Any photographers here? curious about DSLRs...

[RedZero]

Anyone here with some experience with cameras, DSLRs in particular? I've loved pictures/photography for the longest time, but it wasn't until recently that I considered buying my own DSLR. For a while, I used a Sony DSC-W190 (http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&partNumber=DSCW190/B) for simple snapshots and to experiment with. Nothing special.

I absolutely love nature/landscape shots, and photojournalism (or just pictures of "news events") has interested me too. I'd probably take pictures of whatever looked interesting, honestly.

Side note/question: is it a conflict of interest when you're asking about buying a camera from a big corporation (Canon/Nikon) on a revolutionary/leftist forum? LOL. :lol: Nah, I'm mostly kidding. the thought did come up, though.

Anyway, it's apparent that the two biggest competitors are Canon and Nikon, so I assume I'll be buying a camera from one of these brands.

Here are a few links to cameras that I've bookmarked (I'm open to any and all suggestions, these are just a few that I've kept bookmarked):


http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D3100-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B003ZYF3LO
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D5100-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B004V4IWKG
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T3i-Digital-Imaging-18-55mm/dp/B004J3V90Y

Really, Canon seems to be more appealing. I'm not sure, though. Specifically, the T3i...but there may be even better cameras out there for a better price. A few people have told me that it would be best if I could go and hold some cameras to get a "feel" for it, since, according to them, it boils down to "personal preference/taste." Is that true, or couldn't you just...well..adapt to whatever you buy? If this is something I really need to do, it may be an issue since I live in a fairly rural area.

Another thing: lenses. I know that kit-lenses come with some of these cameras --standard lenses-- but are they really as bad as people make them out to be? I know that lenses are a big part of it and that I'll probably end up buying a few others over time, but right now...I'd just like to get started.

Thanks if you've read all of this and if you reply. Appreciated!

[Susurrus]

I've got a Nikon that has served me well.

[PC LOAD LETTER]

For learning, the kit lenses will be fine. You'll be able to do some print-worthy shots with them.

Nikon makes a Bad Ass (tm) 50mm f/1.8 lens for about $120. It's super-sharp. With some of the lower-end bodies it won't autofocus, though. You probably won't need a prime lens until later, though.

I use a Nikon D40 for digital and, more recently, I've mostly been using a Nikon N60 35mm SLR ... Look up reviews and test shots for whatever camera you've got your eye on. Canon is perfectly fine, though. I'm just accustomed to Nikon. You will encounter brand-nazis. I know I have. People who talk shit because you don't shoot with XYZ bodies. It's really annoying.

Find a good guide on aperture/f-stop and its relation to shutter speed and depth of field. It's pretty much photography 101. From this you'll understand what you'll likely need in a lens for various tasks...

Also look up a guide on framing.

[R_P_A_S]

Canon all the way. Nikkon uses Canon parts. If you want to drop money.. go full frame with a 5D.. if you on a budget.. 60D