Time for a new Camera!!!

[gottatree]

I figured you guy's could point me in the right direction. I want to finally step into the DSLR world. I cant stand it any longer. I have owned canons most of my life, The question is which camera would be the best for a beginner.I think I'm prepared to spend somewhere between $1000.00 to $1500. I hope I can get a decent outfit in that price range that is fairly user friendly. Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jason

[Bandit]

i was where you are right now and I took a leap and bought the Cannon T2i and have loved it ever since.  You will not be disappointed.  If you are into HDR photo, it will bracket three ranges.

[CAMPMEAT]

I bought a Nikon D60 package deal from Ritz camera. Has 2 Nikkor (?) lenses, carrying case, etc. Very nice camera $1100

[wapiti hunter2]

Do a search on here for "new camera" and try the sites below. 

http://www.huntfishnw.com/index.php?topic=3046.0
http://www.huntfishnw.com/index.php?topic=3104.0

[Dbow]

So do you already have Canon lenses, EOS, that will work on a Canon DSLR? That would tip things to continue with Canon in my opinion.

[gottatree]

I do have lenses that will work. I guess my question is which body I should purchase. Unless another brand was better, then I would change. 

[grandpawrichard]

I figured you guy's could point me in the right direction. I want to finally step into the DSLR world. I cant stand it any longer. I have owned canons most of my life, The question is which camera would be the best for a beginner.I think I'm prepared to spend somewhere between $1000.00 to $1500. I hope I can get a decent outfit in that price range that is fairly user friendly. Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jason

Jason,
I own a Canon 30D and a Canon 40D and I love them! I found the following camera in Adorama.com:

http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20405195.html

That would give you enough money out of your budget to buy a Canon L series lens to go with your camera! L Series lenses are The Best Lenses Canon makes.

A Canon 70-200 f4 L series lens is one of my favorite medium sized telephotos. I use one a whole lot! Here's one in Adorama:

http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20412649.html

Here is a photo taken with the 70-200 f4 L:



That and a Canon 18-55 F 3.5 to 5.6 IS lens and your good to go for quite a while.

http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20404669.html

Here is a photo taken with the 18-55 IS:



Here is a photo of Mt. Baker taken with the 18-55 IS:



Of course then, if you are like me; you will want a 400 mm L series lens :

http://www.adorama.com/CA40056AFU.html

This is a photo series taken of Mt. Baker from the same place as the one above:








I love my 400 L! I can hand hold it for some awesome shots, even in a dark auditorium.
The following photo was with my 400 L hand held :



My suggestion is to buy a Camera Body and then buy The Highest Quality Lens you can afford!

Dick

[Dmanmastertracker]

I bought a Nikon D60 package deal from Ritz camera. Has 2 Nikkor (?) lenses, carrying case, etc. Very nice camera $1100

 They still sell D60's?

 I thought the D40 and D60 were out of production.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 For my  , my wife has owned a Canon a long time, but want's a Nikon for the VR capability. She has issue's with blur.

[gottatree]

Wow, this is going to be harder than i thought. I have sat at my desk all day doing research. I think I'm more confused than when I started. This is not going to be something I just run out and buy today I found out. My secretary just asked me if I was going to do anything today. I thought i was leaning leaning towards the T2I, then I read a couple of negative reviews. I think if I buy a higher end canon or Nikon I'm going to be happy. This is almost like the Chevy and ford controversy i think.   

[Dmanmastertracker]

 If you do go with Nikon, give the D3100 a try.

[grandpawrichard]

gottatree,
Whatever DSLR Camera you try I am sure that you will be more than happy with it. It sounds like you have been doing your homework prior to dropping the dollars down. I do suggest that you go out and handle the cameras too before you buy.

When I was going to buy my first DSLR I planned on buying a Nikon. I went to a Good Camera store and played with each model of Nikons. I wasn't really happy with the feel of the Nikons and I told the Salesperson that. He gave me a Canon 30D to try. I immediately fell in love with the feel of the Canon and that is what I purchased.

This is almost like the Chevy and ford controversy i think.

You could not have said a more True Statement my friend!

Good Luck with the new camera! Let us know what you got and start posting photos taken with it!

Dick

[gottatree]

Thanks, guys. I think i'm going to stop on the way home and see what I can find. I feel like a kid on christmas eve. I gotta have it now!!!  

[CAMPMEAT]

I bought a Nikon D60 package deal from Ritz camera. Has 2 Nikkor (?) lenses, carrying case, etc. Very nice camera $1100

 They still sell D60's?

 I thought the D40 and D60 were out of production.

I don't know if they still are made or not. I bought mine 2 years ago. It's a very nice camera.

[CastleRocker]

I went through the exact same thing last spring.  I ended up with a new Canon 50D.  It came with the kit lens, which now belongs to my daughter.  I picked up a 70-200 L f/2.8 IS off Craigslist for a real good price.  (A guy that used to be on here a lot told me about the ad).  I love this lens.  I found a screaming deal on a 1.4 and a 2.0 teleconverters and against my better judgement, I bought them both just to try behind this lens.  I love the whole setup!  This 2.8 70-200 is fast enough, I can actually lose a stop or two in good light and still pull a decent shot off.  Now I need a good L series wide angle.  I bought a Tamron 18-200 for a walk around lens, and it does ok for what it is.  It's a good, (but very far from great) piece of glass.  It serves a purpose for me when I can only bring one lens.

For me anyway, the learning curve has been rather steep.  I shot a lot of 35mm 20 years ago, so I understand the basics.  This digital stuff is absolutely amazing though!  I am impressed with what I can "save" with just the software that came bundled with the camera. 

I've learned a lot just reading this (and the "other") forum and pm'ing the guys on here.  I'm still learning.  One of these days I might actually have a photo worth posting.