I'd like to buy a DSLR... -

[r00]

...but i have no idea what i'm really looking for

I'm willing to spend about £500. Maybe a bit more, but If i could get something half decent for less, then thats allll goood.
In an ideal world i'd like it to take good low light photos, and have fairly good video capabilities would be nice also.

Any photographers here that can help me out and point me in the right direction?

thanks

 

[AA 102]

Cannon cameras are my go-to. I'd recommend a cannon rebel camera, maybe a T5.
You can check out the photos I took with a camera (Rebel T3I, older model) it in the following:
https://kiwifarms.net/threads/post-your-art-thread.116/page-136#post-1641200
https://kiwifarms.net/threads/post-your-art-thread.116/page-136#post-1641461
https://kiwifarms.net/threads/post-your-cats.13416/page-12#post-1636474
https://kiwifarms.net/threads/post-your-cats.13416/page-11#post-1634032

 

[Rio]

I'd second the Canon. You won't get a single digit series for 500 dollars obviously (I don't know what they're called) but I think you can get a good older 3 digit eos (like the 550/t2i or or something. I recommend just shopping around and see what the best value for money you can find is) for below 500 dollars. Or you could go slightly more modern/more expensive and get a 700d/t5i or something.

The best alternative is of course Nikon, who are Canon's best competitors, and consistently on-par. I don't have much experience with nikon myself but I know that they're very good.

 

[polonium]

Im a big fan of Nikon. I love my D60 (ancient)

 

[AnOminous]

[stallman]Get a TLR and shoot in medium format![/stallman]

 

[DumbDosh]

 

[AN/ALR56]

i have a cannon t4i, its a decent amateur camera,especially if you have the money for the better lenses.
here are some of my pics i took with it,(kit lens)

 

[r00]

thanks for your help guys.
I think i've narrowed it down to a choice between the T5i (which everyone seems to say is a nice and solid choice) and a d3300 (which is a little bit cheaper, but is apparently better at higher isos). I looked at a d5500, but the few extra bells and whistles seem a little unnecessary.

Do you think i would be better off getting the d3300 and parlaying the money i would save into a lense?

cheers.

 

[TheUltimatePickle]

thanks for your help guys.
I think i've narrowed it down to a choice between the T5i (which everyone seems to say is a nice and solid choice) and a d3300 (which is a little bit cheaper, but is apparently better at higher isos). I looked at a d5500, but the few extra bells and whistles seem a little unnecessary.

Do you think i would be better off getting the d3300 and parlaying the money i would save into a lense?

cheers.

Depends on what you want to do.

Canon is better at rendering color and Nikon is better at low light performance. Nikon also gives you the option of using a ton of good quality cheap old lenses. But it's really hard to manual focus on a crop sensor camera so that might be a moot point for you.

I'm a professional photographer who does a lot of varied stuff on location. I have a Nikon Df because at the time I bought it it was the best low light camera there was, plus I only use prime lenses and I have a ton of vintage Nikon glass.

My business partner has a Canon 5D mk II and it kicks my cameras ass at resolution and colors in good light but it's not NEARLY as good as my Df when the lighting is bad and we can't use strobes.

That being said I'd get the Canon. Canon is better for casual photographers, you'll get better photos straight from the camera and if you get more serious later and want to upgrade to full frame you'll have to get new lenses anyway so you can revisit the canon vs Nikon vs Sony question then.

 

[AN/ALR56]

thanks for your help guys.
I think i've narrowed it down to a choice between the T5i (which everyone seems to say is a nice and solid choice) and a d3300 (which is a little bit cheaper, but is apparently better at higher isos). I looked at a d5500, but the few extra bells and whistles seem a little unnecessary.

Do you think i would be better off getting the d3300 and parlaying the money i would save into a lense?

cheers.

Get the t4i
The t5i uses the same sensor chip and lenses but it's more expensive.

 

[TheUltimatePickle]

Also, dunno if this helps since you're in the U.K. But KEH.com has really good deals on slightly used gear and great customer support.

Nothing wrong with used gear, especially lenses. If you buy used you can usually sell for what you paid.

I'd definitely check out the 40mm f2.8 lensif you go with Canon. I actually like it a lot more than the 50mm f1.8 that everyone seems to love.