Which camera do I want?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I would look at two things.

First, the interface. I like Cannon's interface but I bought a Nikon because the price was right.

Second, the local Craigslist. In your area, there should be plenty of used gear from both manufacturers. But you might notice one brand more than the other is more in circulation. This will come in handy down the road when you want to buy a lens collection.

Pawn shops as well. Lots of gear getting pawned these days I imagine.

[BrettA]

It may be out of your price range at something like 2ce the cost of the 3100, but if there's a chance, I'd look at the D7000 (it's unlikely you'll find many used ones, though the camera's now been out for a year or so).

[Robert_S]

I would look at two things.

First, the interface. I like Cannon's interface but I bought a Nikon because the price was right.

Second, the local Craigslist. In your area, there should be plenty of used gear from both manufacturers. But you might notice one brand more than the other is more in circulation. This will come in handy down the road when you want to buy a lens collection.

Pawn shops as well. Lots of gear getting pawned these days I imagine.

Ors have nothing but a few point and shoots. It's all Craiglist.

I cannot stress enough that you want to fiddle around with the cameras in the store. One will probably have a style of interface that will be easier for what you want to do than the other.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

On it.

[HomerJay]

If you're taking action shots then the camera has to feel good in your hands, so a subjective touch and feel can go a long way, especially button layout etc. Is it cold, would you wear gloves? that sort of shit.

Try to find a package that includes a telephoto lens, 200mm common. If you need it later it can be much more expensive.

If looking second user check if they carry a frame count - tells you how many shutter actuations have occurred, just in case the used once turns out to be 5,000 shots.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/pho/2678163704.html

????

[Audley Strange]

I have a Canon, which is great, a Lumix which I'm NOT enamoured with (but it was my favourite price FREE!). My mother has a Nikon, all three are comparable models and of the three I'd rather have the Nikon, both for footage and image seem crisper clearer and less obviously digital at the highest settings.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

I love the way that the buttons and dials are arranged on my Nikon - even though I still don't know quite what to do with them all (or, rather, it's not automatic to remember when a photo op presents itself) but they are all in easy reach if I did know!

And I must echo Rob's advice - get to a camera store and play with them all! Feel is hugely important.

[BrettA]

I cannot stress enough that you want to fiddle around with the cameras in the store. One will probably have a style of interface that will be easier for what you want to do than the other.

With respect, I'd suggest that if you're looking for quality images checking out the sensor will go far, far beyond interface issues - though both change of course - and FWIW the D7000 represents a significant interface change which will in theory be carried on in future models and thus a comparison using older interfaces is largely irrelevant... And unless you use only the most basic functions, what you can learn in a store during pre-sales is miniscule to what you can do - I'd suggest joining forums or even a course).

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Camera ... or-Ratings

Summary re these 3 (Rating and Rank):
Nikon D7000 - 80 (11th of 149)
Nikon D3100 - 67 (43rd of 149)
Canon 1100D - 62 (80th of 149) (Interestingly, Canon tends to use 2 ID's for some cameras and this seems to be the Rebel T3)

More Detailed comparison of the 3:
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Camera ... 3%29/Nikon

(erm... if this works as a link - otherwise, you have to build the comparison yourself.

Note that the details look at color depth, dynamic range and low light capabilities.

[Cunt]

Also note that no-one has told you about another option - Pentax.

I have loved it since I started with it. I like that ALL the k-mount lenses work with it. I bought a 'fast 50' from the past and it works grand.

One of the reasons I went Pentax was that they put shake reduction in the body, so you don't have to buy it with every lens purchase. Another is that they are famous for their limited lenses, and I like those.

They don't currently make a full-frame (which is a larger size offerd by Canon, Nikon and others) so that particular upgrade path is closed with this system.

Definitely go feel a few up, but don't neglect considering which system can grow sufficiently to meet your needs.

By the way, BrettA - I got a f1.2. Feels good man.

[HomerJay]

Are you committed to SLR?

You could look at something like the Samsung NX200, APS-C sized 20MP sensor and 7fps (slow RAW processing though), dunno how much it comes in at in the US, though.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

The Samsung doesn't look like something I'd go for. Thanks for the suggestion.

The Mamiya 645 1000S I had spoiled me somewhat, I believe. I'd love to have that camera back, despite it being a film camera.

[Cunt]

Then go for the Pentax 645. 40mp sensor and a nice, chunky body

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Then go for the Pentax 645. 40mp sensor and a nice, chunky body

I wish.

The Pentax 645N large-format SLR camera body is designed with the serious professional photographer in mind
This camera features support for 120/220 rolls of film which produce large 6x4.5 centimeter negatives

The spooks loved my pix, they could blow them up to get very small details.

[Cunt]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2010/3/10/pentax645d

Times have changed.