Deals on SLR Cameras

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  brendanm on 11/04/2024 - 06:55

  +7

  Buy used.

  • 

    Windows7forever on 11/04/2024 - 15:36

    Yes, this is the most likely option.

• 

  mskeggs on 11/04/2024 - 07:14

  +4

  The dslr form factor is on the way out, being replaced by mirrorless. Nikon has dropped their entry level, and Canon hasn’t upgraded for years.
  For consumers, the mirrorless alternative is more compact with equally good performance, for manufacturers, they are simpler to make.

  I won’t be replacing my entry level dslr any time soon, and will probably take advantage of used gear as others do.

• 

  FoxJump on 11/04/2024 - 07:30

  i investigated what id replaced my canon 5d4 with if it broke.
  answer? another canon 5d4 used.

  even new mirrorless ones offer little new advantage

  • 

    7ekn00 on 11/04/2024 - 08:43

    +1

    Unless wanting better dynamic range, less noise, faster shutters, better AF, better low light performance and superior video ;)

    • 

      FoxJump on 11/04/2024 - 10:03

      not sure about less noise. 5d4 is pretty good.
      dynamic range - … 5d4 is plenty fine
      faster shutters - I don't need faster than 1/8000ths of a second
      better AF - … i'd be paying a lot for a model with better AF than the 5d4
      better low light - I dont need better low light than the 5d4. I already have a 20mm f1.4 for the dark times.
      superior video ? - DSLR with 8k video are still very expensive. Yes, others have actual compression with their 4k video - unlike the 5d4, but i already have a workflow to transcode at my desired settings afterwards.

      so - 5d4 is it.

      I also really enjoy the GPS and some of the newer Canon cameras have lost the GPS feature.

• 

  basketballfreak6 on 11/04/2024 - 07:34

  Hmm few factors at play for one what's your budget and experience level? Looking to change brands or stick with Canon?

  Not that I shoot with one but I'd imagine the modern power shot zoom cameras (I am assuming the ones shaped like a DSLR and not those old school pocket ones) would be fairly on par with an entry level DSLR image quality wise minus the fact that you're stuck with the one lens. If you're going to go budget DSLR route and spend little on lenses you'd be stuck with slow kit like lenses meaning you'll have challenge dealing with low/bad lighting etc in which case your experience and post processing skills will really have to come into play.

  • 

    Windows7forever on 11/04/2024 - 15:42

    The Canon. It's only a compact travel camera but it takes decent photos due to using Japanese hardware.

    I learnt photography on those old Fujifilm super zoom cameras but shooting in manual mode so I understand the different concepts. So beginner/intermediate.

    Budget would be $300 max. It's not a hobby i want to spend that much money on and I don't want to worry about expensive gear getting stolen.

    • 

      basketballfreak6 on 12/04/2024 - 07:36

      I think you'll be hard pressed to find anything under $300 for a camera and lens combo unless you go used route and going with the most entry level DSLR and kit lens unfortunately…

• 

  7ekn00 on 11/04/2024 - 08:42

  Anything under $1000 and you may as well just upgrade your smart phone …

  You need a 1 inch sensor or bigger in a mirrorless body to make much of a difference compared to modern smart phones …

• 

  dust on 11/04/2024 - 09:05

  I have a family member that wants me to start taking more professional photos for our family events

  What does more professional photos mean in this context?

  I've got a big camera (a mirrorless) and it can take better photos than even the top of the range smart phones. However, it takes MUCH longer, learning how to use the camera, setting the exposure right, making sure it's in focus, sorting and post processing. If I'm just taking happy snaps at a family event, any of the modern smartphones take way better (and very acceptable) quality photos with zero effort.

  • 

    FoxJump on 11/04/2024 - 10:25

    the DSLR takes better photos than a phone with zero effort too. Put it on auto mode, and it beats a phone.

    I hate how smartphones try to make a photo better by turning people in the shade into oompaloompas.

    A valid question though, a professional photographer will take better photos on an entry level DSLR than a noob on a top of the line DSLR.

    • 

      dust on 11/04/2024 - 11:01

      Put it on auto mode, and it beats a phone.

      In good lighting conditions I might agree. (But even then the photo could be out of focus or the time taken to whip out the camera means you've missed the moment.)

      But in low light, harsh light or a high contrast environment, I would argue that a phone does a way better job of balancing the light (in phone HDR for example) than you can do on a DSLR without post-processing.

  • 

    Windows7forever on 11/04/2024 - 15:47

    I think my sister wants me to replace the "professional photographer" at family events to save money e.g. birthdays, christenings, etc.

    I don't mind shooting stuff because that's easy but the post processing is a time consuming job that I would have to offload to her or someone else.

    I don't know much about these mirrorless cameras so I'll look into them. I've seen them at JB and noticed how expensive they were so probably out of my price range. The average consumer likely doesn't even know what they are. They should market them better.

    • 

      FoxJump on 11/04/2024 - 16:35

      If you shoot right, you dont need to post process.
      Unless you want to gets Arsty or fix the shot you stuffed up.

      A gumtree photographer won't charge much for those events.
      Another perk of the gumtree photographer is that , you can be in the picture !

      • 

        Windows7forever on 12/04/2024 - 06:04

        Yes, very true. I don't want to miss out on enjoying family events because I'm too busy fiddling behind the camera.

• 

  azero on 11/04/2024 - 10:29

  Budget < 1000 -> get a high end phone

  1000, get a sony mirrorless you can afford.

  Sony is killing it atm and you can get a lot of cheap..ish lenses.

  A used a7II should be just over a 1000.

• 

  minty on 11/04/2024 - 11:50

  Do you actually need a DSLR?

  • 

    Windows7forever on 11/04/2024 - 15:48

    Maybe not.

    • 

      minty on 11/04/2024 - 15:54

      Any modern point and shoot are so good these days that unless you intend to print big or have actual paying clients the difference for an average Joe is nigh on impossible to tell.

      Not trying to talk you out of it, there are a plethora of positives that comes with a pocketable camera, it'll actually make you want to take it everywhere grabbing those precious moments, and disarm people with the stigma of big cameras, makes them more natural.

      • 

        Windows7forever on 12/04/2024 - 06:10

        You're right. I'm probably a little out of touch with the advancements in digital photography over the last decade. I remember my first digital camera was a humble 2MP that took VGA webcam quality shots, which i thought was incredible, back in 2001. Now I see the latest phone cameras can do incredible bokeh portraits, shoot video in 4K, OIS, great low light performance and HDR, and so on. These features would have been unheard of 20 years ago.

        • 

          minty on 12/04/2024 - 09:29

          +1

          @Windows7forever: Very true, the trickling down of top end features means the bar for the average has risen substantially over time.

          If you have a remotely recent-ish phone then start with that as a base, once you've identified any gaps which is actually a limitation for what you want to achieve then a step up can be discussed.

          The 2nd hand market is wealthy with options now as it has ever been, everyone's chasing the latest and greatest, with some patience and digging the cost of going one step upwards is very low.