Another camera question...

[farrijc]

I am going to look through the forum at past suggestions, but I thought it would be beneficial to ask my own question, too :thumbup: I am looking to upgrade from my Pentax K100D. It's probably five years old now, and I don't think it's performing as well as it used to. I would like to get something a step up, but have no idea what that would be! I've never had a canon or nikon, so I don't have any preferences. I know next to nothing about photography and shoot on auto. I would like to learn, but can't promise that will be a high priority. So, to sum up, I'd like to keep it under $1,000 and take great pics right out of the box. lol Any advice is appreciated!

ETA - are viewfinders commonplace now? I don't have one, but would love it if that's an option. 90% of the time, I am taking pics of the kids, both indoors and out. We do soccer and baseball, but I don't think I'm ready for multiple lenses. In general, I'd prefer a wider angle lens to a zoom.

 

[Sherri Tierney]

I have a Nikon DSLR. It has only a viewfinder. The LCD screen on the back is just for settings and viewing the shot after it is taken. I shoot in auto way more than I should and it definitely took great pictures straight out of the box. As for multiple lenses... the 'kit' lens with most cameras is like an 18-55mm which doesn't give you enough zoom if you are trying to get good sports pictures. You can get a more multipurpose lens though. I recently got an 18-200mm which I like because I can go back and forth easily without changing lenses. I still like my 70-300mm zoom lens better than the zoom on the 18-200mm though. It takes crisper pictures. I have to think about what is more important, not having to switch lenses or having super crisp shots. I have 4 or 5 lenses but the 18-200 is what I keep on the camera most of the time now. Its best for capturing every day things since I don't have to switch back and forth and I use my DSLR exclusively so I kind of need that versatility.

 

[farrijc]

I have 4 or 5 lenses but the 18-200 is what I keep on the camera most of the time now. Its best for capturing every day things since I don't have to switch back and forth and I use my DSLR exclusively so I kind of need that versatility.

After looking around a bit, I'm thinking that an 18-200 mm would probably be great for me. My current lens is only 35-80 (it's from my husband's old 35 mm film camera). Which 18-200 mm do you have?

 

[glumirk]

I love my Canon Rebel T2i! I don't think I've ever used auto on it though. I've only got a 50mm f/1.8 lens, and I've been wanting to go a little wider. I've heard good things about the prime lenses in the 28-35 range.

 

[farrijc]

I was hoping for a bit more advice! Anyone else have the rebel t2i or t3i and love it? How about Nikon vs canon... Anyone want to tell me their preference and why? I am considering the 28-135mm lens to go with the canon rebel t3i, anyone have experience with it? Pretty please

 

[DawnMarch]

Everybody is probably afraid of wading into the Nikon vs. Canon debate! They both make excellent cameras and most "experts" suggest just going to a store and trying them out to see which you feel more comfortable with. I shoot Canon (5D) and am very happy with Canon although I know lots of Nikon shooters who are passionate about Nikon too. I tend to love Nikon color although recently Canon may have the edge in reducing grain at high ISOs. Canon and Nikon tend to keep leapfrogging each other in technology and features so one may be head for a short period of time and then the other one releases a new camera that then seems to takes the lead. So I wouldn't agonize about it too much! My mom just bought the Rebel -- not sure which one, but she really likes it and I enjoyed playing around with it. It takes great pictures right out of the box.

 

[Ginger_79]

Well, my first question is, why do want to switch instead of getting a new Pentax?

I'm a Canon girl, so I can only speak about those. If photography is not a high priority for you right now, I definitely wouldn't go higher than the rebel class. The Rebel T3i has the exact same sensor than the 60D (and I think the 7D) and a flipable display as well. When you plan shooting mostly in Auto, you will not really use the advantages of the higher classes that much. Plus they will be within your price range (if you want to buy a new one that is).

I'm not sure though, you will really benefit from a system switch that much. Usually the advantages of the two big players Canon/Nikon are only a big factor when you either a) like their menues/controls better, b) wish to grow over time and need certain features, c) know you want to upgrade into their higher classes evetually and/or d) want to use the broader range of equipment available (also on the 2nd hand market).
From your post it didn't sound like these will be important factors to you. And the system also does have disadvantages compared to Pentax. Pentax has their image stabilisation (I think they call it shake reduction?) built in the body. Canon and Nikon don't have that. If you want that feature, you'd need to buy stabilised lenses, which are more expensive. Plus Canon only has splash water and dust protection at the higher classed bodies.

I LOVE my Canon system, but it's not automatically better than Pentax. That really depends what you're planning to do with it. I believe for your plans you will be fine with any system. Btw, did you cinsider sendin the camera off for a check and cleaning? Can make a difference in performance.

 

[farrijc]

Well, my first question is, why do want to switch instead of getting a new Pentax?

I'm a Canon girl, so I can only speak about those. If photography is not a high priority for you right now, I definitely wouldn't go higher than the rebel class. The Rebel T3i has the exact same sensor than the 60D (and I think the 7D) and a flipable display as well. When you plan shooting mostly in Auto, you will not really use the advantages of the higher classes that much. Plus they will be within your price range (if you want to buy a new one that is).

I'm not sure though, you will really benefit from a system switch that much. Usually the advantages of the two big players Canon/Nikon are only a big factor when you either a) like their menues/controls better, b) wish to grow over time and need certain features, c) know you want to upgrade into their higher classes evetually and/or d) want to use the broader range of equipment available (also on the 2nd hand market).
From your post it didn't sound like these will be important factors to you. And the system also does have disadvantages compared to Pentax. Pentax has their image stabilisation (I think they call it shake reduction?) built in the body. Canon and Nikon don't have that. If you want that feature, you'd need to buy stabilised lenses, which are more expensive. Plus Canon only has splash water and dust protection at the higher classed bodies.

I LOVE my Canon system, but it's not automatically better than Pentax. That really depends what you're planning to do with it. I believe for your plans you will be fine with any system. Btw, did you cinsider sendin the camera off for a check and cleaning? Can make a difference in performance.

You make a good point, I could get my current camera cleaned and buy a new lens for it. That might be enough to make me happy. I definitely wasn't planning on getting anything higher than the t3i. I do plan to learn how to use the camera, the more I think about spending the money, the more I think I will make it a priority sooner rather than later.

The reason I went with the pentax originally was to use a lens my husband already had. Before that, I had a point and shoot. I guess my assumption is that I would be better off buying something new given that the camera is around 5 years old.

 

[Ginger_79]

If you have 1000 Dollars to spend you will surely get something better than the entry level standard from 5 years ago. No matter which brand you prefer. In auto I guess you will notice some of it still. For example 6 MP don't give THAT much room for crops. And the higher ISO options are helpful.

But if you really see a big difference will depend a lot on the lenses and if you're willing to spend time working on it. My recommendation would be to save a good portion of the money, get the current camera cleaned and checked, get a nice lens you really like and invest in a few classes/books/whatever is your preferred method of learning. I deliberately chose the smallest Canon available 3 years ago (Rebel XS) to first see, if I like the whole photography thing. I am glad I did, because learning on that gave me a way better idea, what I wanted for my first big upgrade, recently.

I can almost guarantee you, that after spending some in depth time in manual with your Pentax, you will come out knowing approximately what you want next. 1000 Dollar is a lot of money to spend without a clear idea, what YOU prefer. No matter what we all may recommend. And a lens doesn't lose value as much as a camera body. So if you decide to ditch Pentax next and sell the whole lot, it won't hurt as much.