DSLR's on Black Friday

[Ryan S]

Considering finally getting a DSLR (75% for baby/child growing up, 25% for reefkeeping).

 

Black Friday has a couple of models for sale, but this will be my first, so I don't know much more than the reviews I am reading online.  If anyone has advice/recommendation between them, I'd appreciate it.

 

Wal-Mart Ad

Canon Rebel T5 w/ 18-55mm lens, and 75-300mm lens, $449

Nikon D3200 w/ 18-55mm lens, and 55-200mm lens, $499

Canon Rebel T5i w/ 18-55mm lens, and 75-300mm lens, $699

 

[MrSexyShrimp]

I have a nikon d3300 which is the slightly newer model. i don't use the kit lens or the zoom lens at all. pretty much just use my prime. thinking about getting a macro lens for xmas now that i'm back in the hobby.

 

went for d3300 based on these recommendations:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

 

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-budget-dslr-camera/

 

purchased as a bundle through amazon. came w/ free amazon-branded bag, memory card, discount on zoom lens. prime lens was full price (it hardly ever goes on sale.) 

 

also got a couple of UV filters (lens protectors basically) and a cheap cleaning kit.

[Orion]

Hi Ryan,

 

I am considering upgrading my DSLR. I have an old D60, and have been looking at getting a D3300.

Adorama has a few refurbished D3300s for $479.

 

Not sure what Black Friday deals they'll have.

[DuffyGeos]

Considering finally getting a DSLR (75% for baby/child growing up, 25% for reefkeeping).

 

Black Friday has a couple of models for sale, but this will be my first, so I don't know much more than the reviews I am reading online.  If anyone has advice/recommendation between them, I'd appreciate it.

 

Wal-Mart Ad

Canon Rebel T5 w/ 18-55mm lens, and 75-300mm lens, $449

Nikon D3200 w/ 18-55mm lens, and 55-200mm lens, $499

Canon Rebel T5i w/ 18-55mm lens, and 75-300mm lens, $699

I got a Nikon D5200 package also off of Amazon from I think Focus (Camera shop) It came with all the items Mr Sexy got.

Edited November 12, 2014 by DuffyGeos

[Ryan S]

Are the 18-55mm stock lens usually kinda crappy, or are they good?  It sounds like buying a camera alone, and then a nice lens separate might be the smartest way to go?

[AlanM]

I'm interested in this topic as well.   Looking to see what people come up with for camera recommendations.  Also wondering about what lenses are used to take the nice macro coral shots that people take.

[MrSexyShrimp]

I got a Nikon D5200 package also off of Amazon from I think Focus (Camera shop) It came with all the items Mr Sexy got.

No no call me Andrew. MrSexy was my father.

[DuffyGeos]

No no call me Andrew. MrSexy was my father.

  Ok MrSexy JR

[Shoelace]

I used to have a Canon DSLR. Loved it. Took great photos. But with the kids, it was a pain to lug around. I switched to the Micro Four Thirds format. Interchangeable lenses, much smaller, but with almost as good image quality. Olympus and Panasonic make good ones. There is also the Nikon 1 AW1 mirrorless camera which is similar and you can take pictures IN the tank! There is also the Sony Nex series but lenses are limited.

[MrSexyShrimp]

 

Are the 18-55mm stock lens usually kinda crappy, or are they good?  It sounds like buying a camera alone, and then a nice lens separate might be the smartest way to go?

 

 

They aren't top of the line glass but they aren't crappy by any means. You won't be able to sell it for much money since pretty much everyone gets one bundled w/ the camera.

 

A kit lens will produce a completely decent standard looking photo and its good to have in your arsenal.

 

Much of my photos are casual portraits of friends or of pets, so 90% of the time I use the prime. It's very flattering for portraiture.

 

Edit: Here's the Amazon link for my prime.

 

It's also good for pictures of food.

Edited November 12, 2014 by MrSexyShrimp

[howaboutme]

I have a Nikon 5200 too. I got it from B&H. I also have an old 18-55 kit lens from my old D80 package. For most people, the kit lens will do. The big differences in high quality lens is material (metal vs plastic, good ones are heavier), ability to shoot in low light (which is a huge enough deal), focus ability and other smaller, less known quantities like Bokeh, etc. For every day situations, the 2 lenses that the package comes w/ is all that's needed. Then add on from there based on need/want. I also have a 50mm prime that shoots great pictures.

