DSLR Camera on a budget

[Percules]

I want to get into photography as a hobby but I'm very new to it. What camera should I buy with a $500 budget? I can go a bit higher if needed. Right now I'm looking at a Nikon D3500 or Canon EOS Rebel t6. A friend is also recomending me a sony alpha a6000.  I don't mind buying used so if I could save more money by buying an expensive camera used it would be better. 

[CPT_BEEMO]

I would try taking a look into your local classifieds to see if anyone is selling a used DSLR. When looking, check what lens it would come with, see if you can obtain the shutter count and check for dings, dents anything that indicates mistreatment of the camera. I found a Canon Rebel T5i used on my local classifieds, I paid 200 Canadian Rubles for that bad boi and I didnt lose a wink of sleep over it.

[Aereldor]

Where are you located?

[Percules]

58 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

Where are you located?

NYC

[Percules]

1 hour ago, CPT_BEEMO said:

I would try taking a look into your local classifieds to see if anyone is selling a used DSLR. When looking, check what lens it would come with, see if you can obtain the shutter count and check for dings, dents anything that indicates mistreatment of the camera. I found a Canon Rebel T5i used on my local classifieds, I paid 200 Canadian Rubles for that bad boi and I didnt lose a wink of sleep over it.

Let's say I didn't go with used what new camera would I buy?

 

[Radium_Angel]

2 hours ago, Percules said:

Let's say I didn't go with used what new camera would I buy?

 

The best camera for you, in your budget range, is the one that's most comfortable for you to hold and use.

If the ergonomics suck, it doesn't matter how great the camera is, you won't use it.

 

All cameras built from 2015 onward (and I'd argue in the past 10 years overall) will do more than you'll ever be able to handle as a newbie. So go hit camera shops, and play around with everything out there, then buy the one you like most using, and go be happy with it

[YellowJersey]

If you're looking for new, I'd probably go with a Canon SL2 and then put any left over money into getting some decent lenses. The SL3 doesn't offer much over the SL2, so you can probably get the SL2 at a good price.

[GDRRiley]

I'm seeing options like used X-T20, 70D, t6i

adoramba and BH have large used sections and that is where I found most of these.

I'd avoid spending more than 350-400$ if it is just a body to give you some money for 1-2 lenses and maybe an extra battery

[YellowJersey]

1 hour ago, GDRRiley said:

I'm seeing options like used X-T20, 70D, t6i

adoramba and BH have large used sections and that is where I found most of these.

I'd avoid spending more than 350-400$ if it is just a body to give you some money for 1-2 lenses and maybe an extra battery

Don't I usually recommend Fuji and you usually recommend Canon?

[GDRRiley]

24 minutes ago, YellowJersey said:

Don't I usually recommend Fuji and you usually recommend Canon?

yes, 2/3 I listed were cannon. I love my SL2 but you are going to be hard pressed to find one new now.

[ThePointblank]

Since you are in the US, look at refurbished cameras; Canon USA has an entire webstore full of refurb cameras:

 

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-interchangeable-lens-cameras

 

Canon's refurbished cameras are often a very good value; they are checked over by Canon technicians for any issues, which get fixed, and they carry the standard Canon warranty.

[Aereldor]

16 hours ago, Percules said:

NYC

Lol I left NYC 3 days ago, I would straight up have given you a T3i that I have lying around

[Aereldor]

2 hours ago, ThePointblank said:

Since you are in the US, look at refurbished cameras; Canon USA has an entire webstore full of refurb cameras:

 

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-interchangeable-lens-cameras

 

Canon's refurbished cameras are often a very good value; they are checked over by Canon technicians for any issues, which get fixed, and they carry the standard Canon warranty.

Holy shit that Sl3 at $400 is a fucking steal! Get that and the canon 50mm f1.8 and you're golden. $70 more for the kit lens might be worth it for the stabilization and being able to go wider - like ~30mm on a canon APS-C. I hate the canon kit lens but it's useful if you want to walk around and shoot video, shoot indoors etc.
 

[GDRRiley]

14 hours ago, Aereldor said:

Holy shit that Sl3 at $400 is a fucking steal! Get that and the canon 50mm f1.8 and you're golden. $70 more for the kit lens might be worth it for the stabilization and being able to go wider - like ~30mm on a canon APS-C. I hate the canon kit lens but it's useful if you want to walk around and shoot video, shoot indoors etc.
 

yeah the SL3 is a good deal. don't spend the money on the real canon get the Yongnuo YN 50mm.

I wouldn't get the kit spend it on a 75-300 III/III USM or 18-135.

a 18-135 and the 50 will have you mostly set

[ThePointblank]

18 hours ago, Aereldor said:

Holy shit that Sl3 at $400 is a fucking steal! Get that and the canon 50mm f1.8 and you're golden. $70 more for the kit lens might be worth it for the stabilization and being able to go wider - like ~30mm on a canon APS-C. I hate the canon kit lens but it's useful if you want to walk around and shoot video, shoot indoors etc.
 

Also look at Canon USA's refurbished lenses lineup. Lots of good value there as well.

[Aereldor]

7 hours ago, GDRRiley said:

yeah the SL3 is a good deal. don't spend the money on the real canon get the Yongnuo YN 50mm.

I wouldn't get the kit spend it on a 75-300 III/III USM or 18-135.

a 18-135 and the 50 will have you mostly set

I always had problems with the autofocus on the Yongnuo, but I love the 35mm, which IMO is a better all-round lens for APS-C anyway, since it's a 50mm f2.0 with the crop factor. It's sharper at f2.8 and even better at f4 but it looks good at f2.0 either way

Though the best option is always to learn to use manual focus and get vintage primes.

[GDRRiley]

1 minute ago, Aereldor said:

I always had problems with the autofocus on the Yongnuo, but I love the 35mm, which IMO is a better all-round lens for APS-C anyway, since it's a 50mm f2.0 with the crop factor. It's sharper at f2.8 and even better at f4 but it looks good at f2.0 either way

Though the best option is always to learn to use manual focus and get vintage primes.

i've looked at the 35 I may grab it soon.

yeah

[RMTactical]

If you're starting out, go with a Canon 20D.  I've bought two, and they're pretty easy to replace if they fail.  You can fine one in excellent condition for $100 dollars, body only with a battery and charger.  I picked up my first one for $120 on Amazon, but it failed after a month because of poor shipping handling.  I then picked up another one about a year later, for $60, in great condition, and it is still going strong.  Do note that you shouldn't try and take 100 pictures in a row.  (It heats up the internals quickly, and I found that the hard way with the first one.).  Keep in mind that lenses are going to be more expensive than a camera sometimes.  If you can find one with a starter lens (28-80 mm) then it'll run you up to around $130.  I purchased a body only, since I already have lenses at my disposal.  If you want to find some really cheap lenses, go to a pawn shop.  They can probably hook you up with a good deal.  (I have an old friend who goes around to them.  He's had numerous encounters of top of the line lenses clocking in at just under $10,000 for a steal at $300.  You could probably find a high end camera there too if you looked hard enough.)

[GDRRiley]

4 hours ago, RMTactical said:

If you're starting out, go with a Canon 20D.

a 60d or a T5 or 2ti-t5i all have a much better sensor and are just a little more. those all come with an 18mp sensor and the same EF mount.

right now on B&H (little high on price) the diffrence between a 20D and 50D is 10$. the 50D gives you 2x the res