Advice on reasonable SLR camera?

[mommyto2]

I'm looking to make the move up to an SLR from my point-and-shoot camera. I am not a photographer by any means, I'd just like to get better quality pictures, not have a problem with low light situations and be able to take good pictures at our kids' soccer games or whatever.

I know there are several brands out there ranging from $400-$1500 and more, but for a mom just wanting to take better pictures, what would you suggest?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!

 

[DebMcDonald]

I'm looking to make the move up to an SLR from my point-and-shoot camera. I am not a photographer by any means, I'd just like to get better quality pictures, not have a problem with low light situations and be able to take good pictures at our kids' soccer games or whatever.

I know there are several brands out there ranging from $400-$1500 and more, but for a mom just wanting to take better pictures, what would you suggest?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!

I have a Nikon D80 and I absolutely LOVE it and it's takes great pictures. I also upgraded to a very expensive telephoto lens, which might make the difference, but we've never had any problems. Prior to our digitial SLR, we had a regular Nikon SLR too that I loved.

 

[heartsy77]

http://www.certifieddigital.com/product/shz/289/5/view/

This the one I have my eye on. After our magical grand gathering with our friends in AUG I saw what amazing pictures it takes!

It also comes in many colors!

 

[Golf4food]

http://www.certifieddigital.com/product/shz/289/5/view/

This the one I have my eye on. After our magical grand gathering with our friends in AUG I saw what amazing pictures it takes!

It also comes in many colors!

The Pentax K-x is an excellent choice. Very reasonably priced, lots of features you can't get on other brand cameras in the same price range, etc. And like the above poster says, you can get them in different, fun colors.

(I have a higher end Pentax but the K-x has some features even I am jealous of, even though mine cost around $800 more than the K-x. The K-x has great low light, high ISO processing ability - perfect for dark rides and shows at WDW, etc.)

 

[mommyto2]

Thank you for the tips! One other question I thought of, is it necessary to get extra lenses? Or will the camera by itself be enough?

 

[tyedye]

You may want to check out the photography board here. There are many different choices and you really need to go out and hold the camera and see how it feels when focusing and taking pics.

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&f=97

 

[tyedye]

Thank you for the tips! One other question I thought of, is it necessary to get extra lenses? Or will the camera by itself be enough?

A digital SLR camera is just a camera body. For entry level DSLR's they usually come with an 18-55mm lens, which is about your basic 3x zoom lens, so depending what kind of pictures you want to take you may need more lenses.

If you don't want to deal with changing lenses and the costs involved with that there are other options such as what is referred to as a super zoom camera. In simple terms they are a point and shoot camera that can zoom 18x-20x or more. Most major camera brands all have of these, check out the canon sx20is, nikon coopix p80 or p90, and pentax x70 are a few out there.

You can take great pictures with a point and shoot camera if you learn how the different features it has work and use them.

Pls check out the photo board here and read thru threads. I love taking pictures but am nowhere close to taking pictures and processing them close to the pictures you will see on that board.

 

[FergieTCat]

I recommend the Canon SX series. It's a hybrid of an SLR and a point and shoot.
I've had earlier cameras in the series and I thought the pictures were excellent.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-SX30IS-...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1288977243&sr=1-1

 

[Muushka]

If you are interested in low-light photography, get a good sturdy tripod for your new SLR.

Another tip? Take it off of auto and get used to your camera by using manual.

A good camera doesn't take a good picture, you do!

 

[tinkmom2]

I have a Kodak easy share. It's not a SLR camera but let me tell you, for a cheap camera it takes amazing pictures. The only problem is it's not water proof so I am looking to upgrade to a Flip camera or a Fugi. I was looking into a Nikon SLR camera but they are a little pricey. I am looking to spend under $200.00.

 

[Golf4food]

I have a Kodak easy share. It's not a SLR camera but let me tell you, for a cheap camera it takes amazing pictures. The only problem is it's not water proof so I am looking to upgrade to a Flip camera or a Fugi. I was looking into a Nikon SLR camera but they are a little pricey. I am looking to spend under $200.00.

Almost any modern camera of any size will take fine photos in broad daylight or with strong enough artificial light, it is when you get into low light or fast motion that you find the cheaper cameras lacking.

OP - there is a point where if you get too cheap you get cheap results with cameras. You have to decide if the photographic memories are worth the extra money - even if it is only $50-100 to upgrade to something that would do a much better job. If you have a lot of sports to photograph then a bridge camera or SLR will be the way to go.

