Dslr camera buying question

[dixiedeerslaya]

Ok, ive been wanting one for a long while, and now with a baby on the way, the wife thinks we need one too. And just so happens, my birthday is coming up.

Im looking for a good entry level dslr and lens recommendation. Camera will be used mostly for taking pictures of a youngin, and also dead animals that i kill. I might get a little artsy fartsy with it every now and then.

Ive searched this forum a good bit and see that alot of people recommend the cannon t3i. What are some other comparable models that i need to look at? My mother in law has a nikon, and ive played with it some and am half way familiar with it, but not enough to have any kind of brand royalty.

Only thing i dont like about her nikon is the fact that you cant see the picture you are about to take on the little lcd screen on the back. You can review your pictures after the shot but i really would like to be able to see what im about to take a picture of without having to look through the view finder...

So what are yalls reccomendations? Best place to buy? What to look for? Brand/models?

[mhogancu]

I have the T2i and it works great for me. Ill never have the knowledge of squatty or the other pros here however I have surprised myself from time to time.

For what it's worth, I never use the LCD screen while taking pics so don't let that steer you away from Nikon

[B.Miller]

Cameras are a lot like guns, being that some fit the hands of you better than others. Go to a best buy or Wolfe Camera if you guys have one and just hold a couple, see what feels good in your hands. Honestly other than the menu layout and a very small number of lenses, that's about the biggest difference between Nikon and Canon.

[dixiedeerslaya]

I have the T2i and it works great for me. Ill never have the knowledge of squatty or the other pros here however I have surprised myself from time to time.

For what it's worth, I never use the LCD screen while taking pics so don't let that steer you away from Nikon

I wouldnt use it much, but i would like to have that ability if i wanted to. i mean hell, even cheap point and shoots have that option. why doesnt a $700 camera have it.

and im assuming that some of the other nikon models have have that feature.

[B.Miller]

I wouldnt use it much, but i would like to have that ability if i wanted to. i mean hell, even cheap point and shoots have that option. why doesnt a $700 camera have it.

and im assuming that some of the other nikon models have have that feature.

Think of a DSLR as a 35mm old school camera, you use it the same way ie looking through the view hole (idk the technical term) vs on the screen.

[dixiedeerslaya]

Think of a DSLR as a 35mm old school camera, you use it the same way ie looking through the view hole (idk the technical term) vs on the screen.

o i understand that. i would just prefer to have both options if i could. i think the cannon t3i has that option. im trying to research the nikon line, but there are so many technical terms and different specs its hard to follow.

[b35w]

I have the T2i and it works great for me. Ill never have the knowledge of squatty or the other pros here however I have surprised myself from time to time.

For what it's worth, I never use the LCD screen while taking pics so don't let that steer you away from Nikon

X2

[Stumpknocker]

I have a t3i and the wife and i love it, i was thinking the same as yall had a baby on the way and the wife wanted a really good camera. so we went to best buy when they were on sale and bought the camera which comes with the standard lenses and we also got a better zoom lense we ended up getting everything for around $1200 and we love it. don't know how much they are now but it was a good investment. you cant go wrong with a cannon.

[uga_dawg]

Check Sams. They had the best prices when I bought one for the wife. We went with the Nikon 5100 mainly because she was already familar with the Nikon cameras. Sams also sells kits with extra lenses that are alot cheaper than buying another lense down the road.

[Slaya]

I have a d5100 Nikon, I think, bought it on sale after shopping around. Good camera for my needs. I do occasionally use the LCD display, especially when shooting smaller rooms in residential properties. I can jam it in a corner, peek around and see what I get.

I've used it in other applications as well, but that's the biggest use I get with it. Mostly, I use the viewfinder.

[quackaddict]

I've got a T2i. I would shoot for one of those over the T3i if it were me. It'll save a few $ to put towards glass(which is the important thing anyway). You can use it all gay-like by using the LCD as a viewfinder like you want too.

[Idlewild]

All entry level DSLR's, for the reasons/images/scenarios you're describing will be more than sufficient. Most, if not all, newer Nikon models have the capability of "live view" (framing your image in the lcd screen then activating the shutter.) With today's technology and the ballpark you're in, you kind of can't go wrong.

[dixiedeerslaya]

so ive narrowed it down to either the canon t3i or the nikon3200.....

sams club has both in a package deal with pretty prices.

which of these two would the camera experts recommend?>

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/nikon-d...navAction=push

or

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/canon-t...navAction=push

[Squatty]

Canon - better lenses. Camera body's don't make a damned difference

[quackaddict]

What squirty said. Although, I wish I still had my 40d(or a 50d) instead of this T2i.

[nitro5x6's]

I am a Nikon fan. Personal preference of course...

[Rubberhead*]

Lenses matter. I know nothing about Nikon terminology but in Canon terms, I'd rather have an L lens on a Rebel body than a 60D with a kit lens.

[Idlewild]

Either of the 2 models you've mentioned will get you from point A to point B in the same fashion. You'll be more than fine with either choice.

[dixiedeerslaya]

Think ive settled on the canon.

Thanks alot for all the advice.

[Idlewild]

You're actually paying slightly more and getting slightly less. But it's just measuring hairs between them over the difference. You'll enjoy it and believe it or not the HD movie capability is strong.