Hey all....you guys sure take some awesome pics and put them on here....don't know if this is the right place to post this but let me know if It's not....I'm looking for a quality dslr for my girlfriend yet I have NO clue where to start. Could somebody give me some pointers on brands, quality, etc? If you could throw some help this way it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!! Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
There is a photography section and somebody might move this thread there...anyway couple guys here really know thier stuff but basically it depends on what you want to spend and what you expect out of it...Canon, Nikon, Sony all make good cameras and Fuji makes decent ones to...there are more brands that are just ok and a couple I don't think you can afford(I can only dream of those) - I get good enough pics for me from an old Canon S3 IS that basically a hybrid dslr/point and shoot. But something like the Canon Rebel line could be an affordable and acceptable choice for you/her. You will get a lot of options suggested(I hope)...but how far advanced into photography is she...do you want professional pics and all the bells and whistles and lens options available to you. You can spend 500$ or 5000$(a little less or lots more) and you will get what you pay for. *though I do know if you are patient you can find a Rebel Tsi on ebay for around 100$ used that needs an easy fix to the sd card slot and contacts(they are on there all the time-for parts not working)...if you are looking for a good deal on a decent camera
thanks! I will check that out. Talked to a guy that does a lot of photography today and he recommended bhphoto.com. Checked them out and found a nikon that seemed pretty decently priced for what it was. I've noticed in looking around that most of the dslr's are 10-15 mp. The nikon I saw was 24 mp. Does it really make a huge difference? She is taking some classes on this and using several different cameras in the class. She is very passionate on taking pics and has taken several sessions for friends, but really needs a better camera to advance. So, I guess she is looking at going professional with her pics. Have you ever heard of bhphoto.com?
I don't know of them but looks like competitive pricing. I am usually looking for good used cameras that are a couple years old because I am going to open them up and poke around and hopefully attach some wires so I can hook em up to a control board with PIR sensor...usually just better point and shoots are what I am looking for...btw the Rebel T3i is what I meant to put in the last post. Anyway -check out these threads(and more) - what they say about fit is definitely true and how easy to hold the camera may mean the difference between covering the flash with a finger or jerking when shuttering the picture and the perfect shot so best if she can try them out somewhere before you purchase. http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?34125-My-wife-wants-to-start-photography http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?34321-Which-DSLR http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?32224-dslr-canon-or-sony-or-nikon I go here for reviews first before I consider purchasing cameras for my homebrews but covers almost any camera you could want. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/
One more thing to consider is that the higher megapixels doesn't necessarily mean better pictures...better lens, better glass = better picture...higher mps will show your defects more(dust on lens, scratches etc as well as poor quality glass if you skimp on the lens) - my S3 IS is 6 mp with what I think is a good zoom and a decent lens - at least good enough for me.
Next thing to lens quality is transfer rate. How quickly does the picture tranfer to the memory when the button is pushed? If the transfer rate is not fairly fast, framing photos of objects thate are moving (even slowly) is difficult.
Have some experience with the Cannon 40D, great camera. Can even take pictures in complete dark without using a flash when you adjust the exposure time and iso.
Canon is what I use and I wouldn't look at anything else. I would look on some of the photography forums and pic up a used body. The glass is where you will want to spend money. Good glass is not cheap and there is a reason for that, because it is worth it. Figure 5-600 bucks on a body (used) and about the same on your first lens......Blake
I recently entered the world of DSLR cameras. I was leaning towards the Canon's or Nikon's and they are great camera's, but ended up with a Sony A57. For a mid range entry level camera, it is just packed full of features and you get a lot of bang for your buck. The downside is that Sony is fairly new into the DSLR market, but they purchase Minolta and developed their camera off that platform. Which means that the Minolta Maxxum lenses will fit the A mount of the Sony cameras. There's a pretty large number of those lenses available on Ebay. Sony themselves do not have the the same lens lineup that Canon or Nikon does, but as w. everything Sony does, they will be one of the major players in DSLR cameras in the near future. The A57 is capable of taking 10 shots per second at full 16mp, and 12 shots per second at 8mp. This was a major factor in my decision. Being able to capture actions shots was very important to us. It also takes 1080p video @ several frame rates upto 60p and has auto-focus for the video which is not common on DSLR cameras. Like I said before, The Canon and Nikon's are great cameras, but the features on the Sony are what sold me.
Thanks for all the help. This community is one of the best on the net!!! I will have to post some pics after she gets going. Hopefully one of me and a nice buck come November!!! Thanks again Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Hey guys, I like all the suggestions and I feel I can offer a few tips too. To start off, you gotta think price range. Also, to help save a few bucks, look into ebay or craigslist. I like Canons or Nikons because used and new lenses are readily available, used or new. I own a Canon 60d and I thought I "bought too much" but now I want more. Its a fun hobby and I enjoy it. Sky is the limit on whats available. The kit lenses they come with are pretty good, then your going to want a longer telophoto for zoom. I go on and on. For starters, look into the Canon Rebel line. T1i, T2i, T3i or even T4i. Find out what your uses would be. Many models offer HD video options. You will be pleased with the capabilities!
Thanks trevor. She really liked the feel of the canon in her hands and how it was set up for her. Guess now all we have to do is go narrow down which one she wants. Going to go look today! Thanks again Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Well....she decided her starter camera would be the canon t2i. And got an extra lens for better zoom. We didn't think there was enough difference between the 2 & 3 to spend the xtra $$$. And I'm sure this will be an ok backup later.....cuz I feel the canon 7d is coming soon like Christmas time! Haha. I even used it and got a great shot of my mom's choc lab tonight half asleep in front of the fireplace. User friendly it is! Cuz I'm photochallenged!!! Thanks for all the help!!! Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Not a problem tc3144. My girlfriend has the t3i and she got it because she knew how much I loved the articulating screen on my 60d for video and photos. The t2i is an excellent choice! After digging into the camera you will find that there is so much you can learn and do with it. On a side note, so you are aware...the Canon 7d uses CF cards, not sd cards like the rebel cameras and the 60d does. Its an excellent camera but you will not be able to share memory cards.
