I need a camera soon because my sisters graduation is next month in Chicago and I really want to take some nice shots of her walking across the stage but I am literally freaking out about the prices. I have exactly 500 dollars saved up from my part-time job and that has to cover the camera and the lens and maybe a bag or something because I dont have anything right now. I spent hours looking at the Canon Rebel T7 bundles on Amazon and they look okay but then I read a bunch of reviews saying the kit lens is kind of trash in low light and the sensor isnt great if its cloudy and the graduation is indoors so that scares me.
Then I looked for the Nikon D3500 because everyone says thats the best for beginners but all the ones I see online are like 600 or 700 dollars used which makes no sense if it used to be cheap?? I dont know if I should trust those random mega bundles on eBay that come with like 50 accessories like tripods and filters because they look kind of sketchy but I really need a full setup to start with. I just need:
- a body that isnt too heavy
- a lens that can zoom a bit
- maybe an extra battery
Is it even possible to get a decent DSLR bundle for under five hundred these days or am I just dreaming...
Honestly, 500 bucks is totally doable if you skip those weird eBay bundles with the plastic tripods and cheap filters. Most of those accessories just end up in the trash anyway and theyre not worth the risk. I have been really satisfied with buying used gear from reputable sites like MPB or KEH because they actually test the stuff before shipping. You get a short warranty too, which is great for peace of mind when youre on a tight budget.
- Look for a Canon EOS Rebel T7 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II. I used this setup for a while and it works well for family events if you stay mindful of your settings.
- If you can find a Nikon D3400 with AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, grab it. Its almost identical to the D3500 but usually fits under that 500 dollar limit more easily.
- Definitely pick up a Wasabi Power Battery 2-Pack for Canon LP-E10 or the Nikon equivalent. Having a backup is a must for a long graduation day. Graduations are tough because the lighting is usually pretty bad indoors, but dont freak out. The kit lens will be fine if you keep your shutter speed high enough to stop motion and dont be afraid to let the ISO go up. Stay away from those mega bundles tho... they look like a deal but the build quality is usually bottom of the barrel. Youll be much happier with a solid used body and a genuine lens.
How far from the stage are you sitting? I am very satisfied with the Canon EOS Rebel T6i with 18-55mm STM Lens since it handles indoor light well on a budget.
Unfortunately, i've had issues with those 18-55mm kit lenses at graduations before. Theyre just not as good as people expect when youre sitting way back in the stands. Honestly, youll probably be super disappointed with how tiny your sister looks in the photos if you dont have more reach. I'd go a different route for better reliability:
- Look for a used Canon EOS 70D Body Only. Its a bit older but it handles like a pro camera compared to the entry level stuff and the autofocus is way stickier.
- Find a Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lens. You really need that extra zoom range to actually see her face when she gets her diploma.
- Grab a BM Premium LP-E6N Battery 2-Pack so you dont run out of juice halfway through the ceremony. This combo is way more solid for indoor events than those plastic-heavy bundles on Amazon... ngl those bundles usually just let people down because the gear inside is kinda flimsy.
Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.
> Is it even possible to get a decent DSLR bundle for under five hundred Totally possible. Look for a used Nikon D5300 with 18-55mm AF-P VR Lens. The 39-point autofocus system is a huge upgrade over the basic D3400 for tracking someone walking across a stage. Pick up a SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB SDXC and you are set. Those AF-P lenses focus much quicker than older kit glass. Let me know if you need more help!
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