Camera suggestion for a complete beginner!

[E.intheC]

Well.. Im a complete photography beginner and I am looking for a Camera recommendation and general tips and tricks.

I'd like to take decent full tank-type as well as macro shots of coral, fish, and invert life.

In addition to Saltwater-related photos, my wife and I would like to take more general pictures -- our puppy, people, outdoor scenery, etc.

I don't think I have the budget for a new DSLR with multiple lenses, etc but I would like a nice camera capable of the above.

My budget for now is somewhere in the $300-400 range, but I'm not opposed to used models (if that's a good idea?) either.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[skene]

You can always do a nice slr style point and click... Like some of the nikon coolpix... Gives you a lot of features... Digital zoom. Etc.

 

[stooops718]

Look into the Olympus PEN

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

canon g series i think they are at g12 or 13 by this point, great camera and awesome features for beginners and pros.

 

[Didac]

i just got the canon T3i and love it!!! one of the best camaras out there ....

 

[E.intheC]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/753766-REG/Canon_5757B002_EOS_Rebel_T3_Digital.html

I'm thinking about the above.. It's a DSLR and isn't exactly cheap... But i think it may be worth it

 

[skene]

check the used section if you want to save a little more...
also you can find refurb cameras... which you can get at a great deal through B&H...

 

[jcdeng]

I have the T2i, took some great pictures in the hands of a complete noob <--- me.

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/753766-REG/Canon_5757B002_EOS_Rebel_T3_Digital.html

I'm thinking about the above.. It's a DSLR and isn't exactly cheap... But i think it may be worth it

i just order a Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2MP Digital SLR Camera and 18-55mm Lens and for the price i paid for is not a bad deal $550.00 on top of that its a beginner camera too.

 

[krzysiek]

Go with Digital SLR camera (Nikon or Canon)

 

[E.intheC]

I found two cameras that I'm very interested in. The first is a Canon Eos Rebel T2i. That's going to run about $400.

The second is an Eos T3. $350

Both are returbished models and both come with the same lense (18-55mm)

Which is the better choice?

 

[skene]

from those two as your choice... I would go with the T2I. I looked into it prior to my purchase, however I am more of a nikon guy. You can check out model differences/comparisons at Snapsort.com

 

[GeriDoc]

Don't get caught up in the Nikon vs Canon debate. Both systems are excellent, but Nikonians will be all to happy to tell you what's wrong with Canons, and the Canon folks will be just as happy to bad-mouth Nikons. The main difference, IMHO, between the two is size/weight/ergonomics. I am a Nikon guy because I have large, rather clumsy hands, and I find the slightly larger Nikons fit my hand better, but that's just me. Go to a photo store and handle each candidate camera, try to find the appropriate controls while you are looking through the viewfinder to see if they actually fit your handspan. Then worry about features since at any given price range Nikon and Canon will generally match up features pretty well.