Question for all the Pro/Semi Pro/Amateur Photographers

[DEKA3]

Hey all,

I am looking to get into photography...mostly people and buildings/scenic.

I have been doing some research and came across two entry level Dslr cameras that meet my price requirements. I know "glass" is more important than the body, but since I dont have a body yet, I have to start somewhere.

The cameras I am interested in are a Canon EOS Rebel T3i, and a Nikon d5100.

I know the pros and cons of each camera, but still cant make up my mind. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[BucknutBob]

Quite frankly, Elias, you've already taken care of the most important choice--narrowing it down to two of the best brands in the biz. I'm sure both are top-quality cameras. Go as high up the "food chain" as your budget allows, because unlike a lot of electronics, the features that get added on cameras as the prices go up are actually things that improve your results--not just a lot of fluff. Each level just opens up new opportunities, like being able to shoot in lower light, or take more shots per second, etc.. You're very right about the lenses--don't cheap out there, as that's what's making the image. Going with higher megapixels isn't quite so important, unless you intend to make huge enlargements. Anything 10 or higher is going to have incredible resolution--an 8mp shot is already 11x14 without enhancing, so they only get bigger (and sharper) from there. Get something that has as many focusing and metering points across the screen as you can afford, because that's what will get the settings right for you. Get a nice heavy tripod for the landscapes--light weight is convenient, but it also moves too easily. For people, get a good bounce flash to fill in the dark areas without overpowering the shot. Go have some fun!

 

[adio3x]

Both cameras are great. Now you have to ask yourself, are you more interested in shooting stills or shooting video? The canon t3i is a marvelous camera to shoot video, canon really has the edge on Nikon when it comes to HDSLRs. Image quality is much better on the d5100, also it handles high ISO better than the canon.

I'm trying not to be bias, I shoot Nikons, and IMO the glass is so much sharper than Canons glass. Now I did just pick up a t3i to shoot video, its a cool little camera.

If I were you and didn't care that much about video mode, pick up an older Nikon body. Such as the D80, it doesn't have video mode, but its a great geat camera. Than pick up a nikon 18-200 and you'll be set for awhile, til you want some pro glass.

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

Like everyone else has said already, both cameras are a good starting point and have their own pros and cons. I'm a Nikon guy myself, but I have always loved the feel and shutter sound of Canon's bodies. I shoot mainly portraits and one of my bosses shoots architecture and we have both been very please with the quality/selection of glass from Nikon to accomplish these tasks (not to say Canon couldn't accomplish the same). Both companies are basically neck and neck, so its going to come down to which one 'feels' best to you. Go to a camera store, handle both cameras, take some shots, and figure out which one you like best. Good luck!

 

[Hepar]

For pure picture quality, I would choose the Nikon over the Canon. I'm a Nikon guy myself (D700), but my brother shoots on a Canon (5d mk ii). Both are amazing in their own rights depending on what body you have and what glass. That being said, once you make your choice and start building your glass collection, you have to be prepared to stick with that company. You can make the switch somewhere in the middle, but it's a pain.

That being said, I also agree with the others in regards to the video. My friend has a T3i and I've been impressed with the quality of video he can get out of it.

 

[BigRogers]

like being able to shoot in lower light, or take more shots per second, etc.. You're very right about the lenses--don't cheap out there, as that's what's making the image. Going with higher megapixels isn't quite so important, unless you intend to make huge enlargements. Anything 10 or higher is going to have incredible resolution--an 8mp shot is already 11x14 without enhancing, so they only get bigger (and sharper) from there. Get something that has as many focusing and metering points across the screen as you can afford, because that's what will get the settings right for you.

:iagree: with all the comments above.
I love my Canon, the major reason i picked it over the Nikon was pretty much just the "feel" of it in my hand (basically it fit better) and button/menu selection. Other than that when i was in the selection process both camera bodies in my price range were fairly equivalant.

Glass is what ends up making it all come together, and there is a very wide spectrum to pick from. Canon and Nikon both make awesome lenses; though Nikon may have a slight upper hand on the zoom type lense. I recently got to play with a fixed 50mm lens on my Canon and boy oh boy those things are sharp. Kind of like going from a cresent wrench to a socket....going to have to invest in one of those.

