Canon T3i or Canon 60D or nikonD7000?

[lareeta]

I'm new to photography and i"m really confused as to what camera brand n lens to get for starters. I intend to shoot for events majorly. Please advice. Thanks a million.
Checking this out :
Canon EOS Rebel T3i Digital Camera W/EF-S 18-135mm 5169B005 B&H

Canon EOS 60D DSLR Camera Kit with Canon EF-S 4460B016 B&H Photo

Nikon D7000 DSLR Camera Kit with Nikon 18-105mm DX VR 25474 B&H

[veritasimagery]

What kind of "events"? That will make a difference.

As far as brand goes, well, I'm a Canon person so that will influence my recommendation.

As far as camera, if you can afford the 60D, then go for it. But the other option is to get the T3i (great camera) and put the money saved into a second lens. Or go with this combination:

Canon EOS Rebel T3i Digital Camera Kit 5169B003 B&H Photo Video

with

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens 2044B002 B&H Photo

[inkista]

Agreed. What kind of events is going to affect what equipment is going to do the best for you. And you also need to know that simply getting a higher-tiered camera does not mean you're ready for pro work. It just makes you the owner of a higher-tiered camera.

The 600D and 60D share a sensor and processor, so image-quality-wise, they're going to be relatively similar. The biggest differences between the two are features and build quality.

Aside from lenses, a flash might also be necessary equipment, depending on the shooting conditions you're going to be into. Outdoors daylight events are going to be far less demanding on gear that indoors/night-time events. And whether or not you have to worry about fast-moving action can have a big cost effect on the glass you want to buy.

What's the ballpark budget for camera AND lenses?

[lareeta]

Thank you very much, i'll check the links attached. I intend to cover events like weddings, concerts, fashion shows etc. For Camera and Lenses, I av a budget of $1230 and yes, i'm also considering getting a not too expensive flash.

[veritasimagery]

Don't cheap out on the flash. I went with a Sigma EF-610 DG Super.

And you are going to have figure in other expenses and accessories. Things like camera bag, tripod, filters, extra batteries and memory cards (especially if you're doing weddings) are all added costs. Tripods and filters are another area where you don't want to go cheap on.

Realistically, $1200 is not enough to get you everything you will need to do those events well. Just the T3i w/18-135 and a quality flash will hit that mark, or over.

Here's what I put together as a bare minimum.

B&H Shopping Cart | B&H Photo Video
(So, my link seems to have expired. This was a "shopping cart" with the T3i w/18-135 lens, Vivitar flash, Tripod, and a small camera bag. It's total was right at $1300).

And that still doesn't include extra batteries for the flash or filters for the lens.

I initially spent $2200 at B&H for my set-up, and have since spent a "few" dollars more on things I have found I needed. Even then, I still could use a longer lens, and a better lens for portraits. Photography is not cheap.

[Phillydog1958]

All 3 are good cameras and will work. It's about the glass.

[veritasimagery]

Hmmm. Taking into consideration that you only have $1230 for a camera and lens, then of the three you listed, only one is an option.

The 60D is $1300 and the Nikon is $1500.

Other options are to go with the T1i or T2i. Both are great cameras. Really the only difference between the T2i and the T3i are the swiveling LCD screen and the ability to fire remote flashes. These options leave you more money for a second lens and a good flash.

[lareeta]

Oh ok, noted! I'll update y'all about my final choices. Thanks alot.

[Johninbigd]

I read this thread a couple of weeks ago when I was faced with the same decision. I ended up spending a little more than I originally wanted to and I got the 60D. It is such a great camera. The extra wheel control and large screen were pretty big selling points for me and I've come to rely on them already.

[hendersonsteve]

Right now amazon has the following deal Canon T3i, 75-300mm lens, 55-250mm lens, 58mm uv filter, and the PIXMA PRO9000 Printer for $850.00

Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera to your cart for $849
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Lens [amazon.com] to your cart for $116.13
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS Telephoto Lens [amazon.com] to your cart for $177.78
Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Inkjet Photo Printer [amazon.com] to your cart for $349.99
Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter [amazon.com] to your cart for $11.56

then you get the following rebate
Then proceed to checkout, choose "FREE Super Saver Shipping"
$400 rebate [images-amazon.com] (paid via prepaid American Express card) for a net price of $$842.90

Link to rebate:
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/image..._30SEP2011.pdf