Is this a good camera?

[Tarashi]

i think i might have found my first official camera, but i would like to know what ya'll think.

http://estore.usa.canon.com/webapp/w...category=12078
that's the url that will take you to my camera, well, the one i want at least. I've looked at it there, and it seems like it would be a good one, but ya'll are the pros, so i wanted you're advice.

[ukanfoff]

wow thats a big ass point n shoot.

have u looked into some SLRs or D-SLRs?

[Tarashi]

what's the difference?? and how much do they run?? i'm not to rich right now so.....

[Nike]

in short, the main difference is that with a compact cam you are limited to one built in lens, while with (d)slrs you have the opportunity to switch lenses, which is quite an advantage. Superzoom compact cams are nice if you want to travel and not take much stuff with you and take mainly snap shots, but they also have disadvantages - the're limited in quality, usually quite slow regarding the light, might be limited in macro, too - and with a dslr you can adjust to almost every situation, choosing the right lens for it.

It depends on what you want to do - a dslr makes sense if you really want to influence your shots, if you want to be able to adjust to various different situation, if you want to do action or wildlife photos (for which compact cameras are too slow and too limited). If you mainly want to take snapshots and enjoy to use a superzoom, a compact cam might be a good choice.

here are some links with more detailed comparisons, they might help, even if one of them refers to quite old models (but that doesn't really matter, since the principle is the same):

http://www.digicamguides.com/learn/slr-vs-compact.html

http://ca.geocities.com/spirope/dslr.htm

http://www.digicamhelp.com/buying-gu...es/dslr-ps.php

there are dslrs in various price ranges, but usually the camera is the cheapest thing you buy - the lenses are what can become the really expensive part of the story. Then again, you don't have to buy everything at once, but collect more over the years

I had to wait for my dslr and most of my lenses for quite a while (had to save money, too...) - but in retrospect I think the money was well invested and I don't regret it.

[Jabo]

I wouldn't buy such a huge compact camera for such a high price. Go for a entry-level DSLR. They should be a little more expensive (about 450 with a good kit-lens) but the advantage over the point and shoot you looked into will compensate for it 1000%.

[Tarashi]

kk, thanks for the knowledge, got any ideas for a good dslr can be bought more than likely on a wal-mart salary?

[Tarashi]

well, I've been looking, and i think i might have found one, but i don't know where to find the info on cost for this thing.

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/im...d2xs/index.htm

and, i don't really know if it's any good. anybody know??

I've also found some things for the Nikon D40x, is that one any good and if so, bout how much?

[D-Holme]

If money is an issue, as so often is the case, then looking at a second hand DLSR might be an idea for you. From my experience alot of lenses and bodies are so well built they can be a real bargin. The last two bodies I've used have both been second hand and been bought for much less than the list price and I've had no problems with either.

Where you are in the world will effect which used-suppliers are good, maybe someone can recommend somewhere in the states(?) for you.

[Tarashi]

kool. and yes the states, i live in Arkansas, if that helps anyone.

[Jabo]

The D2Xs is a (dated) professional camera that comes in at around 5000 bucks for just the body (= no lens). So you might wanna look into something at the lower end of the line

The D40x was Nikon's lowest entry-level camera and was replaced by the D60 last year. So if you wanna look into that, search for the D60 instead. It starts at about 450 Euro with a 18-55mm kit lens.

[Tarashi]

kool. thanks for the info, so, what's the conversion from euro's to american dollars??

[ukanfoff]

look in dpreview.com for cam stuff,
look up in amazon.com if u wanna buy stuff..

thats what i did.

[ukanfoff]

Originally Posted by Tarashi

kool. thanks for the info, so, what's the conversion from euro's to american dollars??

1.00 Euro = 1.30 U.S. Dollars

[Jabo]

Have you ever thought for yourself, Tarashi? I'm sorry, but that's just beyond… credibility.

[ukanfoff]

Originally Posted by Jabo

Have you ever thought for yourself, Tarashi? I'm sorry, but that's just beyond… credibility.

good point.

[Grumbledook]

am i right in thinking the d60 doesn't even have auto exposure bracketing though?

that's a hellava useful feature

[Jabo]

Yeah, the D60 doesn't have a bracketing function (not too much of an issue unless you're a landscape photographer). Somehow manufacturers have to separate their lines for the sake of price tags… The worst thing concerning the D40/x/D60 is that they don't have an AF-motor, which limits the lens choice considerably. But a D90 is still around 800 bucks, which is too much for most people.

I still think the low line cameras looks and feels crippled without the top LCD and the small width. But then again I even found the D70/D90 to be too small and fiddly…

[Grumbledook]

ah i knew the d40 didn't have the motor didn't realise the d60 didn't either, isn't the d80 the next one up?

I know the canon 1000d has it (their cheapest dslr) though I believe if you shop around the 400d can be had for a good price

can probably get a good second hand deal on them now the 450d is out (these are the rebel series in north america)

[Jabo]

Nikon's low- and mid-end line is (sorted by date):

Entry-Level (lots of features removed, lower build quality than the rest, small):
D50 / D40 / D40X / D60

Consumer (all you need, fully compatible with the rest of Nikon's line, normal sized):
D70 / D70s / D80 / D90

I don't know much about Canon's product line. Most people at my uni use Canons, I think they start being good at or above the 40D/50D. Below that, the build quality is questionable IMO. I haven't used the new 450D yet, though.

[ukanfoff]

ill stick along the lines of nikon d90 or canon xsi....

just for starters...

nothin below that cause u just might be cutting yourself short in the future.

[Tarashi]

Le-sigh. so, in other words, it's gonna be a pain in the arse to find a good yet affordable dslr. cuz, that's about what i'm getting.

i found a camera, i think i can find it again. if so, i'll post the link in here, but i've gotta find it first.

[Jabo]

Originally Posted by ukanfoff

ill stick along the lines of nikon d90 or canon xsi....

just for starters...

nothin below that cause u just might be cutting yourself short in the future.

ukanfoff: i didnt want to suggest the d90 isnt a good camera. indeed, its hard to believe that it is up to the d300 in almost every aspect. but yeah, below that isnt really economic.

tarashi: is it ever easy to find the right product? for me, every time i.buy something its a pain in the arse to decide which one is best. thats just how it goes especially when its about these amounts of money. buy and forget!

[Grumbledook]

I know a lot of people with canon 300d 350d 400d and 450d

sure the build quality isn't as good as the higher range but corners gotta be cut somewhere

for an entry level dslr they are good and don't have as many features cut as the nikon line appears to

the second hand market is also the largest from any manufacturer

[Jabo]

I don't intend to start a brand war here. I think it's not important at all which one of the brands you choose, but that you choose one and stick to it. This is just economical thinking. The camera bodies themselves are one of the cheaper investments that you make in your photography life. So when you have chosen to buy half a dozen expensive Canon lenses and three top-line flashes plus odds, you'd be dumb to switch to Nikon just because they have a better camera out at the moment.

Hence the phrase, buy and forget. My best pictures were taken before I had read anything about exposures with a (now) 10 year old Canon Ixus V2 point and shoot camera in just available light. It's never the camera. But once you plan on doing something prior to the actual shooting, the more features you will want in order to have all the opportunities.

my 2c

[Grumbledook]

indeed, I wasn't intending to start a brand war either, but give some more info to help make a buying decision

I'd love a one of the newer higher end nikon's but I've got a 40d already

seeing how useful I find auto exposure bracketing though, I wouldn't want a body that didn't do it

course with so many options out there its not really an easy decision, took me ages to decide to go for canon in the end heh