I'm a super noob. I've always loved photography and I am starting school at one of the art institutes later this year. I've been saving for a dslr camera but I don't know where to begin. First of all I LOVE MACROS. By far my favorite. But I have no idea where to begin. So my q is... I have pretty quick learning skills and I want something I will be able to grow into but not so complicated I wont be able to use it right away. I always loved Canon but the more I play around, the more I'm liking Nikon. Anybody have suggestions? And for the most basic of basics any ideas what your suggestions will cost? I will definitely need 2 different lenses. But other than that... no clue.
I glanced at the stickys to see what I could find but even the newbies here are more advanced than I am :'(
To make it simpler for you... ask yourself these questions,
1) What do you want to shoot most - (you say you like macro, so take it as you would like to shoot macro.)
2) What other features do you need, eg, HD video, fast AF in live view mode, in-body image stabilization, a wide array of colour to choose from, fast continuous shooting speed, weather seal body, etc
3) Do you need vari-angle LCD (you know the LCD that you can twist and turn?)
After answering the three questions above, then you could more or less zoom in onto the brands of cameras that offer those features. Note that for some camera brand (eg, Canon and Nikon) they don't provide certain features no matter which camera models you go for... such as in-body image stabilization. And some model offer blazingly fast continuous shooting speed (like Sony's SLT camera - but with a slight light lost due to the SLT technology).
After you have zoom down on the brands of cameras that you are going for, read up on their models... then shortlist some models. Finally go down to the shops and request to have a feel of these models...
At that stage, take special note on the following,
a) Ergonomic of the camera - design of the grip, buttons layout, general feel of the camera in your hands.
b) Weigh - believe me this is very important... especially when you are going to carry the camera for a couple of hours at ends.
c) Menu Interface
Get the camera that you feel best with.
(one last note: get a camera that you feel best with and not a camera that has the most features, only get those that you really need and don't believe in getting a camera that most of your friends are using. The myth about lending ones equipment, lenses and stuff like that are nothing but myths... as very few people will be willing to lent out their photographic equipments.)
