Choosing a camera

[cpl40475]

Hey everyone
I'm wanting to get into some photography. I spoke with Beerguy in a PM about a camera I was looking at. He said it was a decent camera to start with. The camera is a Nikon D3000 W 55-200M lense. He said it would take decent shots and said to ask in here for other opinions on this and other cameras. At this time I'm just looking for a camera to take shots of kids on ATVs and some of friends and family. I want to eventually get into other type shots as well so I'm wondering what other cameras in the 4 to $600 range would be good to start with.

 

[curlykid]

nikon D3000 are prolly the best for the price. I use a 55-200mm on my D300s and i hate it. If you want a nice, sharp image, i would get the 60mm macro lens. I'm getting that one soon. Good luck!

 

[cpl40475]

nikon D3000 are prolly the best for the price. I use a 55-200mm on my D300s and i hate it. If you want a nice, sharp image, i would get the 60mm macro lens. I'm getting that one soon. Good luck!

Thank Curly
I guess this is the camera I will buy was hoping for some of others in here to chime in and see what they would suggest for a starter camera.

 

[username in use]

Get what feels comfortable in your hands and what function/button layout you like. All the censors are pretty similar between nikon, canon and the likes, it comes down to what you like. You can take great shots with a point and shoot if you know what your doing, so try them before you buy them if you can.

 

[cpl40475]

We have had several P&S cameras. I've taken some decent pictures with them. I cant find a pic of a Tulip that I took from the Whitehouse lawn one rainy night. It turned out really good..now I have to find it to prove it lol.

 

[xtm]

The D3000 is a good beginner body, and it's good enough for what you will use it for. The 55-200 VR lens is an underrated lens. I've used it and think highly of it. For a $600 budget, you can get a D3000, 18-55 and 55-200 VR kit lenses.

B&H has a deal on refurb D3000's. $389 for a body + 18-55: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/635660/Nikon_25462_D3000_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

You can get the 55-200VR for around 150.. If you can stretch the budget, you should also consider the 35 1.8 prime for low light-- you can get these for around $150 used.

 

[cpl40475]

Cool thanks for the link XTM. Ill have to do some surfing there and a few other websites also for ideas. I may post some other stuff I find and see what everyone thinks of the camera and or Lenses.

 

[Misled]

Before you buy anything, do this:

Get what feels comfortable in your hands and what function/button layout you like.

If it ain't comfortable, you won't use it.

 

[Flems]

I've gotta second that. If you haven't gotten in to a store, you should head to a local photo store to try a few out. The staff will likely be a bit more knowledgeable and will likely have a larger lineup to try out.

 

[cpl40475]

Thanks everyone
I'm more concerned about not getting a decent camera or more than I really need. We have one local shop thats very reputable BUT just like a LFS I'm afraid of the Oh you deff need to get this and that. I knew there were some VERY VERY talented people here so thats why I came here asking for advice on the one I mentioned or what I should be looking for.

 

[curlykid]

hey, i just thought of this. If you buy a used d3000 body for $200, you can buy a few nice lenses (macros, long range, wide angle, or fish eye) I would have done this if my budget was in the smaller range. hope you find the right combination, remember, a nikkor tag on a lens doesn't mean you have to pay 300 extra. try sigmas and others, you may find that you like them better.

 

[cpl40475]

TY Curly
I'll look into sigma also. I'm not sold on Nikkon or Cannon. I know theres other brands out there so hearing about sigma is another one I'll deff check out. Like I said i dont want to buy a camera just cause the guy at the shop says thats what I have to have.

 

[mpc]

Hi there!
Some facts about D3000. It doesn't have built-in auto-focus motor - which means you won't be able to use auto-focus on earlier generation lenses - and there are some good lenses and a large second hand market of them. Additionally Nikon hasn't Image Stabilization built into the body. If you would like the Image Stabilization option you would have to open your wallet - N and C use optical stabilization built-in the lens which rises the price tag of such IS lenses. So you can think about this... is it OK or not OK (for you).

