Photographers of Oppo

"ToyotaFamily" (robbav35) 06/04/2018 at 18:30 • Filed to: None

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I’m looking for some camera purchasing advice.

My little brother brought up that he’d like a camera to take pictures on an upcoming trip and to take it up as a hobby. Now, I know nothing about cameras/photography. My phone is sufficient for me.

Now, what camera would you recommend for a beginner? He’s been looking at the Canon Eos Rebel T6 (seems to be the go-to beginner’s DSLR). I’m trying to keep it under $500 if possible, it also doesn’t need to be that great at taking videos since he’s strictly interested in photography.

promoted by the color red > ToyotaFamily 06/04/2018 at 18:56

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I have a EOS Rebel T6 and it’s served me well as my first DSLR. I bought mine in kit form for ~$250 from the Canon refurbished store during a sale. Good battery life (two full charges lasted a whole week) and the images are pretty decent.

Another model I looked into is the Nikon D3400 which comes in around the same price point. Most reviewers prefer this over the Canon, but I liked the Canon’s menus and controls better, plus all my friends have EOS Rebels so it swayed the decision in that direction.

Most of the opinions I’ve read have suggested buying whatever brand his friends are using (e.g. Canon/Nikon) so you guys can swap lenses/compare notes, etc.

wafflesnfalafel > ToyotaFamily 06/04/2018 at 18:56

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used can be a good way to start, especially if he’s looking for an SLR and he might not be sure he’s going to pursue the hobby

ToyotaFamily > promoted by the color red 06/04/2018 at 19:01

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Are the Nikon’s menus more user-friendly? If so, that’d be great because we could both use it and learn along the way.

I know one of his friends has a Rebel T6 so that may just sway him towards it.

promoted by the color red > ToyotaFamily 06/04/2018 at 19:18

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Hard to say, I found the Canon easier to navigate since I’ve had Canon digital cameras. There’s some pretty in-depth YouTube videos where they navigate through the various menus.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > ToyotaFamily 06/04/2018 at 19:35

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I’d be curious how eager he actually is about taking up photography when considering a DSLR. Because carrying around a DSLR is a commitment on its own, especially when travelling – they’re bulky, as are the lenses, and heavy often requiring its own carrying case/backpack. If he mainly wants a good compact camera to take pictures of while travelling that he can also swap lenses on and do photography with good manual adjustments for fun he should also look in to mirrorless camera options. My dad bought a Sony a6000 last year and loves it. For a beginner it provides plenty of learning ability but also works as a quick and easy point and shoot that takes great pictures. Can be a bit more userfriendly as well. There are lots of online posts weighing the pros and cons of mirrorless vs DSLR, I’d recommend you/your brother do some reading to decide which would make more sense.

Other than that, as the owner of an older Canon EOS Rebel I’d agree with the advice given by “promoted by the color red” in deciding between Nikon and Canon for a DSLR. Can’t really go wrong with either, just depends on which you find more user friendly and swappable for lenses.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > ToyotaFamily 06/04/2018 at 19:40

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The only thing I’d say is that I see some people with 50mm lenses (or more) and whatnot but I personally like to have a bit of a wider field of view, I have an 18-200mm lense and it gives me great versatility in setting up the frame and positioning the shot how I like too.

ToyotaFamily > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 06/04/2018 at 20:13

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That’s a good point with the size & needed components of the DSLR, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind seeing as he already carries around instruments back and forth on a daily basis.

I’ll tell him to take a look at the a6000. It’s close enough to his budget and the reviews seem really good.

ToyotaFamily > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash 06/04/2018 at 20:15

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I’ll be sure to let him know. He did show me a package that included an 18-200 lens.

chaozbandit > ToyotaFamily 06/04/2018 at 20:37

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Seconded for A6000. I’ve had mine for 3 years now, shooting every weekend, and the results are on par with friends shooting DSLRs. Of course it takes some learning and the right glass, but you can get by just fine with a decently fast 35 or 50mm lens.

Berang > ToyotaFamily 06/04/2018 at 21:12

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Just get an old model Rebel. I have one that was last gen when I got it in 2005, and it still works (and even dropped it a few times), although it’s hard to get memory cards for it now. I finally replaced it last year.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > ToyotaFamily 06/04/2018 at 21:48

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Another thing, having versatility is important as you start to get comfortable with your own style of photography, and you can get comfortable with how you want to take pictures and get a more specialized lense afterwards.

whatisthatsound > ToyotaFamily 06/04/2018 at 22:37

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I have the Fuji XT-2 and love it, look at the XT-20 for a less expensive version. I love mirrorless because it’s lighter and the pictures are equal besides night and sports. However, keep in mind you’re buying into the system either nikon,cannon,fuji,etc... look at future investments of lenses and where the line takes you.

CaptDale - is secretly British > ToyotaFamily 06/07/2018 at 13:36

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Just remember better glass on a cheaper camera is better than cheap glass on an expensive camera.