Need some help picking a basic DSLR

[apvm]

Hi,

My volunteer job requires me to take pictures of a group of students (mainly indoors) for our monthly Newsletter and Year book. I have a P&S Fujifilm S2950 but due to the limitation of this camera the results are not very good even with manual settings. I need to photoshop them every time before they can be clear enough for our B&W publication. Last week, I borrowed a friend's Canon T1i and the result are much better and most of the pictures I took no longer need to go thru photoshop which saved me a lot of time.

Since I don't get pay for it, I want to keep my budget as tight as possible. By the way, I need the camera to have video capacity as well since I need to capture some moments to post on youtube.

I want to buy used but not sure which model and most of all how to tell if it will be a good used camera or not.

Right now, I am looking at the Nikon D3100 body only at Henry's ($350) and buy a used lens (I am more comfortable with a new body and used lens) and hopefully it will be under $500 all in. To be honest $300 is more comfortable.

I am also looking at this used Pentax K-x
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Pentax-K-x-12...t_13612wt_1344

Any suggestions are welcome.

Tia

[hdom]

I may be a bit biased but I would go for the Pentax, the new K-r would be even better than the K-x if you could find one at the same range.

I wouldn't go with Nikon for the reason that it requires a DX F-mount lens, which isn't as popular for Nikon and the camera isn't even like by die heart Nikonian, I think. The Pentax K on the other hand would work with almost any lens Pentax lens ever made, even old film cameras lens.

If you want to save a bit on cost, the K-01 mirrorless may be worth considering too and the body alone has recently dropped to half of what it used to, you can get a new body ~$300 with the same sensor and anti shake features as the K-r/K-x but with even better video features. Best deal is get the 40mm lens kit for $70 more, then you will get the lens worth $150 at 1/2 the going rate, an awesome deal.

http://www.photoprice.ca/product/038...-01-price.html
http://www.photoprice.ca/product/038...Kit-price.html

If you still find that not good enough, you can pick up a used pentax or 3rd party flash for within your budget. Then you will have a setup that is at the top of any other $500 combine you can find.

[Winkle]

I wouldn't go with Nikon for the reason that it requires a DX F-mount lens

Nope, it'll take any F-mount lense although it won't autofocus with the older ones that don't have a built-in AF motor but you're not limited to DX lenses only. I have a DX body but I mostly shoot with full frame glass.

[hdom]

Thx, I forgot to say to AF, it requires DX lense. However, you wouldn't need/want DX lens if you ever upgrade to higher end Nikon anyways right ??

Nope, it'll take any F-mount lense although it won't autofocus with the older ones that don't have a built-in AF motor but you're not limited to DX lenses only. I have a DX body but I mostly shoot with full frame glass.

[apvm]

I may be a bit biased but I would go for the Pentax, the new K-r would be even better than the K-x if you could find one at the same range.

I wouldn't go with Nikon for the reason that it requires a DX F-mount lens, which isn't as popular for Nikon and the camera isn't even like by die heart Nikonian, I think. The Pentax K on the other hand would work with almost any lens Pentax lens ever made, even old film cameras lens.

If you want to save a bit on cost, the K-01 mirrorless may be worth considering too and the body alone has recently dropped to half of what it used to, you can get a new body ~$300 with the same sensor and anti shake features as the K-r/K-x but with even better video features. Best deal is get the 40mm lens kit for $70 more, then you will get the lens worth $150 at 1/2 the going rate, an awesome deal.

http://www.photoprice.ca/product/038...-01-price.html
http://www.photoprice.ca/product/038...Kit-price.html

If you still find that not good enough, you can pick up a used pentax or 3rd party flash for within your budget. Then you will have a setup that is at the top of any other $500 combine you can find.

Thanks but the K-01 doesn't seems to have a view finder, I am not use to camera without view finder, the K-x is good but simply looking at the pictures to buy from a seller in BC, kinda risky if anything goes wrong. Tough decision.

Nope, it'll take any F-mount lense although it won't autofocus with the older ones that don't have a built-in AF motor but you're not limited to DX lenses only. I have a DX body but I mostly shoot with full frame glass.

