Which DSLR should I get?

selina_555

2012-01-08 13:13:10 UTC

Any of the entry level DSLRs would keep you happy for a few years. It is good that you're looking at either Canon or Nikon. I have a LOT of contact with other photographers and time and time again it seems that either one of those are most likely to make their owners happy.

The most important part is to buy only the best lenses - camera bodies get upgraded, lenses stay with us.

You WILL regret buying cheap lenses.

Don't rush into buying lenses. Start with a kit lens, get to know your camera, that lens, and all photographic principles.

Through time and through use, you will eventually KNOW what other lenses you'll need/want.

The more time you'll take, the less likely you are to regret your choices.

If you know anyone close to you with a camera, consider borrowing lenses and "picking their brain" about their camera and whatever else they know.

Go to a store and hold a few cameras, see how they feel to YOU.

Keep in mind that buying a DSLR isn't cheap, even if you find a good deal for body and kit lens.

You'll also want and/or need a few other things such as tripod, filters, a bag, sensor cleaning gear, a second battery, memory cards, perhaps a remote shutter release etc.

That's just the small stuff - I can guarantee you that you'll also want more and more lenses.

You'll also want a decent flash some day.

See how that list just goes on and on?

Owning a DSLR isn't cheap - at least not until you have built up a nice stash of gear.

Just some food for thought........

Do lots of research before you buy, and start learning about photography, too.

The very best thing you can do for your photography is to attend a class and read a few books and tutorials. Having some knowledge will make a huge difference to your images.

I hope I have expressed this idea clearly enough: YOU need to learn about photography because even the world's best camera will take lousy shots in the hands of someone who has no clue how to use it.

anonymous

2012-01-08 16:41:02 UTC

The Canon 550D offers NOTHING over the 1100D and the D3100. It's still fundamentally an entry level camera with entry level camera features. The extra money you pay could be better saved until you need to make a big spend on lenses, or you could simply spend it on a better camera.

In the end, after a year or so you will want to upgrade your entry level camera. They can sometimes be frustrating to use, and you'll crave for good ergonomics and better real world performance. So you may throw in a little extra to get something that you can keep for a few years. Like a Nikon D90 for example.

With regard to the end result, well that has nothing to do with the camera. The camera is just a black box, and will to what you tell it to do (GIGO principle). If you know how to take the right photographs you will be rewarded, DSLRs are all capable tools and will generally go what you ask of them.

If you have an interest in macrophotography, then it will be well advised to invest in a decent macro lens, something like a Sigma 105mm f2.8 or Tamron 90mm f2.8. Of course this will be another major expenditure. Macro is a specialist area and needs specialist equipment.

It's good to have a goal to produce great images in camera, and that is the best attitude to go about it, however you do need to recognise that no image is perfect, and that some post processing is needed. Tweaking an image (such as white balance, straightening, dust removal, minor adjustmenst) is a good habit to get into.

OhioGuy

2012-01-08 13:12:15 UTC

the 550D is from Canon, not Nikon

compare the 550D and D3100 and see which one you like better.

either way you go, the following information holds true

macro, nature, etc etc require the use of different lenses. For macro, you need a macro lens

for landscapes, you need a wide angle lens

for sports and faraway shots, you need a long telephoto lens

whether or not you get good pictures depends on your skill with the camera. If you keep the camera on auto mode, it is a waste. You must learn to manipulate shutter speed, ISO, and aperture to conform to what and how you want to shoot a certain subject.

the 550D has the edge on video

the D3100 has the edge on still images as it has a slightly larger sensor

here are the reviews

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3100/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonEOS550D/

?

2012-01-08 14:52:18 UTC

No DSLR is majorly basic. The budget models now have specs which far outclass cameras sold for the professional market only a few years ago.

What matters most is whether a camera fits your own hand and is easy to use...for you, not for somebody else.

Go handle some cameras, look at the menus and buttons, and choose the camera you get along with best.

Whichever you get you'll have a far more advanced camera than the greatest photographers of a generation ago had.

Far better specified than the cameras used by Ansel Adams who is famous for his documentary photographs of Yosemite or Karsh of Ottawa who photographed presidents princes kings queens and film stars and always had a waiting list, or the great war photographer Larry Burrows who worked in Vietnam and many other war zones..

None of them had auto exposure auto colour balance and auto flash metering. It was all done manually.

They were photographers, not shutter clickers.

https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20111230140932AAo44lX

anonymous

2016-03-01 00:41:30 UTC

There are advantages and disadvantages to both systems. Most DSLR cameras have Live View which operates with the mirror locked out of the way, but compared to a dedicated (Evil) mirror-less camera the implementation tends to be poor. Advantages of a mirror-less camera, In low light the view on the mirror-less is amplified to still give a bright image. You can get movable screen mirror-less cameras (the Panasonic G1 and G2) this is very useful for low angle and high angle shots. The lens mount to sensor distance is small (20mm on the micro 4/3rds system) which means you can use high quality lenses designed for TV cameras cheaply, how does a 180mm f1.4 appeal to you? They can be adapted to use most any lens including Leica compact lenses. With manual focus lenses they have a zoomed in (7X or 10X magnification) view to get the focus spot on, coupled with the bright view you get this is a real winner. They are easy to connect to telescopes and microscopes. They are smaller, lighter and easier to carry around. They implement video better if that interests you. DSLR cameras tend not to allow auto focus in video mode and other limitations. Where the DSLR scores, and scores heavily, is in image quality, notably the lower noise, much better low light performance and wider dynamic range (fewer burnt out skies) you get. This will change as new sensors are developed, but currently the APS sized sensor beats the half frame sensor by quite a margin. The Sony Nex camera tried to overcome this problem, but it was not really successful mainly due to the poor sensor used, and the lenses it uses are the same size and weight of a DSLR. Chris

Total IT Solution

2012-01-09 02:57:36 UTC

Compare any camera from the source site. I am Nikon shooter. And good to be true its good. I will recommend Nikon D7000. You don't have to worry when you go from beginner to advance as it covers unless you are gone to pro level. You can use it for several years.

But if you still want to go with canon then try to get Rebel T3i. Also compare Nikon D90

For macro shoots you need macro lens there is other way around for making normal lens to macro with reverse ring. but its another option for but not for beginner.

If you still not convinced with nikon or spend more on camera then buy any DSLR (entry level) body only and buy a good lens.

Spend on Lens not on camera. Camera price drops but not lens.

?

2012-01-09 02:34:39 UTC

Just because a DSLR is cheap it doesn't mean it's basic. It's not like their quality is horrible and once you know how to take pictures they stop working. You're the photographer.

The 1100D is the lowest here, 550D is the highest, while D3100 sort of competes with both.

Here's a DSLR Buying Guide - http://www.the-dslr-photographer.com/2009/11/which-dslr-to-buy/

Stephen Cheatley

2012-01-08 13:14:15 UTC

There is not much between the Canon 550d and the Nikon D3100.

They are both very good. Try them out at your local store. See what feels better.

answerer

2012-01-09 00:52:51 UTC

If you can push your budget, I strongly recommend you get the T3i (600D), because the screen can be tilted and swiveled. The T2i (550D) and the T3 (1100D) don't allow this.

?

2012-01-08 22:38:08 UTC

Add this in your lists Canon 60D, Nikon D7000, Nikon D5100. You might find you choice here http://www.topdigitalcamerassite.com

john

2012-01-08 13:10:48 UTC

Hi There my Niece has the Cannon 550D and she adores it