[san~man]

Hopefully this doesn't get into a brand loyalty war, because I'm open to any brand atm

To be used for:
Action/sports
Pics of the kids (portraits, spontaneous)
General purpose photography
Not much landscape
Not much macro, but maybe occasionally
Combo of indoor/outdoor

Budget is probably 1K to start, including a small zoom lens or fixed lens. As I get more familiar, I'll look into larger zoom lenses but see no real need for them at this time.

I also have a dedicated HD video camera, so HD video isn't as important as picture quality.

I'm considering either a D5100 or T2/3i, body only or body with included lens, but I don't know how good/bad the packaged lenses from either brand are. I'm also open to a refurb body only, then get a lens separate.

Recommendations? Thanks

[Chewy734]

I'll have to recommend the Canon 60D for you. I think it has a faster frame rate than the T2/3i. I don't know much about Nikons, so perhaps someone else with experience can chime in.

[M_Six]

The Canon refurb store has a 60D with the 18-135mm kit lens for $1039 (plus tax and shipping). That would get you the camera and decent all-purpose zoom for about the same price as the 60D body alone if you were to buy one new.

[schoy]

If you're doing action/sports, you'll want a fast lens with long zoom. Indoor shots will require a fast lens as well. f/4 would be the outer limit, I would think; maybe even f/2.8.

[Rotorocious]

Agree with the 60D, add a Canon 70-200 F4 and you'd be really happy.

[san~man]

Originally Posted by Chewy734

I'll have to recommend the Canon 60D for you. I think it has a faster frame rate than the T2/3i. I don't know much about Nikons, so perhaps someone else with experience can chime in.

Ya, 5.3fps versus 3.7fps

Originally Posted by M_Six

The Canon refurb store has a 60D with the 18-135mm kit lens for $1039 (plus tax and shipping). That would get you the camera and decent all-purpose zoom for about the same price as the 60D body alone if you were to buy one new.

Do I necessarily need that much zoom to start with?

Originally Posted by schoy

If you're doing action/sports, you'll want a fast lens with long zoom. Indoor shots will require a fast lens as well. f/4 would be the outer limit, I would think; maybe even f/2.8.

My "action/sports" will be more or less my kids in action, and their sports when they start playing rather than professional type sporting events. Does that still fit the action/sports you were considering? (should have specified that earlier, sorry)


Thanks for the help everyone.

[Chewy734]

Originally Posted by san~man

Do I necessarily need that much zoom to start with?

My "action/sports" will be more or less my kids in action, and their sports when they start playing rather than professional type sporting events. Does that still fit the action/sports you were considering? (should have specified that earlier, sorry)


Thanks for the help everyone.

Yes, you probably will like to have that much zoom. Point-and-shoot cameras have quite a bit of optical zoom these days, and unless you fee like moving back and forth a lot for shots, you'll probably want that larger focal length range. Plus, it's faster to turn a ring on the lens than step 10 ft forward.

You probably won't need a f/2.8 or f/4 lens to start out with. That kit lens that M_Six recommended should be fine for you. If, later on you want to continue photography as a hobby, etc you can think about investing in some better glass.

[krnboy817]

d7000

[dcstep]

An f/4 lens is plenty fast with these bodies since they're quite good at ISO 800 and acceptable at ISO 1600 with just a little noise reduction.

Dave

[The1]

60D with 18-135 will hold you over for a long time, bang for buck about the best compromise all around.

[san~man]

Ok, sounds good

Now, how good is the packaged glass? Should I get a body only and different lens (diff brand from canon)?

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by san~man

Ok, sounds good

Now, how good is the packaged glass? Should I get a body only and different lens (diff brand from canon)?

Ain't gonna happen with a $1000 budget. The body alone will run you that much unless you can find a used or refurb body. Decent glass will run another $300-$500 if you go prime or $500-$1000 for a good zoom. You could get a 55mm-250mm for under $300, but it'd be no better than the 18-135mm kit lens and you'd lose that extra range.

[BillLee]

for a lens start off with a 50mm prime or 35mm?

