help with getting a digital cam... the o/t isnt helping
#1
help with getting a digital cam... the o/t isnt helping
well im looking for a high quality dig camera. ive been looking at dslrs but i know nothing about them... if a mod is going to move this just delete it..thanks
#2
RE: help with getting a digital cam... the o/t isnt helping
(I'm not a photo expert by any means so nor do I have a DSLR or a SLR so some info could be wrong)
well DSLR's are the really top notch Digital cameras
SLR basicly means what you see through the view finder is the same as the camera sees (your looking through the lens)
a common feature of SLR's is changable lenses (whatever zoom level you want just buy the right lens)
Now if your pockets are deep enough for a DSLR then continue.
you don't just buy one like you would a (point and shoot)
you have to consider compatable lenses (availability, cleaning, and ease of changing)
my understanding is that Nikon is great for DSLR's (as is canon)
inaddition to some of this you still need to think about MegaPixl level
maybe you could PM DarkFireGT I think he might be more helpfull
well DSLR's are the really top notch Digital cameras
SLR basicly means what you see through the view finder is the same as the camera sees (your looking through the lens)
a common feature of SLR's is changable lenses (whatever zoom level you want just buy the right lens)
Now if your pockets are deep enough for a DSLR then continue.
you don't just buy one like you would a (point and shoot)
you have to consider compatable lenses (availability, cleaning, and ease of changing)
my understanding is that Nikon is great for DSLR's (as is canon)
inaddition to some of this you still need to think about MegaPixl level
maybe you could PM DarkFireGT I think he might be more helpfull
#3
RE: help with getting a digital cam... the o/t isnt helping
I'm by no means a pro photographer, but I do ok. It's a budding hobby of mine..
This past summer I purchased a Canon digital Rebel XTi, 10.1 MP. I got the camera body and an 18W-55 lens for like $649 or something online. Then I got a 75-300 telephoto lens online for $99.
Thoughts: The Canon is a decent camera, albeit a little small for my hands. Should have spent the extra $$$$ and gotten the Nikon D200. The lens? Don't even CONSIDER getting a telephoto lens unless you're going to get some type of VR or IS lens. Getting STABLE free-hand shots at 300mm is something god himself couldn't do. NEED a tripod, or a VR/IS lens. And expect to spend $$ here.. That same lens, but in a VR version, is like $5-600... As opposed to the $99 I got it for..
Nikon and Canon both have excellent products. The D80 is supposed to be a decent starter camera, as is the D40 and D40x (I think x - it's been a while since I looked at them).
My biggest sticking points were that I the camera I chose had to be capable of taking multiple shots quickly (the Canon I got does like 3 per second, 27 shot max), and it had to store images on a CF card. They are cheaper and faster than other types of memory out there (SD, memory stick, etc). And bigger. I can get a 16GB CF card for like $89 or something.. Try even finding a 16GB SD card.. With a single full-res high shot taking up somewhere in the neighborhood of 5.5MB, it doesn't take long to fill a card. I get somewhere in the neighborhood of like 1200 shots on an 8GB CF card..
This past summer I purchased a Canon digital Rebel XTi, 10.1 MP. I got the camera body and an 18W-55 lens for like $649 or something online. Then I got a 75-300 telephoto lens online for $99.
Thoughts: The Canon is a decent camera, albeit a little small for my hands. Should have spent the extra $$$$ and gotten the Nikon D200. The lens? Don't even CONSIDER getting a telephoto lens unless you're going to get some type of VR or IS lens. Getting STABLE free-hand shots at 300mm is something god himself couldn't do. NEED a tripod, or a VR/IS lens. And expect to spend $$ here.. That same lens, but in a VR version, is like $5-600... As opposed to the $99 I got it for..
Nikon and Canon both have excellent products. The D80 is supposed to be a decent starter camera, as is the D40 and D40x (I think x - it's been a while since I looked at them).
