Recommend first slr

[Synkka]

Hi everyone,

I have a friend looking for their first slr. I was hoping for some advice. Budget around $800 so looking at the Canon 600d or Nikon d3300, then lens money. Requirements are family photos.

Any thoughts are welcome. As a canon user myself I am very familiar with the quality of photos from the lower end canon bodies, but the more recent Nikon's look to have good image quality.

Thanks

Synkka

 

[ecka]

If I was looking for a Rebel class DSLR, it would definitely be EOS 100D (or SL1), nothing else. But, if $800 budget is for both, body and lenses, then I would think about EOS M mirrorless system instead. At the moment, B&H is selling EOS M with 22mm f/2 STM lens for only $330.

 

[candc]

i would also recommend mirrorless.

http://petapixel.com/2014/11/06/mass-exodus-continues-one-photographer-ditched-nikon-fuji/

 

[benique]

I would consider buying a 100D, 650D/700D or a 600D. For the lenses I would go for a 50mm F1.8. Additionally he could buy a kit lens on ebay. They go for a few dollars.

 

[Maximilian]

I have a friend looking for their first slr. I was hoping for some advice. Budget around $800 so looking at the Canon 600d or Nikon d3300, then lens money. Requirements are family photos.

Hi Synkka!

I don't know where you and your friend live, but when you're taking about an EOS 600D this could mean you're in Europe.
In some European countries there is right now a CashBack promotion running, so maybe this is interesting, when buying new stuff. If so, then please refer to your local Canon page for details.

With 800$ budget and looking at Canon equipment (other companies are also offering good stuff. Decission should come from ergonomics) I would go for an EOS100D or 700D with the 18-55 STM (STM, important!) kit lens. That's actual tech with a really good kit lens to start from and nice features like touch screen and on screen help functions for beginners. Camera Model should depend on needs/desires and/or ergonomics.
Two SD cards, one spare battery, maybe a bag or filters as accessories.
Then there should be some money left for a second lens like the 50mm/f1.8 or the 40mm/f2.8 which could be used well in low light and as portrait lens (for this budget).
That would be my plan. In Germany you could get the Kit and 40mm for 50+30+ additional 50 = 130 € CashBack.
That would mean the 40mm is almost free of charge.
Looks different in other countries.

In a second and thrid step or depending on buget and local prices your friend could think about a tele (55-250 STM), external speedlite, etc.

Further questions on this? Please let me know.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

Look at the Pentax K5 or K3.

Rugged with real weather sealing (watch some of the youtube videos!)
In Body Image Stabalization means that you don't have to pay extra for a stabalized lens
Lots of really good glass both new and used

All this at a low price so you can afford to buy a body and a few good lenses.

 

[Synkka]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I am in Aus actually. I think there is a little flexibility in the budget I was leaning towards the 600d with the new kit lens and a 40 2.8
I will look again at the eos m though.

I will also have a look at the Pentax I haven't seen one in person yet

 

[Jim Saunders]

If you mean to get another camera later I'd suggest a 40D and something like a Tamron 17-55 f/2.8. Great IQ and a very similar control scheme to the rest of Canon's DSLRs, where the Rebels have a simplified layout. If eBay is good to you that would leave you n plenty for a flash and tripod.

Jim

 

[jdramirez]

I'd lean towards a t3 for $300, sell the kit lens for $75. Then but a 35 f2 is, or a 24-105, or maybe an 85 f1.8, or the 35 and a 55-250mm is..

I'd scrimp on the body, but pair it will some decent lenses... Maybe $100 for a 430 ex..

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

I vote for Rebel SL1 or else 700D with lens 18-55 STM. It's a great kit for learning and offers very good picture quality, and usability in this price category. I do not care for what DXO Mark says about Dinamic range, bla, bla, bla. :

If money left over for lenses, I recommend 40mm STM, 24mm STM, 55-250mm STM.

 

[gigabellone]

You can't go wrong with either Canon or Nikon, both manufacturer produce excellent cameras and lenses. The choice of the brand comes down to ergonomics, what your friends have (so you can borrow lenses! ), or if that particular brand has got something unique that you particularly like.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

You can't go wrong with either Canon or Nikon, both manufacturer produce excellent cameras and lenses.

Why restrict it to only those two manufacturers?

 

[jdramirez]

You can't go wrong with either Canon or Nikon, both manufacturer produce excellent cameras and lenses.

Why restrict it to only those two manufacturers?

I've said a very similar sentiment to people who ask my opinion.

Usually why I don't suggest Sony or Pentax is because of residual value. There are more Canon/Nikon shooters in the world and do the out of people you can sell your old gear to is much larger.


So if you decide slrs aren't for you, you can get out without losing your shirt. If you decide to upgrade, c/n hold their value better so you can use the funds from that to defray the cost of your new lens.

