I've got a T3 (not i) for sale with an extra 55-250 IS lens, 2 SD Cards and a LensPen cleaner. ;) All photos I've posted in this thread were taken with it.

If it were for me id be all over it but since it's a gift I'm going to buy new

i prefer canon, either way you go, youll be fine. but go canon.

go canon.

Can't go wrong with either. Both are pretty easy to learn on. At this stage, it doesn't really matter which brand you go with. I'd go with whichever camera you can get the best deal on. Try B&H, Adorama or Cameta Camera. If she really gets into it, she's going to likely upgrade to just about everything.

I personally prefer Nikons.

Lol well I found somewhere I could get identical price on those 2 cameras

If you want to get the technical differences, there are literally hundreds of articles comparing those two cameras...all which will have a marginal advantage to one or the other. If she really wants to be great at photography, she should invest in some classes to figure out what everything does. You can take great pictures with an iPhone if you know what you're doing. If you're wondering what I mean, go to 500px is Photography and search d3200 or T3i.

The good news is that both cameras are easy to learn on. Image wise, you can't tell the difference unless you know what to look for. They both have enough controls to be creative without overwhelming a new photographer with too many buttons.

I personally like the feel and controls on Nikons, so I'd go with the D3200. Just flip a coin. You can't go wrong. By going DSLR over a point and shoot, you've already made the right decision.

Well I just bought the Nikon D7100 ..been thinking about getting rid of my old D90. Finally did it..

One thing I wanted to mention..a while ago some posters put up pics of their work and asked for critiques..

Now I have to tell you that I never considered myself a very good photographer but I did work in an ad agency and I was involved in buying photos and working with photographers so I did learn a lot about critiquing the work....not everything of course but a lot ...and I love to help new people by offering suggestions to them..Consider me like a food critic who cannot boil water and burns the toast at home!

I was thinking that maybe some of the more seasoned shooters...and there are some great ones here..could offer help and suggestions to the younger folks..information on the technical side as well as critiques of their work.

Anyone care to start such a "school" right here?

We're all friends here. Feel free to ask away and post more of your work. No matter how seasoned you are as a photographer, there is always something new to learn. Congrats on the D7100:tup:

Went to the wildflower center earlier this week.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/1...331a8c5b_b.jpg
Untitled by pandahouse, on Flickr

Just my 2 cents on buying a camera: hold it and touch it. See how it feels and fits in your hand. I went Canon instead of Nikon totally based on how it fit my hand. Nikon grip was too small-didn't "feel" like it fit. Canon though-was just right. Both cameras and product lines are nice, fit was final decision maker for me.

Nice shot. You managed to freeze the proboscis. They move it so fast it's hard to do. What was your setup. How'd you get so close? I'm assuming you're using a macro lens.

I cheated and used aperture priority mode with my 55-250mm. 1/640, 5.6, ISO 100.

You are quite a nature photographer! First the lizard and the ant and now this..Very nice..

:iagree: she has quite the knack for it. :tup: