So I'm sure this questions asked 100 tinea before, so here's the 101st time..

My daughter is due next week, and I really want a beginner DSLR, nothing too complicated, but something I can grow with.. I have a budget AROUND 200 bucks, so used is a must..

Everyone I've spoken to says the Nikon d3100 is the best for around 200 bucks. I'd love some other recommendations, and what should I look out for while buying the camera?

Thanks a lot guys.

My brother in law is selling me a d40 with an af-s 15-55pm lens.. He's a professional photographer and said it's more than enough camera to start with.. He only wants 80 bucks for it, comes with an extra battery pack and the bag.

The d40 is a little old but, 80 bucks is a good deal. Where are you located? generally speaking there are Facebook groups in your state/county/city and photog equipment (especially lower end amateur cameras) can be grabbed really cheap.


For $200 you really do need to go used if you want a dslr. IF you can get together another 200 your options open up a bit more.

The d40 was replaced by the d3000, and I shot a d3300 as my first camera (pretty similar) and as a professional photographer it was unusable as I was shooting for print (print being high DPI magazine/billboard stuff). HOWEVER, if this is just to snag high res photos of your beautiful new comer then you are fine with the d40. Ask your buddy to dial it in for you and be sure you take some test shots in a similar environment before hand. Also, MAKE sure you shoot at the lowest ISO possible and always shoot in RAW with a lower end camera. Imo, the jpegs are just too grainy.

Dude the d40 is a very capable rig if you set it up right, for $80 bones. Get it, enjoy your new baby!

I bought a Canon Rebel T5 for my very first camera. Bought a 55-250 lens on top of the 18-55 kit lens. I just like where the controls are on the Canon and like the way it felt in my hands. I'm not a fanboy of either, just from how it felt in my hands. The Nikon d3300/3000 are both great camera's. My experience with the T5 has allowed me to take a lot of pictures and learn the exposure triangle. It's all about what you want to afford to put towards this. I think I spent $600 for my camera, extra lens, bag, tripod, lens caps, etc.

Just get out there and shoot.

the best beginner body is the one that gets you out and shooting, simple as that.

sure, the d40 might not be as good as some of the other entry level SLRs out there, but with some good glass you can still do some good work, and the glass will still be there when you move on up to a newer body.

go with the d40, buy some good glass for the type of shooting you want to do, and get shooting.

worry about the quality of the body later. as long as the d40 works, it's still more than good enough.

the quality of the glass is going to have a far bigger effect on the quality of the shots than the quality of the body will.

This post was edited by Sonicgundam on Nov 8 2015 04:34am

I suggest D90.... the D3100 or any d3XXX you have to menu dive.... you want something with full controls.


Dude for $80 bucks, snatch that D40 and lens up ASAP!!!!!!!!
You would be stupid if you didnt.

This post was edited by pimpdawg on Nov 19 2015 02:55pm