 

Also know that whatever brand you choose, you're stuck. You can't interchange lens attachments. Also be aware that the lower end DSLR's are APS-C. That means your sensor is not full frame therefore all pictures are cropped from what you see from your view finder. In most cases, you will not see a difference. It also means that there are 2 types of lenses, APS-C and full frame. You can use full frame lenses on APS C bodies (just cropped) but you can't use APS-C on full frame cameras (not an issue here as full frame bodies are extremely more expensive).

 

You won't go wrong either way. It's really like choosing a Ford over a Chevy at this point. Unless you're printing posters, pixel counts don't make a huge difference either.

 

Check out dpreview. You'll get more opinions from other photographers.

[DuffyGeos]

 

Are the 18-55mm stock lens usually kinda crappy, or are they good?  It sounds like buying a camera alone, and then a nice lens separate might be the smartest way to go?

 

 

I am not a "big camera guy" but all the pics I have posted are with my Nikon 18-55mm. I also got a Sigma DG 70-300mm zoom in the package. It seems Ok to me, but I am sure it is not as good as the Nikon lens. I plan on buying a macro lens in the near future to take pics of my kids... I mean corals. I have heard the Tamron macro lens are good.

[Orion]

 

 

went for d3300 based on these recommendations:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

 

 

 

Ken has the best reviews I have read on cameras and lenses. 

[DuffyGeos]

Ken has the best reviews I have read on cameras and lenses. 

I thought you were talking about me at first!   I was scared! Don't use my camera recommendations as an end all!

[Orion]

I am not a "big camera guy" but all the pics I have posted are with my Nikon 18-55mm. I also got a Sigma DG 70-300mm zoom in the package. It seems Ok to me, but I am sure it is not as good as the Nikon lens. I plan on buying a macro lens in the near future to take pics of my kids... I mean corals. I have heard the Tamron macro lens are good.

 

I always liked the standard 18-55mm lens. These two pictures were taken in Aspen, Colorado with it on the D60.

 

 

 

 

I thought you were talking about me at first!   I was scared! Don't use my camera recommendations as an end all!

 

 

LOL! I am with you on getting a macro lens. Was reading this earlier.

[DuffyGeos]

Ahhh! Maroon Bells! One of my favorite places to hike!

[turbo2oh]

Coincidentally I was looking this up as well and was leaning towards the D3300. If I see any deals pop up I'll post them.

[YHSublime]

I think Jack said it best:

 

I have a Nikon 5200 too. I got it from B&H. I also have an old 18-55 kit lens from my old D80 package. For most people, the kit lens will do. The big differences in high quality lens is material (metal vs plastic, good ones are heavier), ability to shoot in low light (which is a huge enough deal), focus ability and other smaller, less known quantities like Bokeh, etc. For every day situations, the 2 lenses that the package comes w/ is all that's needed. Then add on from there based on need/want. I also have a 50mm prime that shoots great pictures.

 

Also know that whatever brand you choose, you're stuck. You can't interchange lens attachments. Also be aware that the lower end DSLR's are APS-C. That means your sensor is not full frame therefore all pictures are cropped from what you see from your view finder. In most cases, you will not see a difference. It also means that there are 2 types of lenses, APS-C and full frame. You can use full frame lenses on APS C bodies (just cropped) but you can't use APS-C on full frame cameras (not an issue here as full frame bodies are extremely more expensive).

 

You won't go wrong either way. It's really like choosing a Ford over a Chevy at this point. Unless you're printing posters, pixel counts don't make a huge difference either.

 

 

I take a lot of pictures with the stock lens as well, but a good macro lens is nice to have, IMO.

[Fishie]

i did that maroon bells hike with my kid piggybacking last year....was epic!!!

[Cheshireboxers]

I have a Nikon and think it's the bomb

[brad908]

Just get a base canon rebel body and something like the canon 24-105 f4l lens

 

Don't bother with any of the kit lenses

[brad908]

You can buy lens converters, so you aren't stuck. You will lose a couple stops though by using a lens converter

[howaboutme]

Don't do converters, get it right the first time.

 

I agree w/ Brad. It's the lens that matters more so in terms of quality of pictures (assuming the photographer understands exposure, white balance, etc that are adjusted from the body). So any of the 3 options are a good base to start from and then spend money on the lens. But really, the kits w/ the kit lenses are not that much more than body only.

[wangspeed]

Having used optical viewfinders and good EVF, I'll never go back. I love my Olympus EM1. Smaller and settings are no longer a mystery to me. WYSIWYG from the EVF to the captured photo.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[brad908]

Other very good a cheap lenses :

 

Canon 50mm 1.8

Canon 40mm 2.8

 

Everyone with a cannon should own the 50mm "nifty fifty" 1.8 in their life. Only like $120 and takes excellent pics