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Please help me chose a camera, Thank you!!!

Ronisdragon

Ronisdragon

Why can't someday be now?
Joined
Jan 19, 2012
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Hi. I'm hoping for some feedback from you more experienced photographers. I have always just taken pictures at special events, vacations, etc. now I'm doing project life and I've decided to get a new camera. I am very new to photography. I wanted just a small cheap point and shoot. No problem. Then I started seeing photos others have taken and I noticed I LOVE photos with a blurry background or foreground. I've discovered that this has to do with depth of field. To try to learn how to duplicate this effect I spent some time today learning about ISO, shutter speed and aperture. I figured I'd just get an affordable point and shoot with manual controls. The thing is they are limited. The f-stops (a word I just learned) don't seem to be that small. On one camera I was considering that had an f-stop setting wouldn't go lower than 4 on manual. I don't want to spend much more than $250 (don't you love getting back taxes?). Of course im considering many other features as well. Ideally I'd like a camera I can easily put in my purse that will give me some artistic control and also just let me quickly snap a picture. Pretty much everyone has said to only consider canons and nikons. Is there anything else worth considering? Is there a particular model you would recommend? What other special things should I consider other than mega pixels and zoom? I think I might be looking for something that doesn't exist. Any point and shoot cameras you know of that will let me have a very narrow depth of field? I'm hoping once I get a camera and really learn to use it I will have greater control over depth of field than I'm seeing taking photos at the store. Also would you recommend actually buying the camera at Walmart, a camera store, best buy, online? Should i wait till the new cameras come out knowing their sales wont be that good right away but their features might be better? I really respect all of your opinions. I see so many beautiful photos you ladies have taken. Thanks so much I really appreciate it!!!!
 
It looks like you're pretty much settled for a point-and-shoot, but I don't have much advice to offer there. I have a D-SLR and I really wouldn't settle for anything else - I tote it around pretty much everywhere and it's so worth it (for me). It's not that bulky, but it does get heavy if you're carrying it around a lot. I realize it might not be in your budget, but I think it is totally worth saving up for (I think my entry level Canon goes for $600+ right now). I got mine for Christmas 2009 (best gift ever!! :beat) and I have bought a couple lenses since then. The f/stop really depends on your lens, so getting an SLR isn't enough - it all depends on the lens you get. But the f/4 you mentioned is quite nice anyway, if you use a long focal length. If you're planning on using your camera for indoor pictures mainly, though, I find it that P&S just don't cut it.

That said, I do not usually bring my D-SLR with me when I go on grocery errands and such, and I use DH's iPhone (3G) on those occasions. The photos suck really bad, but I edit them and make them usable - because it's all about the memories in the end.
 
Just to throw it out there are there any good inexpensive DSLR cameras out there? I'm considering it but it seems like a lot of money for a new hobby. Reading all of the reviews is a bit like reading Greek (well, only if you aren't Greek). I was so proud of myself for getting a very basic understanding of shutter speed, ISO, and f-Stop. If I got a DSLR could I start with just the lense it comes with or will I have to immediately spend lots on a zoom type lense whatever it is called. How do you pick between Canon and Nikon if you are new to both for either a point and shoot or a DSLR? Thanks a million!
 
The Nikon vs Canon thing is pretty much a preference thing. My limited experience has been that people just tend to stick with whichever brand they started with. They both make good cameras.

I am with Cristina and I love my DSLR and will pretty much drag it with me everywhere and am getting pretty uninhibited about pulling it out wherever I want to take a picture. It is an investment and definitely worth saving up for. That being said, I did a quick search on Adorama and they have a D3000 body that is refurbished for $279.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a kit lens, but would get a camera body and then buy a good prime lens like the 50 mm that you can get fairly inexpensively (around $125).
 
Can you please explain to me what a lens kit is? Are you suggesting I just buy a body and then buy a separate lens? Are the lenses offered for both Nikon and Canon comprable? Is the main difference the way the settings are operated? The model you mentioned is one I had looked at. Would you be comfortable buying a refurbished camera? Do you know if the lens it comes with is new or would it also be refurbished? To start off with will one lens be sufficient? DH has said no to spending $600+ for a camera but I think I can do about $300-$400 with some convincing. What else will I need for start up? Batteries, memory cards, case, lens cloth, lens cover? I don't have to worry about the flash right? I'm so excited! I'd like to get a DSLR if I can do it affordably while still being happy with it. I'm a total beginner so I have to figure everything out. I am so grateful for your feedback! I will keep researching! Please keep the comments coming! Best wishes, Roni

bderby said:
The Nikon vs Canon thing is pretty much a preference thing. My limited experience has been that people just tend to stick with whichever brand they started with. They both make good cameras.

I am with Cristina and I love my DSLR and will pretty much drag it with me everywhere and am getting pretty uninhibited about pulling it out wherever I want to take a picture. It is an investment and definitely worth saving up for. That being said, I did a quick search on Adorama and they have a D3000 body that is refurbished for $279.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a kit lens, but would get a camera body and then buy a good prime lens like the 50 mm that you can get fairly inexpensively (around $125).
Click to expand...
 
Well, if you are thinking point and shoot, what about a Canon S95? I haven't owned one, but when I was considering a point and shoot to carry in my purse all the time, I was recommended this by some ladies at Clickin Moms. It goes to a f/2.0. http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSh...=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1329143759&sr=1-1

I personally have a Nikon D90 and a 50 mm lens. I LOVE it. There are still times I want a tiny point and shoot to have in purse though - I end up taking bad pics on my kodak playsport video camera because it is what I have in my purse. The other good thing about Point and shoot is that you don't need additional lenses. To get the nice lenses for a DSLR, you will be spending a lot of money. My D90 and 50 mm setup was a bit over $1000. Totally worth it for me since I LOVE it and use it all the time, but if you aren't sure you are going to become a photography addict, I don't see anything wrong with a quality Point and shoot. You can always upgrade later if you catch the bug. :)
 
My only advice would be to get the best you can possibly afford. It would suck to spend $300 on one and then wish you'd gotten the $500 one later, ya know?
 
I actually am looking to sell my Canon Rebel XTi....I just upgraded but I loved this camera!! Shoot me a PM if you're interested! :)
 
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