Anyhow, shop, shop, shop, these things arent cheap and you will more than likely have it for a very long time so make sure it is the one you want, dont settle.

 

[Hepar]

A good comparison sight that just breaks down the numbers.

Canon T3i vs Nikon D5100

 

[ClockWork]

Of all the decisions the brand is the least important, especially Canon vs. Nikon. I'd recommend starting with a pro-sumer body (XXD) on Canon as the ergonomics are far better than the rebels. I cannot say the same for Nikon as I'm not familiar with their system.

I personally have a Canon 5D2.

Oh yea, be SURE to purchase Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. An absolute MUST!

 

[BrianSD_42]

I know "glass" is more important than the body, but since I dont have a body yet

I would have to dispute this.


Check out DPreview.com

 

[034RUNNER]

don't start out with a rebel. you will only be wishing you had a 5d within months. my advice... pick up a used 30D from eBay or a local camera shop. if your going to stick with canon then go ahead and get at least two lenses. I suggest the 28-135mm macro. great for portraits and landscape. you can get great close ups of bugs, flowers, and what not. invest in a good tripod and a shutter release cable. then go from there. you won't be disappointed with a used canon. I bought my first canon before I deployed for Iraq. I still use it to this day. it's a beast!

+1. I played around with both a Canon and a Nikon and prefer the Nikon. I'm a beginning myself starting to look into lenses. ebay is definitely a good way to go so you can get more for your money. This is one expensive hobby.

 

[Ross]

I would have to dispute this.


Check out DPreview.com

Your lenses still are a big deal but with the digital revolution how the camera deals with the image is also important. The higher line or professional digital cameras deal with images better. I am not a tech person so I don't know any better way to explain it.

Both Canon and Nikon will have good lenses. Make sure the camera has the feature you like.

I recently bought a D3100. It is an amateur Camera, the pro line will have more durable bodies, and some other features possibly but the big deal is how the camera deals with the image.

I choose Nikon because had many older Nikon lens that will work with it.

 

[Hepar]

I know "glass" is more important than the body, but since I dont have a body yet, I have to start somewhere.

I would have to agree that glass is more important. A good piece of glass will hold its value for much longer in comparison to a body. New bodies come out all the time and make the old bodies obsolete. The bodies rate of depreciation is also much higher than good glass. And there are those lenses that have actually increased in value as the years have gone on.

 

[DEKA3]

Hey all,

Thanks for ALL of your input & advice. It is much appreciated. I took many peoples recommendations and I went to a brick&mortar and played around with both the T3i & D5100. I wound up going with the Nikon. It simply felt better in my hands and was easier to use (IMO). When using the T3i, after 15 minutes, I just couldnt figure out how to autofocus in movie-mode :redbrick:.

I also went with a 55-250 lens and the highest speed/highest class SD card I could find.

As for books, I was looking to get "Nikon D5100 For Dummies" or maybe "David Busch's Compact Field Guide for the Nikon D5100" (both via Amazon).
Now, I just have to read as much as possible about the basics and actually go out and take some pics!

Trail On & Click On, fellow t4r members!

 

[Hepar]

Hey all,

Thanks for ALL of your input & advice. It is much appreciated. I took many peoples recommendations and I went to a brick&mortar and played around with both the T3i & D5100. I wound up going with the Nikon. It simply felt better in my hands and was easier to use (IMO). When using the T3i, after 15 minutes, I just couldnt figure out how to autofocus in movie-mode :redbrick:.

I also went with a 55-250 lens and the highest speed/highest class SD card I could find.

As for books, I was looking to get "Nikon D5100 For Dummies" or maybe "David Busch's Compact Field Guide for the Nikon D5100" (both via Amazon).
Now, I just have to read as much as possible about the basics and actually go out and take some pics!

Trail On & Click On, fellow t4r members!

Congrats! All except for the B&H part. Lol. I used to live in NYC and DESPISED going there. The last time I walked out of there swearing they'd never see my money again. Sucks because they literally have everything you'd need there.

Check out the Magic Lantern line of guides too. They're pretty good. Also a good option is the line of QuickPro DVD's. If you're like me, then you're a visual person, so having instructions with visuals can help much more.

