Thread: Looking for info on DSLR's.

Ok I'm new to cameras other than a little digi camera. This is going to be a gift for my wife. I have read some of the posts already pertaining to DSLR's and some stuff on the interweb. It seems that it's a D5100 vs. T3i debate and which one may feel better to you. Has there been any change to this? Is there any new cameras coming out that I should look into? I also know that editing is important. Raw pictures don't just come out perfect. This is why I am asking the L4P fam for help since I don't belong to any camera forums. The camera would be used everywhere and at all times of day. Pictures would be taken of our daughter or pets, family functions, out in the snow or in the woods... It doesn't really need to take video but if it does since they all seem to now that is fine. Any fixed lens dslr's? Or do I buy a body and pick up a lens? And then there is a bag and cleaning stuff? Prob not a tri pod but later down the road? I could see myself getting involved and tinkering with this and learning software so I guess it's for both of us. She just happened to take classes in high school and college and has mentioned she wants to get back into it so I was thinking of surprising her. Price range is around 1,000. Looking to buy now to before Christmas so she/we can have it for the holiday's. I will continue to look around. Hope I covered it all. Thanks for your time reading this and any info.

For what you need, i think the T3i Kit would be perfect for you!

T3i is excellent, especially for what you want. You can get the lens kit and you'll get an pretty ok zoom lens with it. I would recommend you to go for an extra quality lens. Even a 100 dollar cheap Canon one will make a world of difference.

Agreed...almost more important than the camera itself is the lens...

Originally Posted by chirag

Agreed...almost more important than the camera itself is the lens...

Not almost, IS more important than the camera itself. The only exception may be individuals who shoot sports, where having a camera that shoots 8+ fps and that performs well using high-ISOs can be the difference between the front of the sports page and the trash can. But even in that case, without the long telephoto lenses, you equally have no chance of getting the shots you need.

Definitely save your money for some nice glass.

I am very happy with my T2i, and I'm sure the T3i would be a great camera for what you want.

Actually if you really don't care that much about the swivel screen and some slight cosmetic changes the T2i will serve you just as well and you'll save a nice 100 bucks.

Thanks for the input so far. I've found some prices online through Amazon for the whole T3i kit and it comes in a little under what I had expected so that's good. But I dislike buying online from places I'm not sure of. I just don't trust people not knowing them. I don't do business through ebay to too much either. And since this is a camera I have no idea where to go. Any ideas? There was a mention of sports.. Well my daughter is 3 and within this year or so she will be starting. And I would like to take it to the gun range too if possible. So I don't know if this is gonna change anything regarding camera. Again I'm blind to this so thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by KingNikan

Actually if you really don't care that much about the swivel screen and some slight cosmetic changes the T2i will serve you just as well and you'll save a nice 100 bucks.

Use the $100 you save to buy a 50mm lens...I love this lense!

Originally Posted by Kroper

There was a mention of sports.. Well my daughter is 3 and within this year or so she will be starting. And I would like to take it to the gun range too if possible. So I don't know if this is gonna change anything regarding camera. Again I'm blind to this so thanks for the info.

For most casual shooters, anything with 3+ fps should serve you fine. The pro level cameras shoot 8+ because well, they are intended for pros that shoot fast action for a living. They fill up 16gb cards like its nothing.

I shot sports all throughout college for my University's newspaper and I started shooting with a Canon 300d, which shoots just 1fps. Some of my better shots I ever took were with that camera. But without a proper lens, I wouldn't have been able to get anything worth publishing.