Entry Level DSLR

[T_Yamamoto]

I've decided to make the plunge into photography (moving away from just using my iPhone to take pictures) as well as cinematography.

What would be the best entry level DSLR (new/used)?

What appears to be highly recommended is the Rebel SL1. I can pick it up refurbished off of the Canon website for 329.99 (seems like a steal).

I'd like it to be under 500 bucks if possible. Thanks!

 

[CuriousMike]

"... as well as cinematography."

Look at the Sony A6000 as well ( used would be fine. )

 

[shortylickens]

I started with a Nikon D40 cuz it was very inexpensive for a refurb model on Amazon.
Opened the box and it looked brand new. Best bargain I've ever got in my life.

After several years it wasnt enough for me, I wanted a better sensor and video recording. Bought a refurb Canon T3.
The reason I switched is because entry-level Canons have more goodies than entry-level Nikons.
Bigger sensor. Easier manual controls. More AF points. More video options. More shooting modes. Slightly smarter Auto-WB. Better manual WB. A few other things.
Again, the refurb was perfect. Good bargain. I'm happy with it.

 

[0H4U]

I really liked the D5500 as a cheap DSLR - the 3300 seemed like a budget compromise too far to me. Not sure whether it's available within your budget but may be worth a look. The 5500 is still almost-mirrorless-compact/weight and ships with the collapsible kit zoom but can take the full gamut of Nikon lenses.And despite lacking a dial compared to some of the competition I think it does a great job in using the touchscreen as a useful control element.

I think Sony isn't a good choice for the budget photographer - your money should go in lenses (as well a capable body of course) but while their entry bodies are temptingly cheap / very capable, the decent portion of their lens range is weirdly high-end (but still full of gaps). I think the cheap and compact bodies tend to reel the budget people in, who then try and get around the fact that they can't afford decent native lenses by self-justifying adapting crappy lenses for it. Wrong approach IMO.

 

[Rifter]

I have a Nikon D3200 and love it, got it on sale cheap when they rolled out the D3300. I think i paid $340 for it with the 18-55 kit lens. Ive now spent about $3k on lens for it so the cost of the camera is trivial really in comparison to what you will spend on lens if the photography bug bites you.

I would love to move up to a FX body but $$$$$$$$$

 

[elitejp]

Just throwing something out there but if your photography is mainly made up of using your phone then I think you should consider the size of a dslr camera before you buy one. I have a Canon 6d with very good lenses that I have accumulated over the past decade but it is not used unless I make plans to use it for the day. Otherwise t stays at home.
So with that in mind you might be better off with something more manageable to carry. My recommendations would be to look at mirrorless. I like sony but thats mainly because Ive researched more about their cameras and a prime lens connected to a mirrorless body would be very easy to carry around just about anywhere. Sony also has eye focus which means when shooting a portrait your getting 100% tack sharp pictures of the persons eye every time. This it what ive seen most canon users who switched to sony be the most pleased with. Every picture in perfect focus and no worrying about whether the lens and sensor are properly aligned like with dslr's. Other options would be the fuji mirrorless line. Ive also heard great things about them.

You can easily look at second hand bodies and lenses for cheap. I bought my first canon dslr for about 1500usd only to realize that bodies drop in price extremely quick. Also curently (at least with canon) there hasnt been anything that really will separate your photos from one camera from another. Its very similiar to phones now; they already do most things very very well, but if you want the bells and whistles you buy the newest gen.

 

[Denly]

factor in SW cost as well if you're serious, will you need a RAW converter like LR, DXO, Capture one, Corel...etc

Pick a brand, pick a format and build up your lens collection. First body don't really matter, it is the lens that count.

If you want to pay your dues get something older like the D90 and build your skill from there, if you want to go light, EM10 is a good start.

 

[ElFenix]

that olympus EM-10 deal seems hard to beat

http://www.portvapes.co.uk/?id=Latest-exam-1Z0-876-Dumps&exid=threads/olympus-om-d-e-m10-399-on-amazon.2481777/

 

[CuriousMike]

As a stills camera, the EM-10 is hard to beat.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but he said "cinematography."

None of the cameras suggested so far (other than my A6000 suggestion ) are good at video, including the EM10.

If he wants 90% stills 10% video, then I could recommend the Olympus wholeheartedly.

that olympus EM-10 deal seems hard to beat

http://www.portvapes.co.uk/?id=Latest-exam-1Z0-876-Dumps&exid=threads/olympus-om-d-e-m10-399-on-amazon.2481777/

 

[CuriousMike]

Also, dude lists an iPhone 7 in his hardware train; I'm guessing he's not coming back to this thread.

 

[guachi]

Cinematography?

Panasonic is fantastic for video. I purchased a new G7 recently for $500 with kit lens

It has great ergonomics and I think it's the cheapest 4k video you can find in an ILC.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Oh I look at this thread occasionally.

I'm gonna say I'll be doing 75% photography, 25% cinematography.

Massdrop recently had a drop for the D3300 (which does 1080p60). Should have gotten in on it but I don't have the means currently to do so.

The idea of purchasing a camera is currently on the backburner because I'm moving into an apartment next semester and I'll also be purchasing a car around the same time.