Which is a good DSLR for beginners?

Question

Looking for 2nd hand DSLR. Budget about $1.5K. Any recommendation?

Answer 1

All dSLR cameras are good for beginners - even the pro models. You can set them to fully automatic and take control of specific features as you grow into it. I'd recommend either a Canon or a Nikon for the incredible selection of lenses, the lens/ body upgrade path, and the knowledge that these companies will still be around in 5 years (a lot of other brands are going through hectic times.)
If you want to be done with it, get a new
Canon Rebel XT + Canon 28-200mm + 2GB memory = $1280
or
Nikon D70s + Nikon 18-200mm + 2GB memory = $1550.
These would be great for general use. The Nikon setup is more expensive because I selected a more expensive (and better) lens. The D70s costs $700 new, same as the Rebel XT. The Nikon D80 - announced this week - is nicer but it will cost $1000.
Get a cheaper lens if you think you'll need a flash and/ or tripod (I'd put that off untill the need arises).
If you want to do it the hard way, your budget allows for some awesome lens selections. There are great deals to be had 2nd hand, but you'll have to know in advance what you want.
* Do you need the full 28-200mm range?
* Do you want to do (ultra) wide-angle?
* Do you want more tele-zoom reach?
* Do you want to get a specialized lens for macro?
* Do you want a lens for low-light photography?
* Do you want to trade in zoom range for better image quality?
You could play it safe and start with a $300 general purpose lens. Then add other lenses as the need arises.
I'm into street photography, so I invested most of my budget in a great 17-55mm lens. I also like to do night time photography and play with very shallow depth of field, so I got a 50mm f/1.4. Later on I added a macro lens and a cheap 70-210mm zoom. I also have a tripod that's great at collecting dust, and I've been considering a flash for the past 2 years (the pop-up flash can do the job about 50% of the time)

Answer 2

Wow, you can get quite a bit with 1.5K

With that budget I would not go for a used camera; specially with digitals.

You can have the Rebel XT for about $700 brand new. Apparently there's a new model coming out in September, so it may hit $600 by early September.

With the $800 you've got left get a 50 mm f/1.8 for $80, a 70-200 f/4 for $580 and a 430EX Flash.

Don't get the Nikon D70, they already replaced it with the D80 which is a much nicer model. D70 had too many shortcomings.

Honestly right now Canon has a big lead on Nikon and Sony, the other two players on the DSLR market.

Hope this helps!

Ignacio

Answer 3

both or must be wonderful. It particularly comes right down to what feels astounding on your fingers. Nikon and Canon both make impressive cameras with more than a number of lenses and different upload-ons. The cameras i ought to seem at must be Canon insurrection XS or XSi or the Nikon D40 or D60. go right down to a good digicam shop and play round with them. Have the clerk coach you the position each and every of the controls are and choose the only you discover maximum gentle.

Answer 4

Buy
Canon Rebel XT
http://www.redopinion.com/digital-camera/category/canon/digital-rebel-xt/

with Canon EF 70-200mm
http://www.redopinion.com/digital-camera/canon/lens-for-canon-dslr/canon-ef-70-200mm-f28l-is-usm-telephoto-zoom-lens-sharp-and-fast.htm


Or
Nikon D70s
http://www.redopinion.com/digital-camera/category/nikon/d70s/

Nikon 18-200mm
http://www.redopinion.com/digital-camera/nikon/lens-for-dslr/not-the-perfect-lens-but-close-nikkor-18-200mm-ed-if-af-s-vr-dx.htm

_

Answer 5

NIkon D70s or the Canon 350
In any case your fisrt port of call should be:
http://www.dpreview.com/
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-Hope this helps.