Spec me an entry level DSLR. (for my web business)

Adam Senior · 12 Feb 2013 at 17:07

So I am finally settled in the USA (long story) and I have got my Social Security Number through so now I can work.

Now to the need of a camera.

I am setting up my own webdesign business and my first client is a small professional business. I want to be able to use my own images for my websites, in turn I can charge more ect.

I used a D7000 in aus for over 2 years (underwater) and I do have experience with SLR's, I am more of a creative person rather than a camera tech nut. Also my knowledge on lenses is not the best.

I am looking at getting myself a decent camera that I can use to get a decent level of finish. I would be using it for general people shots, Interaction of them in meetings, meeting clients, at work ect. (not sure what would be the best lens)

Also I have a current client that wants a whole new support page addition including a video support page, so decent video quality will be needed.

I dont really want to spend more than 800$ (that would be me super max) yet I want something that will last me and also give me some decent results.

Thanks in advance.

D.P. · 12 Feb 2013 at 17:26

D7000 is still the de-facto crop DSLR really, if you have experience with one then it seems like a no brainer to me.

All DSLRs take good photos. Canon's sensor are aging relative to Sony/Pentax/Nikon but the photos are still good in absolute terms. So whatever you buy will be good enough.

Adam Senior · 12 Feb 2013 at 17:35

Thanks for your response D.P...what would you recommend regarding lens?

Adam Senior · 12 Feb 2013 at 17:58

I was also looking at the Canon EOS Rebel T3i.....

Ksanti · 12 Feb 2013 at 18:08

I'd consider looking at the Fuji X100? They're getting very cheap now

D.P. · 12 Feb 2013 at 18:45

Adam Senior said:
Thanks for your response D.P...what would you recommend regarding lens?

Depends a lot on what you want to do shoot.

The 18-105mm kit lens is very sharp and has a useful focal range so I would get that for starters.

For the people shots, one of the f/1.8 primes are good, the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 is the obvious choice, but the 50mm f/1.8 works well for single person/head+shoulders. For larger groups you will want wider than 35mm but the 18-105 is good for those situations since you will need a larger DoF and smaller aperture anyway (larger f-number).

I would go to Best buy and try out some of the cameras before buying. The Canon 7D is the main competitor to the Nikon D7000.

If you have a tighter budget then the D5100 has the same sensor as the D7000.

a budget option on the Canon side would be a Canon 400D 2nd hand. Canon haven't moved their sensor technology since the 400D so you basically get the top of the line Canon CROP sensor in a very cheap body. Don't know about video in the older cameras though.

Adam Senior · 12 Feb 2013 at 18:55

Okay thanks guys. The tree company have the (Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens) for $599 which to me seems good, then I would have the option of expanding later. For $780 you can get the (EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens instead) I am sorry for been such an amateur when it comes to lens configuration.

Adam Senior · 12 Feb 2013 at 18:58

The T4i (Canon EOS Rebel T4i 18.0 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm EF-S IS II Lens) seems about $40/$50 more. Guess I need to do some more reading.

PhotoPixels · 12 Feb 2013 at 19:34

You could also consider a full frame body, pre-owned, if the price was right. Prices over there MIGHT just make it poss?

Stokesy · 12 Feb 2013 at 20:30

D.P. said:
a budget option on the Canon side would be a Canon 400D 2nd hand. Canon haven't moved their sensor technology since the 400D so you basically get the top of the line Canon CROP sensor in a very cheap body. Don't know about video in the older cameras though.

My 450D doesn't do video. The 550D does.