One question I often get asked by friends and clients alike is what kind of digital SLR camera I would recommend to them to purchase, so I thought I’d share my thoughts here!

Most people who ask this question are not looking to do photography professionally, but still want to have a nice ip camera to capture their life happenings. What I always recommend is any of the Canon Rebel SLR cameras, mainly because that is what I’ve worked with and I love my Rebel XS (as in, I keep meaning to sell it but I am having attachment issues)! There are many different Rebel versions (i.e. XS, XSi, XT, XTi, T1i, etc.), so it just depends on how much you want to spend and what features are important to you. Depending on which version you pick and whether you go with a new or used version, expect to pay between $500-$900 for one of these.

While most of my equipment was purchased brand new, I’m all for buying used equipment in good condition. Often times your local camera store (like Roberts Distributors here in Indy) will sell used cameras/lenses and place them on a rating scale so that you can see what kind of condition they are in. You can also sometimes find great used deals on places like Amazon and ebay, just be sure to check and see what the return policy is and do your research on the seller!

Most of the time the starter DSLR’s will come with a kit lens (my Rebel came with an 18-55mm lens) that get the job done and provide a range in focal length. If you’re looking for a better quality lens that’s also affordable, the Canon 50mm f/1.8 is a great prime lens that’s right around $100!

Keep in mind that you’ll also be needing to purchase memory cards, a camera case, and maybe even an extra battery to have around. Something to think about when budgeting for your purchase. :-)

With Christmas coming up I figured I might be getting this question more than normal, so I hope this helps!

P.S.- If you’re wondering about the price difference between starter DSLR’s and what professionals generally use, my main camera body that I use is $2,500 and each of my lenses range from about $1,500-$2,000 a piece. A Rebel doesn’t seem too expensive now, does it? ;-)

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