How do I into DSLR?

"Carl (@stuffcarlsays)" (carllevine) 07/30/2014 at 15:26 • Filed to: None

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The Mrs. and I have decided that we want to buy a legitimate camera. We're sick of taking potato pics of dogs (she runs a dog grooming shop) and I'm sick of being that guy at C+C getting up in everyone's way with my iPhone camera.

What say you, fellow oppos? What's a good quality starter set? Have a thoughtful Clarkson for your trouble.

trmoore09 > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:30

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I have a D3100 (current model is D3300) and it is very easy to use and takes very good pictures.

MonkeePuzzle > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:31

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"pics of dogs" riiiight. so first get yourself a mirrored bedroom ceiling...

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:31

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Check out photography.kinja , a lot us over there discussing cameras and such.

mr_gofast > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:33

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there as a thread about this a few days ago. i had a nice post answering your question - lemme find it.

 V8 Rustler > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:34

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I would get a mirrorless camera with an APS-C size sensor. Same size sensor as a DSLR but in a more compact and friendly body. Sony NEX would be my choice as it feels very well made. Lens is machined out of metal.

-Biased because I have one.

Victorious Secret > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:35

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Depends on your budget.

1000 gets you a nice T5i + a few lenses.

500 gets you older Rebels and then you can start adding on lenses on your own. Of which I recommend the 50mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8 for starters on the Canon side. Then any 70-200 that you want OR a ultra wide angle. Doesn't matter which you get first, since you'll end up with both anyways.

I recommend getting an older body (they're really all the same for the past 2-3 years) and investing more into the lenses.

mr_gofast > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:35

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http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/oppo-photograp… - lumpies thread/

my reply

my dad is a Semi pro photo hound - so ill list off what he told me. This also applies moreso if youre shooting cars.

Nikon vs Canon - crapshoot at this price point and experiance level - either is exceptional for what you want it for (what will you be shooting and where) - the 1080p advantange for Canon is negligable and frankly useless you have a HD tv and/or epic monitor for output you wont tell the difference from one camera to the other.

bodies/Lenses

Canon and Nikon both have very good lens quality - Nikon has the edge here since they have a bit better of a warranty on lenses and bodies then Canon - bodies are usually 1-2yr mfr. warranty and Lenses are 5 years for Nikon and 1 year for Canon

edge - Nikon

also to be aware - if you buy a old Nikon body and new lense - you wont have to worry - the mounting ring in the camera body hasnt changed size in years under Nikon - so any lense fits any body as long as the mfer is the same. Im pretty sure thats the same with Canon but check on that.

The human eye cant really tell any difference over 14mgs of resolution so keep that in mind. All that resolution figure shows is what size the pic you take is capable of being blown up to without going grainy. The higher the res the bigger picture you can make from a single image and keep the detail super high.

HammerheadFistpunch > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:35

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if I could make but one recommendation: looks at ALL the markets and honestly evaluate your needs. an SLR is a neat toy, but a mirrorless, or even premium compact might suit your needs better.

mr_gofast > trmoore09 07/30/2014 at 15:40

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my dad just got the d3200 or d3300...cant recall all i know is it cost him 3500 for the body :/

ttyymmnn > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:41

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There are already a couple of similar discussions on the Photography blog you might check out.

My experience is with Canon. I have three bodies: a 20D, a 40D and a 50D, all bought (or given to me) used. There are many good used camera bodies available on KEH, B&H Photo, or Adorama. I've had good luck with KEH and B&H. Generally, my advice is to get a good used body and buy new lenses. My experiences with Tamron have been quite good. I have a 17-50 f/2.8 that is stellar, and a 70-200 f/2.8 that is also excellent (it's $1500 new, though). Many of the kits come with decent lenses, but, as my brother said, it will likely be just enough camera to piss you off. Which means that if you want to do anything serious, you will soon come up against the limitations of the lens, particularly in the area of speed (aperture size). But, if you are looking for a good all around camera, most of the kits you will find will be more than adequate. Check out the ergonomics. I dislike the ergonomics of the Rebel line; they feel small and tight, and light, and a bit cheap. The 40-70D feel hefty and strong in the hand, functions are readily available. But, as I said, that's all I've ever shot with.

trmoore09 > mr_gofast 07/30/2014 at 15:42

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Whoa god no. He must have gotten the D3X. The D3300 is like $600, with a lens.

