dslr Helping finding an entry DSLR

[Tekkerson]

My younger, adolescent sister is interested in professional photography and she wants to learn and gain experience manually taking pictures. My parents want to buy her a camera that can give her a little taste of how modern cameras work, but of course neither they or I know much about the topic, so I'd like some help. Granted, I still know a lot more, but not as much as you guys.

Anyway, trying to find something between $200-$300. Doesn't matter if it's a used camera. Probably looking for a body and lens combo, not sure about mm size though. It'd need lens that can take good mid-range pictures such as inner city, streets, buildings, bridges and the like.

Let me know if you guys have any links to buy something close as to what I want above. Thanks!

[abysal]

Canon T3 or Nikon D3000?

[UseLess]

If you're looking at $200-$300, I think you will probably struggle for an SLR camera. Do you really need one? A lot of people get an SLR camera, and use it like any old P&S camera.

If you want something with a few more features, perhaps a Bridge Camera may be a more affordable alternative - Fujifilm FinePix S2950 as an example, do more research on that one, I just quickly found a reasonable one.

When you're considering a camera, its worth thinking what features you want, and are likely to use. SLRs are great if you want to 'do everything', they have a hotshoe for attaching a larger flash, they have swappable lens' and features to change until the end of time. If you just want a camera with one "jack of all trades" lens, and arent going to be installing a bigger flash on top, but still want a bunch of food features, then maybe a Bridge Camera will suit you well.

If you do want an entry level SLR, then the T3 or the D3100 both get good reviews.

Goodluck!

[Tekkerson]

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys.

I'll research some more into the models that you guys suggested and will compare them thoroughly, in the meanwhile, what do you guys think of this?

http://www.ebay.com/...#ht_1231wt_1396

http://www.ebay.com/...9#ht_500wt_1413

Found them while browsing for price, which lens would be fitted for shooting mid-range enviroment like I said in my first post? The 55mm one or the 28-80 mm one?

[Tekkerson]

Shameless bump! Would really appreciate feedback before the weekend since I'd like to have it shipped on Monday :)

[a1ien]

I don't know what to say about the old SLR... perhaps someone can speak to it. A new one would be nice I guess becuse sensor and processing technology advances quickly.

Here's some cool choices:

http://www.adorama.c...PCDMCGF2KK.html The cheapest good one, this has no optical viewfinder... just a screen. no loss IMO because the cheapest slr's universally have an bad viewfinder anyways.

http://www.amazon.co...29536433&sr=8-1 Canon t3 sure you've seen these

http://www.adorama.c...0%20479337.html USed rebel xs, the previous model. $380 is a little more but at least it's from Adorama, a trusted dealer.

http://www.adorama.com/ICADRT2IKR.html THis is a refurb Canon T2i - a big step up technology wise over all these cameras. It's really the one to get.

Try the local craigslist - it would be nice to be able to test what you're getting. Good luck ~~~

[crazzy88ss]

Canon or Nikon you'll be set for a while. You're really buying into a system, and not just a single camera. Both systems are great, with differences very limited until you get into the pro-level cameras.

[abysal]

The issue I have with with older SLRs is their ISO performance isn't all that great, so if you're into indoor flashless photography you will be disapointed with the low light capabilities, even if you have a fast f1.8 or better lens.