DSLR Recommendations?

[V1GiLaNtE]

I know quite a few MM'ers are photography enthusiasts and I'm looking to you guys for some help in the camera world.

I'll be spending about 8 days in California, mostly Yosemite, at the end of September and want to grab a camera for the trip. I'm not opposed to getting something used but what is everyone's consensus on Nikon vs. Canon?

What's an ideal and well rounded lens the camera should have?

How many SD cards should I keep handy and likewise batteries?

I'm pretty clueless to the SLR realm. So far I've had my eye on a few D5000/5100's, looking at new a 3100, or should I just grab something cheap like a D40/50?

HD video isn't a must, but looking at the 3100 I like the idea of having the capability to film 1080p.

[ispoonwithmugen]

I have grown up liking Nikon's and using them> I actually own the D3100 and love it. The typical lens that you'll get with nikons is the 18-55 which is "sufficient". The SD cards are totally up to you. If you have a computer with you that you can quickly dump stuff on then all you really need is a 32 gb or so. Maybe grab a few if you don't have a readily available computer. Now that is my perspective, keep in mind I shoot a few thousand photos in two days of track time. I used to own a D40 and I'm going to say to stay away from it. For the price and how much D3100 are you just can't beat it. The HD video is awesome on the D3100 as well. As for other things to bring along, I would say to grab a battery grip. You can find them on Amazon for next to nothing and that'll extend the battery life especially if you're out hiking all day. Next I would say grab two other lenses on top of the 18-55. A telephoto lens (70-200 or 300 will do) and then grab a fixed lens. A 50mm Nikkor 1.8 would be perfect. Also for a good night shot (which you better be taking out there) you're going to need a tripod and a remote trigger release so you don't get shake. Finally I would get some sort of camera back pack to carry stuff around in. Lowepro makes an awesome bag called the slingshot that will fit everything you need, I have some friends who use the Amazon bag and like it alot as well. I would look into used but if you have the money then I would say buy new. All of my gear is used and I haven't had any problems. For used prices this is what you're looking at:
$200 for the D3100 with an 18-55
$150 for a Nikkor telephoto lens
$150 for a Nikkor 50mm 1.8
$30 for a tripod from Best buy
$10 for a remote trigger on Amazon
$50 for some sort of carry bag
$50 for a battery grip and another battery

So that comes in at a little under 800 and that's not even new gear. The D5100 is a very nice camera as well. It all depends on where you're budget sits at.

[RawrImAMonster]

I've got a d7000 and love it. I'm pretty sure the d5100 uses the same sensor as the d7000 too.

If you're going to get a prime lens, I would get the 35mm 1.8 nikon makes for about 200 so that you will have the equivalent of a normal view prime for the crop frame cameras. The 50mm zooms a bit much in some situations. I would rather have something with a wider angle since you can always crop it in to what you want in post-processing.

[DavidL]

Couple questions to start.... Is photography something you want to pursue more after this trip? Or, are you interested in getting a DSLR just to capture the sights on an awesome trip?

If the latter, I would really encourage you to check out some of the smaller offerings on the market. When I have traveled in the past, I usually take a Canon G11. For me, having to lug around a large body plus a lens (or two) is such a hassle when I want to explore. Knowing you, I expect there will be plenty of hiking, camping etc. Why worry about carrying around a huge camera bag when you can get an incredibly capable camera for landscape snaps that you can toss in a pocket?

Just something to think about. If you really are looking to get more into the photo world, dont sweat the details. Canon or Nikon, just pick an entry level camera and decent zoom lens. Its more about the learning at this point than OMG which prime lens

[V1GiLaNtE]

Couple questions to start.... Is photography something you want to pursue more after this trip? Or, are you interested in getting a DSLR just to capture the sights on an awesome trip?

If the latter, I would really encourage you to check out some of the smaller offerings on the market. When I have traveled in the past, I usually take a Canon G11. For me, having to lug around a large body plus a lens (or two) is such a hassle when I want to explore. Knowing you, I expect there will be plenty of hiking, camping etc. Why worry about carrying around a huge camera bag when you can get an incredibly capable camera for landscape snaps that you can toss in a pocket?

Just something to think about. If you really are looking to get more into the photo world, dont sweat the details. Canon or Nikon, just pick an entry level camera and decent zoom lens. Its more about the learning at this point than OMG which prime lens

I would say yes David. I'm definitely interested in learning the finer points of photography.. I haven't really had much of a big motivation to grab a camera until we began planning this trip out. Interestingly enough, I also hadn't really considered a more "point and shoot" style camera yet as some can be right in the same range a a entry-full size. But, I would agree with you on the benefits of having something we can take with us exploring.