[Activ]

I think Canon kit lenses are great, I have been shooting my 28-135 on my 20d since I got it It is about time to get some new glass though

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Activ

I think Canon kit lenses are great, I have been shooting my 28-135 on my 20d since I got it It is about time to get some new glass though

I keep seeing these 28-135 lenses pop up on CL. Most are new kit lenses that folks with an existing nice lens collection are dumping to recoup some of the cost of the kit. I'm always tempted to grab one for walkaround lens.

[InCityPhoto]

As everyone has already stated, the "kit" lens is a great way to start, after 6 months you will know what you want/need and you will be able to go from there.

More then likely your camera bag will end up with something like
50mm 1.8 / Super-wide 12-22mm / 70-200mm 2.8/4

Then you will be all set for your photo life.

The "Canon" glass is the preferred choice for canon users.

[bosstones]

Don't forget that the D60 is a crop body so the multiplier will help w/ the zoom aspect. Given that, the 28-135 will probably be sufficient. If anything, I'd be more curious how the wide end of the focal range would work out. I do tend to shoot wide so perhaps I'm a bit biased in that respect...

For indoor photography, much less indoor sports, decent ISO performance will help as would a wide, fixed aperture. Given budget constraints, I'd opt for ISO performance here since you'll probably have the body for a while. The glass can always be upgraded later.

Primes are great but I don't think they'd give the OP enough versatility within the aforementioned budget. A nifty fifty, or equivalent, as a secondary lens wouldn't be bad to pick up if it could be swung, though.

[Nutballa]

I just bought a 60D 3 weeks ago. Sick camera. I use it for video production though.

[san~man]

Originally Posted by bosstones

Don't forget that the D60 is a crop body so the multiplier will help w/ the zoom aspect. Given that, the 28-135 will probably be sufficient. If anything, I'd be more curious how the wide end of the focal range would work out. I do tend to shoot wide so perhaps I'm a bit biased in that respect...

For indoor photography, much less indoor sports, decent ISO performance will help as would a wide, fixed aperture. Given budget constraints, I'd opt for ISO performance here since you'll probably have the body for a while. The glass can always be upgraded later.

Primes are great but I don't think they'd give the OP enough versatility within the aforementioned budget. A nifty fifty, or equivalent, as a secondary lens wouldn't be bad to pick up if it could be swung, though.

I the ISO performance of the 60D sufficient?

Originally Posted by InCityPhoto

As everyone has already stated, the "kit" lens is a great way to start, after 6 months you will know what you want/need and you will be able to go from there.

More then likely your camera bag will end up with something like
50mm 1.8 / Super-wide 12-22mm / 70-200mm 2.8/4

Then you will be all set for your photo life.

The "Canon" glass is the preferred choice for canon users.

Thanks for the help


Now, comparing the 60D to the t2/3i, do I get that much more performance for the money?

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by san~man

I the ISO performance of the 60D sufficient?



Thanks for the help


Now, comparing the 60D to the t2/3i, do I get that much more performance for the money?

I don't have the 60D, but I've done a ton of reading and it seems you get better auto-focus and better high ISO performance from the 60D. I bought the T1i back in December and I'm wishing now that I had waited a bit and grabbed the 60D instead. Lesson learned.

One thing to be aware of, though. The 60D is a bit larger and heavier than the T2i/T3i. It's not a major deal, but if you compare the two you'll see the difference right away.

[TL]

If money is an issue, I would recommend getting a Nikon D90 as they are discounted/discontinued $800 (body) - $1000 (kit 18-105 lens).
If you have the money I would recommend getting the D7000 $1,000 (body) and $1,500 (18-105 kit lens).
check out the website comparisons below
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_60D-vs-Nikon_D90
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EO...vs-Nikon_D7000

[cookiesowns]

I would really recommend the D7000 for you. Even though I'm a Canon user, I really do prefer Nikon sometimes. I started out with a D5000 and worked my way to a 7D along a 5D mark II

Or if you go the canon route. Grab a 50 1.8 II, and maybe the 18-135 or what I would really recommend down the future the 24-105 f/4 L IS