Freeper Recommendations on Starter Digital SLR Cameras

Self ^ | 5/15/2013 | USConservative

[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.

[usconservative]

They all have more than enough tho I would admit for a beginner camera the Nikon D3200 is pretty amazing with 24 MPs.

That's one of the camera's I'm looking at. Our "PHD" camera's have all been Nikon's and we've been happy with those.

I'm also looking at the Canon EOS Rebel T4i (I think that's the model..) which looks nice too.

Someone up the thread said it's more about the glass (lens) than the DSLR. Is that true? If I want to zoom in from the ship to the shore (we're taking an Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver up to near Anchorage with 2 days in Denali National Park) what type of lens do I need? Or are ship to shore pic's out of the question due to distance or the lens being too expensive?

I'm trying to stay under $750 for the camera and a decent lens....

[AlexW]

“What camera makes & model’s would be good for us for this trip?”
_____________________________________________

This would be a logical question ten years ago, but with today’s electronic cameras, I see excellent photos from very low cost cameras, and even from the mobile phone cams.
We have a new I-pad where we see a 10 inch photo instantly.
The quality is amazing.
We have a couple of other compact digital cams that take great photos, and I doubt that either of them cost more then 100 bucks.

[Snake65]

I was a pro photographer years ago.

Ever since I tried out a Canon PowerShot, the big camera bag has stayed home on trips. Mine’s a few years old now and I’ve done thousands of shots (we have three active kids). They have one now with a 50x zoom for about $500, I believe. I’d buy it in a shot if I were the least bit unhappy with my current camera. Even has a shoe for a real flash.

[usconservative]

I also recommend an 18-200mm zoom lens, which is good for about 99% of an average amateur photographer’s needs.

Thanks, that's just the kind of information I'm looking for.

[gaijin]

Forgot:

If you get either the GH-2 or NEX-5n above, then by ALL means get this ridiculously cheap and FANTASTIC lens:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fujian-35mm-F1-7-CCTV-TV-lens-Mount-to-EP1-EP2-GF1-GF2-/250810995226?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6580121a

It’s strictly manual, but ohhhhh man....wow. It’s originally made for security cameras, but it’s TOPS. Pro’s agree.

You put a cheap $5 adapter between it and either of the 2 cameras above.

GREAT LENS...!

[mojo114]

Over here!

[Vendome]

Resident expert needed on isle #2...

[ThunderSleeps]

Might blow your budget a little but the Nikon D5100.

I have a D5100 - really like it. It replaced a D-60 with a messed up shutter. (which I'll probably spend the $250 on to fix and give to my son) The newer digitals are getting better at not needing a ton of light to take good pictures.

Still, (to the original poster) pay attention to the specs. Go to a camera store and try out the user interfaces on several cameras. See what makes sense to you.

[raybbr]

Someone up the thread said it's more about the glass (lens) than the DSLR. Is that true? If I want to zoom in from the ship to the shore (we're taking an Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver up to near Anchorage with 2 days in Denali National Park) what type of lens do I need? Or are ship to shore pic's out of the question due to distance or the lens being too expensive?

It's ALL about the lenses. For what you are looking for a lens will cost over $2000. Look at the super-zooms in my previous post. I think that's a better fit for you.

[Vermont Lt]

I do not want to sound like a snob, but a decent lens from that distance is out of your price range.

You can get decent second hand lenses out there, so I would do some research and really ask yourself if you want to spend that much.

An alternative is to spend the money, then sell it after the trip.

I spent six grand on a lens four or five years ago, and sold it recently for just under five. The high quality stuff holds its value. I

But for what you are talking about you will spend as much on the lens as the body.

[ThunderSleeps]

Personally, I would tell you it’s about the glass, and not so much megapixels.

That's what I've heard too. I have some "decent" Nikon lenses, nothing fancy (ie. not something that cost 2x the camera body). I'd say get a modestly feature-equipped camera with good resolution, and spend the money on the optics and a good flash for inside/evening pics.

