Hellobee Boards

What kind of camera do you have now, I just caught that it was a Canon? I'd say don't give up on it! I really struggled when I got mine but have gotten so much better just by using it often!

@stiletto_mom: You know, you can play with the settings on your powershot to change modes, which will help you get used to how things work on a dSLR.

I have a Canon T2i for my dSLR, though there are definitely new models. I LOVE it. I started just using it on Auto, which is similar to just using it as a point-and-shoot, and then upgraded to Aperture Priority to get used to changing that and getting fantastic bokeh! Now I use it on Manual, but a lot of people stay in Aperture Priority forever so they don't have to deal with shutter speed and ISO.

My first DSLR was a Nikon D3100 and it was great for learning! I agree with @Adira: about using aperture priority mode to help you get started. There are tons of resources and videos out there that explain the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, ISO). Keep at it and you'll get the hang of it!

Our first DSLR was the Canon EOS Rebel series (or something similar). It's a budget friendly camera. It was about $500 is new. Costco has a few great bundles kits. We have since upgraded to the Nikon D3200.

@youboots: I think you need to clarify more on 'not good quality' on the bundled kits. The bundled kits that I've seen are quality and authentic canon or nikon lenses. So they aren't cheap and not a no name random lenses. I can agree with you that the lens that come bundled kits are a bit generic and if you are a more skilled beginner (novice) photographer that the lens (18-55mm) is just okay. I'm not a photographer (my husband is the one that grabs the camera 95% of the time and we do have a few professional photographer friends). For me, still a beginner and will probably always will be, I like the bundled kit. It came with everything we needed to dip our feet into the DSLR world. I don't think I would know what to buy if I had to buy everything individually. Also, the Canon camera is handed down to me because DH has already moved onto his Nikon. But, yeah, I think you need to bit more info on why you think it is 'not good quality'. A lot of my professional photographer friends rent or invest in better lenses that don't come in kits.

@youboots: Thank you. That explains more. Yeah, I knew you were in the photography field and that's what you do. My one photography friend (now professional) gradually got a better and better camera buy reselling his last camera. I do agree with you that he would never buy a bundled kit. It's very piece meal for him. But I can't say for sure if he started out with one. He would buy used cameras on CL and clean them and resell them for more.

I believe Canon and Nikon bodies are similar in quality it just comes to preference. I have a Canon t3i that I've been using for about 3 years now. I don't feel like I've outgrown my camera. I do have the kit lens and the nifty fifty lens. I'd like to get another lens but have had a hard time justifying the $500'ish price tag.

I think I used something like this site to help me narrow down our first DSLR.

http://www.cnet.com/topics/cameras/best-digital-cameras/dslr-for-beginners/

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-budget-dslr-camera/

@stiletto_mom: consider getting a mirrorless camera. A friend has the Sony a6000 and he's been taking some great photos.

@stiletto_mom: Standard dSLRs have a mirror so that what you see in the viewfinder is a reflection of what you're actually seeing through the lens. Mirrorless don't have this, though that's all I know about the difference.

And a kit lens is just the lens that comes with the camera. Usually it's an 18-55mm lens (meaning you can zoom in and out somewhat. There are other kit lenses too, but 18-55mm seems to be the standard. It's an okay lens, but it's lowest f-stop is only f/3.5, which won't give you as much bokeh (fuzzy background) or let in as much light as a prime lens.

The nifty fifty is a really common lens that a lot of people like. It's the 50mm f/1.8 lens. That means it's focal point is 50mm and it doesn't zoom at all and it's lowest f-stop is 1.8 which gives FANTASTIC bokeh and lets in lots of pretty light. Plus it's only ~$150.

Once I got used to my camera with the kit lens, I got the nifty fifty and I never went back to the kit lens. Now I use a 35mm f/2.0 lens for indoors, but I still think my best pictures were with my 50mm f/1.8 lens.