Camera recommendation

[BobthePhotoGuy]

The coral/anemone shot above was taken with the kit lens. 18-55. LOL

Bob

 

[madweazl]

High megapixel on a small sensor is no bueno. That was another advantage the entry level Pentax had over the Canon and Nikon (usually have larger sensors). Dont get caught up with megapixels while shopping.

 

[BobthePhotoGuy]

High megapixel on a small sensor is no bueno. That was another advantage the entry level Pentax had over the Canon and Nikon (usually have larger sensors). Dont get caught up with megapixels while shopping.

The above shots are 24mp on an apsc size sensor. go figure!! Technology is moving fast!!

BTW I also shoot medium format film!

 

[madweazl]

For comparison sake, a 5d MkIII has 22mp on a full size sensor. The more you stuff into a small sensor, the more noise and CA you inherently add to the image.

If your wife wants a point/shoot that gives manual options and lens flexibility in a small package, the NEX is a pretty nice camera.

 

[BobthePhotoGuy]

For comparison sake, a 5d MkIII has 22mp on a full size sensor. The more you stuff into a small sensor, the more noise and CA you inherently add to the image.

If your wife wants a point/shoot that gives manual options and lens flexibility in a small package, the NEX is a pretty nice camera.

I was ready to jump on the full frame band wagon. Yes if you have the need the 128,000 iso is nice. Yes the wide angle photography is nice. for the money, if I need that type of resolution I will shoot medium format. I don't take 15 shots to make 1 good shot, I take 1 maybe two shots for that good shot.

I love digital and it is what I learned on.

For a first camera, you don;t need full frame. Save the money and get some good glass and learn the art of photography. It will take you farther then any camera body ever will.

BTW OP Have you thought of buying your wife a class on photography at the local community college? It will do more for her photography then any camera can!!

Bob

 

[azjohnny]

IMO a lot will depend on what will be your style of picture taking. If your pictures will be a lot of action shots go with a Canon 7D, its a top of the line non full frame and it is a very fast camera. Invest in a decent to good body but the lens quality is where you should sink your money

I agree with Bob, full frame is not needed to get really nice pics

 

[Tschupe]

Best buy has the d7000 with 18-140mm for $800 or for $110 they give u a 55-300mm lens ., memory card and bag.

 

[Kalakuhan]

Best buy has the d7000 with 18-140mm for $800 or for $110 they give u a 55-300mm lens ., memory card and bag.

Hey Tim,
Nice camera! I surprised the wife with that one last year.
I think i'm gonna get me, i mean her, a macro lens this year.

 

[madweazl]

My reference to the MkIII wasnt to steer somebody to going full frame, only to illustrate that MP should be the absolute last thing you consider when purchasing a digital camera. 12mp on a good sensor will provide better results than 20mp on an undersized sensor.

I think a quality body is the best investment you can make in photography. It will stay with you for years while you have a blast trying different glass.

 

[BobthePhotoGuy]

I think a quality body is the best investment you can make in photography. It will stay with you for years while you have a blast trying different glass.

I will disagree with the above.

I've been shooting digital since the Canon D30 (yes D30, not the 30D. D30 is a 3mp SLR and came out in 2000). I am on my 5th digital body in 10 years.

Digital technology moves fast. We are getting near the MP max (limitation is the lenses resolving power). The other areas are going to continue to increase such as speed, autofocus, sensor sensitivity (ISO), etc.

Lens technology has changed very little and good lenses will outlast a digital body by many years. Lenses also hold their value much better then bodies.

Bob

 

[Tschupe]

Bob. What are your opinions on the D7000? That seems like a good deal.

 

[BobthePhotoGuy]

I haven't looked much at SLR's lately (been getting back into film actually! LOL).

I believe the Nikon D7000 was released ~3 years ago and in the digital world that is a long time. It looks like it gets great reviews.

The specs look good and the reviews are good. My only worry would be that it is a 3 year old model.

Also women usually aren't as bad as us guys in having to own the newest and best. Therefore they do tend to keep this type of stuff longer.

Bob

 

[madweazl]

The Mk I has been around 8 years now and still capable of producing excellent photographs (would you prefer your NEX over an Mk I?). I'm a typical guy and always "want" something new even though I dont "need" something new. We get ooh'd and ahh'd by features that serve little purpose like video, ISOs so high you cant see the image through the grain, ultra fast continuous shooting when you may not take action shots, etc. The feature sets in cameras may be evolving quickly but the core components of what makes a dSLR a superior device, are not. Again, these are just my opinions so take them for what they are.