff · July 2013

I could have written this same post a few months ago. I spent a lot of time since then researching and pricing out cameras. Product reviews, Consumer Report, etc.. I ended up choosing the Nikon D5200 and I added another lens (55-300mm) to my package. I've only had it 2 weeks but I love it! I'm still learning all the features. So far I am not disappointed!

I was planning on taking a class in the fall that a local photographer offers but for now learn what I can on my own.

Thanks Ambsies for the link!

latnprincess · July 2013

I have the Nikon D3000 which is a great starter camera. I'm hoping to upgrade in a few months though.

I agree that the kit lens is good, but not great. You're limited in what you can do with that. The only thing I find that it has going for it is that you can zoom in and out. Other than that, its pretty plain jane lens. The prime lenses, as Ambsies mentioned, are the ones that most photographers love and use. I have the 50mm f/1.4. The prime lenses are known as fast lenses because they let in more light and allow for faster shutter speeds. They're also the ones that give that nice coveted blurry background. The other good thing about the prime lenses is that because they let in more light, they allow for better pictures in low-light settings (indoors!).

When I first started taking pictures the book Understanding Exposure is what was recommended to me. I'll be honest, I never read it, but I have heard its a great place to start.

kristenreinert · July 2013

We bought the Nikon D5200 a few months ago and absolutely love it! We haven't upgraded our lens yet, and the pictures turn out wonderfully. We bought ours at Best Buy and they offered a free introductory how-to course, along with a bunch of material to go through later. It was very helpful. We knew nothing about the camera or how to use it. We also used online reviews and Best Buy's employees were very helpful. One site that was recommended to us was www.decide.com. You put in what you're looking for and it gives you a good price point, and you can compare side by side and it will tell you which is a better fit for you and why.

mollyxcate · July 2013

Absolutely get the 5200. I got the 5100 because that was all I could afford at that point. 3 months after I got mine the price dropped on the 5100 and the 5200. If I could resell my 5100 at full price I would get the 5200.

My neighbor got one and it's awesome.

DollEri · July 2013

Whether or not the kit lens is "crap" all depends on what you intend to do with it. I think the kit lenses can take you pretty far until you learn to shoot in Manual, and not even all pros prefer prime lenses, that's a fallacy. The D5200 will get you far.

Toni79 · July 2013

I'm going to stalk this thread ... I really really want a DSLR ... but because they are so expensive I want to make sure I do my reserch and really know what I want before I buy. And of course save up the money.

FYI - There's a Nikon 5200 For Dummies Book! LOL!

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D5200-Dummies-Sports-Hobbies/dp/1118530470/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1372770427&sr=8-12&keywords=nikon+D5200

skooz · July 2013

Im happy to hear so many good things about the D5200! I think I have some more resrarch to do on the lenses. Just from a quick look it seems like the prime lenses are more expensive and I think DH might have a heart attack at the price even though we can afford it.

Want a personalized experience?

DSLR research - confused

Re: DSLR research - confused

Choose Another Board

Search Boards