I know tat a ton of you guys on here are really into photography and my birthday is coming up next week and I'm thinking of getting an entry level DSLR. I used to be really into film photography, but my interest has since faded. I had a vivitar SLR and a host of lenses, but getting access to a darkroom/finding time to really enjoy it as a hobby is tough.

So I'm looking to get into the current decade and get something digital, entry level ish, not absurdly expensive, but willing to make an investment.

That being said, I'm somewhat blind to the slew of new options and features that the digital cameras offer so any advice that you have would be appreciated.

I figured you can't go wrong with something like this:
Amazon.com: Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm EF-S IS STM Lens: CANON: Camera & Photo

or this

Amazon.com: Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens: Camera & Photo

Canon 6D. Buy the right camera the first time.

What makes this the right camera over the other Canons?
Not opposed to it by any means, just curious.
Price seems fair enough (and that's exactly what I want to do, but it once buy it right)

Full frame and solid build.

All of the high quality glass for DSLRs are full frame. The 6D is an "entry level" full frame, but has lots of pro features and enough beginner friendly ones so it's not overhelming. Full frame just has better ISO performance, shallower depth of field (inherently, although that argument can be like beating a dead horse), and has been designed to make the most out of those L lenses Canon charges you an arm and leg for.

For a while the 5D mkII was a better deal, but they stopped making them.

If you're going for DSLR, then it is FULL FRAME or go home. No point in getting anything less in a DSLR, unless price is a constraint.

What are your end goals with shooting?

If you have future plans of getting a full-frame camera, start investing in full-frame lenses now. But if you don't plan on going up to full-frame, no sense in doing so. There really isn't a reason to buy one unless you really want one or are wanting to shoot professionally.

I am not too familiar with the SL1, but I am a fan of their DX bodies (and this is coming from a Nikon guy). Here's a great site to compare camera specs side by side. I find that can help making a decision.

Compare digital cameras - Snapsort

What are your end goals with shooting?

Wow, I made a mistake this AM - Hadn't had my coffee and looked at the wrong model. I don't have 2K even with birthday money, especially since I need to get my T belt done...

I'd like to keep price under 1K for something with at least a basic lens? Is that the way to do it? or should I spend more on the body and buy lenses separately?

This is a hobby for me, definitely not going to be shooting professionally...

Yeah, the problem is that I have seen what a quality full frame can do...my brother has Canon 5D III or something...expensive as hell, but wow the pics are simply amazing! And he is an amateur. I am happy with my little Sony RX100, but I can easily appreciate full frame pics even with my tired eyes!

Yeah, I'm sure it's amazing. I've been reading about it all morning, but there's pretty much zero chance of my wrangling up that much money But I'm sure I can find something in my price range that I'll be plenty happy with.

For sure. You put a good piece of glass onto a good solid DX body and most people won't be able to tell the difference unless you blow up the image to a crazy size.

Yeah exactly. So any recommendations for said glass and body?

I have some lenses from my film cam, but they're nothing special and I'll probably sell them with the film one and upgrade to better stuff.

I would buy the body and try to see (many places will) if you can spend a little extra and get a better lens than the kit lens that usually comes with the packages. They're fine, but pretty limiting and usually not the greatest quality.

Honestly, I'm not too familiar with the DX bodies out there. At least not enough to give you a solid opinion. My friend has a Canon t4i and I will say that I am very impressed with both the images and the video from it.

As far as a lens, I would spend more up front for a good lens and get a used camera body. A good lens will hold its value pretty well, while new bodies are coming out constantly making the old ones obsolete. For example, the Nikon 80-200mm lens is still considered an amazing lens and still sought after and it came out in 1997. How many camera bodies could you say the same thing about?

I would try to see if you can manage to get the 17-55 f2.8. If you have no plans of moving up to an FX camera, that will be your most useful everyday lens.

Interesting. A lot of the bodies come with 18-55 3.5 or so, seems to be pretty standard. I didn't even consider looking at used bodies.

I guess that begs the question Nikon or Canon? I really don't have a clue where to start Especially if buying used, I'd like to get something current

I really feel like that's a 6 to one response. My work is shot on Canon's while my personal shooting is on a Nikon. We started shooting on Canon's because at the time, there was no comparison when it came to video. I decided to shoot my personal stuff on a Nikon (D700 at the time) because it just suited my photo needs more.