Recommend me a digital camera!

[NexDog]

My digital camera sucks. I can't make the most of it because I can't understand how it works (all in Japanese). I want to buy a great camera from the US or UK, buy it online and send it over here to Japan. If anyone knows any good sites and good cameras you'd be doing me a huge favour!

 

[gregr]

some questions for you, and some links.
how much do you want to spend?
what kinds of pictures do you want to use the camera for (full tank, close-ups, vacation photos, landscapes, architecture, wildlife, sports etc.)? which type is most important to you?
do you want to use it in full auto forever? as opposed to learning what all the settings mean and do, or in other words, do you plan on 'getting into' photography or do you just want to point and shoot?
here is a link to an article that will help you make a good choice.
B&H is considered to be very trustworthy and they have good prices. however, they don't have the lowest of low prices. so if you end up finding a deal that you think may be too good to be true, check them out before you buy on this website first.
and finally, dpreview is a great site for reviews and to look up the specs on all the cameras out there. be sure to check out the buying guide/side by side or buying guide/features search option.
hope this helps,
Greg

 

[cmhollis]

You can also find great review information on fredmiranda.com. I agree with Greg, it is about impossible to recommend a camera for you without knowing how much you want to spend, and what your ultimate goals are.

 

[NexDog]

Thanks for the replies. I mainly want to take great pictures of my tank but I also want it to be versatile enough to take normal pictures (kids out in the park, on holiday etc). I want to spend enough to get a great camera. I guess I'm willing to spend around a thousand dollars. I had envisioned much less but after taking a quick look here on B&H it seems the average camera is $1300? If that's what it takes then that's what it takes. I really am completely lost looking at that page. They all look the same to me.

I fed that article btw but I'm not sure it has helped me (maybe confused me more ). Does it really take $1300 to get a great digital camera?

 

[cmhollis]

In that price range I would recommend the Canon Digital Rebel 350 XT. Check out this link:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...8-_-Electronics-_-30-_-CanonRebel_BCEmail_118

Not a bad package for $1200, and this camera will be more than suffucient for your needs. But personally, I would just get the camera with the kit lens, for $899 and get a better printer and zoom. Plus, I understand that Costco offers some type of lifetime warranty, but I am not too sure on that.

I have also heard some good things about the Nikon D50, but it is 6.1MP vs. the Rebel's 8.0 for only $100 less.

If I were in your shoes, with what you want to spend and use the camera for, I would get the Rebel XT, and spend the extra on a good macro lens for your tank such as the EF 100 mm f2.8 macro for around $470 from B&H, and the 75-300 f/4.0-5.6 Image Stabilized lens for $440 from B&H. Add a good flash, and for around $2K you have a real good package that will do everything you want and more.

Mike

 

[Hoggn]

I have the Rebel XT and love it. It is easy to learn and takes great pics as well...

 

[NexDog]

In that price range I would recommend the Canon Digital Rebel 350 XT. Check out this link:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...8-_-Electronics-_-30-_-CanonRebel_BCEmail_118

Not a bad package for $1200, and this camera will be more than suffucient for your needs. But personally, I would just get the camera with the kit lens, for $899 and get a better printer and zoom. Plus, I understand that Costco offers some type of lifetime warranty, but I am not too sure on that.

I have also heard some good things about the Nikon D50, but it is 6.1MP vs. the Rebel's 8.0 for only $100 less.

If I were in your shoes, with what you want to spend and use the camera for, I would get the Rebel XT, and spend the extra on a good macro lens for your tank such as the EF 100 mm f2.8 macro for around $470 from B&H, and the 75-300 f/4.0-5.6 Image Stabilized lens for $440 from B&H. Add a good flash, and for around $2K you have a real good package that will do everything you want and more.

Mike

Great info, thank you! What exactly are the extra macro lenses? Are theses close up lenses? And what's the difference between the two you mention. How about some kind of wide angle lens for full tank shots?

 

[Hoggn]

the 100mm Macro is for close up shots... I think most of the close up shots you see here are from that lense.

The 75-300mm is a good all around lense for daily shooting. I use this lense often when taking pics of my kids outdoors...

 

[cmhollis]

A macro lens will allow you to focus at extremely close distances with great magnification. Here is the info from Canon's website on that lens:

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7400

The 75-300 is a good all-around zoom lens, which would come in very handy when you want to take shots of the kids at the park, playing soccer, baseball, etc. A wide angle lens would be good as well, but I would recommend the other two first.

