/p/ - buyers guide for people who can't use google
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you're right, there should be a sticky for this.

what are you looking for? digital or film?

Nikon D300s or Canon 5DMKII
Starter cameras are for people who enjoy buying camera bodies once a year.

inb4 k-x

>>1326548
as bad and dogmatic and immature and redundant and shitty as /p/ is, I'd probably take my chances here than google.

I asked a question about slide film here two months ago and the anon that answered was 100% right

>>1326549
i'm honestly a complete noob. film seems nice, but doesn't getting it developed all the time get expensive?

i'd like to spend no more than $400 if possible

>>1326550
looking them up now

>>i'd like to spend no more than $400 if possible

Save some more whily learning theory and studying the work of photographers you admire.

>>1326550
holy shi-

oh my. those are expensive.

maybe if i'll treat myself later on, but for now i just need something for personal use and perhaps some freelance photojournalism

>no more than $400 if possible

You won't even get an entry level for this kind of money, either go film and buy a used SLR (a good one) + develop at home or avoid the hobby. Photography isn't cheap.

>>1326558
in a private sale you might be able to get a used D200 for $400. Not as nice as a D300S but still pretty nice

for $400 you should be looking at film cameras
SLRs are pretty cheap and you can get cheap quality lenses for them too.

learn to develop, it's not difficult and not that expensive

Considering your price range, Go with used DSLR...

Film requires a lot more time to learn, and a lot more of taking notes to see where you went wrong...

The canon T3 is about 560 dollars on amazon, new... but if you are in the US, try adorama or B&H photo used section... they delivaarr and are trustworthy...

>>1326559
To be honest, this isn't necessarily true.

I use a Canon EOS300D and I'm still pretty happy with the results I can get with it.

Most people will tell you, it's the lenses that make the difference.

You can get the 300D pretty cheap -- or something like a 450D if you want something newer. Not sure what they go for second hand.

I'm not really sure of the benefits a film SLR can bring. They say your first 10,000 shots are your worst -- why make them cost you as well?

Get a DSLR, use it in manual mode, and imagine you're shooting film -- try not to waste shots. Think about what you're going for with the shot before taking it.

Remember, megapixels don't mean shit.

>>1326570
until you want to print something really big

True, but I imagine it has to be REALLY big before you'll care (anything above 6MP is probably fine for most things people who are starting out want).

>>1326568
Looks nice. I've noticed that most people swear by Canon and Nikon.

keh.com

>>1326577
not as big as you'd think. I did this test a couple of months back. If you print on a Durst that has scaling 10 mp will go pretty far One a regular printer 10mp will go to only about 18 by 24, and that far only if you are not really fussy.

Well, if you don't want to spend on a proper body, don't come crying here when your low light photos look like crap at ISO800, your autofocus is useless for action or your battery lasts 200 shots.

>>1326582

I got myself into photography a little time ago, and I chose Canon over Nikon for the second-hand market (better for canon where I live, but there's a lot of nikon stuff out there too...)

Think about the long run...

also, if you like stuff like closeup macro, or other specific type of photography, look into the specific stuff that makes diference, like mirror lockup for macro, Live view function and screen resolution... they all make diference for macro...

For low light photography, as another example, nikon fares better using higher ISO (also, their sensor is 10% bigger), and since you won't be buying glass so soon (assumed that from your budget) you'll be relying on higher iso in this first leg of your new hobby...

>>1326591

humm but hey, on second thought, the nifty fifty ( Canon 50mm f/1.8 ) for 120 bucks will provide the wide aperture for the low light, low(ish) iso photos...

>>1326582
more like swear at

Don't get a Pentax.
I want the old K mount glass to stay relatively cheap.