Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Help finding a cheap and decent dslr

profile picture
Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
so i decided that i want to get into photography. but i know nothing about cameras and lenses. im not looking for a really good expensive camera, just something that i can take on hikes and shoot scenery, as well as the models i make (architecture major) for school.
so ill follow 1337's guide for this
also note: i have no problem buying a used camera. i want to give it a shot, so i dont need the greatest set up now, i can upgrade later if i like it

1. not looking to spend too much. maybe like 250-300 on a body, and i can find a lens after that

2. i have no gear at all right now

3. i dont have too much experience with cameras. i have shot some on my parents t2i, but nothing really major

4. i want something i can let other people use. i probably wont be using this skiing, but i might. mostly for photography, but needs video capabilities

5. for editing, i will be using whatever the program that came packaged with adobe cs6 is (need to get it for school so already ordered it)

I am only looking for a dslr, and am willing to take time to learn how to shoot with it and learn about lenses and such

also, if anybody has one that fits this description, maybe one that they held on to after they upgraded to a nicer one, let me know
Sep 2 2012 6:21PM
0 0
profile picture
dunesquirrel
Posts: 464 - Karma: 70
just use your parents a lot until you can claim its yours and then buy a 50mm and a good tripod to start
Sep 2 2012 6:26PM
0 0
profile picture
Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
they live in seattle. i go to school/live in boulder.
Sep 2 2012 6:30PM
0 0
profile picture
.Duncan.
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 459
Well obviously you want a t2i, but you can't spend that much. You probably are gonna have to compromise on either a cheaper camcorder or a older body or if your lucky a used body off craigslist. I would probably wait and save more to buy a refurbished body and a 50mm from canon.
Sep 2 2012 6:43PM
0 0
profile picture
Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
Not gonna get a camcorder. Would it be worth saving more and just getting a t2i then?
Sep 2 2012 6:54PM
0 0
profile picture
alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
youre not gonna find much in the way of DSLR video for less than a t2i. check canon refurb or maybe a used one if you can find one on craigslist or something
Sep 2 2012 7:21PM
0 0
profile picture
123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
sorry if I misread, but I thought OP was hinting at wanting a dslr for stills, not video. For stills, you could easily get a 30d and a kit lens or a vintage prime. You could find even a 40d body in your price range, but that wouldn't leave you with really any money for lenses.
Sep 2 2012 7:30PM
0 0
profile picture
Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
Mostly for stills. But it would be nice to have video option if I do want to film like an urban sesh or something, but video quality isn't important at this point
Sep 2 2012 8:05PM
0 0
profile picture
Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
Or my other option is I change my budget a bit, and sacrifice on some ski gear o probably don't need, and get a used t2i off eBay (I've seen some for like 350) and get lenses as I get more money (get one to start)
Sep 2 2012 8:42PM
0 0
profile picture
erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
don't bother with a t2i for photos, there are much better cameras to be had for the same price.
Sep 3 2012 1:17AM
0 0
profile picture
Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
such as?... i have found them on ebay for like 3-400, and they take good pictures and have the option for decent video
Sep 3 2012 3:34AM
0 0
profile picture
Mar-O
Posts: 960 - Karma: 827
Canon eos 30d, 40d or 50d. They don`t have video but I am pretty sure they will be much better for stills than the t2i. And try to get some decent glass, maybe just a nice Canon 50mm f/1.8 and a half crappy kit lens to get you started and learn your gear. The 50mm will be great if you need to shoot some low light stuff and it is pretty sharp, the 18-55mm will be good enough in the beginning and will be a good standard zoom.
And if you decide you want to get into video in the future you can buy some good glass first and then just get a used t2i body for video, or if you feel that you want to upgrade you can get something like the Canon eos 7d to use for both video and stills.
Sep 3 2012 8:31AM
0 0
profile picture
123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
Pretty much what I said haha. I didn't realize the 50d could be had so cheaply now though. And OP, I would seriously consider something like a 30d or 40d, and a 35mm vintage prime. Try that for a while and really try to use it before getting a wide angle etc. It will help you to be more aware of your composition etc.
Sep 3 2012 9:42AM
0 0
profile picture
LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Forget video and pick up a D70 or D70s body super cheap plus the old 18-70 to start you off.
Sep 3 2012 10:31AM
0 0
profile picture
JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
if you're not as worried about the video, but still want it, look at nikon d3100, its cheaper than a t2i and the stills are still pretty good in comparison...
Sep 3 2012 5:26PM
0 0
profile picture
zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Canon 20/30/40d for sure, I'd personally go for the 40d, it's one hell of a camera and IMO best of the entire xxD series. That, a Canon 50mm f1.8, and either an 18-55 or a tamron 17-50 f2.8 would be a dope setup to learn photography. Maybe a decent manfrotto tripod and head later on.
Sep 3 2012 8:36PM
0 0
profile picture
erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,329
yeah that in terms of canon, but definitely consider nikon op. i shoot nikon, but don't consider myself one to say one is better than the other. you should go to a camera store and try out a few models of both, see which one you like more. i love nikon because i can use almost any lens ever made by them, whereas canon requires an adapter and is a little more complicated. i'm drunk so if any of that made no sense, i'll retype it tomorrow
Sep 3 2012 11:32PM
0 0
profile picture
edai
Posts: 4990 - Karma: 4,677
Why make a thread, if you already know you want a T2i. JESUS. FUCKING CHRIST.
Sep 3 2012 11:33PM
0 0
profile picture
zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
All true, and yeah, canon and nikon both make great dslr's, it's just kinda which system you prefer, they do operate a bit differently in terms of control so going to a camera shop and getting a feel is always a good idea. What's most important though is that they both TAKE PICTURES.
Sep 3 2012 11:34PM
0 0
profile picture
.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
I bought a used 20d which was amazing off amazon for only 200 bucks. Then you can get a 50mm 1.8 or whatever or buy a kit lens.
Sep 4 2012 5:17PM
0 0
profile picture
.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
or this
Sep 4 2012 5:18PM
0 0
profile picture
.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
Oh god this pisses me off so much. The T2i can take great video. 60d and 7d take the same goddamn video. even the 5d takes the same resolution video (bigger sensor though)
Sep 4 2012 5:21PM
0 0
profile picture
Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
Chill out. I know nothing about cameras and didnt know anything about the ones you mentioned
Sep 4 2012 8:39PM
0 0
profile picture
.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
I'm sorry. It's just a really common misconception and annoys me.

