Camera advice

[kitn]

I am planning on buying a new camera. I am willing to spend $700.00 or so and am wondering what others have. Any advice would be helpful. :flower:

[FantasticDisFamily]

Well it depends first of all on whether you want film or digital. And from there what sort of shooting you plan to do.

For instance, I am a til death do us part film girl. Is have been known to include digital prints someone else has taken of an event if it is the only way I can get a particular photo. My kids are high school age and a lot of the shooting I do is in low light (near dark often) without the ability to use flash (theater) and sports (high action and low light). This is one of the reasons I like film - I can shoot very fast film and capture the action using ambient light where flash isn't allowed. I've also developed my photo skills to the point I want the ability to modify my lens set up, am absolutely a fanatic about good glass in my lenses, and want lots of flexibility to mix and match manual and automatic functions.

Last fall DH upgraded me from my Pentax to a Nikon N-80 with a 28-200 mm lens. The lens is not a Nikon brand lens but by Promaster. This brand has glass that matches or exceeds that of any of the brand name folks out there but at significantly lower prices. Definitely a case of paying for a name or not. The camera has a built in speed light (flash) for short distances but I also have a shoe mount that allows me to shoot across a football field for instance.

My 2 cents worth,
Deb

[kitn]

My husband wants a digital and I want a 35mm. I am trying to weigh out the pros and cons of each. :flower:

[sweet maxine]

I'm a film die-hard too. I love my Canon Rebel X EOS! In looking through my photos the other day, I noticed that the images from this camera were (in my opinion) so much better than DD's digital. I have taken pics at pep rallies in the gym with both cameras, and the Canon Rebel takes the better pics by far! Maybe it's because I'm just not digital-educated enough to know how to take better pics with DD's camera, but her pics of her trip last summer just weren't of the same caliber as mine from film. I can't afford a high-end digital camera, so I'm staying with what I've got that works.

[wenbel]

Leaning more and more to my digital. I also have a great printer The Epson PictureMate. Read about it at Amazon. I am very impressed with it. I have taken some great snow pictures with my digital. Never had such good quality snow pictures with my 35mm.

[Limmer]

I have a film Canon 2000 Rebel and LOVE IT. The only way I would replace it for Digital would be with the Canon 20D which is a lot of money. At one point I wanted the Digital Rebel but the lag time between pics (borrowed one) was unacceptable. I take a lot of baby pics and waiting for the camera in not an option.
I did borrow an Olympus Stylus 300 3mp to go to Las Vegas and thought for sure I was hooked. No changing film, it was so small and light I barely knew I was holding it but when I came home and compared my shots to my film I changed my mind. They were good but not fabulous and my film shots (pardon my swelled head) are fabulous. I was using the Olympus at the 2nd highest resolution which should be more than sufficient for 4x6 shots and it was still pixelated and not as sharp as film.

[TWTigger]

I got my digital camera a little more than a year ago and love it! I have a Canon point-and-shoot with some bells and whistles (that I haven't learned to use yet). Advantages that I see to digital: 1) Not having to worry about film change or carrying film. My 256 MB card holds about 140 pictures and you can get larger cards for about $50 on sale. 2) Immediate feedback on whether you took a quality shot, and the ability to delete "bad" pictures. I love taking pictures but do not have a lot of technical knowledge of photography. Digital has allowed me to experiment and take pictures that I probably wouldn't have taken with film 3) Transfer of pictures to your computer without having to purchase Photo CD's or scan them. Prints are also readily available at stores such as Wal Mart and Target and online if you don't want to print them yourself.
Disadvantages to digital: 1) Some shutter lag if taking action shots. 2.) Possibly paying more for the same features compard to a film camera.

I am posting links from the cruise board relating to the topic. Good luck on the camera shopping.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=692732

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=674766

[pattyT]

i say GET BOLTH!
You can get an slr 35 mm cheaper now
Prob $450 ish with a good zoom lense
and I LOVE my $200 Kodak digital camera! People ask if I had a professional do my photos! They don't even realize that I didn't use my slr for them either!

i want the nikon digital that uses my nikon slr lenses but they are still WAY TO expensive (999 without any lenses!)
GOOD LUCK!

[Twigs]

I use both too, I have a Nikon SLR and love the pictures I get with it, and I also have a Nikon digital that takes great pictures. On vacations I always have both with me. I use the digital a lot for indoor and night time pictures when not at home, so I don't have to bring the SLR's flash with me.