 

[polkadotminnie]

If your are wanting low light photos and a fast shutter speed, go with a DSLR that feels good to you when you hold it. I have a Sony a500. I upgraded to it for the same reason that you are wanting. It has made a tremendous difference in my shots. My girls do competition cheer (low light and fast tumbling). You will need to get a fast lens as well. You can get a 50mm 1.7 for under $150. As other posters said: read the photography board. Most posters on that board use Nikon or Canon but there are Pentax, Sony... All the brands are good. You just need to see how the camera fits your hand.

 

[ah1126]

We have a Nikon D40. My husband has really enjoyed having this. (he would love a more expensive one, but this is what we could afford) You should be fine with one lens for a while, then you can add on as you want/need to.

 

[floridascgirl]

We have a Nikon D40. My husband has really enjoyed having this. (he would love a more expensive one, but this is what we could afford) You should be fine with one lens for a while, then you can add on as you want/need to.

I recently purchased a refurbished Nikon D40 and so far I am loving it. However, I'm definitely feeling the limitations 18-55mm lens. Have you upgraded your lens? If so, do you have any recommendations? The pictures that I'm wanting to capture are either birds (and other backyard wildlife) or my son's piano performances.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I bought a sony a230 ($300) that is wonderful. It allows me to take professional looking pictures, but also is fast so I can get nice pictures of the kids on the run. I did buy a extra minitola srl lens (the hand adjustable kind, not autofocus) for $20 online. I love this camera. Its been dropped, kicked, fallen, and still works great. The extra battery I bought was like $10 on amazon. Its a nice lightweight camera and fits well in my small hands. Heres a recent photo I took with it. Also pop on over to the photography board, They are a very sweet bunch and dont mind answering tons of questions.

 

[ah1126]

I recently purchased a refurbished Nikon D40 and so far I am loving it. However, I'm definitely feeling the limitations 18-55mm lens. Have you upgraded your lens? If so, do you have any recommendations? The pictures that I'm wanting to capture are either birds (and other backyard wildlife) or my son's piano performances.

My husband uses it much more than I do so I am kinda limited on what I know about it. But he as two additional lens so far the 35mm Prime and the 55-200mm. He got the 55-200mm before a trip to Alaska! He just got a bigger flash too.

 

[princessfionasmom]

I recently purchased a refurbished Nikon D40 and so far I am loving it. However, I'm definitely feeling the limitations 18-55mm lens. Have you upgraded your lens? If so, do you have any recommendations? The pictures that I'm wanting to capture are either birds (and other backyard wildlife) or my son's piano performances.

If you don't mind my asking, where did you get the refurbished Nikon D40? Was it a great discount? I would love to get one but my budget doesn't allow full price right now.

 

[floridascgirl]

If you don't mind my asking, where did you get the refurbished Nikon D40? Was it a great discount? I would love to get one but my budget doesn't allow full price right now.

I have two friends who both own newer fancier Nikon models but they both still use their older D40 because they love it. I also read up on this particular model on Ken Rockwell's very informative website before making my final decision. Due to my budget and the fact that I'm a total amateur, I decided to go with the refurbished D40. They had them available at both the B&H photo and Adorama website under used cameras at a very affordable price. I am very happy with my purchase, but I'm definitely considering another lens for the future.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

 

[amamax2]

I just upgraded to a DSLR and cannot emphasize enough the best advice I learned from reading the Photography Board:

Go and hold the cameras you are interested in.

It may sound funny, but it is one of the most important steps in deciding what camera to get.

I did tons of research, asked so many people what camera they used, etc etc and after all that, decided I wanted a Nikon D50.

So then I went out to actual hold cameras, since that was the advice over and over on the Photography Board. I thought it was silly, but....

Well, the Nikons felt SOOOO uncomfortable in my hands! I was shocked. When I picked up a Canon, however, it felt really good.

Long story short, I ended up ordering a Canon XSi from Adorama - it should be here on Monday and I am so excited.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[mommyto2]

I have two friends who both own newer fancier Nikon models but they both still use their older D40 because they love it. I also read up on this particular model on Ken Rockwell's very informative website before making my final decision. Due to my budget and the fact that I'm a total amateur, I decided to go with the refurbished D40. They had them available at both the B&H photo and Adorama website under used cameras at a very affordable price. I am very happy with my purchase, but I'm definitely considering another lens for the future.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

Ooooh, refurbished sounds like a great way to go, for me! Still get a great camera, but won't have to dish out the big bucks...just in case an SLR doesn't work for me...thanks for the tip!