Like I said, the best thing is to go into a camera store and just hold the Nikon D3100 in your hands and see how it feels, then do the same with the Canon 550D/600D. If one feels far superior to the other, you've found your camera.
If you prefer the feel of the Nikon, the D3100 twin lens kit is $843 at JB, which I think they could drop to $800 easily.
If you prefer the feel of the Canon, the 550D twin lens kit is $780 (incl. shipping) with JB Direct Import.
Grab yourself a nice memory card for it, my pick would be the SanDisk Extreme HD Video SDHC 16GB 30MB/s (watch for old stock that says 20MB/s, you don't want that) which should cost you around $60. Don't worry about the 'HD Video' part, it's fine for both photos and video.
When you're making your purchase, don't let them sell you UV filters, they offer nothing outside of lens protection whilst making your images look worse. A good UV filter that will protect your lens whilst having a minimal impact on your image quality will cost more than those kit lenses, making it not worth it. Unless rocks and crap are flying at you, don't waste your money.
I've recommended the twin lens kits, because since you're starting out and haven't mentioned what you'll be shooting, I don't know what you'll need and perhaps you're not sure yet either. Those kit lenses will give you a great place to start and cover just about any focal length you're likely to need, they're not much more than the basic setup and won't break the bank. You may grow out of these lenses soon enough if this hobby really grabs you and that's a good thing, but at least you'll know what area your gear is holding you back in and will have a better idea of what you'll need to fix it.
Since this hobby is new to you, something I would consider a necessity is the book 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson. It'll help you undersand, well, exposure. You'll learn what ISO, aperture and shutter speed are and how they work together. You'll learn how to read a scene and how to interpret the camera's light meter so you can expose the scene correctly using those three camera settings. It'll give you a big leg-up in understanding what everything does so you can get out there and have fun and worry less about wrestling with your camera to get it to do what you want. I might even have a second copy of this book lying around if you want it.
Once you've gotten ahold of how to use your camera, have a look at buying 'The Photographer's Eye' by Michael Freeman. It's an excellent book on composition, and I think a must have in your collection, along with Understanding Exposure. It'll show you how composition works and how to make your photographs interesting. There are a number of composition rules that apply to the photography medium that have been around for decades for a very good reason and this will show you what they are. The cool thing with these 'rules' is that they're not hard and fast, they exist more as a guide, but once you know what they are and why they exist, you can break them and know why you are doing so.
I hope I haven't made anything too complicated for you or scared you off this amazing hobby. I just thought I'd throw this all out there to give you a good starting point. Without anyone to guide you or show you how and why some things are the way they are, it can be a little frustrating. I think those books will lead you out of the dark very quickly and to a place where you can just enjoy yourself and your new-found hobby and equipment.
Doesn't look that bad
Main issue is it is INSANELY cold at night here nowBoxers to bed are the best. All you need. I used to wear t-shirts to bed also, but gave up after a few times with the sleeves snagging and wrapping around the shoulder/armpit area and cutting off circulation.
Main issue is it is INSANELY cold at night here now
One night I even wore a hoody to bed!
That shirt would be perfect if you served ice cream to little children back in 1952.
That shirt would be perfect if you served ice cream to little children back in 1952.
It will look fine.I bought it, so I hope it doesn't look totally stupid. Need to see how it looks scrunched up, infrequently ironed, untucked, sleeves rolled up.
sold! Will grab one as soon as they go on special.I've got this awesome doona, it's essentially in two parts and held together by button clips at the ends. Separate them for a nice summer doona, clip them together for ridiculous winter warmth. It can be 0 degrees and I'm still tucked under it in only boxer shorts and I don't want for any warmth. I don't remember what it's made of, but it was around $100 from Target, something like this. Best one I've ever had.
lol, it will look fine open necked, sleeves up. Kinda like a trendier version of all the farmer shirts that kids these days are wearing. Just don't tuck it in or do up the top button!Aw Rep get fucked.
This essay is murder. Damn you, create your own question topics
Even we beat them the other week!Damn the Kangas suck. So bad.
I just finished mine. I think.
I've been told to aim for 2,000 words to take up 20 minutes - with a little room in there for breathing and jokes and water.
It seems like nothing.
you wouldn't happen to know anything about restorative justice practices and its application in juvenile justice systems would you
I was wearing my fluffy dressing gown to bed until I got a quilt to go with my doona. I guess one plus for winter is that winter pajamas (the sets) look really cute.Main issue is it is INSANELY cold at night here now
One night I even wore a hoody to bed!
How can one sleep in jeans?? D:
True. In winter though you've gotta make sure you're covered if one of your arms slips out into the cold. Plus when you have to get out of bed in the morning it's slightly warmer.What's with all you crazy people wearing clothes to bed, once you're in, you're covered anyway.
Also getting up at random intervals during the night to the calls of 'poos' and 'juice'True. In winter though you've gotta make sure you're covered if one of your arms slips out into the cold. Plus when you have to get out of bed in the morning it's slightly warmer.
Also getting up at random intervals during the night to the calls of 'poos' and 'juice'
Also getting up at random intervals during the night to the calls of 'poos' and 'juice'
Not if I'm going to fit into my weddingMidnight snacks eh?Sorry.
Hey Ausgaf, anyone got a link to that E3 Press Conference times image, with the time delay and everything? Much thanks.
Today I watched all 4 Alien films, in prep for Prometheus. Alien 3 is so very terrible. The dialogue feels like it's written by a 15 yo that puts in swears every time he can't grasp the right language to use.
Hey Ausgaf, anyone got a link to that E3 Press Conference times image, with the time delay and everything? Much thanks.
Today I watched all 4 Alien films, in prep for Prometheus. Alien 3 is so very terrible. The dialogue feels like it's written by a 15 yo that puts in swears every time he can't grasp the right language to use.
Hey Ausgaf, anyone got a link to that E3 Press Conference times image, with the time delay and everything? Much thanks.
Today I watched all 4 Alien films, in prep for Prometheus. Alien 3 is so very terrible. The dialogue feels like it's written by a 15 yo that puts in swears every time he can't grasp the right language to use.
what does promethus ave to do with alien?
Who's staying up with me to ride the Nintendo hype train?
It was shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.Actually fuckit, the McRib is available here today apparently! So much for just having a healthy sushi dinner.
Will log in early on Tuesday before work to post the hilarious Kinect gifs that I have ready. Fuck watching the EA conference, they won't be announcing System Shock 3.
Nope, I'll log in early on Wednesday before work to post the hilarious gifs that I have ready. They won't be announcing LttP2.Who's staying up with me to ride the Nintendo hype train?
Prequel with original director. Looks awesome.what does promethus ave to do with alien?
Boy, by the time I wake up on Tuesday there's going to be so much news. Then it's Ausgaf party night until 3AM I guess.
Who's staying up with me to ride the Nintendo hype train?
Actually fuckit, the McRib is available here today apparently! So much for just having a healthy sushi dinner.
Put my bacon t-shirt on for nothing
Nothing. Same director as the first one, thats all.