Best Entry Level DSLR?

[Willie Xia]

Hi, so I've decided to not go with a compact enthusiast camera rather to an DSLR for I portray better quality. I'm not too knowledgeable about lens and things, so please help me with this. Anyways, I've been checking out the Nikon D3300, D5300, D5100, Canon Rebel T3i, and T5i. Since The T5i is the most expensive, I'm assuming it's the "best", but I don't know if it's worth it as an entry level camera. Please help me possibly choose a camera and lens, most preferably a bundle on Amazon, like this:http://www.amazon.com/Canon-EOS-T5i-Professional-lightweight/dp/B00KXG0RCC/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1429874109&sr=1-4&keywords=canon+eos+rebel+t5i

 

My budget is probably going to preferably 500-800USD?

 

[ShadowCaptain]

SNIP

 

Please do NOT buy a bundle like that  - most of that stuff is absolute trash - those lenses are trash, the accessories are trash

 

lens recommendations depend what type of photography you are doing? potrait? landscape? wide angle? telephoto? macro? shooting video? shooting at night? etc

 

I would recommend the Nikon 5300 and saving up in the future for lenses and accessories

[ImBleu]

I personally use a Canon EOS 60D, It's pretty common (the whole EOS line is) and I haven't been disappoint in it. Lenses depend on what you're looking to photograph - but there are some pretty one-size-fits-all lenses.

[.spider.]

Nikon D5300 or wait for Canon 760D reviews.

[crain300]

nikon makes great cameras and their lens are very nice

[Willie Xia]

Please do NOT buy a bundle like that  - most of that stuff is absolute trash - those lenses are trash, the accessories are trash

 

lens recommendations depend what type of photography you are doing? potrait? landscape? wide angle? telephoto? macro? shooting video? shooting at night? etc

 

I would recommend the Nikon 5300 and saving up in the future for lenses and accessories

Oh, alright then, but usually, some third party sellers sell bundles for practically the same price as the camera itself. For example:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-3-5-5-6G-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B00IDUNW72/ref=sr_1_2?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1429920084&sr=1-2&keywords=d5300

AND

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Telephoto-Wireless-Complete-Accessory/dp/B00NH6UTAK/ref=sr_1_6?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1429920084&sr=1-6&keywords=d5300

 

Since not having a bundle means no lenses, should I just get a Nikon 3300, then save up more cash for lenses?

[ShadowCaptain]

Oh, alright then, but usually, some third party sellers sell bundles for practically the same price as the camera itself. For example:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-3-5-5-6G-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B00IDUNW72/ref=sr_1_2?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1429920084&sr=1-2&keywords=d5300

AND

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Telephoto-Wireless-Complete-Accessory/dp/B00NH6UTAK/ref=sr_1_6?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1429920084&sr=1-6&keywords=d5300

 

Since not having a bundle means no lenses, should I just get a Nikon 3300, then save up more cash for lenses?

 

if the bundle is cheap then fair enough, but stil the stuff in that package is pretty much junk anyway but if its like $20 then why not, you can always throw the crappy parts away

[Willie Xia]

if the bundle is cheap then fair enough, but stil the stuff in that package is pretty much junk anyway but if its like $20 then why not, you can always throw the crappy parts away

Alright, so should I get a Nikon 3300, then save up more cash for lenses? If so, can you show me some lenses to get? I'd appreciate it if you can explain their differences!

[ShadowCaptain]

Alright, so should I get a Nikon 3300, then save up more cash for lenses? If so, can you show me some lenses to get? I'd appreciate it if you can explain their differences!

 

lenses really depend on what you want to shoot

 

you have to decide on a focal length (measured in mm) the lower the number the wide the image, the higher the number the more zoomed in the image - since the nikon 3300 has an APSC sized sensor you must multiply the lens mm number by 1.5

 

so a 50mm would be a 75mm lens for your camera!

 

Another thing to look at for lenses is the aperture or f stop value "like f2.8, f5.6" the lower the number here, the more lens the light can gather

 

the quality of the lens .. well depends on the brand and glass quality - more expensive = better lens... (generally)

 

a Prime lens is a fixed focal length ie a 50mm f1.8 - has no zoom in or out - its fixed an 18-200mm has a wide end and a zoom end (and everything between) but these lenses are lower quality optically and take in less light so your camera will need a longer shutter speed to take a photo in the dark (meaning extra blur or more noise as you need a higher ISO)

[Willie Xia]

lenses really depend on what you want to shoot

 

you have to decide on a focal length (measured in mm) the lower the number the wide the image, the higher the number the more zoomed in the image - since the nikon 3300 has an APSC sized sensor you must multiply the lens mm number by 1.5

 

so a 50mm would be a 75mm lens for your camera!

 

Another thing to look at for lenses is the aperture or f stop value "like f2.8, f5.6" the lower the number here, the more lens the light can gather

 

the quality of the lens .. well depends on the brand and glass quality - more expensive = better lens... (generally)

 

a Prime lens is a fixed focal length ie a 50mm f1.8 - has no zoom in or out - its fixed an 18-200mm has a wide end and a zoom end (and everything between) but these lenses are lower quality optically and take in less light so your camera will need a longer shutter speed to take a photo in the dark (meaning extra blur or more noise as you need a higher ISO)

Wow, thanks for the great breakdown. If I were to take some pictures like Facebook profile pictures or take videos such as instrumental music videos, what lens would I get?

[ShadowCaptain]

Wow, thanks for the great breakdown. If I were to take some pictures like Facebook profile pictures or take videos such as instrumental music videos, what lens would I get?

 

best portrait lens would be an 85mm or 50mm - like f1,8

 

For video it depends on the look you want and your ability  

[Willie Xia]

best portrait lens would be an 85mm or 50mm - like f1,8

 

For video it depends on the look you want and your ability

Alright, thanks for the great help man!

[Williamchan87]

When @ShadowCaptain says you shouldn't get bundle he meant the ones that come with a tripod and low quality sd cards etc, cause they usually break and ruin you camera, and not the ones which come with standard lenses