New camera time, at last!

[Lumps of cheese]

Ok photography buffs!

I need some opinions on my first digital slr camera purchase. I've had a look at some and i'm after a good solid enrty level camera and have narrowed it down to 2.

The canon 1100d which comes with 2 lens for $1049



Annnnd the nikon d3100 for about the same dough but with 14.2 mp as opposed to the 12.2 of the canon




Now, as i'm a noob i'm open to suggestions of others if you think that there are better alternatives than these two so any help would be great.
Cheers.

[Stressball]

I use Canon goodies, and prefer them. That being said, i bought my dad a nikon d3000 and dont regret it. Really its a matter of preference. Nikon do have a great tutorial mode on their entry level cameras though, good for figuring out what all the bits n pieces do. Whichever you get you will be happy with, unless you turn out to be a perfectionist. In which case you will spend a fortune on lenses lol.

Ideally at least two lenses would be good, something from 18mm up to around 55 is a good walkaround lens, then you want something from maybe 70ish up to 200 or so for zoom shots.

Neither camera would feel very sturdy to me because I use stronger stuff now, but as far as build quality goes, they are equal and more than satisfactory. Unless you abuse them, you wont have any trouble.

My suggestion, go to Teds and play with both cameras in the store and decide which you prefer. The extra resolution of the Nikon will not make as big a difference as you might think. Unless you're gonna do huge prints, you will rarely use the highest resolution. You will constantly find yourself downscaling them to upload them to facebook/photobucket.

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[Lumps of cheese]

Cheers mate appreciate it. That's pretty much what i thought and what i've been told so far in stores. One thing i forgot to ask is what warranty they come with, i'd imagine 12 months?

[Stressball]

I believe they both are, yes. Depending where you buy, you may get a genuine warranty or a third party 'Mack's warranty. You'll only get one of those if you buy a grey import online though, like from camerasdirect.com.au.

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[Lumps of cheese]

Ahhh ok. I'm leaning towards the canon, it felt good in the hands which i'm sure sounds silly.

[HoZy]

I'd go Grey market,

Canon EOS 60D Body kit+18-55mm IS + UV + HDMI | eBay

I got one of these babies, & then whacked on a 24-105mm L-series Lens.

An I love it to death, Both the cameras you put up are overly expensive, For nothing of any good.

The 60d isn't the best, But it is an amazing camera.

Just food for thought.

Cheers
Mat

[minux]

An I love it to death, Both the cameras you put up are overly expensive, For nothing of any good.

These cameras will both take as good a photo as the 60d... The 60d is now just another prosumer body using cheaper internals and overall build to make canon more $$$

Juzo, there is next to no difference in the cameras you are looking at, go with what is comfortable. If you have friends with slr's ask what brands they use. It is handy being able to swap and borrow equipment between friends.

[Stressball]

Instead of downgrading a higher model to make a 60d like they used to do with the XXD series, they've taken a lower model and upgraded it. I had a 40d and I would take that over a 60d anyday.

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[minux]

Instead of downgrading a higher model to make a 60d like they used to do with the XXD series, they've taken a lower model and upgraded it. I had a 40d and I would take that over a 60d anyday.

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Agreed there, same with 50d.

Juzo, looked into buying maybe a secondhand kit? a 40d/50d will get you a great start and usually all at a great price.

[Lumps of cheese]

Cheers for the comments guys.
I haven't considered secondhand, i usually like to buy something new. Do most camera stores deal in secondhand? Not real fond of buying online, especially secondhand.

[minux]

Cheers for the comments guys.
I haven't considered secondhand, i usually like to buy something new. Do most camera stores deal in secondhand? Not real fond of buying online, especially secondhand.

No idea on camera stores, but if you are buying the equipment from another photographer, you will find it is always in pristine condition.

[Lumps of cheese]

Yeah true.
Got anything for sale?

[Lumps of cheese]

Woohoo!
Bought myself the nikon in the end. Went back and forth a bit but after using them both in store the nikon was a bit easier for the novice to use so that was the one. Went for the dual lens kit 18-55 and 55-200 vr lens, will do for a start. Thanks to those that replied, can't wait to get off work this weekend to try it out a bit!

[Stressball]

Good stuff. The tutorial type mode is the reason we chose it for my dad. He used to be a photographer, back when film was the only option makes it easy to get into all the little settings and things quickly instead of spending ages figuring it out yourself. Or reading the manual

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[Lumps of cheese]

Yeah i spent some time on it last night and it seems pretty straight forward, so far anyway!

[Jacko84]

Hi i bought myself a d3000 for xmas its an excellent camera still learning how to use it, go onto youtube and search the photoextremest watch his videos, that guy helped me so much he explained how to use the camera the best. i only have a 18-55lens, i found i need the 55-300lens next, any way lots of fun learning all about it.

[Lumps of cheese]

Hi i bought myself a d3000 for xmas its an excellent camera still learning how to use it, go onto youtube and search the photoextremest watch his videos, that guy helped me so much he explained how to use the camera the best. i only have a 18-55lens, i found i need the 55-300lens next, any way lots of fun learning all about it.

Ahh cheers i'll take a gander at that later.