I'm finally ready to take the plunge and get my first dSLR. I stopped by a camera store last weekend, only to find that they didn't stock dSLRs (too thin profit margin) and ended up at Best Buy, where most of the cameras were lacking batteries and/or memory cards, so I couldn't play with them much. But the salesman told me that Canons are generally preferred by people who have never used fancy cameras before because they're simpler. I figured out that this means all the buttons are on the outside, as opposed to the Nikons where you have to go through menus. I, unfortunately, have a tendency to accidentally hit buttons. In fact, I think every time I hit the shutter button on the Canon I also deployed the flash. So, I'm thinking Nikon.
I really like the d90, but that's also really expensive. In fact, this whole thing is so expensive that I'd really like advice. I'm never going to be a professional, but I really like playing with things like macro and generally catching just the right moment. I think I'll be good with a kit lens for now and maybe look into something else in a year or so. Video would be a nice feature, but I'm not intending to really shoot movies.
So first, which model? And second, any good resources for cheap cameras? I'm okay with used. I found zwee.com, but I'm skeptical.
@cytherisa I know you said Nikon but I got my first dSLR in January and love it. I got the Canon EOS T2i from Bestbuy. Yes, the buttons are on the outside but you can't accidentally hit them. They make changing exposure and other settings very quick and easy.
I much prefer Nikon.. And find them far simplier to use, especially compared with Canon infact. I use a D5000 which I have no complaints with whatsoever... But why not consider a refurbished second hand model... should be much cheaper and will might even come with a small warrenty period as well...
@annielf Thanks, I'll do another test run and look at them more carefully!
@andycoleborn Thanks! I'm totally into refurbished second-hand, I just can't find any retailers that are actually offering them for significantly less than new.
@mikegl71 Will do! My biggest pet peeve with my current and past cameras is when I push the shutter button and in the second or so it takes to actually take the picture, my subject has moved and the picture is lost. CNet was not particularly encouraging on that front, but they might have a completely different set of standards than me.
Hey, I have a canon and I love it. Also, I don't think you were deploying the flash by accident - it was that it was too dark where you were and that because you were on a certain setting it was setting that off to compensate. If it makes you feel better :) I just feel that the canon is nicely ergonomic, and it fits my hand nicely as well as finding it easy to use.
I've never owned a Canon, but I I just bought a higher-end Nikon point and shoot (the L120) and I'm absolutely in love. I have heard that Canon lenses are less expensive and easier to come by.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
@andycoleborn Thanks! I'm totally into refurbished second-hand, I just can't find any retailers that are actually offering them for significantly less than new.
@mikegl71 Will do! My biggest pet peeve with my current and past cameras is when I push the shutter button and in the second or so it takes to actually take the picture, my subject has moved and the picture is lost. CNet was not particularly encouraging on that front, but they might have a completely different set of standards than me.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3100/
That's an actual hands-on unbiased review .. Almost any camera you are interested in would be reviewed on that web site. It's a great resource !