Advice on Camera purchase

returnofsid

returnofsid

New member
Well, I need some advice. I'm planning on purchasing a new digital camera in the next month...I hope. I will be getting an SLR camera. I currently have a Kodak Z760. It's met my needs so far, but I want something better. I stopped by a camera shop in a large mall yesterday to get some ideas. I've always pretty much thought I would get a Cannon Rebel. In doing some research, I now see that there's more than 1 model of Rebel...lol. I also looked at a Nikon, but I don't remember the model number. It was 40something. They salesperson was telling me about "image stabilization," "shutter lag," and all kinds of other things I didn't understand...lol. From what she was saying, the Nikon was every bit as good as the Rebel. I did explain to her that a lot of my pictures were going to be of aquariums (through glass). From what I learned, it looks like I'm going to need to spend between $700.00-$900.00. YIKES...LOL.
I have no idea what I should be asking these sales people. I have no idea what accessories I need to be looking for. Lenses, filters....I'm clueless. I need some good advice!! HELP
Also, I'm a little leary of buying something this expensive off of Ebay, sight unseen. Any suggestions regarding that?
 
My family and I have always been making purchases through a company called "Ritz Camera" they have a great selection, good products and knowlageable staff.

I have the D50. Great camera. Similar to the D40 which I am pretty sure is the Nikon camera she talked to you about. The D50 is $750- $800 and I am not so sure about Cannon. I have heard great things about both. I prefer Nikon but there are also a large group of people that have Cannon cameras and love them. Both are fantastic cameras it comes down to things like exact price, how it feels in your hand, prices of accesories, things like that. The camera is one thing but another major component of photography is the quality of the lens. If you have an awesome camera (i.e. Nikon, Cannon) but a cheapo, cheezy, bad quality lens you are going to get not as good pictures.

There are a lot of components. I will stick around to see what others have to say.
 
The D40x is as good as the Rebel. Both manufacturers make good cameras. Everyone has their own personal preference as to which one they like better.

I started out using film cameras so my lenses are Canon.

Check out this site for more info on photography in general.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech.htm

For what it is worth - I have taken very good photos with a digital point and shoot that were as good as digital slr.
 
Hey returnofsid good to see you here.
I bought a Nikon D50 about two months ago and love it! It has been dicontinued due to the release of the D40, it's a good thing because whatever stores have them left have them at very good prices. I would get the camera body without the lens(around $450-500) and then pickup a lens like the Nikon 50mm f1.8 for about $100.
Here's a very good site that teaches you about photography.
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons/index.html
And it's about aquariums too.
Forgot to mention the major difference between the D40 and the D50 is that the D40 is a bit smaller, has no internal focusing mortor which means that you have to buy only AF lenses which are more expensive or stick to manual focusing, not a big deal. The D40 also has a bigger LCD. There are more differences listed on this link. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/
The comparison is about halfway down the page.
Good Luck.
 
^ I tried to make an account for that site and it said that it won't accept hotmail accounts, so I thought alright, I'll use my AOL acount and the same thing happened.
So what email account can I use?
 
Edwing, great to see you here as well. I see you all the time over on RF but haven't noticed you here. I guess here it's easy to get lost in the crowd...lol. Thanks for the input. I recently read some things you said on RF about cameras as well.
 
That's strange, when I signed up a few years ago hotmail is what I used for my e-mail address on the registration page.

Try your isp e-mail account unless that was what your aol try was.





<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9894303#post9894303 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edwing206
^ I tried to make an account for that site and it said that it won't accept hotmail accounts, so I thought alright, I'll use my AOL acount and the same thing happened.
So what email account can I use?
Click to expand...
 
Haha yeah. There's lots of people here and RF.
So have you made a decision on what camera you are going to buy?
 
ahuxman, thanks for your input...but maybe you're a lil' unclear what I'm looking for. I am NOT a professional photographer...I'm barely an amateur photographer. There's no way I'm spending $4500.00 on a camera body alone!!! I'm looking to spend $700.00-$900.00. I'm looking for something in the price range of a Rebel XTi or Nikon D40x....Not a $5000.00 camera!!!
 
Edwing...looking at the Nikon D40x body only...it's looking like it's over $700.00 for just the body. I'm unsure what the difference between the D40 and the D40x is. I do see that the D40x is 10 megapixel, which is more than the D40.
 
A quick snoop around the Fred Miranda buy and sell forum.

Canon 300D = $340

Canon 10D = $500

Nikon D50 = $400

So look at that ......... money left over to buy a nice macro lens for taking shots of your tank.

:)
 
Okay CyboRob, I have no idea what the 300D or 10D mean. I am somewhat familiar with the Nikon D50 though. I'm assuming those are used camera prices?
 
Yeap used camera. The 300D was the first Canon Rebel I believe.
The 10D is the older version of the 20D on now the newer 30D .... $1500 camera when it was new.

I doubt that I would ever buy a new camera again unless I came into a pile of money like I did when I purchased my 1DMK II

Drooling over the above mention MK III however, LOL
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9897873#post9897873 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by returnofsid
Okay CyboRob, I have no idea what the 300D or 10D mean. I am somewhat familiar with the Nikon D50 though. I'm assuming those are used camera prices?
Click to expand...

Fwiw, may I suggest a point and shoot vs. all these doodad models people are throwing out.

There is nothing wrong with point and shoot. You don't have to go out and spend a ton of money on a good camera to get you started.

http://www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons/index.html is proof of that as he does a comparison between the p&s and digital slr and one was hard pressed to recognize the difference between the two unless you knew what you were looking for.

My Canon A630 is coming today so I'll take some shots tonight and try to post my pics.

Digital slr are great cameras (I'm planning on getting a Canon 30D myself), but the lenses will cost you some money. If you have a hard time understanding all the lingo out there that everyone is throwing around point and shoot maybe your best bet. I honestly don't want to demean you, but a good point and shoot for about $200 to cut your teeth on so you can start developing your camera skills will be the best $200 you've spent.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

raidendex
Fixing White Balance
Replies
2
Views
141
wvned
wvned
M
Need Opinions on Hydros for 24gal Nano
Replies
12
Views
336
n2585722
n2585722
E
Looking for fake wood/resin wood post decor?
Replies
3
Views
133
ExitTrauma
E
D
Automated/bluetooth/wifi alert systems
Replies
7
Views
137
Dustin07
D
A
What kind of eel is this??
Replies
5
Views
184
wvned
wvned
Back
Top