High Quality Camera Selection
I have decided it's time to invest in a high quality camera for myself. Because I'm going to be spending a lot of money on the camera, I would rather spend a lot and be set for several years. Money is not an issue to an extent, but I would still like to spend as little as I can. I'm looking to spend anywhere from $1, 000-1, 700 on a camera and lens.
I'm not an expert on cameras (I can't compare specs and such and know what they mean). This will be my first big camera purchase (excluding a $150 camera that I got 6 years ago). I'm preferably looking for a camera that can take high quality action shots (football, basketball, cars in motion, etc) as well as macro shots (very close pictures of insects and such). However, if I can't get those two features in my price range, I would prefer the action shots. (FYI for the action shots, I want to be able to get high quality photos even if I'm 200 or so feet away). Shooting from the stands at a college basketball game for example.
I also have been doing art for the past year, which gave interest to me to start photography. I'm not sure if that will help as well, but I'll just throw it out there. Btw, I need a camera AND a lens, so together they have to be in the price range above, not individually.
I would really appreciate if someone who knew camera specs and different types of lens could give me a camera or two for reference. I would appreciate if you could explain the pros and cons of the lens/camera as well because I can't compare the two. (I also heard that Nikon is better than Canon, i don't know if that's true or not, but I'm just throwing that out there).
I really appreciate the time and effort you will put into this!
I only recommend what I own and therefore know. I own two cameras in the Rebel line from Canon.
They're excellent dslr cameras, well engineered and long lasting. Least is $500, most is $950.
I only stress the prices because lenses, depending on what you choose, can be expensive.
One setup I have is a t1i (500D) with a 28-200 lens. It's not only an excellent camera but more over the lens is fast, sharp and accurate. You can see some of what I'm getting with my rig here.
Most of my set ups are listed there with aperture, shutter speed, lens, etc. This setup would run
you, with the 18-55 kit lens, about $1, 050 at retail. That doesn't include gadgets, bag, memory cards, extra batteries, any of that and you'll certainly want those items regardless of the camera you choose - and a tripod.
Good Luck. Oh by the way, here's a good place to do research.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...video.com/
At price range of $2K below Canon 7D is the right choice. Its performance, features and build quality is unmatched by it's rival models from Nikon. Mainly Nikon D7000 and Nikon D300s. Do checkout Canon 7D vs D300s and Canon 7D vs Nikon D700 in YouTube Digitelrev channel. Canon vs Nikon is debatable and ultimately comes down to price and preference.
I prefer Nikon. The best Nikon in your price range is going to be the Nikon D7000.
However, Nikon will be announcing two or perhaps three new DSLRs on Aug 24th. They might all be higher price range cameras though, but if the D300s replacement is announced, it will probably be under $2K.
So if you can wait until fall (when the actual cameras will be available), you might want to see what new cameras are going to be available. If you needs are immediate, the D7000 is your best choice. It is still a new camera, having been on the market for less than a year, and it is a highly advanced camera, and its the best DSLR on the market at it's price range.
The D7000 has a physically larger sensor than any of the Canon non-professional cameras, including the Canon 7D (370 sq mm vs. 329 sq mm). Not a lot of difference, but still a difference. That is why Canons have a crop factor of 1.6x while the Nikon DX cameras such as the D7000 are 1.5x
How to select a dSLR: http://keerok-photography.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-is-best-dslr.html
The cameras: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...4291645407
The best cameras: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...4259332394
About lenses: http://keerok-photography.blogspot.com/2011/05/lenses-so-many-of-them-there-is-no-best.html
The lenses: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...rtclk=sort
The crash course: http://www.illustratedphotography.com/basic-photography
The reality: http://keerok-photography.blogspot.com/2011/05/dslrs-are-not-for-everybody.html