Sep 4 2012 9:20PM
0 0
profile picture
michael_bc
Posts: 1394 - Karma: 756
I know you said that you want a DSLR, but also consider an Olympus PEN E-P1 (a new body is $260), or a Panasonic GF2 ($250). For hikes the compactness of a micro 4 3 camera is way better. I used to take my DSLR up the mountain only once every two weeks because a DSLR + tele lens take up most of a backpack. Last month I found a killer deal ($260 for an PEN E-P2) and had the camera + tele lens inside my backpack every single day that I went skiing since (Yeah, I was skiing in Argentina). This camera fits inside the goggle pocket of a backpack.

Of course a decent DSLR will take better pictures... but only if you invest enough money in good lenses.

If you go the DSLR route, I think a D90 is the minimum I'd get (should be around $500-$600) and expect to spend at least $800-$900 for a decent zoom or two decent prime lenses. You could go vintage but then you want at least a D7000 for legacy support and large viewfinder. And don't get caught in the hype of this forum: the Tamron 17-50 is mediocre, the Canon rebel series are not that great for photography (microscopic viewfinder, lack of controls), and any DSLR lens that is really worth having will set you back at least $500. Then again, the nice thing about DSLRs is that you can start small and keep adding to your kit as you move on.
Sep 5 2012 8:27AM
0 0
profile picture
.qzyxya
Posts: 1479 - Karma: -26
eah I've heard a ton of good about the cheap m4/3s cameras like gf2 and gf3 that can shoot video. Id recommend one of those.
Sep 5 2012 10:57AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)