I'll admit I'm a bit of a foodie and do quite a bit of cooking. So I'd really enjoy the depth and precision of a full body SLR to snap pictures of prepared dishes for documentation purposes later. I'd like to get some sort of food blog rolling.

[Jake]

So I'd really enjoy the depth and precision of a full body SLR to snap pictures of prepared dishes for documentation purposes later. I'd like to get some sort of food blog rolling.

You can get those sorts of shots with a high-end pocket camera, too. A lot of the lenses on cameras like the G11 will allow you to get the aperture (aka how much light the lens is letting in) down to f 2.8ish, which will give you the sharp food and blobby, out-of-focus background that I'd think you're trying to achieve.

You may be surprised by how much you can learn and do with a really nice pocket camera. The best camera is the one you have with you - and I would consider size given all your outdoorsy, I-am-all-that-is-man type of activities

[V1GiLaNtE]

So shifting from all DSLR to a "pocket" camera any suggestions other than the G11?

[Evan]

for pocket cameras I really like the "rugged&waterproof" models. You can take them anywhere, don't have to worry about them breaking, and there is no other way to get shots like this
also makes a great complement to DSLR if you do decide to go with that someday.

the 2 Id recommend are either the Panasonic TS5 or the Nikon AW110

[V1GiLaNtE]

for pocket cameras I really like the "rugged&waterproof" models. You can take them anywhere, don't have to worry about them breaking, and there is no other way to get shots like this
also makes a great complement to DSLR if you do decide to go with that someday.

the 2 Id recommend are either the Panasonic TS5 or the Nikon AW110

That is a great photo!

I'll keep those in mind. Honestly though, I'd look at having a GoPro with me over the more "rugged&waterproof" cameras.

[Evan]

FWIW, I have a GoPro 3 black, and its a great for action video , but an awful still photo camera.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Noted. Checking out a G11 this evening.

[BLINGMW]

So shifting from all DSLR to a "pocket" camera any suggestions other than the G11?

I agree you can get some great shots without going with the bulk of a DSLR. I've never owned one, but would never have it with me since they're too big, and would be too afraid of the cost of dropping one (which has been the death of most of our cameras).
I've had a few cannon pocket size cameras, but for a normal body compact, my reasearch landed me on the Lumix DMC-ZS (also called DMC-TZ) series. They have a great zoom for and wide angle for the size and also have adjustable aperature (f-stop). The auto mode works great but they also allow some fiddling. They aren't known for the least noisy sensors, low light or best lenses in the world (I'm sure the G11 is better), but for 8x10 and a reasonable amout of cropping, they're great. My only disapointment with ours (cannot remember which it is, maybe a ZS8) is that it doesn't do H.264 video compression like our previous Casio did, so the video sizes are unnecessaily large and I end up re-compressing them. I picked up a refurbed one 2 years ago for maybe $200.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q311travelzoomgrouptest/">http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q311tra ... grouptest/</a><!-- m -->

My 2nd choice was the TS series as Evan recommends. Almost got one of those instead, probably would have been a better choice considering how very little we use the manual features of the ZS. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q311waterproofcompactgrouptest/">http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q311wat ... grouptest/</a><!-- m -->

*correction* mine is a little older than I thought, it's a ZS3. Looks like the ZS is bested now by this Cannon SX230. I'm temped to sell mine and get this
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-powershot-digital-cameras/powershot-sx230-hs-black-refurbished?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=Google_Product_Feed&cm_mmc=GA-_-Digital_Point_&_Shoot_Cameras-_-G_Canon_Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-24894">http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catal ... ds-_-24894</a><!-- m -->

[Jason08]

I bought a d3100 about 8 months ago, and ended up returning it, and purchasing a sony a57 because it was too hard to use for getting action shots of the baby. It's an SLT (single lens translucent, so its more similar to the mirror less cameras on the market). I'd point you in the direction of a mirrorless, or the sony SLT cameras. They are faster shooting/faster autofocus, and they are waaayyyy easier to use if you're not an experience photographer yet. They also offer full manual modes that allow you to explore, and experiment. I'm working on my "photography" skills, using the different manual modes, but sometimes, to guarantee that you'll atleast get the shot, it helps to have a camera that can do all of the thinking for you. At the time I was also considering the Olympus E PL series cameras.

[ScottyB]

Nikon D5000 here. i love the camera but will echo what some of the others said in that i'm hesitant to take my camera on adventures (which is where it would really actually be worthwhile to have) with me due to the cost of the damn thing should I drop it on a rock or whatever, and the fact that with all the lenses/batteries i'm basically carrying another bag and its just annoying and heavy.

there are some pretty nice pocket cams out there with great optical zoom, a quality lens, and good manual functions. that would be my recommendation for now.

[V1GiLaNtE]

I picked up a Canon G11 last night. Great camera. Excited to play with it