Hey guys girls, my sister is looking for a DSLR Probably under $1000 Any suggestions?

[G+_Luke Kolarsky]

Hey guys/girls, my sister is looking for a DSLR. Probably under $1000. Any suggestions?

[G+_Gerald McEvoy]

Well the first thing you have to decide is whether you want Nikon or Canon. The next thing is what does your sister want to do with it. You should also consider whether you wish to purchase brand new or refurbed. The factory refurbs are guaranteed and considerably less expensive. There's an excellent website by Ken Rockwell. He's a professional photographer and holds no allegiance to either one of the brands. Try kenrockwell.com

[G+_Luke Kolarsky]

She said she was looking at a Nikon, possibly a kit. Not sure if she has anything special in mind. I'll definitely take a look at the refurbs and the website. Thanks!  

[G+_Gerald McEvoy]

In the kits you have to be careful what lens you get. the 18 to 55 millimeter VR is an excellent lens. The 55 - 200 VR is excellent as well.If you wish to do low light you should consider the 35 millimeter 1.8. You might be better off to buy a body and buy the lenses separately. Good lenses will last for years whereas the bodies are always getting updated I have lenses I bought in 1975 that I'm still using today. A really good place to buy in the States is Adorama.

[G+_Ryan O'Hara]

I second the idea of skipping the kit. The one lens that sits unused for years is the kit lens I have from my first dslr. Not that it's terrible, but everything I bought after it is so much better. Get a nifty 50 for $100 or so, and perhaps a used 24, 35, or 85 for a few hundred. I can't comment on the Nikon side since I shoot Canon, but for a $1000, just in general allot for the best body you can plus one lens or a couple decent used. You will have a far better time with those versus quickly realizing the limitations of most kits and thinking you bought a crap camera or that photography sucks. Don't be afraid of third party either like the new higher end Tamron, Sigma primes or Rokinon cine lenses. They offer huge savings over canon or Nikon lenses, yet often test just as well, if not better in the labs. The glass will last and if you've picked up the right body that has features that will last your growth for at least 4 or 5 years, you're set. Think prosumer body vs entry level dslr. You should be able to swing that plus one lens, even if it's the 50mm, for under 1000.

 

You'll quickly learn what it is you want out of photography and figure out what lenses or direction you want to go next. Those lenses will more than likely transfer into your next body. The only caveat is buying a lens for a crop sensor body only and your next camera ends up being full frame. It may have saved some money in the moment, but eventually becomes useless if you go full frame. Always buy the full frame lenses unless you're really trying to capitalize on the ultra wide end (10-20mm for example) where that's not possible on crop sensors unless you buy crop lenses.

[G+_Luke Kolarsky]

Thanks for all the great feedback! This helps a lot!