Then there is Pentax - also has some entry level cameras that are very affordable. Pentax comes with a built-in IS which will work with all lenses - even manual M42 lenses. Also comes with built-in auto-focus motor that will enable full functionality of older AF lenses. Some models have seals that provide weather resistance - when used with Weather Resistant lenses you can be quite sure that your cam will handle quite nasty weather. Yep some models use 4xAA batteries - some consider this as an advantage some as disadvantage. Auto focus sensor is a bit slower than on competitor models - performs slower in low light but in normal conditions this probably won't be a problem. Use of older M42 lenses is hassle-free - just requires a simple adapter to physically mount the lens and that is it. BTW there are many great manual M42 lenses out there.
About Sigma lenses - they are cheaper but I would recommend getting only ones from the EX lineup (with the golden stripe) - more expensive tho but the quality is better. Actually lenses are more important than the body - so it doesn't quite matter which body you choose - if your lens is c**p then there is no way your image will turn out in superb quality.
Maybe you don't need SLR - maybe it would be enough for you to go with a compact with interchangeable lenses and SLR-size sensor - something like Sony NEX series. Drawback is the price but might be worth considering because in some situations it is not very joyful to carry around SLR (~1 kg) on your shoulder. Lots of considerations.

It is just a matter to find a right camera for you - it actually doesn't matter which brand it is. If you are happy with your purchase then the money is well spent.

 

[Flems]

I also should have stated that in my first post as well. Most of the image qualities nowadays vary in the lenses. The higher end lenses (Canon L lineup, some of the pricier Nikon Lenses, the EX Sigma lenses) all yeild an overall sharper and contrastier image. Many of the higher-end cameras simply incorporate more bells and whistles into the design. The high end cameras also have better low-light performance with regards to image noise and focusing as well.

When it comes to lenses, the higher end ones will produce a sharper image in almost any situation. Those with a smaller f-stop number/larger opening (ex. f/2,f/2.8 vs f/3.5,f/5.6) will also perform better under low light conditions without the use of IS.

Bottom line is a good lens will be a good lens on any camera body, but a good camera coupled with a kit/standard lens will be limited by the low qualities of lens.

 

[IPT]

I skimmed what others had to say so sorry if I am redundant. I agree that you need to get them in your hand (if possible). I am a Canon guy, but I have heard Nikon has a better ergonomic layout regarding it's ease of use. However, I have never used a Nikon and have NO PROBLEM at all with my Canon, so, not sure how much truth there is in that. I personally think a lot of it is just what you get used to.

Consider getting a used Body. Especially with all the new released bodies (7D and 5D2) there are some GOOD bodies on the used market. Like stated, the lens makes a big difference. Like also stated a faster (read, more expensive) lens is important. Especially regarding the F stop (F2, F2.8) Letting in more light is important for low light. Alos, for your intended purposes there are two other benefits. One, the more light the lens lets in the better the cameras focus can work (and on some higher end bodies at wide F stops extra sensors are even able to be used). Second, if you want to take portraits and the like, shooting with a wide open lens (low F stop) produces the soft background that helps the subject stand out (read about DOF (depth of field)).

Lastly, once you buy good lenses you'll be upgrading the body and keeping the lenses about forever. Get good lenses up front. You'll get better pictures with a cheap consumer body and high quality lens then a pro body with a cheap lens.

Aside for the advent of IS and a new generation of lenses made for digital (like the 70-200F2.8L IS II) if you get a good lens there is usually not any reason to upgrade. Since you are buying it now you can futureproof yourself to a large extent.

One last thing, but I am not sure if this still stands true. Canon used to have a better line up of lenses to choose from that were also I think a little more friendly priced.

Okay, one more thing. You budget is gonna make this all tough. However, the Canon 50mm F1.8L lens is great for portraits, fast, it's sharp, and only like $70. Not the most bombproof lens built, but a solid performer and cheep.