I'm sure a bunch of people have seen gear on Craigslist that just sits there for an eternity...

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

You can't go wrong with either Canon or Nikon, both manufacturer produce excellent cameras and lenses.

Why restrict it to only those two manufacturers?

Here in Brazil, Sony and Pentax cameras and lenses used, lose much of their value. I see advertisements for Sony cameras with one year of use, for less than half the price of a new in stores.

Yes. The resale value for Canon and Nikon keeps much better.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

The country you live in can make a difference in prices and in suggestions.

Do you live in Australia?

I think that some from your country could point you to cameras in your price range. I think a number of people have bought from Hong Kong to avoid high prices.

Lenses make the biggest difference at your price level, so I'd go for the lowest cost unit and the best lens.

Check the price of Nikon lenses versus Canon lenses to see which are better suited to your budget.

If you are looking to save money on lenses, a Canon with 15-85mm is a good all around lens. The 17-55mm ef-s is going to be better for low light.

I have had both. The 17-55 is a better lens, but the 15-85 is more flexible as far as being both wider and longer.

I purchased a G1 X as a 2nd body, its pretty good for a smaller camera body, and has IQ close to that of a beginning SLR.

As to the model, pick one that feels good in your hands, and that has a interface you like. If you want to do video, that's a different story, and will generate different recommendations.

Taking videos of kids running around, or of sporting events is best done with a camera having full time autofocus while taking video.

 

[jdramirez]

If I may say... the 24-105 had its problems, distortion, chromatic aberrations, f4 max aperture, but as a beginner lens, it is spectacular. Shall, good color rendition, nice range even on a crop... So getting that lens paired with any beginning body would be an incredible combo provided the shooter isn't all about primes... which is ok...

Primes are great, but most beginners don't go that route initially.

 

[dak723]

Any of the cheaper Canon rebels would be an excellent choice for a first DSLR. I would get it with the 18-55mm STM kit lens. If you can afford another lens, then I would recommend the 55-250mm STM. These lenses are very good quality for the price and definitely good enough for beginners (as well as advanced amateurs, quite frankly). There is no reason to even consider an "L" lens for this level of photography - way too expensive and perhaps even more importantly, way too heavy. I think two zooms that cover a wide range is a much simpler approach than primes for family type shooting.

 

[aroo]

When first starting out, you should explore a lot of different possibilities. I'd recommend the Canon T5 kit w/ 18-55mm & 55-250mm lenses. Add an extra battery and a 50mm f/1.8 lens. That's your budget right there.

In a while, add the 10-18mm lens if you find yourself using wide angle a lot.

That's my philosophy. Others will urge you to pick one lens and master it before adding anything else. I just think you should know your options in case you eventually want to invest more in photography.

Also, I wouldn't recommend the Canon M as your only camera -- I love mine, but it's very difficult to use in bright daylight. The screen is too reflective to see what you're doing, and there's no other viewfinder.

 

[jdramirez]

When first starting out, you should explore a lot of different possibilities. I'd recommend the Canon T5 kit w/ 18-55mm & 55-250mm lenses. Add an extra battery and a 50mm f/1.8 lens. That's your budget right there.

In a while, add the 10-18mm lens if you find yourself using wide angle a lot.

That's my philosophy. Others will urge you to pick one lens and master it before adding anything else. I just think you should know your options in case you eventually want to invest more in photography.

Also, I wouldn't recommend the Canon M as your only camera -- I love mine, but it's very difficult to use in bright daylight. The screen is too reflective to see what you're doing, and there's no other viewfinder.

I say this half heartedly since I started with the kit and had the 55-250 as well... But shooting at f5.6 isn't a dream... especially indoors... So the flash pops up if your in auto and your shots look like point and shoot images, or you shoot in av, tv ,etc, and your iso kicks up so much that your images look grainy and unusable.

I did suggest a cheap 430ex and learning how to bounce... well that may have been implied, but give me that, an older camera, and a better lens any day.

 

[Marsu42]

When first starting out, you should explore a lot of different possibilities. I'd recommend the Canon T5 kit w/ 18-55mm & 55-250mm lenses. Add an extra battery and a 50mm f/1.8 lens. That's your budget right there.

There has been some good advice in this thread so I felt no need to give my 2ct, but I agree with the above doesn't seem like a good idea - esp. paying a lot of $$$ and ending up with the ultra-crappy ancient 50/1.8 which is the absolute reverse of the "glass first" mantra.

One other reason in addition to those jdramirez gave: Having too many lenses around can be a hassle for a beginner, nobody likes changing lenses and it can take the fun away. Having lenses with very thin dof can also be difficult for beginners. Better start with an older crop camera body and a single good ef-s lens like the ef-s 15-85 which covers more reach, then start shooting, then think again where to go from there.