I need help in choosing a new camera

[lilfritzy]

Hi everyone I need some input on purchasing a new camera. I'm hoping to take a trip next year for the flower and garden festival and I would like to take along a better camera. I currently own a Nikon L100 and would like to upgrade to a lower end DSLR camera. I am currently looking at the Cannon Rebel T3i or the Nikon D3200. I'm new at the whole photography thing and I was hoping that these might be a good steping off point for me. I was looking to spend anywhere from $700 to $900. I look at the picutres some of you post and I'm in awe and I know most of you spend quite a lot on your cameras and it definately shows in your work. So I'm asking for some opinions on where I should start and if either of the two cameras I mentioned would be good for me. Thank for your help

 

[NowInc]

If you are new to DSLRs and don't know a lot about how they work, I'd say go with the D3200. It has a "learning" mode which tells you how to set the camera for different types of pictures. Basically teaches you how to achieve the look you want.

 

[MickeyPeace]

I'm going to recommend the Rebel T3i. It's great for shooting video as well as being the perfect starting out DSLR. The T4i just came out this month. It has a touch screen and shoot video with autofocus.

 

[lilfritzy]

Thanks so much I was hoping I was on the right track with either of these two cameras.

 

[NowInc]

Here is a video showing the "Photo Guide" mode of the D3200

 

[wdwmagic]

I don't think you can go wrong with either. Nikon and Canon are market leaders in the DSLR segment, and both have huge followings and are very comprehensive systems.

If I were you, I would go to a store where you can get both in your hands and get a feel for what is the most comfortable for you. Which are you drawn to. I personally prefer Canon build and controls, but you will get a roughly 50-50 opinion on which is preferred.

 

[lilfritzy]

Thanks so much everyone for your input, it's greatly appreciated.

 

[CP_alum08]

I'd also recommend the D3200 out of the two, but I'm really curious as to what you don't like about the L100 and why you think you need a DLSR. I ask because ALOT of people think that buying a DLSR will instantly make their photos better and that's just not the case. A DSLR opens up an entire new world of possibilities but it's not going to make you a better photographer.
So figure out what you don't like about your current camera and what things you think you want and then choose your new camera based on the features you want. Maybe a used/older model would be better too?

 

[lilfritzy]

I love my L100 it takes great pictures but what I would like to do is to be able to get some of the night shots and to also be able some close ups ( flowers, smaller details, ect). I have troule with my L100, the night shots of fireworks and anything that has back ground lighting come out blurry. Also the close ups that I would like to take are hit and miss. I have tried playing with the settings and exposures in both situations and I'm assuming it's a two part problem first my inexperience and also the camera not being as powerful (for lack of a better word) as one of the DSLR cameras. I'm going to post some of pictures so you can see what I'm talking about. But all in all The L100 takes some great pictures the color saturation I get is beautiful and it is very easy to use.

 

[lilfritzy]

Here is some of what I'm talking about my husband was taking these while I was videoing so He isn't aware of how to change different settings. What happends in this instance because of not having the right exposure and also the auto focus doesn't know what to focus on because of the fast moving action.

 

[lilfritzy]

Here is the color saturation I am talking about.

 

[lilfritzy]

 

[lilfritzy]

 

[lilfritzy]

I guess the long and short of it is I'd like to have more control over the shots. I will still bring the L100 because it's great for just the point and shoot shots and does very well in the daytime parades but I would also like to have a camera where I can control the focus myself.

 

[wdwmagic]

The photos you post above are largely going to be out of the capability range of a point and shoot. The night time shots require good technique and in most cases a DSLR. It is really a tough situation for a camera in the point and shoot category.

If you are willing to learn, and go with a DSLR, I think you will be able to get the type of shots you are shooting for.

 

[CP_alum08]

The photos you post above are largely going to be out of the capability range of a point and shoot. The night time shots require good technique and in most cases a DSLR. It is really a tough situation for a camera in the point and shoot category.

If you are willing to learn, and go with a DSLR, I think you will be able to get the type of shots you are shooting for.

Agreed. Just know going into it that you will need more than just the D3200 (or T31) and the kit lens. For the night shots you will need a fast lens like a 35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.8 (or a high ISO and a steady hand) and the fireworks shots you see on here absolutely require a tripod. Actually your macro shots will benefit from a tripod too, almost all the macro shooters I know always use a tripod.

Photography is a great hobby, but it's not a cheap one good luck!

 

[lilfritzy]

The photos you post above are largely going to be out of the capability range of a point and shoot. The night time shots require good technique and in most cases a DSLR. It is really a tough situation for a camera in the point and shoot category.

If you are willing to learn, and go with a DSLR, I think you will be able to get the type of shots you are shooting for.

That's what I thought I knew a point and shoot wouldn't do what I wanted it to but it does take some great pictures. I just need some thing a little more "powerful" if you will to do what I'm looking to do. I just wanted to get some opinions on if I was on the right track. All of you have so much more experience than I do.

Agreed. Just know going into it that you will need more than just the D3200 (or T31) and the kit lens. For the night shots you will need a fast lens like a 35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.8 (or a high ISO and a steady hand) and the fireworks shots you see on here absolutely require a tripod. Actually your macro shots will benefit from a tripod too, almost all the macro shooters I know always use a tripod.

Photography is a great hobby, but it's not a cheap one good luck!

I knew going in that it wasn't going to be cheap, I know most of you have spent thousands on your equipment. I also expected I would also need to get more than one lens. My mother did some photography years ago so I learned some things from her but that was about 25 years ago and times and technology have changed. What I love about modern technology is with digital cameras not having to wait for development to see how the pictures came out. At least now we are able to go back look and make adjustments as we go. There were many times my mother would develop her pictures and see they were not to her liking and at that point it's too late and the moment is gone.

So next question is your opinions on lenses, what should I start out with ?

 

[wdwmagic]

So next question is your opinions on lenses, what should I start out with ?

For a single lens, I would go with a wide-ish zoom. Something like a 17-55mm. To make it suitable for dark conditions, I would also go with a zoom offering an aperture of f2.8. This will let a lot of light in, and will give you good flexibility after dark.

That is a very flexible lens that will cover most shooting situations.

 

[aldis]

I think you have to buy Nikon D3200 because it was announced before 3 months ago and canon Rebel T3iwas announced in 2011. so Nikon d3200 have the latest features if we compare it to canon rebel t3iwas.

 

[NowInc]

I think you have to buy Nikon D3200 because it was announced before 3 months ago and canon Rebel T3iwas announced in 2011. so Nikon d3200 have the latest features if we compare it to canon rebel t3iwas.

Newer doesn't always mean better. In the end...choose what "feels" best in your hands. Its usually just a matter of personal preference.