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Camera Help

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phatmancislo
Posts: 27 - Karma: 10
Im new to photography and needed some help on picking out a good starter camera for like $400-$600.


This is the camera I was thinking of getting.http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10089228&catid=20220
Nov 12 2007 7:19PM
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bsmith01
Posts: 1639 - Karma: 43
Id say spend a little more and get a dslr. Something like this would be good:
http://http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6G-Zoom-Nikkor/dp/B000NOEDGK/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-0490768-6319652?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1194913790&sr=8-1
Nov 12 2007 7:31PM
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bsmith01
Posts: 1639 - Karma: 43
I guess I should say why.  The camera you were looking at is like a really nice point and shoot.  It probably has a decent amount of manual features but if you get in to photography you are going to need a dslr.  I used to have something similar to what you were looking at (alot older tho because I bought it like 4 years ago) and I took a photography class and got frustrated with limited shutter speeds and apertures and probably one of the biggest thing for ski photography, shutter delay.  Also, I had a limit of 5 multishots.
Nov 12 2007 7:43PM
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phatmancislo
Posts: 27 - Karma: 10
Dslrs are good for like multishots right?

Sorry sort of new photography still trying to learn this.
Nov 12 2007 7:48PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
aaah, I love that about my dslr, no shutter delay. click and the picture is taken, none of that time wasting crap.


check out photo.net to see reviews and sort of get an idea of what a dslr is. you could also just look at  the sites for canon/nikon/sony/olmypus... to see what dslrs they have and what the difference is.
Nov 12 2007 7:57PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
You can get a nikon d40 for that price with the kit lense. Perfect pro/am camera for beginners.

NO POINT AND SHOOT is ANYTHING close to as a good as any Dslr.
Stay away from the PNS cameras
Nov 12 2007 7:59PM
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phatmancislo
Posts: 27 - Karma: 10
Anyone specific cameras you suggest?
Nov 12 2007 7:59PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
Canon rebel xt or nikon d40. Two of the intro level cameras for professional photography. Don't let them fool you though, alot of pros use these for backups only because they can afford much nicer cameras. Both of these are real sick. Don't worry about shutter speed, aperture, etc. It will take some time to get used to and learn about, and all DSLRs will be able to shoot in pretty much any condition however you want.
Nov 12 2007 8:01PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
I agree. Its fun to shoot manual when you have the time, but i still find myself always shooting in aperture or auto mode when im shooting skiing.
Nov 12 2007 8:03PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
I just bought a Canon Rebel XTi. You could also go for some intro level Nikon dslr's like the d40 too.
Nov 12 2007 8:05PM
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phatmancislo
Posts: 27 - Karma: 10
I said before that im really new to photography, whats the difference between automatic and manual?
Nov 12 2007 8:08PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
In manual modes you have to set the shutter speed, aperture, white balance, f stop, exposure, etc according to the conditions you're shooting in. Auto does all this for you, but sometimes you can get creative.

heres an example of a long exposure with a 15 sec shutter speed and some weird white balance

Click for larger image

you couldnt do this with auto
Nov 12 2007 8:10PM
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phatmancislo
Posts: 27 - Karma: 10
alright sick, so you're saying nikon d40 or canon rebel is good for beginning?
Nov 12 2007 8:15PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
Yes. Honestly i'd go with the d40. i actually DID buy a d40 and love it.

One thing that sold me was when shooting in manual, it will show examples of what changing each factor (fstop, shutter, everything i just mentioned) will do to a sample picture.
It has great `control for beginners and if you dont feel comfortable with this, you can always shoot in auto.
i took these pics right of the box the first day i got it using auto.

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Click for larger image


Also look through my profile, all the pics from the latest comp i posted are shot in auto or aperture propriety mode



Nov 12 2007 8:20PM
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bsmith01
Posts: 1639 - Karma: 43
automatic does everything for you.  it senses the amount of light at the object you are aiming at and it adjusts the shutter speed and the aperture accordingly but it can sometimes be a little of.  Thats were manual comes in (but when it comes to skiing like someone else said, you will usually end up shooting auto which dslrs also come with).  Also when you want to do different kind of shot like long shutter speeds the manual features on a dslr are a must.  O and dslrs are great for multishots.
Nov 12 2007 8:24PM
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phatmancislo
Posts: 27 - Karma: 10
so basically the camera I wanted is a definete no?
It should to be a dslr?
Nov 12 2007 8:40PM
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1111111111111111
Posts: 1207 - Karma: 38
^yep, cant go wrong with a D40, i love mine.

Nov 12 2007 8:44PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
Yes and no, that camera you have is actually really good. Lets say a 7.5/10. but if you spend another $100 or so dollars you can get a 9/10 camera.
Nov 12 2007 8:48PM
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bsmith01
Posts: 1639 - Karma: 43
First, I think it is a very expensive point and shoot.  I mean if you are really looking into getting into photography you dont want a point and shoot.  If you just really want to take pics of you and your friends skiing, I guess you can get a point and shoot but you will have to deal with some problems like shutter lag(when you press the button it might take like a 1/4 second and you could miss the shot).  But you can still get shots just timing is key.  But if you do get a point and shoot, Id say get a cheaper one.  I mean you can find some on deal a day sites (www.dealadaytracker.com) for like 100 or less that are >5mp.
Nov 12 2007 8:49PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
Another thing... mega pixels mean nothing. I doubt you are going to be making 5'' by 7'' foot prints, so there is really no need for an 8mp camera. Anything around 5 or 6 is plenty. You will not be able to tell the difference between them with normal pictures
Nov 12 2007 8:49PM
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phatmancislo
Posts: 27 - Karma: 10
alright sick, thanks for all the help its really gonna make my choice easier
Nov 12 2007 8:52PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
i'm pretty sure this camera won't have that type of shutter lag. alot of the new high point n shoots have adjustable everything, but the pictures never come out as good as a Dslr. My 4 year old 6mp kodak has a 1/1600 to 60 sec shutter speed.
Nov 12 2007 8:52PM
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Powder*Whore
Posts: 482 - Karma: 116
http://www.shopcartusa.com/P_Nikon_D80_Digital_Camera_Body_Only_25412/PT_Y/?ic_campID=98

Here is a really god deal on a Nikon D80 which is what I shoot with, and if you get a decent lense you wont be disappointed with the work you will get. It has a really easy format to work with and the viewing screen on the back is pretty big so it is easy to view your images after shooting them. Here is some of my work with my D80

Box sesh at AltaRad Boarder Jibs Boxes
Nov 12 2007 9:19PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
are you kidding me? DONT BUY FROM THAT SITE. it is a con site, they will screw you over.
Nov 12 2007 9:49PM
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RJD2
Posts: 3532 - Karma: 921
This site i mean.... VERY BAD!

http://www.bestpricecameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=679296
Nov 12 2007 9:50PM
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*Koolaid*
Posts: 1242 - Karma: 16
Hey that my cat!
Nov 12 2007 9:57PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
also beware that a dslr is bigger and more expensive to buy/ buy new lenses which cost hundreds as well and it can be a lot to learn. but don't let that dissuade you! it's really fun to shoot around with my camera and I'm learning new things daily about taking pictures and how to set the camera etc. If it's something you're into then the dslr will be a great tool. I love it, I can play with my camera for hours taking shots and trying new things. totally worth it for me.
Nov 12 2007 10:15PM
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