DSLR reccomendations

[Captain Nemo]

Ok guys, so I am looking into my first DSLR and would like some input. I can't spend more than 1k so keep that in mind before you guys start spitting out crazy stuff. I like the Sony A55 and Nikon d5100. So thought and opnions please.

 

[clowns101]

Honestly, dont go with a Sony DSLR, its not that they arent a good camera, but Canon and Nikon really have control over the DSLR market.

If i were you, i would go with a Canon of cource (I love Canon, and have the Canon 7d). Theres a few models that you can get and they are newer and very awesome beginner DSLR's!

Canon t21 is a great camera, they call it the baby 7d! Its a good camera that also films video, so its a all around camera.
Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) 4462B001 B&H

What do you plan on shooting? Theres a lot of extra lenses that are great to have with this camera as well!

 

[Captain Nemo]

I plan on shooting the tank ( of course) and vacations. I think it's a 50mm macro lense that I would need right? Only thing i dislike about canon and its my personal quirk is they have a small shutter button. I have looked at the T3i and T2i both. I like them other than the small button.

 

[Loki]

I have a Nikon d90 and I got it on eBay with two lenses for 800. It's a champ.other people in my family shoot with canon and it is setup backwards from a Nikon.

 

[Captain Nemo]

ok, so I have a nikon and a canon now. what are the advantages of your camera choices respectively?

 

[Loki]

I think you will find they are very similar. It will be a personal choice. For every model that Nikon has, canon will have something similar and better. Same goes for canon. I say go to a true camera store and play with a few of them. Ask tons of questions and get a good feel of the cameras. A real camera store will have no problem letting you play with a camera for a bit before dropping a grand.

 

[Captain Nemo]

I have been to Wolf camera here locally. They hands down for the money recommended the Sony a55. They said that its shoots faster @ 10fps, focuses faster, because it has 2 focusing motors in the housing not the lens. Lenses are also cheaper. I am not in anyway putting down any brand, but I am relaying what they told me to you guys for your opnion. So thoughts??

 

[twinspots_goby]

I have been using Canon, and been very happy with it. My close buddy has been using Nikon and I know he loves his Nikon. So you will be happy with either one. IMO, Canon is a bit cheaper if you wanna go with a higher end.

Here is my setup
Camera: Canon 50D, $1k
Lens: Canon 50mm (Macro for coral shooting), $400
Lens: Canon 100mm (Macro for either coral shooting or walk-around shooting), $800
Lens: Canon 17-55mm (Wide angle for walk-around and portraits shooting), $1k
Lens: Canon 70-200mm (telephoto for sports and wild animal shooting), $2500
Lens: Canon 500mm (telephoto for sports and wild animal shooting), $7K
External Flashlight: Canon 580 EX II (a very good external flashlight), $500

 

[Captain Nemo]

WOW.... nice setup..... :bigsmile:

 

[Mitchell]

Captain it all boils down to personal preference I think. Both Nikon and Canon are great manufacturers. Your either a Chevy or a Ford guy so to speak. I shoot with Nikon stuff and am happy with it or maybe I should say COMFORTABLE with it. I know where the buttons and features are...If I were to switch to Canon ( In the equivalent to what I have) and I got used to it I'm sure I would be just as happy.

HERE is the important step...Spend as much money as you can reasonably afford on GOOD quality glass. The camera is one thing...its a light tight box with a bunch of electronics but the GLASS is whats going to give you those sharp images. Sure the camera will have all the features to make getting those images easier but its the GLASS... oh and of course the experience and knowledge.

A good quality DEDICATED Macro lens ( and please don't discount Tameron or Sigma when looking for said lens) and a good quality walk around lens and your off to the races.

 

[CJO]

Personally, I'd go with either Nikon or Canon due to the availability of lenses. I shoot Nikon and really like them, but Canon is liked by many too.

As far as macro lenses, I'd look more in the 100mm area (90-105mm) rather than the 50mm area so that you can get nice macro shots further in your tank.

CJ

 

[Captain Nemo]

Thanks for the input so far guys, keep the suggestions comng!

 

[m and m]

I love my canon, but honestly I think most people over due it. I have a canon 1ds mk IV wichis around 8K I won't even go near my tank with I use a canon renal xti a dslryou can find used for under 300 bucks some times even under 200. So yea it's not all about the price tag I like the xti due to it is straight to the point all the bells and whistles you need and that's it. You might also think my photos might suffer in quality because it's a cheap camera,I personally dont think so look at my picture thread I think most pictures are top notch.

 

[Captain Nemo]

Well I am wanting it as a vacation camera as well so I dont really want to limit myself to just shooting my tank. I want a good all around camera. I have researched heavily today and everything I can find says Sony makes a good DSLR. They are cheaper than Nikon and Canon. They do not have as many lenses but you can use the Minolta lenses on them. Theyalso take 7-10fps with the new SLT cameras. So thoughts on this or should I lean towards Nikon or Canon?

 

[Loki]

I would still lean towards the Nikon or canon. Did you look at image receptor size? There is a reason sony is cheaper. it's not because they love their customers and want to lose money.

 

[STL]

...but its the GLASS...

What he said... The difference between a medium and high end lens is more than the difference between several generations of bodies. And glass doesn't depreciate much, if at all. If your budget is tight, get a used or clearance last year body but get the best lens you can.

 

[cparka23]

I would still lean towards the Nikon or canon. Did you look at image receptor size? There is a reason sony is cheaper. it's not because they love their customers and want to lose money.

Are you referring to their sensors? They're the same size, you know. 23.6 x 15.7mm vs 23.5 x 15.6 mm. (d5100 vs a55). yeah

 

[Loki]

Sure, if thats what they are called. I wasn't saying there was a difference. I was just saying there are other things than the frames per second (which was mentioned a couple of times) to consider.

 

[Reef Pets]

I use a Canon Xsi with a Canon 60mm macro and feel that my photo quality is pretty decent and the set up is well under 1K new. You don;t have to spend a fortune to get great quality photos, most of all you need to know how to use the equipment. Some recent example from my Xsi. I can take these same quality photos one after another without changing settings other than F-stop to get more depth.

 

[Loki]

Nice pics. I need a macro lens.