My biggest sticking points were that I the camera I chose had to be capable of taking multiple shots quickly (the Canon I got does like 3 per second, 27 shot max), and it had to store images on a CF card. They are cheaper and faster than other types of memory out there (SD, memory stick, etc). And bigger. I can get a 16GB CF card for like $89 or something.. Try even finding a 16GB SD card.. With a single full-res high shot taking up somewhere in the neighborhood of 5.5MB, it doesn't take long to fill a card. I get somewhere in the neighborhood of like 1200 shots on an 8GB CF card..
#4
RE: help with getting a digital cam... the o/t isnt helping
I agree with the above. You can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon DSLR's. I personally prefer Canon. I would buy the Rebel XTi (body only). Then purchase your own 18-50mm or 18-55mm lens. The one that comes with the Rebels are mediocre at best. My Sigma 18-50mm F3.5-5.6 is very fast at focusing and takes some sharp pictures for a very reasonable cost. Whatever you decide to go with, always check out reviews. If you can afford a more expensive lens, do it. There's a reason some lenses are very expensive. Because they're worth it. And again, make sure to get an IS/VR lens when choosing a telephoto lens. Not only is it hard to keep the camera stable enough to get a good shot, but if it's not IS/VR, it takes a lot longer to focus.
#5
RE: help with getting a digital cam... the o/t isnt helping
I just switched to the Canon XTi. I see the potential in it, but it takes a lot of getting used to. My previous camera was a Sony (HSC-??) that out of the box took the best damn pictures!!! Runs about $250 and you won't be disappointed.
#6
RE: help with getting a digital cam... the o/t isnt helping
#7
RE: help with getting a digital cam... the o/t isnt helping
My first camera was a Canon AE-1. I used that camera for years.
This past Christmas my husband bought me a Nikon D40xa 10-megapixel digital SLR that he purchasedfrom Costco. The kit included Nikon 55-200mm Vibration Reduction Lens plus Nikon 18-55mm lens as well as a camera case. You can take 3 frames per second in continuous mode.
I actually wanted the Canon Digital Rebel XTi,until I read some reviews on the Nikon;
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D40X/D40XA.HTM
My advice would be to do some searches for reviews before you buy.
This past Christmas my husband bought me a Nikon D40xa 10-megapixel digital SLR that he purchasedfrom Costco. The kit included Nikon 55-200mm Vibration Reduction Lens plus Nikon 18-55mm lens as well as a camera case. You can take 3 frames per second in continuous mode.
I actually wanted the Canon Digital Rebel XTi,until I read some reviews on the Nikon;
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D40X/D40XA.HTM
My advice would be to do some searches for reviews before you buy.
#8
RE: help with getting a digital cam... the o/t isnt helping
Agreed, Canon or Nikon are the way to go. Slightly different handling method but you'd get used to either.
Now, if the body of the DSLR is too small, you can pick up a battery grip. It's a unit which screws onto the bottom of the body, it makes the body very comfortable to grip, especially if you have big hands. They also hold an extra battery which is another bonus.
The higher end DSLR's have an extended body anyway and don't need them
Now, if the body of the DSLR is too small, you can pick up a battery grip. It's a unit which screws onto the bottom of the body, it makes the body very comfortable to grip, especially if you have big hands. They also hold an extra battery which is another bonus.
The higher end DSLR's have an extended body anyway and don't need them
#9
RE: help with getting a digital cam... the o/t isnt helping
I went to costco this weekend and looked at both the canon and the nikon. I'm probably going to end up going with the nikon d40x kit. I liked both cams but the Nikon felt much better in my wife and I hands.
#10
RE: help with getting a digital cam... the o/t isnt helping
www.dpreview.com
Define your use carefully- some of the longer-zoom non-SLR's may be adequate (and are less likely to have problems with dust since you don't remove the lens).
Norm
Define your use carefully- some of the longer-zoom non-SLR's may be adequate (and are less likely to have problems with dust since you don't remove the lens).
Norm