Best Affordable SLR Camera for Novice

[Valerus]

Hey guys,

I've been toying with the idea of buying an SLR camera.

I was pretty set on the Nikon D90 DX for ~$1000*, but then I saw that the Canon T1i is only $700* and seems to be the a better buy.

*prices on Amazon.com

What would you guys suggest?

Also, what about the Nikon D5000? I can get it on Amazon new for $640.

And concerning lenses, should I buy the frame with the default lens or should i upgrade? If so, to which one?

Remember, I am a novice photographer, semi-limited budget (no more than $1000) and want quality.

Thanks guys. I've been going through some topics here and you seem knowledgeable. Help a brother out!

-Will

[crazzy88ss]

Have you played with either one? There's a big difference between the way canon and nikon feel in your hands and their UI.

I'd take a D90 over the T1i or the D5000, but the T2i is better I think.

Lenses are more important to image quality than the camera body, so maybe go with the D5000 or T1i and spend money on lenses.

Which lenses? It depends on what you want to do with the camera. Let us know.

[Valerus]

I have handled a D90 and really liked it.

And the lens I was thinking (if I didn't stick with the stock lens) would be the Canon EF-S 55-250mm unless you have a recommendation for something else? I'm all ears.

[MR_Candyman]

I have handled a D90 and really liked it.

And the lens I was thinking (if I didn't stick with the stock lens) would be the Canon EF-S 55-250mm unless you have a recommendation for something else? I'm all ears.

The first thing you should learn is you can't mix cannon and nikon lenses. For instance, if you have a Nikon camera, you can't use a Canon lens

[bdsams Veteran]

and might I add, at those price points those are not really entry level DSLRs

[Valerus]

The first thing you should learn is you can't mix cannon and nikon lenses. For instance, if you have a Nikon camera, you can't use a Canon lens

Thanks for the clarification. I was curious about that, because Amazon recommended me that lens when I was on the D90 page. Stupid, I know.

and might I add, at those price points those are not really entry level DSLRs

I have the cash to go up to $1000, and I want to buy a camera so I don't have to buy another one for a while.

I'd rather pay a little extra for a better piece of equipment that I know is a great product and will last me a long time.

[Mekun]

Ya i wouldnt consider 1000.00 entry level. I bought my d90 for around 800 at b&h.

[compgenius2003]

What would be considered entry level then?

[ew2x4]

If you only have $1000, buy a $500 camera and spend $500 on lenses. First thing you should know is lenses>camera.

I just bought a Rebel XS on BestBuy.com with the 20% bing cash back.

[majortom1981]

You can also find the nikkon d40 dslr for $400 which is a good entry level dslr.

[compgenius2003]

I am thinking of getting the Canon EOS Rebel T2i EF-S 18-55IS Kit. It's listed at $899 on Canon's website but I'm sure I could find it for less. What do you all think of it?

[ew2x4]

I am thinking of getting the Canon EOS Rebel T2i EF-S 18-55IS Kit. It's listed at $899 on Canon's website but I'm sure I could find it for less. What do you all think of it?

Great camera that is definitely not entry level. Price is listed retail price. Read my advice from earlier. Look at spending a few hundred of your $1000 on lenses. You'll regret it if you don't.

What will you be using this for? Do you need video?

If you want my advise, use Bing Cash Back, and get 20% off of this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+-+12.3-Megapixel+Digital+SLR+Camera+-+Black/9311755.p?id=1218082646627&skuId=9311755

Then go get a telephoto lens.

[compgenius2003]

I don't need the video but it's one of those things that is nice to have. I currently have a Canon Powershot SX 1 IS which is no longer available. If I could I would get a full frame sensor but... those are too much at the moment. The main problem that I have with my current camera is its poor low light performance. Anything more than ISO 800 there is noticeable grain/noise. I use it for pretty much everything from portraits to landscapes and nature.

[Kondrath]

The D90 was my very first camera. Back when bing had 30% cashback I bought one for $600 and lenses for $180 or so. Such a good deal, but somehow it became defective (I think?) and I could no longer get any good shots so I sold it and built a computer instead, lol. But man, it was really easy to learn and it felt great in your hands. The extra buttons were so useful. I've never used a canon but I'm sure they're equally as great, so it's up to user preference.

I started to miss photography though, so I bought a D40 kit for $147 from a sears. I doubt you can find any left at that price 'cause they were discontinued a while ago, but keep an eye out just in case. I think the D40 is more entry level than D90, but it can't really compete with the D90 at all... I miss the bigger body and motor for non-DX lenses...

[Valerus]

I'm contemplating which lens to buy. I want it to be a one-and-done lens. a good one with a quality zoom and crisp image.

A D90 and which lens? Anyone want to shoot?

[maash]

$1000 is not entry level. Something like the Canon XSi is entry level. It will cost you around 400-480 for a new body. That is usually the entry level price. I wouldnt buy a $1000 camera and then not know how to use it. the worse thing is when you buy something expensive and not know how to handle it. it is waste of money. For a novice start with the Basic DSLR

[MR_Candyman]

I'm contemplating which lens to buy. I want it to be a one-and-done lens. a good one with a quality zoom and crisp image.

A D90 and which lens? Anyone want to shoot?

There is no perfect lens, especially a zoom lens. Zoom lenses are bet at their mid-zoom point, they get worse on each side of that. Zoom lenses are handy and you can get some great shots with them, but primes are the best for crisp images

[Argote]

Also note that lenses usually depreciate much slower than bodies so they're a far better investment.

The D90 with the kit lens should be pretty nice, if you can get something like an 18-105 kit lens then much better.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/580422-REG/Nikon_25448_D90_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680673-REG/Canon_4462B005_Canon_EOS_Rebel_T2i.html

Try to find them somewhere else for less :p

[Valerus]

The D90 comes with an 18-105mm lens everywhere I see. I think I will be going with the D90 / 18-105mm package unless anyone has any objections? haha

[ew2x4]

Buy with Bing Cash Back at Best Buy to save some money if you can't find it any cheaper.

[Valerus]

Lets say I wanted to go with a D5000 and an 18-105mm lens. On Amazon, I am looking at $597 for the body and $365 for the lens. That is $962. Why would I do this when I can get the D90 and the stock 18-105mm lens for $1,021?

[crazzy88ss]

you wouldn't.

lol

[Valerus]

Yeah. haha.

Okay, I have been considering cheaper alternatives. I've been reading reviews on the D40 and it's pretty much unanimously positive for it. And it's quite cheaper. What price would you say for the D40? On Amazon I can get it for $527 new with the stock 18-55mm lens.

Or pay $120 more for the D5000 with the 18-55mm lens.

[crazzy88ss]

There's such a massive difference between the D40 and D5000. Don't get anything less than the D5000. The D5000 has the same sensor as the D300s, an $1800 pro camera. That makes it very good deal for the price.

Oh and they don't even make the D40 any more; it's been replaced by the D3000.

[Draconian Guppy]

There's such a massive difference between the D40 and D5000. Don't get anything less than the D5000. The D5000 has the same sensor as the D300s, an $1800 pro camera. That makes it very good deal for the price.

Oh and they don't even make the D40 any more; it's been replaced by the D3000.

+1 The D40 is maybe a tier or two below the D5000 all around (noise performance/metering/fps/sensor/) and the D3000 doesn't exactly fill the gap.

Like Crazzy says, get the D5000, Same sensor in D90 and D300s.