Posted on 05/15/2013 6:26:58 PM PDT by usconservative
Not sure but this may be my first "vanity" thread since joining in 1998. In any case, I know there's folks on here who are deeply involved in photography and know lots about camera's and digital camera's -- something of which I know about zero.
I'm taking the better half on her dream vacation this summer to Alaska for her birthday. We have a small 12mp digital pocket camera, but are thinking we'd really need something better (better zoom, image stabilization for example) for some nice nature pic's.
I've been reading up on different camera's from SLR to DSLR and am frankly lost at this point. I don't know what I *should* buy as a good "starter" camera for taking nice pictures.
Our camera experience is limited to PHD (Push Here Dummy) camera's, although I've recently had some experience with a Nikon DSLR (?) Camera taking pictures at a charity event a few weeks ago. Received alot of compliments on the pictures. Don't remember the model of the camera I used, but it was pretty easy. Had a big zoom lens and auto-focus. Not much of a 'step up' from the PHD camera's we're used to.
I'm thinking most of the pictures we'll be taking will be of the Alaska scenery from ground and air (we have a plane tour and a helicopter ride to a glacier for lunch scheduled) and some whale watching as well.
Budget for a camera is $500-$750. Ease of use is key, zoom capability I'm guessing 30x - 40x.
help him out, would ya? :)
Bump cuz I wanna know too.
Me too.
Might blow your budget a little but the Nikon D5100.
Slightly less expensive, more friendly to novices but still very capable would be the Canon Eos Rebel T4i.
Should be plenty of reviews, ratings and comparisons to be found online via a web search.
I am a professional photographer.
When I am not working I use a Canon GX ( I think.). Not an SLR but about the most robust consumer camera out there.
Either one of the mid level Nikons or Canons will do the trick. But for that money you will come up a little wanting for lenses.
Personally, I would tell you it’s about the glass, and not so much megapixels.
assuming you don’t already have a bunch of lenses, it really doesn’t matter a whole lot which brand you get. They are all more than excellent.
DSLRs are one of those rare products in which there are no bad ones. I would not even worry about the number of pixels. They all have more than enough tho I would admit for a beginner camera the Nikon D3200 is pretty amazing with 24 MPs.
Pentax has the advantage that there are a whole lot of off brand (and name brand) lenses which will work with it.
Nikon and Canon probably have the most complete line of accessories tho Sony is really building up their line and a lot of the old Minolta Maxxum lenses work perfectly well on the Sony DSLRs.
“PHD (Push Here Dummy)”
LOL I love it!
Whatever it is, make sure it says ‘Canon’ on it!
Sony NEX-5n, used, Ebay... $330..?
If Yoda were a camera, then he’d be this one.
Switchable lenses, small form factor, very rich color. Just fantastic. Don’t be fooled by the size of that beast.
For $550 get a Panasonic Lumix GH-2 (very sharp, and not huge) with the kit lens.
Your only other choice is maybe a Canon T3i given that budget.
When you get $2,500 think about a used Canon 5D Mark 2 —but that’s after u get some experience.
Although it sounds like you want a super zoom ...zoom capability I'm guessing 30x - 40x." The 200mm lens won't give you that kind of zoom. A "superzoom", of which there are many are pretty good. I still use a Kodak Z712 when I want quick shots.
A DSLR takes some time to learn to use. Look for a local class on photography (I don't know where you live) that offers lessons on learning about lenses, light and exposure. Using a DSLR in "auto" mode kind of defeats the purpose of buying one....
Here is a link to the GX1 I mentioned before. It looks like a press the button cameras, but it has a ton of decent extra features.
http://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/compacts/canon_g1x
This very versatile Rebel SLR has very good image quality, especially in low light, and very good performance across the board. It has a very short first-shot delay, a quick response time and is very good at minimizing the effects of camera shake. It includes a swiveling LCD, for hard-to-reach shots. It also has an excellent through-the-lens viewfinder.
Details, pictures, data and more at Amazon
Shopping channel QVC sells a very nice Canon Rebel package for $549.
http://www.qvc.com/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T3-DSLR-12MP-Camera-with-2-Lenses-&-Bag-Cameras-Electronics.product.E224618.html?sc=E224618-Targeted&cm_sp=VIEWPOSITION-_-1-_-E224618&catentryImage=http://images-p.qvc.com/is/image/e/18/e224618.001?$uslarge$
They will have it to you in less than 10 days. This is where I got mine and I am very pleased.
IMO, Sony Alpha. They have models that will fit most budgets. I also recommend an 18-200mm zoom lens, which is good for about 99% of an average amateur photographer’s needs.
Nikon 5100 is a nice unit, easy to use, but something you can learn with too, got mine at SAMs with 2
lens case etc for about 700, worthy replacement for my trusty D70 that finally secumbed to old age and heavy use.
Canon makes a nice “prosumer” unit too. Be sure and get a unit you can grow with, experiment and have fun, digital sure changed the entire photograhy scene.
I currently have a Nikon D200, an advanced DSLR which takes good pictures, although I haven't completely mastered it. This is an older model--The D7000 and the new D7100 are its successors. The D3100 might be better as an entry-level model.
However, for most of my photography, I use a Canon Powershot G12 point-and-shoot camera, which is user-friendly and performs superbly.
If it only were as easy as — pick this one and this lens — there would be a lot less companies in the market.
If you have decided on a DSLR - it is hard to go too wrong with one of the major players (Nikon/Canon/Pentax). Don’t forget to include lenses in the total purchase. A DLSR only captures the light that the lens provides.
BUT - do you need a DSLR for the type of photography you want to do? The choices in the super-zoom P&S (point and shoot) market offer image stabilization and some very impressive functionality - all in 1 package - at prices that are in your price range.
Don’t ignore the DLSR market — but investigate the super-zoom P&S market prior to making your purchase. You might be very pleased with the products that exist there.
One major point to consider (any camera) - is how does the camera feel in your hand (and anyone else who will be using it). If the camera doesn’t fit - you won’t enjoy capturing the sights of Alaska.
(And for those who think I’m pushing that because I don’t like DLSR - I shoot Canon DLSRs with an assortment of L and non-L lenses - so yea, I do have some background in what I am saying.)
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