Could you offer advice please??

[DISNEYmooner2008]

My husband has made the decision to join the Army Nation Guard and with his enlistment bonus comes a brand new camera for me! My passion is photography but I've never had the money to spend on a really nice digital SLR camera. I currently just use a Kodak 8.2 mp camera - it's ok, but nothing special and doesn't have many features. We are expecting our first baby and this camera will come at the perfect time to capture her life! I have just started researching some and have also been reading for information here on the photography board. I would appreciate any information you all are willing to give me as far as what type of camera to get!!

Thank you so much in advance!!

 

[dr_zero]

How much are you looking to spend?

What are your expectations? What do you want it to do?

Are we talking general family time or low light events or high speed or ???

There are so many different brands and models of camera and options within those so a little more info can help to narrow down the suggestions some.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

How much are you looking to spend?

What are your expectations? What do you want it to do?

Are we talking general family time or low light events or high speed or ???

There are so many different brands and models of camera and options within those so a little more info can help to narrow down the suggestions some.

Sorry - I guess I could have provided more details!! Truthfully, I'm not sure what my "budget" is. Nothing too over the top, but not your typical $100-$150 camera purchase either. Maybe something in the $300-$600 range if that's possible!

I will use it primarily for capturing family time, school events, ballet classes, ect... I also want something I can get amazing shots at Disney with since we are planning an annual trip to Disney now that we have a family.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[mabas9395]

Another question:

Are you wanting something that will take better photos but still be pretty automatic or are you willing/wanting to learn about the camera settings and how to adjust those to get even better photos?

Depending on your answer, you could go with either a high end P&S (the Canon G9 gets high reviews) or a dSLR (of which there are many to choose from).

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Another question:

Are you wanting something that will take better photos but still be pretty automatic or are you willing/wanting to learn about the camera settings and how to adjust those to get even better photos?

Depending on your answer, you could go with either a high end P&S (the Canon G9 gets high reviews) or a dSLR (of which there are many to choose from).

I am definitely open to learning all about the camera settings and how to adjust them! I am also getting myself a new laptop and will be purchasing Adobe Photoshop as I am interested in learning all about photo editing as well.

 

[RBennett]

I am definitely open to learning all about the camera settings and how to adjust them! I am also getting myself a new laptop and will be purchasing Adobe Photoshop as I am interested in learning all about photo editing as well.

Given everything you've said, I don't mind throwing my camera into the running then. I bought the Pentax K100D with an 18-55mm lens and a 50mm f/1.4 for less than $600, and I think it's dropped even more now. It's a great DSLR for the price and I'm constantly finding things to learn on it. But at the same time, you can throw it into auto mode and get some pretty good shots, too!!

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Given everything you've said, I don't mind throwing my camera into the running then. I bought the Pentax K100D with an 18-55mm lens and a 50mm f/1.4 for less than $600, and I think it's dropped even more now. It's a great DSLR for the price and I'm constantly finding things to learn on it. But at the same time, you can throw it into auto mode and get some pretty good shots, too!!

That sounds like it could be a good option for me - thank you!

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Here are a few models that I was looking into:

Nikon D40 and D60
Sony Alpha DSLRA350K
Canon EOS Rebel
Canon EOS Rebel XT
Canon EOS Rebel XTi
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Olympus Evolt E - 410 and 510


I know that's probably quite the spectrum, but those are one's that I've seen that are in my price range.

Any opinions on those??

 

[RBennett]

Here's what I would suggest: there is a website that you can actually compare these cameras side-by-side and see the difference. It also gives reviews and sample shots of the cameras. That way you can kind of see what areas are most important to you and help you choose. Oh, and I forgot to mention earlier: CONGRATS ON THE EXPECTING!!!

Here's the website:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Here's what I would suggest: there is a website that you can actually compare these cameras side-by-side and see the difference. It also gives reviews and sample shots of the cameras. That way you can kind of see what areas are most important to you and help you choose. Oh, and I forgot to mention earlier: CONGRATS ON THE EXPECTING!!!

Here's the website:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

Wow - thank you so much for that website!!! I'm sure it will be VERY helpful to me!!!

 

[YesDear]

I have a suggestion. Nikon has just announced the new D90. That means there will be some deals out there for D80's. That would be a real step up from the 40 or 60. It is a camera that you can grow into and out of.

There are many Lightly used ones out there. Check with your local camera shop if your town is big enough to have one that may offer used.

 

[ThurlFan]

Don't forget to handle them in a store somewhere before you decide for sure which one you want. An awkward feeling camera will gather more dust than a comfortable one

 

[ChristusG]

I'm a Canon girl. I started with a Rebel XT. It was a great camera! My Canon 40D should be arriving in the mail this week! I highly recommend the XSi. I played with it for about a week and I have to admit, it's a nice camera. Lots of upgrades from my XT. The XS may even work for you, and that's a little cheaper too.

 

[dr_zero]

I have a suggestion. Nikon has just announced the new D90. That means there will be some deals out there for D80's. That would be a real step up from the 40 or 60. It is a camera that you can grow into and out of.

There are many Lightly used ones out there. Check with your local camera shop if your town is big enough to have one that may offer used.

A big +1

I was thinking the same thing with all the new D90 many will be wanting to upgrade and they should be some deals not only on new D80's but used ones also. I got my camera a Nikon D50 used from B&H photo I wanted to transition over to digital from film and wasnt 100% it was going to be what I wanted. I love my film cameras still but digital has opened up some more options and freedom that I have enjoyed also!

Since we are talking Nikon for minute another reason many suggest the D80 over the D40 and D60 is the D80 has a focusing motor built into the camera so you can use about all the Auto Focus lens made for Nikon film cameras going back 20+ years. With the D40 and D60 you have to buy lenses that have the focusing motor built into the lens.
Also Nikon has made their system where you can use just about any Nikon manual focus lenses that they have made with your digital body. You wont have autofocus obviously and on some you will have to play with the meter but it will still work

Here are a couple of links the first is B&H Photo the next a chart that has the Nikon bodies and what models of lens they work with and the likes and last is a link to a post with a recent article about older lenses and new bodies that covers many brands.

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...ac=&fi=all&pn=1&ci=2891&cmpsrch=&cltp=&clsgr=

Older lenses new bodies
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1950131

Ok now to other brands!

There are other brands that have the Image stabilization built into the camera (unlike Nikon) and they can take some of the older lenses that are out there which make them something I would look at if I didn't already have Nikon lenses when I decided to switch to digital.
Sony is a neat looking setup and I know many like their Pentax and I hope they will chime in on those cause I'm sure they have forgot more than I know about their brands.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

We went to ritz camera and best buy today to allow me to hold a few different cameras and see what felt "right" or "better" to me. Truthfully I like the Canon's better than the Nikon's, but I'm still undecided.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Canon's are great cameras...If it feels better in your hand, that's half the reason right there.

I don't like the feel of Nikins and most Nikon lovers hate the feel of the Canons...I think you have just joined the Canon family and just don't know it yet...LOL

 

[YesDear]

While I am a big Nikon fan, if the Canon feels better to you, I would go with the Canon. If you like how it feels, you will use it and learn it and enjoy it!

 

[amandamousebeat]

I use Nikon myself. I own a D60 and a D300 and love them both. If you check out Costco they will have the D40 and the D60 with 2 lens in your price range. There are a lot of good recommendations here, so it really depends on what you like. Check out some of the flickr groups to see the pictures that different cameras produce. If you just go to Flickr and search the different cameras you are interested in (in the groups search) you will find tons and tons of photos.

Good luck!