DSLR intro cam

[nzdan 0]

Hi all, i'm looking for a decent entry level DSLR camera for a gift. Budget is around $1000 and would like to get something fairly easy to use. Not looking for a skydive cam just something simple with a decent zoom.
Any advise or recommendations would be great.

Thanks in advance,

nzdan

Children in the dark cause accidents, accidents in the dark cause children.

[Teigen 0]

I might be biased because i've been using Canon for the last 7 years.. But none the less i love the Canon system..

With a budget of 1k maybe this would be something for you?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680673-REG/Canon_4462B005_Canon_EOS_Rebel_T2i.html

18MP sensor and full HD video!

I am extremely happy with all my Canon equipment!

[DSE 5]

T2i is hard to beat for the buck. For 1K, you should be able to purchase the body with a separate, faster lens.

[guscabana 0]

Nikon D3100 is a lovely little cam...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/736704-REG/Nikon_9798_D3100_Digital_SLR_Camera.html

[nzdan 0]

Thanks for the recommendations. They both look to me although I know nothing about SLR's, what is the advantage or disadvantage of optical vs digital image stabilization.

Thanks
nzdan

Children in the dark cause accidents, accidents in the dark cause children.

[pilotdave 0]

There is no digital image stabilization on DSLR cameras... that's only found on video cameras. Canon (and nikon i think) cameras don't have built-in stabilization... it's a feature on some lenses. Sony makes DSLRs with stabilization on the sensor itself, so it works with any lens. But in-lens stabilization has advantages. In my opinion, stabilization is only really needed in longer lenses used without a tripod. It works GREAT on telephoto lenses... very effective.

Dave

[Teigen 0]

I hardly ever use the image stabilizer.. At higher shutter speeds its not really needed.. But for low light low shutter speed shots (like mentioned especially on telephotos) Its a life saver.. I've made alot of shots with my 500mm that were only made possible by the stabilizer!

IMO, Canon offers a better range of lenses, and i think learning the canon system and navigating in the menus are easier on Canon..

But its up to personal preference i guess!

[pilotdave 0]

I find it much easier to keep the subject still in the frame with image stabilization. Very hard to keep a jump plane 14000 feet above sitting still in the viewfinder at 300mm without it. I also shoot helicopters at low shutter speeds... definitely couldn't do as well without IS.

Dave

[andreweden 0]

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I find it much easier to keep the subject still in the frame with image stabilization. Very hard to keep a jump plane 14000 feet above sitting still in the viewfinder at 300mm without it. I also shoot helicopters at low shutter speeds... definitely couldn't do as well without IS.

Dave

How much of the frame does a jump place fill at full zoom on a 300mm lens?
My gf wants a pair of binoculars to watch us jump - maybe a DSLR would be a better investment????

[pilotdave 0]

All depends how steady your hands are. I wouldn't buy a camera and telephoto lens just for watching. But it'll take better pictures than a pair of binoculars.

Dave

[andreweden 0]

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All depends how steady your hands are. I wouldn't buy a camera and telephoto lens just for watching. But it'll take better pictures than a pair of binoculars.

Dave

well that is what I figured - she would have more fun taking pics than just watching.
I can give her a tripod to use as well.
but how much of the frame does the jump plane fill with a 300mm lens?
She doesn't want to jump - but I don't want her getting bored at the DZ.

[davelepka 4]

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She doesn't want to jump - but I don't want her getting bored at the DZ.

Then don't take her to the DZ.

[pilotdave 0]

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but how much of the frame does the jump plane fill with a 300mm lens?

It's basically a dot. I mean, you can make out the plane, you can see people exiting, but it's not very big.

The attached shot is cropped pretty tight. That's taken with a Canon 70-300 IS. Don't have easy access to an uncropped one at the moment.

Dave

[andreweden 0]

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She doesn't want to jump - but I don't want her getting bored at the DZ.

Then don't take her to the DZ.

LOL - she is taking an interest

[andreweden 0]

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but how much of the frame does the jump plane fill with a 300mm lens?

It's basically a dot. I mean, you can make out the plane, you can see people exiting, but it's not very big.

The attached shot is cropped pretty tight. That's taken with a Canon 70-300 IS. Don't have easy access to an uncropped one at the moment.

Dave

She will enjoy taking pics like that!
Thanks

[Teigen 0]

Good point! Just finding the plane is a bit of a hassle...

Here's a couple of shots i made this summer.. One is of a C130J dropping about 60.. (there should have been 60 coming out of the other one too but communications messed up)

The other one is a group of trackers in freefall!

[dragon2 2]

If you want shots like that, remember that the lens is (way) more important than the camera. Any nikon or canon DSLR will do, just get a good lens. For nikon, for this purpose and budget, that would be the 70-300 AF-S VR lens.
Regardless of brand, don't get any of the cheap 70-300 (or similar) lenses, those will disappoint you.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[nzdan 0]

thanks for the tips, I ordered a canon T2i with standard lens and an EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III, looking into swapping it for the AF-S VR.

nzdan

Children in the dark cause accidents, accidents in the dark cause children.

[andreweden 0]

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If you want shots like that, remember that the lens is (way) more important than the camera. Any nikon or canon DSLR will do, just get a good lens. For nikon, for this purpose and budget, that would be the 70-300 AF-S VR lens.
Regardless of brand, don't get any of the cheap 70-300 (or similar) lenses, those will disappoint you.

This is what I was thinking for her.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680711-REG/Canon_EOS_7D_SLR_Digital.html

[dragon2 2]

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EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

That would be one of the cheap (and IMO fairly useless) lenses yeah...

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looking into swapping it for the AF-S VR

I wouldn't, unless you also change the camera body to a Nikon

I'm not exactly sure what the lens to get for Canon is (within budget), the Canon EF 70-300mm 4.0-5.6 IS USM is the cheapest lens I would consider, it should come close to the Nikon 70-300 VR AF-S (with Nikon's AF-S = Canon's USM, and Nikon's VR = Canon's IS). But I'm sure some Canon users here will chime in on that.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[dragon2 2]

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If you want shots like that, remember that the lens is (way) more important than the camera. Any nikon or canon DSLR will do, just get a good lens. For nikon, for this purpose and budget, that would be the 70-300 AF-S VR lens.
Regardless of brand, don't get any of the cheap 70-300 (or similar) lenses, those will disappoint you.

This is what I was thinking for her.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680711-REG/Canon_EOS_7D_SLR_Digital.html

LOL yeah, that would make a nice gift, slightly over budget though

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[andreweden 0]

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This is what I was thinking for her.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/680711-REG/Canon_EOS_7D_SLR_Digital.html

LOL yeah, that would make a nice gift, slightly over budget though

Oh - just my hijacking of the thread. My budget is different LOL

[pilotdave 0]

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thanks for the tips, I ordered a canon T2i with standard lens and an EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

That'll work great. The 70-300 IS (the $500-something one, not the $1600 one) is a little bit nicer, but I bet she'll be happy with the 75-300. Hopefully you also got the 18-55 that sometimes comes with the T2i? The 75-300 is fine for taking pictures of landings, but won't do much good indoors at birthday parties or whatever. If not, a decent wider zoom lens can be next year's birthday present.
Dave

[andreweden 0]

I bit the bullet too.
the 18-135 IS USM and the 70-300 IS USM lenses and the 7D body.
Also grabbed a Sony CX150.

Probably won't all make it here to Aust for Xmas - but no biggie.

Forgot to order any media with them - DOH!!! LOL

[lilchief 1]

mmm...good times, ey Trond? See you there next summer! ;)

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return." - Da Vinci
www.lilchief.no