[sweet maxine]

My DD has the Kodak Easyshare DX 4530, so that's the one I'm comparing to my 35mm. The thing I have noticed problems with is that the pics end up blurry or fuzzy looking with the flash set on night flash. I had problems taking pics of the MVMCP parade at night, and she also had problems indoors with the flash.

Any idea what we're doing wrong? (Maybe we just need to get that owner's manual out and read!!!!)

[FantasticDisFamily]

Well as you can see there are a lot of different opinions. If you can play with some that is obviously the best as several folks pointed out.

Right Patty! I've had the chance to play with that high end Nikon digital (and just where miss shop-a-holic have you found it for $900? I haven't seen it below a grand) and while it is pretty sweet it is still limited. The lenses are ok, but all fixed. Getting the range like I have (28-300mm) still isn't possible according to my sources and the sharpness taking sports shots isn't as good (and that isn't my opinion but one of our newspaper photogs!)

Deb

[scrapperjill]

I love my digital...I have a sony T1..IMO it takes GREAT shots. You can take a look at some of them in my scrapbook album (the link is below)...I also like my SLR film camera....but REALLY REALLY like digital...so now i'm looking into getting a Digital SLR...I'm looking at the new Rebel XT...it's faster than the old Rebel...and has a few more options....although it's around $999....you may be happy looking into the old Rebel..which just went down in price to around the $750 range :earseek: Great price for a digital SLR...thats been a leader in its field since it came out.

But reasons I love digital...being able to see your pic right then...the moment after you take the shot. The ablity to delete bad shots...or not so good one. The ablity to print ONLY the pics you want (saves a ton of $$). Being able to adjust photos...in the digital dark room. (I took a helicopter out of a great pic of a palm tree in San Juan...and I removed all the people from the beach at Castaway cay in another shot)....the ablity to turn color photos into black and white or sepia tones with a click of a button...the ablity to adjust the camera's ISO...to take those low light photos without a flash, without having to swap film for bright light or low light. Well that is just SOME of the reasons I love digital.

But just like film cameras...some digitals will work better than others. For example...my Sony (which I love) takes GREAT shots outdoors and in good lighting...but not so good indoors...with dim lighting.

[kitn]

Scrapperjill,
Do you have the old Cannon Rebel. My husband and I are leaning towards it and wanted your opinion? I am now going to look at the xt. Thaank you!!

[scrapperjill]

Not exactly....I did purchase the Digital Rebel-300 on Feb 5th....and tryed it out a little...but after having it less than two weeks...the announcement came out for the "new" XT....so after having the Rebel-300 for less than a month...I took it back. Seeing that I payed the regular price for the Rebel...and that the XT will be the same as what I paid for the Rebel-300 I figured I might as well have the newer faster version. I had thought of just getting the price diffrence refunded back...but I figure not that I got all my money back I can check out the XT when it comes out then decide which one I want to purchase. I did look at the d20 this weekend...and really liked the way it felt.

So to answer your question...No I don't have the old Rebel. From what I tryed with it I did like it....although there is ALOT to learn with the Digital SLR's.

[pattyT]

Deb

www.adorama.com also has a rebate so it is actually 899.95 body only! hth

mind you that price is without lenses as I have my SLR lenses (that are suppose to be compatable) I saw it in a sale flyer at Christmas (Curcuit city maybe - dh wanted to buy it for me for christmas but I said not too cuz I know howfast technology changes and I bought y kodak at thanksgiving and love that I can leave it in the diaper bag etc... I like having a small camera to run around with and my slr for 'portraits' (at disney I am really pathetic cuz I buy disposable underwater cameras for the water parks, other disposables to just leave on top of the stroller for those 'last minute' shots (I was very sad when I missed DH dancing with the mice cuz I was fumbeling to get a camera out!)

[FantasticDisFamily]

Not a bad deal. I still use the disposables, etc as well. Although I tend to walk around with my big SLR hanging around my neck or over a shoulder like some sort of commando - I have NOT done the bandoleers of film though! :rotfl:

And not just at Disney. The kids at the high school are so used to seeing me with my camera that the other day when I was doing a unit in the stagecraft class and didn't have it someone asked me if I'd cut my hair or something!

Deb

[pattyT]

do you mean the film in the camera strap??
i lost 2 rools of film trying to use mine :( unfortunately they were alreadt 'full' of pictures lost somewhere on an apple farm :( i wn't try that again

[wtpclc]

The kids at the high school are so used to seeing me with my camera that the other day when I was doing a unit in the stagecraft class and didn't have it someone asked me if I'd cut my hair or something!
:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Seriously, I love my Canon (Powershot?). I am not a serious photogrpher, though. here are my reasons:

1. I have never loaded the film wrong (didn't happen often, but now impossible)
2. When my batteries die, I just change them out. On one of my other commeras, this would render teh rest of teh roll of film useless.
3. It's fairly small and light compared to my old Nikon.
4. Love the ability to take TONs of photos.