 

[DEKA3]

Congrats! All except for the B&H part. Lol. I used to live in NYC and DESPISED going there. The last time I walked out of there swearing they'd never see my money again. Sucks because they literally have everything you'd need there.

Check out the Magic Lantern line of guides too. They're pretty good. Also a good option is the line of QuickPro DVD's. If you're like me, then you're a visual person, so having instructions with visuals can help much more.

Didn't go to B&H. Went to BestBuy & actually got it cheaper than anywhere else!
Plus its a lot easier for me than trekking into the city in case I have any warranty/service issues.

Thanks for the DVD tips. Will look into them.
What part of NYC did you live in?

 

[BucknutBob]

Shutterbugs welcome here

Hey all,

Thanks for ALL of your input & advice. It is much appreciated. I took many peoples recommendations and I went to a brick&mortar and played around with both the T3i & D5100. I wound up going with the Nikon. It simply felt better in my hands and was easier to use (IMO). When using the T3i, after 15 minutes, I just couldnt figure out how to autofocus in movie-mode :redbrick:.

I also went with a 55-250 lens and the highest speed/highest class SD card I could find.

As for books, I was looking to get "Nikon D5100 For Dummies" or maybe "David Busch's Compact Field Guide for the Nikon D5100" (both via Amazon).
Now, I just have to read as much as possible about the basics and actually go out and take some pics!

Trail On & Click On, fellow t4r members!

Congrats! The beauty of digital is that you can practice as much as you want and not spend a dime (once you have the equipment, of course). Shoot, download, examine, erase memory stick, repeat--it's a beautiful thing! One thing I would recommend is to take a notebook with you a couple times, pick a scene to shoot, and take the same picture over and over, changing settings each time and carefully recording what you changed--you'll learn both the camera and good techniques for later use. Have fun!

 

[Hepar]

Didn't go to B&H. Went to BestBuy & actually got it cheaper than anywhere else!
Plus its a lot easier for me than trekking into the city in case I have any warranty/service issues.

Thanks for the DVD tips. Will look into them.
What part of NYC did you live in?

Ah! I made the assumption! I lived in the UWS. 99th and Broadway to be more exact. Will probably be back there at some point.

One thing I would recommend is to take a notebook with you a couple times, pick a scene to shoot, and take the same picture over and over, changing settings each time and carefully recording what you changed--you'll learn both the camera and good techniques for later use. Have fun!

No need! All that data is stored in the picture file.

 

[adio3x]

Hey all,

Thanks for ALL of your input & advice. It is much appreciated. I took many peoples recommendations and I went to a brick&mortar and played around with both the T3i & D5100. I wound up going with the Nikon. It simply felt better in my hands and was easier to use (IMO). When using the T3i, after 15 minutes, I just couldnt figure out how to autofocus in movie-mode :redbrick:.

I also went with a 55-250 lens and the highest speed/highest class SD card I could find.

As for books, I was looking to get "Nikon D5100 For Dummies" or maybe "David Busch's Compact Field Guide for the Nikon D5100" (both via Amazon).
Now, I just have to read as much as possible about the basics and actually go out and take some pics!

Trail On & Click On, fellow t4r members!

Congrats!!! The T3i cannot autofocus during movie mode. Those field guides are awesome, I had one for my old d80 and it was great. O yea the best info is just read the manual that comes with the camera. It may be thick, but its the best info IMO. Have fun!!!

 

[DEKA3]

Congrats!!! The T3i cannot autofocus during movie mode. Those field guides are awesome, I had one for my old d80 and it was great. O yea the best info is just read the manual that comes with the camera. It may be thick, but its the best info IMO. Have fun!!!

It cant focus in movie mode? Why even have movie mode then? I thought Canons were superior in video? Well at least now I know I wasnt losing my mind! hahaha

The manual is my priority now. A boring read for sure, but still a necessity.

 

[DEKA3]

Ah! I made the assumption! I lived in the UWS. 99th and Broadway to be more exact. Will probably be back there at some point.


No need! All that data is stored in the picture file.

I used to manage a restaurant on 75th & Broadway by Beacon Theater & Beacon Hotel. Nice area! I've met plenty of celebrities there