Help me decide my first camera setup!

[themagichobo]

Hey guys. First and foremost, I'm freshly new when it comes to photography. All my life, I had been using P&S and always felt like I took some good shots. And that's how my passion for photography started to bloom. So now I wanna do bigger and better things and have decided it is time to buy a DSLR.

A big recurring question I've seen in some of the newbies' treads is "What will you be shooting?" To answer the question, I plan on shooting everything, as I want this to be my hobby. I want to be THAT GUY that takes pictures in every situation, whether it be a party, a simple portrait, special occasions (i.e. weddings, graduations), new landscapes, and even close ups. I know this is a kinda hard in regards to what lens I would end up buying, but this is a growing hobby and I want to be able to do everyhing.

I've had a talk with a professional photographer in regards to a body. He recommends (and I had this in mind already) Canon, and although we have the same brand in mind, I'm not sure which body is right for me. I originally thought a T3i would be good, but he started telling me I should aim for a 60D or a 7D. Does the body matter? I don't want to be "that guy with the really expensive camera..."

And any help regarding lenses would be cool too. There's a lot to lenses that I still feel kinda unsure about (apertures, focal lengths, etc) so please help.

Thanks guys!

[ceremus]

The first thing you need is research. Right now you're not sure what you want or what you need, and you have some homework before you can get to there. Since you're leaning toward Canon start here:

Canon Lens Selection Introduction - Canon Lens Choosing is Confusing!
What Focal Length(s) Do You Need?
What Maximum Aperture Opening Do You Need?
His specific Canon lens recommendations are helpful also: Canon Lenses - Canon EF Camera Lens Information

This is a good all-in-one primer for lenses: Canon EOS Beginners' FAQ III - Lenses

Also make sure you have a grasp on the fundamentals, like the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, ISO): Learning about Exposure – The Exposure Triangle

As far as the camera body itself, I think a Rebel T2i or T3i is more than enough of a camera to suit a beginner. If you really want to lay out the cash for a 60D or 7D it won't hurt you, but I would strongly recommend you devote more of your budget to your lens(es) than to your camera body. Camera bodies rapidly depreciate in value, your glass will be your investment.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by themagichobo

... I want to be able to do everyhing. ....

Good luck with that. Prepare to drop a truckful of money on glass.

I've had a talk with a professional photographer in regards to a body. He recommends (and I had this in mind already) Canon, and although we have the same brand in mind, I'm not sure which body is right for me...

OK, this is just me, but keep your mind open and also check out Nikon's offerings, too. Both Canon and Nikon have the most 3rd party support and the largest systems, but there are differences, and depending on what you most want to shoot in your "everything", it could make a difference which one you go for. If you aren't locked in by legacy glass to a specific camera mount, you want to at least give the "how it feels in your hands" factor a look. Some folks find the ergo of one system easier than the other.

I originally thought a T3i would be good, but he started telling me I should aim for a 60D or a 7D. Does the body matter? I don't want to be "that guy with the really expensive camera..."

If you can't own it comfortably, then it's not for you. But you also have to budget for lenses. Most of us end up spending at least two to three times what we did on the camera body on glass. And going higher-tiered with a camera body typically just means more shooting features, not keeping the gear longer. If you need those features, go for it. If you don't, then why bother?

Mid-tier cameras, like the 60D or 7D tend to be a value "sweet spot", but only if you need the extra features they offer. A lot of newbie beginners may not yet even know what those features are yet, and won't have spent enough time with the camera to thoroughly learn the entire thing until a a year or two has passed. At that point, a whole new model will have arrived. My take is if you're a student and plan on shooting half-to-full time with a camera year-round, then go for the mid-tier camera: you'll progress quickly enough to need the extras. But if you're just a weekend hobbyist shooter, who cannot dedicate daily hours to photography, you might be better off saving your money on an entry-level camera, and blowing the extra cash on lenses. By the time you've progressed to where you need to upgrade, a whole new generation of cameras will have come out by then, with even more/nicer features.

The absolute best value is going to be going for a mid-tier, one generation back, used. So, a 50D might be the best value: costs about the same as a new dRebel, but has the improved ergo of the XXD line. But, older, so no video, worse high ISO performance, and none of the nifty new features like a master in the pop-up flash that the 60D/7D has.

And any help regarding lenses would be cool too. There's a lot to lenses that I still feel kinda unsure about (apertures, focal lengths, etc) so please help.

Try this:
How to Choose the Best Digital SLR Lens

And one more thing: my "a dSLR is not a P&S upgrade" lecture. Sorry.

[themagichobo]

Thanks a lot guys! It would seem as though I still have TONS of research to do. Thanks for all the help. I'm currently reading all the links and making sure i thoroughly understand it. I'll be sure to ask more questions if i need any more help