Any good articles?

I want to know what it would cost an amateur to be happy with a DSLR. At this point I'm simply curious.

I know this is a very general question that can't entirely be answered as a yes or no.

For example, if I were to buy a DSLR in the $1000 price-range barebones, how much would I likely want to invest in lenses? What sort of quality would bumping up every few hundred dollars for a DSLR go?

I realize photography isn't just about dumping cash and seeing results from the hardware alone, so skip that explanation plz

investing in good lenses before better bodies is a something i think most photographers would agree with. nice glass can cost anywhere from 500 to 5000+.

for 1000 for a body, you could probably find a nice full framed canon 5D or maybe even a 5DmkII for just a little bit more, but a beginner doesnt necessarily need to spend that much for a body.

If you don't mind used gear. You can pick up a Canon 7D for around 800, which has given me nothing but amazing results since I've gotten it.

Like winter said, it's better to invest your money into glass, instead of an amazing FF body. Because, it's the glass that makes the image, not the body. And furthermore, if you decide that photography isn't the thing for you.. Your glass will retain most if not all of it's value, whereas your body will likely be depreciated by < 30% the second you buy it.

i think you should get a full frame at least, so you spend your money well.

when i started, i bought a D40 nikon, it got stolen but i obviously would of had to upgrade it anyways,
i got a 50D half a year later, and now i wish i would of just got a markii or something even though now i dont even own a dslr anymore.

the value of dslrs will always go down because of technology,its something you have to invest in these days, unless youre interested in film, and thats expensive.

There's no point in spending 1500$ on a body if its his first DSLR. One, he doesn't even know if its a hobby he's going to stick with, and two, he probably doesn't know how all of the settings, buttons, and dials all work. I started with a Canon T3, and I honestly appreciate all of my equipment now that much more because of what I learned through the amateur SLR.

i can see where youre coming from but in my opinion if i wasnt a photographer and if i wasnt going to invest time/money into cameras, any smartphone would be my best friend, its so convenient and superior.
having a dslr you should be able to learn the settings by yourself, there is a manual and endless amount of information via internet / physical, unless youre one of those many people who have entry/lower end level dslrs who shoot on automatic settings, i think its best to get full frame.

if youre going to put money into photography you will appreciate your equipment regardless, its not something cheap, and what youre saying is pretty subjective.
its not my money or decision so i dont really care what he does, but what you and i say is both right, but just a different viewpoint.

vouch, this nigga ownd u both.

This post was edited by Masami on May 31 2013 03:56pm

If I were to buy a DSLR (it's something I'm thinking about but really it's more of a thought at this moment and less of a plan), I'd get most of my necessary lenses immediately (as well as a tripod, carrying case, etc... the necessities). Before I buy anything, I have to really determine if I will enjoy it enough to make the purchase worth-while... and I'd have to know what for and where and when I'd actually get to use the DSLR. Where I'll likely start is simply by borrowing my Dad's S90, using my Galaxy S4, and trying out my girlfriend's new Nikon 1 J3 camera out when she comes out with it... and just seeing how practical investing a couple thousand dollars or so into a body + lenses would be. If I were to buy a camera, that would be it... I wouldn't be getting one as my training wheels, and then another one to upgrade... it would be one for the next 2+ years, and so I would want it to be good. That means whatever my budget would be, it would be for the lenses + camera together.

So anyway, it's interesting seeing the comments and getting an idea. I'll take the next couple steps and see two things:
1) I'll determine a theoretical budget to determine what the best price-to-performance purchase would be at that budget.
and
2) I'll determine if I actually want to dump cash into getting a DSLR (whether I'd use it and what for). I know I do want one, but it's really dependent on whether I'd use it at least once a week... and not have it being that 'cool' purchase that I picked up a couple times.

yeah its better to be more in depth of what you want to do, and since youre unsure yeah its good to test out cameras. if you go to a camera store you can usually mess around with the cameras and see what ones you like, i would avoid places like best buy or cordcamera, they have very limited selection and most of the time people are clueless, so try some place that has some knowledge. where i live there is a place called midwest photo exchange and columbus camera group and they sell/rent equipment and people there have a decent knowledge of at least the basics. i think you can go to someplace like that and look at the cameras and try them out, ask them questions or even rent one out for a few days to see if you like it. it would even be better if you did a little research so you dont go empty handed, and know a little about whats in range/specs etc.
and if you are going to spend money on lenses you should make it worth, thats why i strongly suggest full frame.

one way you can learn is from studying photographs, even if you dont know the settings or how to make it, it is a good learning experience to try and replicate it or take elements from photographs and use them in your own photos. and if you take the time to learn the settings it will just be much easier, and also for example if you like a certain thing or look and you want to try it, you can google how to ".........." and then learn something. thats how i learned how to use photoshop xD

All I'm saying, is that you don't need the latest and greatest DSLR in order to get an amazing shot. Going back even 5 years ago, the best SLR on the market was the equivalent to an entry level SLR that may only cost a few hundred now. There's absolutely no need to spend more than 300 - 400 on a first camera. Some of my best shots have been on my dinky little T3 with the kit 18-55.