Carl (@stuffcarlsays) > MonkeePuzzle 07/30/2014 at 15:44

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I wish I had more stars to give this.

dogisbadob > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:46

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phone cameras have gotten really good! An iPhone camera is more than fine! Shit, even my non-smartphone camera is good quality, at least 2 MP.

To answer your question though, the cheapest one you can get is a good starter set. I have the Canon XTI (from 2008) and it is awesome, although I do wish I had a lens with image stabilization (which even some "potatos" have!)

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:47

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This. Is worth investigating if it's in your price range.

mr_gofast > trmoore09 07/30/2014 at 15:48

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ah youre right...d3x :)

njp1589 > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:49

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I'm a Canon guy myself, and I'm very happy so far. Bought a 60D off of Canon's refurbished site and it's been bulletproof so far.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalo…

Prior to my 60D I primarily used Sony digital cameras and was VERY happy with them. My brother still uses a superzoom I bought a few years back with great success. Their Alpha line doesn't quite have the lens availability of Nikon or Canon, but they're generally well reviewed cameras. Same goes for Pentax, and their cameras are often available weather sealed.

My suggestion would be to start looking at features you want. Megapixel count isn't super important, but you want to pay attention to things like buffer, image processor, and what kind of sensor you want. Also be sure to look at what kind of memory it takes... SD is super cheap, even for high speed cards.

Just what I found when shopping for mine.

trmoore09 > mr_gofast 07/30/2014 at 15:49

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Yea, no big deal. Just entry level DSLR to highest level :-p

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t >  V8 Rustler 07/30/2014 at 15:50

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The new A6000 is pretty fucking incredibly good actually. also, this thing makes me weak in the knees...

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > mr_gofast 07/30/2014 at 15:54

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When I was buying my first DSLR a couple years ago, my uncle (who has been a pro photog for 40 years) told me to go Canon for entry-level because, while Canon and Nikon bodies at that pricepoint are nearly identical, there are many more Canon-compatible lenses at this mount size. That plus EFS being a little more advanced that whatever Nikon is doing. What he said as a bottom-line was that I should try all the options out myself and see which I liked the most. I went with the Rebel T4i. You can get amazing deals on eBay.

The Compromiser > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 15:57

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Pentax K series. K50 Is water/dust resistant and takes awesome pics. You can get custom colour combos for the grips and the body and the price point isn't too bad. I bought my wife one (White with black grips) to start with. it takes dumb auto setting/autofocus pictures, but when you want to get funky (and take bad pics to start) it does that easily as well. Built in editing and notation software. I really like it.

She is now looking at HD lenses to go with the 2 in the package we bought. I want my own now. She works in a Camera store and picked the Pentax over the bigger names. Partially because for the price points you get more. Partially because the big popular brand ones are a little overrated at the lower end.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > njp1589 07/30/2014 at 15:58

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That said, there's a $100-$200 price jump between a T4i and a 60D.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > HammerheadFistpunch 07/30/2014 at 15:58

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The Sony DSC-RX10 is an incredibly good camera if you don't care about changing lenses.

HammerheadFistpunch > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 07/30/2014 at 15:59

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panasonic just announced a 1 inch superzoom as well. I have an Olympus ZX-2 which blows me away with the quality of shots and is completely pock-able.

 V8 Rustler > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 07/30/2014 at 16:00

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My dream camera is an Alpha A7. Full-frame mirrorless? YES PLEASE

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 16:02

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As a couple others have said here, a DSLR may not be the best option. What I'd recommend is getting an older Canon Powershot (G11 is what I got when I started, but read reviews on each one. They discontinued the flip-out screen and the newer ones are made more cheaply). These take very good pictures, are complex and don't require you to carry lenses around. Another upside is that the Powershot series allows for full manual mode, so you can use that to judge whether or not you want to upgrade to a DSLR. DSLRs are fun, but if you're leaving the thing in auto they aren't nearly as fun, and I would say not worth it. Yes, the picture quality is better than a mirrorless', but the auto modes on entry-level SLRs don't really use aperture or shutter speed to lighten stuff up, and you'll get pissed off about ISO grain. So make sure you want to move up to a DSLR before you get a DSLR.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t >  V8 Rustler 07/30/2014 at 16:15