[mylife]

I picked up an old used Sony A100 DSLR on amazon for $200 for just that reason.
It uses all the old Minolta lenses.

[Stingray]

“Budget for a camera is $500-$750. Ease of use is key, zoom capability I’m guessing 30x - 40x.”

I just got my wife a Canon Rebel T3i (600D). Got it at Costco (kit) with 2 lenses included. I just checked costco.com and see that they don’t have the Canon T3i anymore, but they have the Nikon D3200 for about the same price. Can’t go wrong with the Nikon, either.

http://www.costco.com/Nikon-D3200-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100007777.html?catalogId=10701&categoryId=30412&identifier=digital-slr-cameras&langId=-1&storeId=10301&refine=30412%2B63

[gaijin]

1. Sony NEX-5n

2. Panasonic Lumix GH-2

3. Canon T3i (don’t screw it up and get the T3 —NO..!)

Any of those 3 are freaking fantastic. They have auto settings for dummies, but will relent and let a pro work his magic, too.

Look the key is at least get something that permits u to SWITCH LENSES:

Increasingly cameras are computers, and that means the camera platform WILL SOON CHANGE. When u discard that suckah in 2 years do u want to also throw away the lens? No.

Glass is forever, and you want to hold onto that and use it for the next platform, which is always coming down the pike in 1 year or less.

And do NOT get carried away with fancy proprietary full-auto lenses (even though I conceed they are quite nifty) cuz it’s a scam to get you permanently locked into ONE brand of (usually very expensive) camera.

On ebay you can get TONS of SUPER CHEAP adaptors made by Chinese slaves AS LONG AS your lenses are manual.

NOTE - People who work at Best Buy do NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CAMERAS;

“It’s here, yes. It’s for sale. It’s really good, and uh.....it takes pichures..”

[usconservative]

That looks like a good deal. I was looking at the D3200 earlier. Can’t tell what the difference is between the D3100 and D3200 — would whatever the difference is matter to a novice like me?

[Woodman]

I’m a Canon fan myself, but I will admit the Canon Nikon this is mostly just a preference.

[yarddog]

Yes it is true that the lens is probably the most important part but that really makes no difference as they all, except maybe Fuji have all the lenses you could want.

They all have cheap and expensive ones. Good and excellent ones. Sony is regularly introducing new Zeiss lenses which are world beaters but really are they that much better than Nikon or Canon?

I have an old Pentax DSLR with only 6 MP which has made some great pics. One of the best photographs I have ever made was with a Canon P&S which allowed an extreme close up of a dragon fly. It has 5 megapixels.

I will have to admit that I am probably going to get a full frame 24 MP the next time I get a new one. Nikon also has one with something like 32 Megapixels.

[usconservative]

NOTE - People who work at Best Buy do NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CAMERAS;

ROFL! In my experience, people at Best Buy don't know anything about anything. I was "showrooming" using Best Buy long before "showrooming" became a term. (Now they're not even good enough for that!)

Getting some really good practical advice on this thread - Freepers are the best!

[Errant]

They're expensive (around $600), but it's the only lens you'll likely need unless you wish to get into really long range telephoto lenses. You can get a 24MP Alpha for around the same amount or for a few hundred dollars more at the higher end models.

Sony has recently came out with a new alpha model that doesn't actually use SLR, but offers framing through the lens without the speed limiting of having to move a shutter out of the way to take the picture. Might be worth looking into.

You're going to love Alaska. Almost any direction you look is like looking at a picture postcard.

[gaijin]

If u find “The Frugal Filmmaker group” at Facebook, then you will have top pro’s giving you amazing advice; how to save money, how to not get scammed, how to have that same gizmo, but make it yourself...

GREAT RESOURCE.

A bunch of nice filmmakers w/o tons of dough.

Very active group, a lot like freeps.