Well I hate auto focus, manual is fine with me. Thanks for the info.

[Winkle]

Thx, I forgot to say to AF, it requires DX lense. However, you wouldn't need/want DX lens if you ever upgrade to higher end Nikon anyways right ??

No, the D3100 will autofocus with any AF-S Nikkor lenses, including the full-frame ones. For example, it'll work perfectly fine with an AF-S 70-200 f2.8 VRII which is a full-frame lens although the weight of that camera setup will be heavily front-loaded.

[apvm]

I am now seriously considering the D3100 kit from Staples $449.95 (10% off on Jan 25&26) hopefully they will send me some more coupons before Jan 25. $458 taxes in..within my budget. and according to this guy the D3100 should fit my needs. http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

Someone is selling the same kit used in my area $380, tempting, reasonable price?

[bosoxfanx1]

that guy is a major D Bag, if you search his recommendations for equipments he will often tell you how you should live your life.

D3100 is good, as is some of the other ones across different models/brands. But what you need is a good, fast lens to capture indoor moving subjects without having blur/shakes. Using a flash will ruin ur picture, so you must need a lens that can gather the light very well. Chances are, the lens you are looking for is atleast $200 on its own, and it does NOT allow you to zoom (which is not a bad thing)

I am now seriously considering the D3100 kit from Staples $449.95 (10% off on Jan 25&26) hopefully they will send me some more coupons before Jan 25. $458 taxes in..within my budget. and according to this guy the D3100 should fit my needs. http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

Someone is selling the same kit used in my area $380, tempting, reasonable price?

[apvm]

that guy is a major D Bag, if you search his recommendations for equipments he will often tell you how you should live your life.

D3100 is good, as is some of the other ones across different models/brands. But what you need is a good, fast lens to capture indoor moving subjects without having blur/shakes. Using a flash will ruin ur picture, so you must need a lens that can gather the light very well. Chances are, the lens you are looking for is atleast $200 on its own, and it does NOT allow you to zoom (which is not a bad thing)

Thanks, I can just buy the body and get another lens if possible used...any recommendation on the lens? tia

[startoss]

I would buy the D5100 (In fact I just did. D5100 Body for $400+tax not long ago). Pick up a 35mm f/1.8 (around $200) and/or a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (around $300-350 2nd hand).

[bosoxfanx1]

I would buy the D5100 (In fact I just did. D5100 Body for $400+tax not long ago). Pick up a 35mm f/1.8 (around $200) and/or a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (around $300-350 2nd hand).

excellent recommendation. A D5100 + 35mm
f1.8 lens is the perfect middle between price and performance. Unless DSLR companies manage to bend the law of physics with some new technology, this setup will be good for as long as the camera is still alive

[hdom]

Yeah, between the two Nikons the D5100 would be a better choice in the long run. If between D3100 or K-r/x then K for the sensor shift and cheaper lens.

The D5100 doesn't look like going for much more - http://www.photoprice.ca/product/036...Kit-price.html

[DJ_Peanuts22]

Definitely get the D5100. The articulating LCD alone makes it a better choice since you get more flexibility if you like to shoot via liveview a lot. If you prefer Canon, get the T3i.

[pulsar123]

For indoors, I'd say getting a decent flash with rotating head (for bounced light) is much more important than the brand of camera and the lens. I am in Canon world, and I'd go with any T*i Rebels (T1i, T2i, T3i, T4i). With the kit 18-55 IS lens these cameras can produce great photos and video. For flash, Canon 430EX are great (can be found for ~250$ or even less used), or if on a tight budget, one of Chinese made Yongnuo flashes with TTL support will do (YN-468 etc.).

[apvm]

This store is local, I'll see if I can pick the D5100 body for $400+tax tomorrow. http://www.cameracanada.com/eNet-car....asp?pid=33853

Can anyone recommend a used lens or a budget lens for it? Since this is out of my budget, I will live with a cheap lens and save up for a new lens.