Step it up

[Kolourl3lincl]

I looking to step up my photo game. I have saved enough cash for a dslr. I am thinking about getting canon, since it's the one of the most popular venders. Nikon are nice but they seem too expensive.

I am not sure whether to go for the canon d60 or the ti3 or wait for the next generation.

Also I was thinking about what type of lens to get. Just about any lens would be good in day light. It's the night shooting that you have to worry about right? I took a look at some of the fast lens selling on Amazon, and they are expensive.

So I ask for your opinion. Would it be good idea to get a older xs camera and spend money on the glass? Or get the current model and save up for glass?

Also, the size of the camera is important. You can have something to big to attract too much attention. Also, I don't want to lug around a huge thing.

I assume, but correct me if I am wrong, I would need about 4 lenses. One wide angle, one mid range, one telephoto, and one fixed canon 1.8 or 1.4.

what do you guys think?

[OsmosisStudios]

Nikon too expensive? (body only prices)

Canon 60D: $1k (B&H)
Nikon D7000: $1200 (B&H)

Admittedly, here there is a difference.

Canon T3i: $800 (B&H)
Nikon D5100: $800 (B&H)

Same price. Odd, that.

Unless you need a master-flash in the body, a screw-drive AF (on the Nikon) and the heavier, metal body and the faster FPS continuous shooting, then the smaller bodies will be better bets for you. You'll be getting the same image/video quality and otherwise very similar features, in smaller lighter bodies for less outlay.

[Kolourl3lincl]

Yes, the faster frames. I would like that feature to do sports shots. But that may be asking to much for my first buy.

What's this about a master flash? Screw drive?

[OsmosisStudios]

Master flash allows the camera to control SB flash units (Nikon) or EXII flash units (Canon) remotely, wirelessly. Great for doing off-camera flash work for portraits.

A screw-drive autofocus is the older-style autofocus system Nikon still sometimes uses. It's going away slowly, but it is still common in prime lenses. These lenses required the camera body to have a motor to allow for autofocus: the D7000 has this motor, the D5100 does not. As such, older screw-type AF lenses from Nikon will NOT autofocus on a D5100. This is, as mentioned, fading away and becoming less of an issue.

The D5100 shoots 4FPS for continuous (to the D7000's 6) and the T3i shoots is 3.7FPS (to the 60D's 5.3). These aren't massive differences, and really it'll rely more on skill than machine-gunning a target

[Kolourl3lincl]

Ok, this is really good info. I still leaning toward the canon. The Ti3 is sounding like the right fit for now.
I was looking at this flash for the ti3. What do you think? Can it do the remote stuff?
Is there anything cheaper that just as good?

Amazon.com: Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

[alphavalues]

I just bought a T3i a couple of months ago, it's my first "real" camera. I LOVE it! Before I bought Canon, I used a Nikon D3100 numerous times. I don't have anything bad to say abou the Nikon, but I feel the button locations and menu structure on the Canon are more intuitive for me. Of course, YMMV.

The T3i does have wireless speedlite functionality built in. However, to use remote flashes you still have to activate the oncamera flash. I bought a 580EXII which opens up all kinds of options on the camera - I also have a Vivatar DF-383-CAN which works as an optical slave, but isn't as tightly integrated into the camera when working remotely.

In the "flash function" menu, if you select "custom wireless", you can adjust the ratios of light between the offcamera and builtin flash - I set the oncamera to 1/128 and that works pretty well. I haven't tried blocking the oncamera flash altogether, but I'll probably try that shortly.

[Kolourl3lincl]

oh so if I get the 430ex will I have the same options?

[alphavalues]

I believe the 480EXII has the same functionality - they're both ETTL-II. But I'd ask some people who have used both to be sure.

[3bayjunkie]

ive found Nikon generally have a lower mpx but a faster burst rate, that is one reason I like their cameras.