Any camera recommendations?

angus310

angus310

New Member
Are there any digital cameras that anyone has experience with that are really good and not one of the models for a grand? I really don't want to spend an arm and a leg (over 500).

I would like the options of buying extra lenses but am totally new to photography and am looking to start as a hobby. All recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone.
 
I use the Canon XTi rebel. This is my first digital SLR camera but I do love it. I think lenses are gonna cost ya alot either way. I think they have come down in price a bit so you might get one for around $500 may be a little bit more. But when I bought it last year it was alittle over $1000.
 
nikon d 40 is an awesome camera

http://www.digicombos.com/product_p/nkd40nk1855gb2nf.htm

a friend of mine got one with 2 lenses for 750, look around. stay away from those crappy slim cameras with microscopic lens, even though they are 6 plus megapix. the little tiny lens makes for crap-tac-ular images.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscf707/
this is also a stellar camera. it's old tech, so it could be found for less. you can screw on other lens on top of the existing one. i had this camera and a vx-2000 video camera and could interchange filters and such. however i know of 3 people counting me, who had the camera stop working after about 4 years. my vote is the d 40. spend some cash and you'll be very happy.
 
I agree, go with a Nikon D40. I picked up a D50 2 years ago and love it, and I believe the D40 is very similar but a little cheaper.
 
I use a Canon Digital Rebel and I love it. They are decently priced and take great quality shots. I've taken mine all over the world and have been very pleased with the results.

Chris
 
A digital SLR is a great way to go. I personally, need a point and shoo compact camera.

I have owned a Canon A70 for over 3 years. It's produced excellent pictures.
Last month, we bought a Canon A640 from Newegg.com.

It's not an SLR, but it doesnt' have to be! 10 Million pixels, a great macro, and lots of functions. It was $314.00 with a 4 GB SD card and shipping - plus it came wiht a 1 GB card free.

The only downside is that it doesn't shoot in RAW format. That's fixed via a simple to use "hack" put onto the memory card and activated in a simple menu.

And the best part? It uses AA batteries. 4 cheap, rechargable NiMh batteries will last for hundreds of shots between charges.
 
I have been doing photography now for many years and I went to the Art Institute of Chicago for a year before deciding on a different career. I will never buy anything other than a Nikon. I have had Cannon and a Kodak but nothing ever compared to my Nikon F4.

http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/filmcamera/slr/1985-1989/f4/index.htm

It is a 35mm and totally outdated now but since then I also got a Nikon digital and I love it too!

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25555

You can see some of my shots with this camera in my gallery.
 
I just bought a D40 and I really reccomend it...the only thing is if you want to use it for macro photos (I suppose you will)...you will have to buy some very expensive lenses, and most of the macro lenses available cannot autofocus on the D40!
All the best
F.
 
If I was a pro, or even amateur photographer, I'd go with a Canon SLR (cause Nikons aint' cheap!). but the A series works fine for me!

My father has a Nikon 35mm SLR, and it is a fantastic camera. He's waiting for their digital SLR's to come down, so he can use the lenses on it.
 
I just bought a canon rebel xti with the kit lense, and it works great. You can find some decent deals on ebay if you look around. I got mine virtually new for $600 with a card, lense & case.
Good luck!
 
My SLR system is Nikon, but I have shot on a variety of Nikons and Canons. Both are terrific makes of camera, and you won't go wrong with either brand.
Choose the system that feels right for you. Make sure you play a bit with the cameras in real life before you purchase them. If you go the SLR route and start buying lenses for that system, it becomes a long-term relationship with that brand, so make it something that you really like.

Bear in mind though, that although SLR cameras will provide superior quality and better performance in general, and although interchangeable lenses allow for flexibility, all of these features come at a rather substantial price. If you're shooting chameleons and other small animals, at some point you'll have a need for macro capability (the ability to focus on an object from a close distance and/or to achieve good magnification of a subject), and a macro lens is another specialist lens you'll have to buy. If you want to shoot wildlife in the bush, you'll need a telephoto lens, and prices of good quality telephoto lenses useful for wildlife shooting start at more than double the cost of an entry-level SLR body...

So if you're still starting out in digital photography, and you want to keep to a budget, but still retain features, keep some of the high-end digital compact cameras in mind. For example the Canon Powershot G7, or the Canon Powershot S5 IS: both have decent wide and telephoto capabilities, and have built-in Image Stabilisation (which costs a lot extra in the interchangeable lenses for SLR's). They won't match the performance of most SLR's, but they usually contain a lot more built-in features. That can provide you with the flexibility you need when you're starting out in photography.

Go to http://www.steves-digicams.com/ and http://www.dpreview.com/, and read plenty reviews. That will give you a better idea of the features that are good-to-have, nice-to-have, and must-have. And then go out and play with some cameras at photography stores. You must enjoy how it feels and operates.

Also, if you're starting out in digital photography, check out this site: http://www.dpchallenge.com
It's got a great community of photographers (much like these forums have for chameleon-lovers), and you can learn a lot there; not just about actual photography, but also about post-processing, which is a vital element of digital photography (well, even film photography, but that doesn't involve Photoshop...).

Good luck with your decision. Looking forward to seeing your pics when you get shooting...
 
Last edited:
filip said:
I just bought a D40 and I really reccomend it...the only thing is if you want to use it for macro photos (I suppose you will)...you will have to buy some very expensive lenses, and most of the macro lenses available cannot autofocus on the D40!
All the best
F.
Click to expand...

You don't really need a macro lens, though, for good close up shots. I don't have a macro lens, and this pic was taken with the standard lens that the D50 comes with (and even then it was reduced for size). When you can clearly see the scales on the side of the head of a baby chameleon, I don't know what else you'd need to see. It looks even better on the actual photo than in this reduced (in size and quality) version. You just need to zoom in with software (photo program) instead of trying to get so close with the actual shot. Save the $500+ you'd spend on a marco lens kit and pick up an XBox 360 LOL.

FirstBreath.jpg
 
Not sure if you are loong for a point and shoot or a SLR but if you want the best of both worlds go with the lieca D-LUX 3 its around 550 so a little more than what you wanted to spent but a lot better than any point and shoot with a lot of the features of the pro SLR. shoots in Raw. you can manualy focus. there is two models one with the lieca name plate on the front and cost a hundred dollars more and one with out. same thing just you get to pay a hundred to advertise for lieca. this little camera s worth the money.
Matt
 
With a camera that has pwards of 8 million pixels, you don't need special lenses for great closeups. A descent macro function is usually enough. Just zoom in till you get as close as you need!

I took some pictures of random things around the house, and they were practically disgusting. The worst of which was the remote control. It's amazing how much stuff accumulates in and around buttons...

And to add to what Tyler said - you might want to wait a few months, as Halo 3 is coming out, so make sure you save for that, too...
 
I strongly recommend the Nikon Digital SLR series. I use a Nikon D50, and while I would like to upgrade, it does anything I need to do, and the only reason I would want to upgrade is to get further into technical photography. I only use the kit lens, and I haven't begun to use this camera to its full potential.

Here are a couple cham pics.
contest_404936.jpg

picture095s8nk.jpg
 
My fiance currently has a canon powershot s60. How does that measure up to most other point and shoots?

I may be able to get by with that for a little bit but am really eyeing the nikon d40x.
 
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