Which DSLR to buy???????

[kclemente]

I am starting up my new business and I'm wondering which DSLR would be suitable for me. I will be mainly taking portrait photos, photos of kids, kids sporting events and travel photography. I have never used a DSLR before, but I am up for the challenge. I'm looking for something that will continue to challenge me for years to come. I would prefer to spend less than $1000. Any advice my fellow photographers can give me would be really appreciated.

[kirbinster]

Thnik carefully. First, the body itself will be obsolete the moment you buy it, and then get older from there. You will find in a couple of years you want new body. Lenses are where you invest, they maintain their quality and value. I don't think you can get quality equipment (body, lenses, flash, tripod, etc...) for that budget.

[IABoomer]

Spend $1000 on asbestos underwear because the flames are going to be hot.

A good quality full-frame DSLR body alone will cost you more than $1000. Then you need quality lenses, if you're doing portraits you'll need lighting, a high quality PC with software to process the images, etc. I don't see any way to provide quality "professional" service with such a small investment.

Add to all the above the steep learning curve between "never handled a DSLR" and "Hire me to shoot your family portrait, sporting event, etc." and I fear you've set your expectations far too high.

Go to a shop where they sell different models. Experiment with the brands. Find something that's ergonomically friendly and intuitive to you (I prefer Nikon to Canon, but others obviously feel differently). Even an entry level kit like the D3000 from Nikon with the 18-55 kit lens will still be a good step up from your average P&S.

[kclemente]

Thank you for the advice. $1000 is not my limit, just what I want to spend on a camera. I realize lens etc are not included and have budgeted accordingly. I will start small with my military community, no studio work involved, yet. I purely need some suggestions on which camera most people prefer and what works best from there. I do not believe I have set my expectations high and I am a very hard worker with a passion for photography.

[kirbinster]

Well that said, you could probably get by with a Nikon D90.

[kclemente]

Thank you for your opinion for the Nikon D90. I look forward to trying it out. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I look to this website and forum for tons of advice from seasoned photographers.

[Indigo November]

I have the D90 and I LOVE it! I think it will suit me for a good many years.
I spent 1,500 on the D90 w/18-105 kit lens, a 35mm f/1.8 lens and a camera bag that fit's it all (with plenty of room).

For portraits you'll want a good prime lens, like the 85mm f/1.8 or the 50mm f/1.8 or the 35mm f/1.8.
If you want to spend more you could even get the f/1.4 versions of these......
I have the 35mm and I plan on getting the 85.
For a zoom, the kit should do you fine.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask me any questions you like about the D90!

[inkista]

On the Nikon side, I wouldn't look any lower than a D90/D80, because of the focus motor issue. On the Canon side, the new 550D/T2i is worth looking at, but the 50D is going to hold up more to professional overuse/abuse, as it has a metal body vs. plastic, and the dual-wheel controls make life simpler. But the 50D's sensor technology is a full generation behind the 550D's. Some folks anticipate a rumored successor body this fall, but rumored bodies can't take shots.

If you've never used a dSLR before, it's going to depend on how much time you've got to devote to photography as to whether it's worthwhile to step up to a mid-tier camera right off the bat. If you anticipate shooting and pursuing photography full time, it may be worth it. If you can only budget spare time and weekends for this pursuit, you might be better off with a lower end camera, because of the rapidity with which cameras go through their product cycles. It may take you a year or two just to learn how to photography with SLRs, and by the time you finally need the features of a higher-level body, a new generation will have been released.

Camera bodies are the most disposable and fastest-depreciating part of any SLR system. In addition, the range of subjects that you want to photograph is probably going to demand a range of lenses as well--and sports in particular is going to demand a expensive range of lenses. If you think $300 is going to get you a pro-quality lens, think again. It's more like $1000. Most people end up spending two to three times what they did on the body on lenses.

Using a dSLR is not a straightforward "upgrade" from P&S cameras. With a body and an 18-55 kit lens, vs. a superzoom bridge camera, right off the bat you lose macro capability, supertelephoto, and you are going to have to learn to deal with camera shake blur and misfocuses, because now you actually are going to be able to get a shallow depth of field. You have to learn to post-process. You have to learn how to hold the camera. You have to learn how to change lenses, to use a tripod, to use a remote, and to light. These are not necessarily trivial tasks, and a P&S camera will probably not have trained you in how to do any of this.

The analogy I continually make is that a P&S camera is like a swiss army knife. A dSLR is like a big red toolbox. It's bigger, less convenient, far more expensive, and not only do you have to buy all the tools you put in it, you also have to learn how to use them. But you can do a lot of things with it you can't do with a P&S. Except put it in your pocket and travel light.

Getting a dSLR doesn't make you a pro. It just makes you someone with a dSLR.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by kclemente

I am starting up my new business and I'm wondering which DSLR would be suitable for me. I will be mainly taking portrait photos, photos of kids, kids sporting events and travel photography. I have never used a DSLR before, but I am up for the challenge. I'm looking for something that will continue to challenge me for years to come. I would prefer to spend less than $1000. Any advice my fellow photographers can give me would be really appreciated.

This will probably not be your favorite response, but I'm being honest and trying to be objective. Question: How do you go from not being familiar with DSLR's and go directly to starting a new photography business? I have to respect your enthusiasm, but you may not yet know what you don't know. My recommendation is to get any Nikon or Canon good entry level camera with the kit lens and use it to you practically wear it out. After that period, and next do a business plan. Include what gear you are going to need to do this business, and how much of a budget you have. How will you market yourself? Plans for a website? Are you planning to use auxiliary lighting? Full set of redundant gear including a second body and lenses and flash units...pretty important should your primary setup decide to crash in the middle of an event. A minimum investment is starting to look more like 5x+ of what you are prepared to spend. Lastly, this applies to you personally...do you have patience, and lots of it? Dealing with the public is not always easy. Do you think you have a good eye or a flare for this..afterall, it is an art. Not to mention some science thrown in. Only you can answer those questions. Now I'm not looking to break your spirit..I just think you need to do this slowly, and I'm sure you'll get there

[kclemente]

Thank you so much for all of your insight and advice. I am 100% devoted to making this work. I know it will take at least a year to become acquainted with my camera. I have been told by numerous people, including professional photographers that I have an eye for composition and for capturing the moment. I plan on enrolling in a photography school and using test subjects or various types from portraits, to baby photos to kids soccer games. I have already have a business plan for the future and plan on investing at least 3k for right now. My main issue is choosing the right camera for me. Right now I'm looking at the Nikon D90 and the new Canon Rebel T2i. Any thoughts as to which one would suit me best.