Any EOS compatible lens (usually preceeded by EF) will work with this camera. Tamron also makes some pretty good EF lenses, at lower prices if that is a concern. Also, any of the Canon lenses with the L designation, such as in EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro denote Canon's professional line of lenses. They fetch a pretty good penny, but they are worth every cent. Plus, if you ever decide to sell some lenses later on to finance a better (or bigger lens), the L glass will retain its value better.

 

[theishkid]

If you want to go upwards into the 1300 dollar range, I would highly recommend a Canon D20, the rebels looked great but the D20 is going to be your best bet, plus I think canon is still offering some rebates on it. It doesn't take 1300 dollars to get a great camera, I just picked up the Nikon D50 as mentioned and it's pretty hard to beat for the price... (I got it for 740). As mentioned before, go check out dpreview.com. They have some of the best, most in-depth reviews available and a good comparison chart.

 

[cmhollis]

I have the Canon 20D, with the 18-55 kit lens (same one that comes with the Rebel), and I also purchased the 70-200 f/2.8L. I love that lens, it is amazing. Here is a sample shot from my 20D and 70-200 I took this morning of my son at the skeet range:

http://i.pbase.com/v3/84/503584/2/51548532.ElbowsUp.jpg

It is not a perfect shot, but very nice, and the wife wants a print of it. If you can afford the extra coin, go with the 20D. Many pro shooters make a living with this camera.

 

[NexDog]

Is this the 20D:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos20d/

I never really quite understood how much decent digital cameras cost until this day. I am truly scared.

Is there anything of comparable quality that is cheaper? I'd like to aim at $1500 for a full package - camera, few lenses and tripod. But if I'm going to be disappointed after spending $1500 I'd rather spend the 2 grand from the outset. As this is my first "real" camera should I be aiming lower or am I aiming at the right level. I mean I've got the cash for it no matter what but just need to know if the D20 or Rebel is good for the complete photography dunce I guess.

Thanks for the info so far, total godsend this place is.

 

[RRodrigues]

Go with 350D, you won't regret it!

Ricardo

 

[cmhollis]

To stay within your price range, I would go with the Rebel. You won't be disappointed. For a tripod I would recommend the Manfrotto 3021 Pro w/ the 488RC2 ballhead. I think both can be had from B&H for around $300. It is a very solid tripod, a little on the heavy side, but that isn't a bad thing unless you plan to do a lot of hiking with it. If money is no object go with a carbon fiber set of legs. The 3021Pro is a very solid, stable tripod that will serve you for many years.

Get the Rebel for $900, the two lenses for another $900, tripod for $300, a decent flash for a few hundred, memory cards (a couple smaller ones are better than one large one, that way you don't lose as many photo's when a card goes bad). You will also want an off-camera flash cord for taking tank shots. This cord screws into the camera hotshoe, and the flash screws into it. It allows you to hold the flash in your hand off to the side a little bit, that way you don't get those annoying flash reflections from the tank glass. You will also want extra rechargeables for the camera.

The Rebel XT is a decent camera, and you will be more than happy with it. If you want to shoot action sports such as motocross, car racing, etc, then you should go with the 20D as it has a better AI Servo system.

And yes, that link you have above is for the 20D. I have it, love it, want another.

 

[tokitay]

Nikon Coolpix. Great pics, easy to use, and affordable.

 

[hskim]

I spent $1600 and got Canon EOS Rebel XT (350D) with 18-55mm kit lense, ef-s 60MM MACRO and other accesories. But i should have got the 100mm Macro 60mm is little too short for aquarium macros but it take really sharp photos. If you spend little more you could get Sigma 150mm Macro lens which is what I want. I heard 150mm takes real sharp images from fredmiranda.com.

 

[hskim]

I spent $1600 and got Canon EOS Rebel XT (350D) with 18-55mm kit lense, ef-s 60MM MACRO and other accesories. But i should have got the 100mm Macro 60mm is little too short for aquarium macros but it take really sharp photos. If you spend little more you could get Sigma 150mm Macro lens which is what I want. I heard 150mm takes real sharp images from fredmiranda.com.

 

[NexDog]

Okay, great. Rebel XT for Christmas it is then!

 

[cmhollis]

You will not be disappointed. Join the boards over at www.fredmiranda.com, and start reading and learning how to take good photo's. Wouldn't hurt to pick up a book on digital photography either.

Also for digital editing, special effects, etc, the premier editing program is Adobe Photoshop CS. It is amazing the things you can do to a photo with it, and a book to learn PS CS as well.

 

[NexDog]

I have Photoshop but never learned how to use it. I guess this will give me the excuse I've been looking for. I'll certainly join that board and be posting stupid questions reminiscent of my postings a year ago on RC.

Can you recommend any good books on digital photography?