Beginner camera advice

[stewwalker]

I'm looking to buy a DSLR camera to tinker around with. I don't know anything about them but I think I'll enjoy taking cool high quality pictures. Does any one have any recommendations on what kind of camera/lens would be good for beginners.


I have been looking around and it seems that there is a lot of talk about the Nikon D3000 for a beginner camera.

 

[NuggetHoarder]

I prefer Canon cameras. Their software is more intuitive to me than any others and I like their products... but that's all just personal opinion. If you have local professional camera shop, go there and rent a camera for a weekend and try a few different brands and see what you like.

 

[cchoc]

Is this going to be your first camera or do you already take a lot of shots with a P&S and are looking to move to a DSLR? If you are already comfortable with elements of photo composition, lighting, etc. and just want to take then next step then the D3000 is a decent camera. If you are just plain starting out then you might find learning DSLR controls and photography at the same time frustrating.

 

[maxingout]

I went from point and shoot to D70, then D2X, then D300, then D700. I discovered that it was not so much about the camera body as it was about the lenses. For general photography, I would get the best lenses I can afford because the camera bodies will change over time . A good lens is almost forever.

The main advantage with my more expensive DSLR cameras is the ability to shoot with high ISO and still get pictures that I like. I am not a commercial photographer. Everything I shoot is for fun, memories, and my websites.

A professional may have a very different opinion because of their special needs.