DSLR Camera Choices

[ChgrSteve67]

I have been wanting to get a DSLR camera for some time and I have seen some good package deals at the warehouse stores and I have two that I am looking at.

I'm not a camera buff by any means and need some help choosing.
It seems that the reviews say that Canon and Nikon are pretty much tied neck and neck so its going to coem down to details.

These are the two I am trying to choose from.

sams club $649.00
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod2720095&navAction=push

Canon T3
12.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor for high image quality and speed
ISO 100 - 6400 for shooting from bright to dim light

Two included lenses:
EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III
4GB memory card and gadget bag

and

Costco $749.00
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11622027&whse=BC&Ne=5000000+4000000&eCat=BC|90607|83&N=4047261%205000107&Mo=4&No=1&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

Nikon D3100 Camera Body
14.2-megapixel DX-Format CMOS Sensor
ISO 100 to 3200 in steps of 1 EV

AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens
AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens
4GB SDHC Card and Camera Case 

Good, Bad, dosen't matter?

What are options for accessories?
Filters?


Thanks in advance
-Steve

[jb666]

I'm a HUGE Nikon fan... And IMO the 5100 is the best bang for the buck right now... You can get package deal at BJ's... Unless you have a Ritz camera in your area??

My only advice, no matter what brand you go for... GET THE WARRANTY. You'll appreciate it the first time you use it.

[chargerboy69]

And I am a huge Canon fan.  I own a couple different Canons and have always had good luck with them.

A few sample pictures I took with them are in the "Bands you have seen live" thread.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,57755.150.html

Pages 4 and 5 of Rascal Flatts are with my good Canon.  KISS on page 5 is with my Canon point and shoot as I needed a compact size for that show.  KISS on page 7 is my good Canon again.

[A383Wing]

I have a Kodak..but it's only a $100 camera...does what I want

I still have my old Minolta that takes 35mm film....took it out last year and shot some pics with it...still works great

[Chryco Psycho]

I have the Canon T3I , I have found Nikon to be decent quality most of the time but the they are a bit less rugged & more finiky , I have found a few Nikon with horrible reveiws , All of my cameras are Canon & I love them , I did have an older S1IS that I used for 6 years , it quit last year & I sent it back to Canon for repair , it only had a 1 year warranty on it but I figured it was worth saving if the cost was reasonable , they paid for the shipping back to me & covered the whole cost to repair it !! Even 5 years after the warranty ran out , you cannot argue with service like that

[Dans 68]

I am a Nikon fan, and own a D80. Whatever you purchase check it out first at a store to see if it feels right in your hands. I can carry my D80 in my right hand for hours and I really don't notice it - it is a part of me; there are differences between brands and models. If you don't like "driving it" you won't take as many pics.

Dan

[ChgrSteve67]

The NIKON comes with a 55-200mm lenz and the Canon comes with a 75-300mm lenz.

What is a good lenz for telephoto shots beyond the 75-300mm lenz.

chargerboy69 what lenz did you use for your kiss photos and how far away were you?



Looking at the two cameras I don't see a major difference so its going to come down to cost and assessories.
So far the Canon is winning.

[twodko]

Top o' the morning Steve,

For long throw glass it will be pricey especially if it's a "fast" lens. With long lens the smaller the f-stop means more light gets through providing a much great depth of field and costs a lot more. If long glass is your next buy look at 400 - 600mm fast lenses. Slow long glass is dead weight if there's not a lot of light to shot in. If you can afford both buy 'em! A fast 600mm lens will run you a couple grand. I've never seen a 400-600mm zoom lens, I suppose someone makes one buuut.......they would have very complicated internal elements and it would be a slooow lens. I'd like to know what you buy. You can't go wrong with Nikon or Cannon glass. IMO

[Chryco Psycho]

Accessories include Clear & polarizing filters, clear protects the lens . Flash , extra batteries ,
if the cost is similar & you get the 300 lens with it that is a better deal , beyond that there is a auto focus IS lens that goes up to 500 or so but it is pricy at about $1500 , it is on my wish list but not sure when I will ever get it LOL

[BananaDan]

I'm a Nikon fan.  I have a D90 and love it.  If you want Nikon, or just want to learn about Nikon cameras, you need to visit and read www.kenrockwell.com.  His articles, tutorials and reviews are stellar in my opinion.  I was in your shoes about 6 years ago, I didn't know which to get, Canon or Nikon.  I went to a camera shop and picked each up and shot them in the store and decided on Nikon based on the feel (ergonomics and quality).  It's all personal opinion though, they both make good cameras.

I asked the camera store salesman (he shot NYC rock bands professionally) what did he use.  He told me he shot Canon.  I then asked him if he lost all of his gear in a fire and had a big insurance check, what would he buy?  He said Nikon.



Dan

[thedodgeboys]

I just shoot with my iPhone  the d300 stays in the case most of the time.

It's just so dame easy 

[chargerboy69]

chargerboy69 what lenz did you use for your kiss photos and how far away were you?



Looking at the two cameras I don't see a major difference so its going to come down to cost and assessories.
So far the Canon is winning.

I just used my Canon S3 IS.  The lens I used is whatever is came with.  The S3 is nicer then a point and shoot, but not as advanced as what I am thinking you are looking for.  It takes fantastic pictures. The only downside is how quickly it uses batteries.

The KISS concert I was in the 3rd row but most of those shots were about 20 to 50 feet away.

Here are a couple recent pictures.  The bottom couple may be a bit grainy because the ISO setting is high because of the concert setting.

1.  Mackinaw Island, we are at the top of Fort Mackinaw.  This is quit a distance from where we were to the church.

2.  Phil Collen of Def Leppard about 25 feet way.

3.  Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard about 35 feet way.

[ChgrSteve67]

Those are great shots.
Thanks for the input.

[Chryco Psycho]

the latest is the SX30is
it rocks , 30 times zoom if I recall correctly , movie mode ,IS , small & light , no interchangable lens though , the Only down side I have found with it is no rapid mulitple shots , it takes a second to allow the second shot .