Considering upgrading to a DSLR... Which one???

Hi everyone, I am by no means a professional photographer, but I do know that a DSLR will take much better photos than my Nikon point and click or GoPro 3. With that said, I am considering grabbing a DSLR to take with me on my drive to Alaska in January.

So basically, I'm looking to spend ~$700 what would you guys recommend?

 

Canaon rebel series will fit the bill easy.

I don't know nikons that well but I think you can get a 5100 for around that

Also check out refurbished cameras on canon and nikons site. Some good deals there

 

If you want a Canon, check out canonpricewatch.com, also good for lenses and accessories there. Additionally, if you have any Canon camera, working or not, you can use that with Canon as a discount, I believe it's 5% but I am not sure. It's a customer appreciation thing, and literally you could spend 20 cents on a working or broken 35mm camera from a flea market or thrift store and turn that into 5% (IIRC) discount on a new camera which is worth quite a bit. Also, the marketplace at PhotographyOnTheNet.com (POTN) is very active and has good deals pop up all the time, I haven't seen a scam sale there, and being a photography website, they're well educated on what they're selling and provided plenty of pictures.

 

I've always bought Canon myself. I have a simple Rebel XS and a PowerShot SX120IS right now. Both inexpensive and a few years old at this point, but they're fantastic and more than enough for what I do.

Only reason I prefer Canon over Nikon is I think the interface is more intuitive. As far as build and image quality goes, I doubt either one is noticeably better.

I'd buy an entry Canon or Nikon DSLR and pickup a nicer lens for it right away. The Canon comes with (or used to come with) an 18-55 lens that really isn't bad, but you can get an additional one that will blow it away depending on the type of photography you do.

 

When I bought my T3i it came with the 18-55 lens, and is still one of the better lenses I have for it. It's a great lens.

 

My wife has a Canon t3i and she loves it. It takes great pictures and have enough setting where you can just point and shoot on Auto setting (me) or adjust all the f-stops and exposures and things that I don't know anything about (her). gossip:And my pics come out better than hers...but don't tell her I said that...)

This should be right around you price range, maybe a little over. Make sure you have a good zoom lens for your Alaska trip. I bought my wife's as a package deal with something like 35-70 and 55-300 lens (not sure exactly, but something like that)

 

For what I do, the only limitation I see with it is zoom. But, I'm not nearly as into it as many are. I'd love to pickup a nice telephoto zoom lens for mine.

 

You can buy a new T3i for $499.99 body only, or with 18-55 kit lens for $579.99 on links from Canonpricewatch. If the 18-55 isn't enough zoom, just buy the body and use the rest on a lens, consider renting a lens also for your trip if you don't have the funds for what you want. Several internet sites where you can rent lenses, and it's a good alternative. Especially if you aren't sure if you want to buy that new $12,000 Canon L zoom but you don't want to spend all that and not like it in the end.

 

One other thing. Invest in a nice fast SDHC card for whatever you get. I have a 32 GB class 10 in my Rebel. It can keep up with the camera easily if you're shooting continuously.

 

I got my wife a canon rebel. She loves it.

 

times however many on the Canon Rebel. I have a t3i and the stock 18-55mm lens, which isn't bad but saving up for the 17-55 f/2.8

Check out my thread for reference.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/332924-steveh_2007s-random-photography.html

 

I bought a canon sl1 with the 18-55 lens and 70-300 lens from B&h earlier this year for $598 shipped. Best buy had a sling style strap for $15 made by case logic and added a fast memory card for $25. I am very happy with my set up and it takes great pics. Also check out the canon 40mm or the 50mm lens. Both are very affordable and take amazing pictures.

 

There is way too much Canon talk in here. Nikon has a few that should be in that price range. Take a look at the D5100 if you want new. Used you can get a lot better camera for your money. I've seen D7000's (body) going for 500-600 used which will carry you for a while if you get into photography. You will also get more option's on the 7000. A guy here locally sold a practically new D7000 for $450 not long ago. It only had 2350 clicks on it. You can check www.keh.com they have nice used equipment and it is graded by use. I can vouch that they tend to grade a little under the actual condition. I bought a used grip for mine in excellent condition and it was practically new. No use on it whatsoever. I saved over $100 on it. Give them a look.

Take a look at www.bhphoto.com too.