hi everyone

[CJMar71]

Ive been lurking through here for a few weeks and finally decided to register. Ive decided to take my photography further with a dslr. Like others Im sure, after reading threads, reviews, opinons etc get to the point where everything is a blur.

Im looking for a good start up camera. Ive been bouncing between the Nikon d3000/d3100 and the canon t3, t2i area. The guy at best buy tried everything he could to get me to walk out with the t2i. Most everything I see in kits comes with the 18-55mm lens some others add in a 55-200mm even saw one with a 75-300mm. Im really just looking for a good starting point and go from there.

Im looking at using it to photograph architecture, cityscape/landscape, still life, photojournalism type stuff. eventually getting into some macro. Ive been through websites from B&H, Samys, Adorama, which do you guys prefer to deal with? Any help would be greatly helpful.

chris

[veritasimagery]

The other question budget.

Personally, don't buy cameras from Best Buy. They really aren't photographers, but just salesmen. I am curious as to why he was pushing the T2i over the T3i, unless money was the issue. The T3i is an upgraded T2i with some pretty good features for only around $100 more.

If you are only looking at getting one lens to start with the try to get the 18-200, or 18-135. If you can afford to get two lenses, then get the 18-55 and 55-250. This will give you a good start where you can then decide what you need to add from there.

Also, try B&H Photo online. Great prices, and their whole business is photography related

[CJMar71]

The Best Buy trip was more to get a feel of what the two brands feel like in my hands. I wont be buying from there. He was pushing the T2i, one cause he said thats what he has and two cause I told him that shooting video wasn't a big priority nor was the flip out screen. But if the difference is only around $100 with better features for photography Im open to that one as well. Like I said I've been jumping back and forth between the B&H, Samys, & Adorama websites looking at what they're offering. Was also trying to get feedback from people who have dealt with them as to who would be better to go through.

I've seen a lot on here about go with a kit lens till you get used to the camera etc, and then I've seen a lot about no go with the body only and this lens. Thats lead to a lot of the back and forth also.

[dlambert]

Both Canon and Nikon are really good systems. For a lot of people, holding the cameras and playing with the buttons will make one or the other jump out at them, but you'll get used to whichever one you pick. I'm not sure you can go wrong in either direction, but remember that you're buying into a whole system, and over time, you're going to spend more money on lenses than your camera body.

As far as lenses go, if you already know what you want for lenses, then go for it. Otherwise, the kit lens might not be a bad bet. You're almost definitely going to want to replace it at some point, but if you spend some time shooting with it, you might be able to make a better-informed decision when you do buy a better lens, and you'll probably be able to unload the kit lens for about the price it'll add to a body-only outfit. It's a pretty cheap way to figure out what you're looking for when you go lens shopping.

Be sure to check out Adorama as well as B&H. I've ordered from Adorama and I've been really happy with their prices & service.

[HelenOster]

Originally Posted by dlambert

....... I've ordered from Adorama and I've been really happy with their prices & service.

Thanks so much for the recommendation for Adorama - very much appreciated!

Originally Posted by CJMar71

Ive been lurking through here for a few weeks and finally decided to register. ........ Ive been through websites from B&H, Samys, Adorama, which do you guys prefer to deal with? Any help would be greatly helpful.

chris

When buying from any retailer who you have no previous experience with, I'd always advise checking out the customer feedback and ratings at Store Ratings & Reviews - ResellerRatings.com - Find Trusted Stores before parting with your cc details.

BTW I'm always only an email away for advice or after-sales support: Helen@adorama.com

[G'Hopper]

The only thing I can really comment on with any authority is that the Canon 18-135mm lens, for its price, is really a very good little lens. I've now had it for more than a year and I love it.

[mrteacherdude]

I've purchased from both Adorama and B&H, have been very happy with both but mostly deal with B&H (I think I find their website to be more user friendly). I have acquired some stuff from Adorama that I couldn't get from B&H, and probably vice versa. It looks to me like Adorama has more diversity in "Camera Packages" if you are looking for a starter kit or a particular body/lens combo, but I don't know that for sure. They seem to have more used and refurb stuff to, but that's just a feeling I get when I'm browsing websites.

As others have suggested, you can't really go wrong with either brand (Nikon or Canon). You would likely benefit from playing around with each one that you are interested in for awhile to see which one feels feels right to you. I'm a Canon guy, and one of my buddies is a Nikon guy. The cameras are different; his has some features that mine don't have which I think are pretty cool, and mine has some that his doesn't. Overall, they both do a good job capturing images and we are each very happy with our choices. For me, if I were to start all over again, I could probably just flip a coin and go forward from there. But that doesn't mean you should

[ishootRAW]

Hey, welcome.

+1 for the 18-135.

I use both B&H and adorama. B&H for digital stuff, and adorama for film stuff. They are both perfectly good, honest, competitively priced retailers.

Last thing. Don't even go to BB for camera stuff. Find a local camera store that the staff are not on commissions, and are friendly. On occasion I have spent 1 1/2 hour's there just talking with them.

[A@EPOCH]

Actually, I bought my first DSLR from Best Buy (I worked there so the price was 5% of markup ) As of now being a serious photog... I deal mainly with B&H and Adorama for most of my film and slr needs, they have great products and resources for those who need help with decisions.

As far as your choice of systems goes, you gave us good info on not needing video and what your mainly going to be interested in shooting. If it were me and you were looking at this as a long term investment, I would look into something like a refurbed Canon 50D or the Nikon equivalent but that just my 2 cents. You'll also want to be sure to pick up a 50mm 1.8 lens no matter what system you go with. For around $100 it will pair well with you kit lens and allow you to grow alot.

Also I use this website alot to do side by side comparisons Canon T3 vs Nikon D3100

[ishootRAW]

+1 for the 50. Will help you a lot.

If you are sure that you will not want video. Then I agree about the 50D, I have one.