Okay there's a Groupon for a DSLR right now (link below). DH gave the thumbs up to order it and consider it as my bday gift (!!!!) but I want confirmation it's a good camera/good deal??
https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-canon-eos-rebel-t3-digital-slr-camera-with-optional-75300mm-lens
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
we have that camera and love it! we also bought the prime lens that goes with it! now i need to learn some skiilllls (too bad we've had it since pregnancy and i still suck! :P) but it's a great camera and looks like a good deal brand new!
grapefruit / 4136 posts
I did not tell him about the extra telephoto lens-that ups the price to $449.....is that lens worth it??
nectarine / 2053 posts
Yes! I have found canon to be a lot more user friendly than others on the market right now!
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@babyjmama: I think it depends on what you want to do. I take mostly portrait shots, so I have no need for a telephoto lens. I use a prime lens almost exclusively. But if you're going to do landscape shots, then a telephoto lens might be worth it.
grapefruit / 4136 posts
@Adira: I'll likely do portraits as well so I think I will pass on the telephoto lens, thanks for the advice!!
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@babyjmama: You may want to look into what that lens goes for normally. If it's a great deal to get it with this groupon, you might want to just go ahead and do it just in case you ever want one! But I don't know how much this lens normally sells for.
papaya / 10343 posts
Yes, it is a good camera.
Definitely no on the telephoto. Most people don't need/use them.
Yes it is a "good deal" but not a great deal. It is only $10 more on amazon with the same kit lens-- so it's not like a huge discount. But still a good price.
My advice though is always to buy the body separate and get a better lens. The kit lens is okay(ish)… but it doesn't cost THAT much more to get a better lens. I'd personally rather get a used good lens than a new kit lens, but that is just me. You can get the body alone for $299 on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-Digital-Camera-Imaging/dp/B005LW580O/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1395243034&sr=1-1&keywords=canon+rebel+t3+body
My fav mid range zooms are the 24-85 and 28-105.
Regardless of which lens you go for, I'd highly recommend picking up a 50mm 1.8 lens at some point for portraits. They are the best!
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
Do it! I have one and it's a great intro to DSLR. For lens, you can try buying used; DH has gotten some for great prices b/c people are always changing/upgrading their lens.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@Mae: Agree completely on the 50mm f/1.8 - It's basically what I use exclusively! Although I want to get a 35mm!
pomelo / 5509 posts
@Mae: Threadjack but I'm so happy to read you recommending to pick up a 50mm 1.8 lens because I just ordered one and got it delivered today! YAY!
grapefruit / 4663 posts
Exactly what @Mae: said. Our kit lens is just hanging out in the box, we have zoom and prime lens that we enjoy more.
papaya / 10343 posts
@IRunForFun: yay, you'll love it! I have the next bump up (the 1.4), although the 1.8 is really fantastic quality for the price and totally awesome for a hobbyist. If it wasn't for the crop factor on the t3 I'd almost recommend people to just rely on the 50 as their primary lens! I have a full frame and I leave mine on 90% of the time.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
Skip the kit lens. I would get body only, and find a good prime lens, and another zoom lens.
For lenses, these are my three favorites:
- 35mm f/1.8
- 50mm f/1.8
- 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6
I'd go with 35 mm over 50 mm if this isn't a full frame camera. Mrs. Chipmunk wrote two great posts recently comparing different Canon and Nikon lenses!
grapefruit / 4136 posts
Okay! I went for it! I just ordered it, @Mae: I didn't wait to do that because I'm SO uneducated I figure this will give me a starting point. I think if I do well and want to improve then I'll get the recommended lens in a few months 
Any recommendations for editing programs??
grapefruit / 4663 posts
@babyjmama: as a warning I was disappointed with the kit lens so don't expect it be spectacular. Once I upgraded the lens I loved my pictures way more, even as a newbie. Lightroom is what we intend to get soon, we used the free trial and loved it, photoshop is too involved for me
@Mrs. High Heels: yay, you listed 2 of my lenses!
papaya / 10343 posts
@babyjmama: lightroom! It's fabulous, professional quality, and very reasonably priced. Especially if there is anyone in your life who is a student or teacher, you can have them buy it and it's like $100.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
@babyjmama: @Mae: yes, lightroom!! so easy, and great for post processing!
grapefruit / 4136 posts
@jetsa: well I figure ANYTHING is better than the camera phone I'm currently using 
I likely will upgrade a lens but think just getting accustomed to the camera will be priority #1.
DH is a student so I'll totally look at Lightroom! @Mae: thanks!
grapefruit / 4136 posts
I don't want those of you who offered great advice about the camera bodies to think I didn't appreciate your advice-fyi!!!! I did! I did!
grapefruit / 4136 posts
@jetsa: I have to take baby steps, I've never had a nice camera. Ever.
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