May I have some camera recommendations for under $500?
- Thread starter SeanT
- Start date
jedininja
New member
The G10 would be a great all-around camera for that price. I use the G9 as my backup camera for whenever I want to travel light. But if you did want to go for the dslr route, I would go used. You can get a used XT which is still a very good camera for about $250 and go with a used Sigma Macro 105mm F2.8 for about $300.
TitusvileSurfer
New member
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...477A002_Timer_Remote_Controller_TC_80N3.html. all the way
I also recommend the new Xsi, or a used Xti over the XS. I don't know that I would go as far back as an XT, but that isn't a bad recommendation. My beef with the XT is that the newer cameras have too many worthwhile perks to bother with it. That said it still takes a good picture, it just does it with obsolete technology. My beef with the XS is that it didn't get the useful technology even though it was available in the name of keeping the cost down. It is as obsolete as the XT brand new off the shelf. I just think they cut to many corners with it. If you are going to buy an XS just get a used XT for 1/3 the price.
I also recommend the new Xsi, or a used Xti over the XS. I don't know that I would go as far back as an XT, but that isn't a bad recommendation. My beef with the XT is that the newer cameras have too many worthwhile perks to bother with it. That said it still takes a good picture, it just does it with obsolete technology. My beef with the XS is that it didn't get the useful technology even though it was available in the name of keeping the cost down. It is as obsolete as the XT brand new off the shelf. I just think they cut to many corners with it. If you are going to buy an XS just get a used XT for 1/3 the price.
Last edited:
jedininja
New member
Even craigslist or ebay would work. I like craigslist if you can find something local so you can try it our first.
I would not worry about going back to the XT if that is what will fit in your budget. Its pretty much the same camera as the XTi, just with 8MP instead of 10MP. And 8MP will be more than enough for most people unless they are printing posters or doing some major cropping. I too would also go for the XT over the XS.
I would not worry about going back to the XT if that is what will fit in your budget. Its pretty much the same camera as the XTi, just with 8MP instead of 10MP. And 8MP will be more than enough for most people unless they are printing posters or doing some major cropping. I too would also go for the XT over the XS.
TitusvileSurfer
New member
I agree you won't be able to tell any difference between 8mp and 10mp unless you love cropping. The 10mp may even hurt more than it helps with the increased pixel density.
or were you referring to another post?
TitusvileSurfer
New member
You are doing a great job working around his budget. Used is the way to go!
Naw Skeptic edited his post saying I shouldn't have broken his down, so I threw that in there.
Naw Skeptic edited his post saying I shouldn't have broken his down, so I threw that in there.
Skeptic_07
New member
Here is a great website that does in depth reviews of almost every camera that is out there as well as having a side-by-side comparison and lots of sample photos. They have G10, all the above mentioned DSLRs and the panasonic mentioned as well as Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, etc.. This website has a TON of information.
http://www.dpreview.com/
The main drawbacks I found to the XS vs the XSi.
-No spot metering
-Less auto focus points
-Less megapixels
-smaller LCD
-plastic grip
-no IR reciever
-no viewfinder sensor
-1.5 FPS in RAW mode
I picked the XS over the XSi because it was about $200 cheaper for the XS and none of the drawbacks seemed to make it worth it to spend the extra money. No spot metering is a bummer, even though i don't know what it is, but the other stuff doesn't make a difference to me. I was able to try out the XSi before buying it and the grip definitely felt alot better. It was bigger and filled out my hands better, the grip on the XS was alot smaller and feels like it would be a better fit for women or children.
I didn't go for an XTi for a few reasons. No live view, no auto ISO, compact flash was a negative for me as I already had a 16gb SD card, smaller battery and no image stabilization lens.
Please don't feel like I'm trying to sell you a camera. I'm just sharing my own findings with you. I implore you to explore that website. Use the side by side comparison on all the camera models in your price range, SLR or not and look at the sample photos, read the reviews.
Also a word of advice when buying things used, if you decide to go that route, you will receive no warranty. You may get a better deal, but at the same time you may get a worse one. These cameras can get ruined pretty easily if the previous owner didn't take proper care of it. At the same time though, if you're patient and look hard, you can get stuff that is basically brand new for pennies on the dollar.
Good luck!
http://www.dpreview.com/
The main drawbacks I found to the XS vs the XSi.
-No spot metering
-Less auto focus points
-Less megapixels
-smaller LCD
-plastic grip
-no IR reciever
-no viewfinder sensor
-1.5 FPS in RAW mode
I picked the XS over the XSi because it was about $200 cheaper for the XS and none of the drawbacks seemed to make it worth it to spend the extra money. No spot metering is a bummer, even though i don't know what it is, but the other stuff doesn't make a difference to me. I was able to try out the XSi before buying it and the grip definitely felt alot better. It was bigger and filled out my hands better, the grip on the XS was alot smaller and feels like it would be a better fit for women or children.
I didn't go for an XTi for a few reasons. No live view, no auto ISO, compact flash was a negative for me as I already had a 16gb SD card, smaller battery and no image stabilization lens.
Please don't feel like I'm trying to sell you a camera. I'm just sharing my own findings with you. I implore you to explore that website. Use the side by side comparison on all the camera models in your price range, SLR or not and look at the sample photos, read the reviews.
Also a word of advice when buying things used, if you decide to go that route, you will receive no warranty. You may get a better deal, but at the same time you may get a worse one. These cameras can get ruined pretty easily if the previous owner didn't take proper care of it. At the same time though, if you're patient and look hard, you can get stuff that is basically brand new for pennies on the dollar.
Good luck!
SeanT
Premium Member
Would this camera be a good start to taking good macros?
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11208708&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=06&b=1&lang=en-US
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11208708&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=06&b=1&lang=en-US
The D40 is an excellent camera but it has some limitations. For macros, the main issue with that 'package' would be the lens: it can only do 1:3 magnification. You would need a true macro lens for 1:1 images.
BTW, the ad lists the lens as a 'IS; lens but Nikon doesn't brand their lens as 'IS' (that's a Canon term). There are two versions of the 18-55. The newer one has 'VR' (Nikon's name for IS) and the older one is non-VR. The VR version is a better lens. If you do buy this package, you should get the store to clarify which lens they are selling.
BTW, the ad lists the lens as a 'IS; lens but Nikon doesn't brand their lens as 'IS' (that's a Canon term). There are two versions of the 18-55. The newer one has 'VR' (Nikon's name for IS) and the older one is non-VR. The VR version is a better lens. If you do buy this package, you should get the store to clarify which lens they are selling.
TitusvileSurfer
New member
Yeah how weird is that? I think the equipment in that link is having an identity crisis. It just wants to be a Canon SO BAD! 
Read the DSLR sticky at the top of the forum if you haven't already. With the exception of the Rebel XS there really isn't a bad DSLR on the market. Canon and Nikon are going to less noisy at higher ISOs and have more options for expansion but any camera currently on the market will take excellent pictures when used properly with a quality lens.
Cheers
Cheers
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