Need help buying a camera...
#1
08-10-2007, 11:57 AM
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Need help buying a camera...
I know there are some good photographers on this site, and a few electronics specialists so I need your help in suggesting a few cameras to research. We have a pretty nice Sony compact camera, but I am outgrowing it's features...not enough zoom or macro capability. I am not going to be a professional photographer, but I would like something that is good for more than just birthday parties and barbeques. There are so many options, and I don't even know all of the features I should be looking for. I'm looking to spend $500-600 for the camera before accessories. Any suggestions as to where to start or what to avoid? Thanks in advance...oh yeah, what is the best pipe for my F4i, and should I get a Power Commander? [sm=icon_rofl.gif]
#2
08-10-2007, 12:01 PM
RE: Need help buying a camera...
I have plans to pick up a digital SLR sometime soon, they start at about $600, but they are the ones with the huge lenses and can take pictures of things in action, like a zooming bike tearing up the twisties....as for which one, i dunno.....i used to have a sony cybershot 8mp and it took very impressive pictures, well, my ex messed up the LCD screen and she bought another cybershot that was a little cheaper, but it was only 6mp and those pictures were crappier than theones on my phone.
#3
08-10-2007, 12:07 PM
RE: Need help buying a camera...
If your going to be spending $500 - $600 I would definately recommend an entry level DSLR like rrasco said.
Personally I would recommend the Nikon D40 or D70. The D40 w/lens is about $525. The D70 is discontinued but some places may have it pretty cheap. I used to have a D100, and it was really nice. Before that I had a 35mm N80 and that was also a very nice camera.
Personally I would recommend the Nikon D40 or D70. The D40 w/lens is about $525. The D70 is discontinued but some places may have it pretty cheap. I used to have a D100, and it was really nice. Before that I had a 35mm N80 and that was also a very nice camera.
#4
08-10-2007, 01:29 PM
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#5
08-10-2007, 01:46 PM
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RE: Need help buying a camera...
V.D., as you know a lot "depends" on your priorities: e.g. what's most important: better night shots, distance/landscape etc.. etc.. but I was in a similar situation and had about the same price range as you last year and did a lot of research on which one would make the best upgrade. Initially I wanted a SLR and was willing to pay more for it since they take the best pics and have the most lens upgrade options but in the end I decided for me I want a more "all purpose" one that I can carry everywhere and take on bike rides, etc.. etc.. and after a ton of research I decided on the new Panasonic Lumix LX2 model. It's still a point and shoot camera but it was as close to SLR as I saw without crossing the barrier as I could find. After a year of taking pictures with it I'm very pleased with it .. it takes great shots and has all the features I need .. the only negative thing I say about it is that it's not very good at night shots. Obviously there are a ton of cameras on the market that may fit your particular needs better but that's one you may want to take a look at to get you started. Good luck with whatever you decide on ... with all that said, If you don't care about size I would get a SLR Nikon or Canon.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 ($500) is an upgrade to the DMC-LX1 from last year (read our review). That camera was unique for its 16:9, "widescreen" CCD and 28 mm lens. On the LX2 Panasonic has added several new features, some good, some not-so-good. They include:
* 10.2 Megapixel widescreen CCD (versus 8.4 on the LX1)
* Widescreen 2.8" LCD display (versus 2.5", 4:3 LCD on the LX1)
* Uses new Venus III image processor (the LX1 used Venus II)
* ISO can go up to 1600 (3200 in high sensitivity mode) compared to 400 on the LX1
* Higher resolution movie mode (1280 x 720 vs 848 x 480)
* Improved battery life (300 vs 240 shots)
* Adds 13MB of built-in memory (in lieu of a bundled memory card)
* Support for SDHC memory cards
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 ($500) is an upgrade to the DMC-LX1 from last year (read our review). That camera was unique for its 16:9, "widescreen" CCD and 28 mm lens. On the LX2 Panasonic has added several new features, some good, some not-so-good. They include:
* 10.2 Megapixel widescreen CCD (versus 8.4 on the LX1)
* Widescreen 2.8" LCD display (versus 2.5", 4:3 LCD on the LX1)
* Uses new Venus III image processor (the LX1 used Venus II)
* ISO can go up to 1600 (3200 in high sensitivity mode) compared to 400 on the LX1
* Higher resolution movie mode (1280 x 720 vs 848 x 480)
* Improved battery life (300 vs 240 shots)
* Adds 13MB of built-in memory (in lieu of a bundled memory card)
* Support for SDHC memory cards
#6
08-10-2007, 07:19 PM
#7
08-10-2007, 07:26 PM
RE: Need help buying a camera...
I just bought a Nikon D40 last weekend, and it is awesome! It's a 6.1 megapixel DSLR that takes incredible photos that blow away my 6.1mp point and shoot digital.
I ended up buying my camera from Sam's Club because I wanted it right away, and it was around $540 out the door. If you try to buy the camera online, I can only recommend B&H Photo - all of the ones with lows prices are scams and high pressure upsellers.
I ended up buying my camera from Sam's Club because I wanted it right away, and it was around $540 out the door. If you try to buy the camera online, I can only recommend B&H Photo - all of the ones with lows prices are scams and high pressure upsellers.
#9
08-10-2007, 07:37 PM
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RE: Need help buying a camera...
SLR's (single lens reflex, interchangeable lenses)
Canon Digital Rebel XT/XTi
Nikon D50/D70s
P&S (point and shoot)
Canon G7
Canon A-series with IS
No idea for the Nikon P&S.
Just to give you an idea this is what a rebel xt will do, last yrs model can be bought online for around 500$, lenses will start from 80$ to 7400$ haha. You can buy filters for the lenses as well and lens hoods. If your not familiar with aperture and shutter speed, iso, white balance, raw and jpeg well id stay away from DSLR's. People get very very easily frustsrated
1
2
3
4 With a 600$ telephoto lens that i had to sell
5
There you go hope that helps lol
Canon Digital Rebel XT/XTi
Nikon D50/D70s
P&S (point and shoot)
Canon G7
Canon A-series with IS
No idea for the Nikon P&S.
Just to give you an idea this is what a rebel xt will do, last yrs model can be bought online for around 500$, lenses will start from 80$ to 7400$ haha. You can buy filters for the lenses as well and lens hoods. If your not familiar with aperture and shutter speed, iso, white balance, raw and jpeg well id stay away from DSLR's. People get very very easily frustsrated
1
2
3
4 With a 600$ telephoto lens that i had to sell
5
There you go hope that helps lol
#10
08-10-2007, 08:19 PM
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RE: Need help buying a camera...
You guys are the best! I am going to research the Canon and Nikons (wonderful pics, Blue), and I know you did tireless researchKewl, but I am sold on a DSLR. So far, this camera is giving me a boner (Olympus E-510):
So, this camera starts at about $800 plus about $100 per lense, but I have found it for about $875 with two lenses and free shipping. Sounds wierd, but the wifey and I keep separate finances, and she said she'd pay half...so I will still be spending in my budget range. Do you guys know much about this camera?
So, this camera starts at about $800 plus about $100 per lense, but I have found it for about $875 with two lenses and free shipping. Sounds wierd, but the wifey and I keep separate finances, and she said she'd pay half...so I will still be spending in my budget range. Do you guys know much about this camera?