Advice on which camera to buy a novice photographer

[Aaron]

Hey guys, my girlfriend is getting into photography as a hobby, and really enjoys it. She recently bought a really nice point and shoot Canon, but expressed interest in getting into a real camera if she could afford it someday.

Now I know very little about photography and cameras and shit, but I'd like to get her one for X-mas this year. My budget is around $1000, will that be able to get her into a good camera that will last her a few years before being outdated and outperformed by a point and shoot?

That being said, suggestions? I know I've just started the equivalent of an R6 vs CBR600RR vs ZX6RRRRRR vs GSX-R600 war here, but I'd like some input. Besides, we all know the S1000RR is the best bike made.

[laspariahs]

If I were spending around a 1k for a camera I'd buy a Nikon D7000. In fact if Costco still sold the D7000 I probably would have bought to fill the gap between selling my d700 and when I get my D800 since you can return things there for up to 90 days.

The D7000 is the best high iso APS-C sensor on the market, it's got a magnesium body, it does video if you care about that, good metering, good AF etc.

It'll last her many years.

It's 1,199 for the body.

[Penadam]

...girlfriend ... $1000...


Must be one hell of a GF.

[Ezzzzy1]

In fact if Costco still sold the D7000 I probably would have bought to fill the gap between selling my d700 and when I get my D800 since you can return things there for up to 90 days.


Good to see you are doing your part in destroying a great return policy....

[laspariahs]

Good to see you are doing your part in destroying a great return policy....

Well I've never used it before, and probably wouldn't have actually done it.

[Suki]

If your budget is 1k, I'd say don't spend it ALL on the body/camera. Get her an entry level DSLR and an extra lens. The bodies are constantly updated each year and that'll be about the time she wants to get a new one. Lenses/glass hold their value and are what she'll want to invest in for the long haul.

What type of photography does she lean more towards? Portraits, landscapes/city/urban? A 50mm 1.8 is about $100 and is great for portraits. You can get a T2i/T3i with a decent kit lens, or just buy the body and put the extra money towards a different lens. Mine came with an 18-135mm kit lens, which would give her a good range for both. The kit was about $800, but I'm sure they've dropped a bit since the T3i came out and soon the T4i.

[asp_125]

Kit lenses, ie bundled lenses that come as a package, are ok to start with. But plan on upgrading to a faster lens in a year. Everyone should have an f/2.8 lens or better in their kit. If she doesn't care about video, save some money on a body without that feature, and put it towards some good glass.

[asp_125]

Google: canon customer loyalty program! Turn in your old slr or point and shoot for discount on a new upgrade.