General

[Luckless]

Read some of the user manuals from both brands, and get your hands on as many camera bodies as you can.

Canons, generally look, feel, and work like Canons. Nikon stuff generally looks, feels, and works like Nikon. Keep in mind that if you really get involved with the hobby you will be investing a fair bit into quality glass to stick on front of that camera body, and sooner or later you are likely going to want to 'upgrade'(/replace) your original camera body. When you do this, you're going to have a stack of glass that is going to fit with one or the other families of camera bodies.

Part of what really builds fanboy fanaticism in the photography world seems to be a desire to convince yourself that there really was a good reason you spent all that money on all that gear, and that your decisions really were the right ones. Admitting that the other company's products are just as good, if not possibly better, than the company you picked seems to be kind of painful.

That said, Canon Rebel with the plastic wonder 50mm 1.8 is just pure fun to play with. Now if only they made more fast primes in that price range.

(Yes. For some reason I really love the whole idea behind a prime lens. No idea why.)

[shadow_772]

Originally Posted by Dr. PhunkyPants

I like the D3100 because you can use it with the 35mm 1.8 DX lens (under $200) and the awesome SB-400 flash ($125). These three items are really all anybody needs.

OP, stay clear of the D3000. It has been called Nikon's worst DSLR ever for a variety of reasons...it is the weak spot in the line up.

Nikon D3000

If you're looking at used bodies, check out Adorama.com for their used inventory. D70s are getting REALLY old at this point...compared to the newer bodies, it shows its age. I know because I was using one today to shoot some IR images. I have a D40 and a D90 also. For kids and 90% of the time otherwise, I don't miss the extra megapixels and I actually prefer the D40's lighter weight and FAST 1/500 sync speed...

I looked into the D3000 a bit more and found the same. Thanks for the info. I will look into some other options as well :]

[ballyhoo33]

Originally Posted by shadow_772

Budget is a little over 700 tops.

Is that just for the body or enough equipment (body, lens(es), flash, memory, etc)?

[shadow_772]

Body and lens. Flash will come a bit later, memory is covered.

[CJOttawa]

Consider used models as well.

[Kermit]

Nothing wrong with used. My 10D, although old, still takes great photos. The new cameras are great for learning on though. Just playing with them in the store impressed me with how user friendly they are.

As for the Canon vs. Nikon thing, don't worry about it. There are fanboys, I might be a canon fanboy to an extent , but it won't perform any better or worse.

I'd second luckless and pick up the 50 f1.8. I love that lens, and for $100 it's impossible to top. When I shoot paintball, I always use this lens when I'm playing snake side.

[shadow_772]

Thank you guys for the advice. I am lookin into used at the moment as well. This is why I love MCB! I know nothing, but your are all really helpful!
Thanks :]

[Kermit]

I have a decent selection of lenses you can try on for size sometime. Nothing fancy, but it will get you a feel of the lenses.

[shadow_772]

Well, I may not be down here much longer at all. Hopefully gone with in a month. I'm going to try and get out to the field though.

Also, I think I am going to go for lightroom when I have the money. I am using GIMP right now so I am going to take that as far as I can. So far it has proved handy.

[senghing27]

I know it's already been mentioned... But I'm going to beat the horse to death again.. because it needs another beating.

Canon and Nikon are the two general pathways that are taken when jumping into DSLRs.

Go into any brick and mortar store and start holding the DSLRs and play around with them. One brand will tickle your fancy more than the other.

I started on Sony, went to Nikon, jumped ship and went to Canon, and now I'm back with Nikon.

Both are great platforms. I shoot nikon because well, my eyes tend to work better with Nikon and the menu/controls are what I prefer.

Now on bodies and all that fun jazz. I know CD has a Nikon D80 package for sale.
Nikon D80 Package
Not sure if it's sold or what not.

Stay away from the D3000. I consider it a decent upgrade from a point and shoot and well... that's about where it stops. You're limited when it comes to glass options and performance compared to other things just makes you go meh... It's limited because it doesn't have the auto focus motor.

As previously mentioned. I would try looking for the Nikon D40, D70, D80, hell even a D90. I shoot with a D90 and so does Chopper Duke.

The great thing about the ones listed is that while they are not the hot new thing, the price has dropped a bit and well they are just awesome to use. With the exception of the D40, all of the ones listed have the AF motor so you can use pretty much all consumer lenses.

I'm a functionalist when it comes to my setup and I'm not doing hardcore photography compared to some of the guys on here.

Whichever route you go, I think the following would be more than enough. Plus, down the line you can always throw more money at it and take it wherever.

So my basic setup.
-Nikon D90
-50mm
-18-55mm
-50-200mm
-flash unit
-grip

TL;DR
Go play around, test drive, and try before you buy.