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I have an a900, I looked at the A7 and it's an amazing piece of equipment, but it just feels too small... and I don't mean like "Not manly and Pro Photographery enough for manly Canon Men Who Shoot D1s" too small, I mean, too small to handle well with a large lens attached. even my 85 f1.4 felt huge and unwieldy on it. (the adaptor for a-Mount doesn't help the lens size issue...) I like the Idea, but the A7/r are maybe just a tad too gung-ho on pushing size boundaries...

vs: (yes it's an 850, not a 900, but the grips are at least the same size...

then again...

KylesPerGallon > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 16:16

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+1 on the Rebel. T3i is really nice because of its articulating screen.

They can be picked up for a few hundred now used. Find yourself a nice piece of glass like the f1.4 50mm Canon lens and you got yourself a competent shooter that can also do movies.

Thats where I'm at now, minus the fresh lens.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t >  V8 Rustler 07/30/2014 at 16:17

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also:

damnit.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 17:02

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Nikon 7100

DatsunOfABit > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 17:40

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Canon rebel T3i or anything newer by Canon. Will be high quality and user friendly, not too much for someone who is just looking to dabble in DSLR. Lots of high quality used Canon stuff available. I use a Canon T3i as my backup camera/second video angle camera behind my Sony A77.

DatsunOfABit > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 17:46

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These were all done with my Canon T3i and a 50mm F1.8 Canon lens ( I don't remember what lens I used on the Porsche one ha, I think that was actually with the kit lens). Now a days this setup can be had for $500 and its more than most people will ever need.

Supercharged-V8-Jag > Carl (@stuffcarlsays) 07/30/2014 at 17:47

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Personally I'd get a Canon Rebel DSLR. The Rebel SXi was my very first DSLR and it was absolutely fantastic.

Lesabrelyfe >  V8 Rustler 07/30/2014 at 17:56

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I have the canon eos m. you can get one for $300 with a lens, and get a $10 adapter that alows you to use old, cheap canon fd lenses, or any other type mount you want! these have a hot shoe mount and mic port, really amazing for $300. I have Magic Lantern custom firmware on mine which really helps with focusing (or you can get a stick on viewfinder like pictured) with a higher budget the fujifilm a6000 is amazing, as mentioned. my buddy has one and it does feel better to hold than the eos m.

 V8 Rustler > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 07/30/2014 at 17:57

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Wish I knew more about cameras. What is special about that lens? Also, why would you want a fixed focal length lens?

 V8 Rustler > Lesabrelyfe 07/30/2014 at 18:09

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I should try that with my NEX F3. With an adapter, I should have no issues with crop, right? As my sensor is smaller than a 35mm.

Lesabrelyfe >  V8 Rustler 07/30/2014 at 19:13

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Looks like it is do-able if you don't like how it turns out you're only out the price of a cheap old lens anyways. (I got a 70-210mm fd for $40)

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t >  V8 Rustler 07/31/2014 at 08:16

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In simplest terms the answer to all of those questions is Image Quality. fixed focal lenses are much easier from a technical standpoint, to optimize for things like sharpness, distortions and chromatic aberation than a zoom lens. Sure, there are some VERY good zoom lenses, but they're super expensive, even a cheap fixed focal length lens is typically better than a zoom. Also, making a lens fast is much easier with a fixed focal length, so if you want a fast lens for low light shooting or to isolate your subject with a narrow depth of fiel, a fixed lens will serve better. just google pictues taken with the minolta 85mm f:1.4 for the sony/zeiss 85mm f:1.4

AthomSfere > mr_gofast 07/31/2014 at 09:31

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I'd say you nailed it! Its all marketing, use what you like. I like Nikons controls better so I shoot Nikon.

And yes, Canon changed their mount in 1987.

D > trmoore09 08/03/2014 at 02:21

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As a guy whose first and current DLSR is a D3000, I agree.