Looking to get a good starter camera and I know a whole lot of nothing about cameras. From what I read this is a good camera for the money and I've found it on "sale" for 649.00.

I suggest you look at used bodies at places like KEH or Adorama; buy one or two versions back and get a heck of a lot of camera for a pretty damn good price.

I'm a Nikon guy, but I'm sure Canon gear is similar.

I had a D50 I'd had for years and picked up a D200 last year.  The D200 was the top-line prosumer model back in the day (2007) and I got it for about $250 (original price was about $1,700).  It is a fantastic body, just doesn't have some of the new tech (particularly ISO performance) that newer gear does, so this year I picked up a factory refurbed D7100 (last-gen top prosumer model) for about $300 off new.

Then look at lenses, all mine (except that Tokina 11-16/2.8) are used.  Bought for 50%-75% of new price, all in near perfect condition.  You'll spend more on lenses than anything else, and better to skimp on a body than skimp on a lens.  I've got *almost* every lens I want; an 11-16/2.8, a 35/1.8, an 18-105/3.5-5.6, and a 70-300/3.5-5.6.


What I'm getting at is you can buy a lot more camera for a lot less money buying slightly older gear.  The big online shops (KEH, Adorama, etc) have very reputable ratings systems.



That, and pick a brand and stock with it.  Nikon and Canon lenses don't interchange.

Oh, and that SL1 with the kit 18-55 can be bought on Amazon for $499.

For your $650 I could get a D300 and an 18-200 lens and still have $50 left over for filters.

The is is a better value:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-Focus-S-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G/dp/B00HQ4W1QE

D3300  18-55/55-200 lenses plus free accessories.

I just bought this camera on Sunday...big step up for me as an "entry level dSLR"....
OP - check out the thread called which camera should I buy

Lots of info in the thread....also, I would suggest, as a noob, getting the book "Understanding Exposure"...and, take a non-credit class through a local Jr. College or camera store. It's really fun when you know what the buttons do...Good Luck!

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/424208?WT.mc_id=C126149

Watch for frequent specials, can be had for $349 with 18-55 lens.

Free accessories and some kit lenses are worthless and have no value added to the camera itself. Better to buy it piece by piece.

That depends on the intended use.  There is a reason kit lenses exist, they have their uses for the intended customers of this level of camera.

As a rule the Nikon 18-55 kit lenses are VERY good lenses.  Nice and sharp, little distortion, and the price can't be beat.

The superzoom kit lenses not so much, but that 18-55 is a fine piece of kit.

$349.00 with 18-55 lens today.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/424206?WT.mc_id=C126149

I've been having fun with my new Nikon D3300 with that lens...
I also just scored a Nikon AF-S 35mm F/1.8G for $125 off craigslist (still have my kidneys)...

Wow...what a difference 1.8 makes over 3.5 in lower light...

The 35 1.8 is a lens I've been wanting for a while but never really got around to getting it.

I do have the 50mm 1.8 and it gets a fair bit of use.

Also on my list...looking at endless reviews on both lenses, one guy got it right..."Just get both"...

On a DX body, the 50mm is kind of an odd-ball length. Not quite long enough, not quite short enough. The 35mm is a great option for DX.

I had the 50mm when I was shooting DX bodies; it did not get much use. Now that I am back to FX bodies, the 50mm gets more use. Unfortunately for me at the time, the 35mm did not exist when I was shooting DX bodies.

It has fallen out of use with time as the 17-55 2.8 has taken over most of its role. It lost a little aperture, but the D7100 can handle the extra tick up in ISO to make up for it so I'm not quite so worried about that bit.

The 17-55 2.8 is the main reason I never got the 35 1.8.

I'm perfectly happy with my DX camera and really see no benefit to upgrading. Yet.

Most of the reviews talk about the 50mm on a DX being good for portraits...still playing with the 35 1.8 and have good results so far...only had it 24 hours but damn...much better low-light shots than my kit lens. See if I can get a few pics tomorrow.

It is, if you have the room to use it.

At typical across the room distances, the 50mm will get you a tight in face shot and not much else. If you want something showing more, you've gotta be in a hallway or go outside.

Or be rich and have a 8,000 square foot bathroom like hielo.