[FantasticDisFamily]

Patty - the roll in a loop on the strap is the "simple" approach. I've actually seen people with a second strap holding film. I simply keep extra rolls in my day pack.

Yes, Carrie that is a true story. Glad it gave you a laugh this morning.

Deb

[JudithM]

Nikon USA (the authorized distributor in the US) is currently offering a $200 rebate on the D70 w/18-70mm lense. This offer runs through March 31. Any reputable dealer will be selling the D70 kit for $1299 and have copies of the rebate form. That makes the effective price $1100! A great deal and the lense is a must have with this camera. You must provide a copy of the bill-of-sale, the warrenty card, and serial number from the side of the box to get the rebate. Word of warning: dishonest dealers will offer a low-ball price without all of the parts (battery, lense!) or "grey-market" import without US warranty; neither is worth dealing with.
Point-and-shoots like the Powershot and little Nikon we have are very convenient. The big plus to the D70 (or Canon Digital Rebel or 20D) is you get GORGEOUS pictures from the big sensor and you get a way into the whole SYSTEM of accessories. Things like better flashes, other lenses, remote shutter release, etc. If you have any recent gear from either company, pick that digital SLR. I have used the D70 and it has goof-proof auto modes plus full overrides and manual control for personal creativity. The D70 is FAST and handles like a film camera! No more missed shots. Check one out.

[Kelly Grannell]

Just get Canon Digital Rebel. Forget about the kit lens (both Canon's and Nikon's kit lens are garbage). You can get the body only for around $700 (if not less) and get a Sigma 18-200mm lens for about $500.

Total is $100 more than the Nikon equivalent, but you will only need one lens for your trips and in most cases will never have to change lens (which then may cause dust to enter the camera body and get stuck on the sensor).

If you want to go a tad cheaper (and still with better lens than the Nikon 18-70) just get the Sigma 18-125 lens. I think it's only about $350. Totalling $50 less than if you get a Nikon with its lens.

For better insights I recommend http://www.fredmiranda.com or http://www.dpreview.com

[pattyT]

I agree -
My lense are all Sigma -

[kitn]

Are you talking about the sigma lens set? Or is there a lens that is 18-200. I am having trouble locating the 18-200. Thanks :earsgirl:

[scrapperjill]

Just get Canon Digital Rebel. Forget about the kit lens (both Canon's and Nikon's kit lens are garbage). You can get the body only for around $700 (if not less) and get a Sigma 18-200mm lens for about $500.

Total is $100 more than the Nikon equivalent, but you will only need one lens for your trips and in most cases will never have to change lens (which then may cause dust to enter the camera body and get stuck on the sensor).

If you want to go a tad cheaper (and still with better lens than the Nikon 18-70) just get the Sigma 18-125 lens. I think it's only about $350. Totalling $50 less than if you get a Nikon with its lens.

For better insights I recommend http://www.fredmiranda.com or http://www.dpreview.com

You've got to be able to find a better deal for the Canon Rebel than $700 for just the body...the whole Rebel with lense kit is between $750-799.

[Kelly Grannell]

that's right. I'm just stating very worst case scenario. Even by that standard the Canon 300D is still cheaper than the Nikon. On top of that you can get a battery grip (for long trips, up to 800 shots) which is not even an option on the Nikon.

[OurDogCisco]

http://www.dpreview.com

I highly recommend this site too. There is tons of information so, it might take awhile to weed through it all. I think, if you are thinking about buying digital you really need decide if you can. I can't tell you how many people I've met that have bought digital but don't have the computer capabilities to upload pictures to their PC (i.e. not enough computer memory). If you are using dialup forget about getting a digital camera. Unless you are willing to go to store and upload them at the store. I'm not really into printing my own pictures just because I take way too many and I find the online stores can do them way cheaper. I do on occasion print pictures that I need to finish a scrapbook page.

I love digital but hated my camera's lag time. I bought a Olympus almost 4 years ago. Nowerdays, I understand the lag time has improved considerable. But not enough for me to buy another. I ended up getting a Digital SLR from Olympus that was under $1000 for the body and Lens. It is the Olympus Evolt. And, I love it. It is very easy to use. More for the beginner.

Anyways, this can be a huge investment so, I'd check out that site and even go to a camera store and talk to someone. This way you can best determine what is your preference.

Tina