Big Girl Camera

[clarabear]

Okay...so I have been using my little Canon simple camera forever now but I've noticed it is getting to a point where I'm not liking the quality of the pictures...I think the camera is actually taking a crap. So, I could either spend $200 on another little camera or I could get a nicer camera. I of course want the nicer camera. I just don't know what is good. I was kinda looking at the Nikon D40 and also a Canon Rebel. The Nikon costs less and there are a lot of different types of Rebels which I didn't know.

So...what do you suggest and where would you buy it at?

 

[sandracvrt]

I have a Sony Alpha 100 (they don't make this one anymore), but it's FABULOUS! The good thing is that you can use Konica-Minolta lenses with the Alpha... the alpha 100 was the first one, but they have the 200 and 300 which are 10 MP and should be about the same price as the Nikon D40!

 

[Cat]

What I suggest is hold it in your hands first Get yourself to a store to look at them (you dont need to buy it there and then!! :lol: ) I have the Canon Rebel Xti which I adore I have always been a canon girl but I did go to my local photography store and held various cameras to see how the felt and of course the weight. One thing I would suggest is that if you do decide to go for an SLR then you should learn all about the camera, I personally think its pointless to spend so much money on a camera and not venture out of automatic.

If you are looking just for good pictures, I mean quality ie increasing the megapixels then maybe something like the Canon Powershot, its a kind of in between from your standard first time camera and your big SLR.

But first step would be to decide what you want from a camera are you wanting something that you and just P&S, or do you want something where you learn about shutter speeds and ISO. Next step once you have decided that is to go into a store and ask to see and hold some cameras fitting your specifications, then search for a good place to buy. I actually got mine from Ebay saving myself around £500

 

[danenan]

I am in love with my Nikon D50, it's not that heavy and the pictures are really amazing!
But I agree with Cat, you have to hold it in your hand to feel what is right. I once had a Leica, but that was way too heavy for me. Never took it with me for that reason.
I also own a little Panasonic, but the quality of the photos is nothing like the Nikon.

 

[helenh]

I agree with Cat.

I have had a Canon Powershot for a couple of years and LOVE it. It is amazing.

Just last week DH bought me a Canon EOS1000D - whoa! Learning curve here I come.

But let me tell you, I was thoroughly spoilt with my Powershot and it will still serve a purpose for its swivel screen, colour accent and movie features.

Good luck Clara whatever you decide.

 

[t_a_l_i]

Eric got me a Nikon D40 and I'm really, really happy with it.

I am still definitely learning, but, I rarely use the automatic setting. I am hoping to get "the" great camera book for my birthday, the one everyone pimps. We'll see if it's all that, or if it confuses me even more.

 

[katg1006]

What I suggest is hold it in your hands first :smile: Get yourself to a store to look at them (you dont need to buy it there and then!! :lol: )

That is exactly my thoughts! Even though the may be the best rated...etc...I have found that the best way is to hold them and check them out in the store. Do not be afraid to ask the sales clerk to put batteries in it either so you can actually take a few shots to see how it feels.

 

[dabittymama]

If you are looking just for good pictures, I mean quality ie increasing the megapixels then maybe something like the Canon Powershot, its a kind of in between from your standard first time camera and your big SLR.

I got a powershot last year and I have been really happy with it. I wanted something small enough to fit in my purse that I could point and click to take good pictures of my fast moving children.

 

[helenh]

I am hoping to get "the" great camera book for my birthday, the one everyone pimps. We'll see if it's all that, or if it confuses me even more.

So Tali....what is "the" book...."understanding exposure" ????

 

[wombat146]

I am another Powershot fan.........have had mine for 12 months now and really love it! I LOVE the swivel screen as well and because it has the option for both automatic and manual settings I have been learning heaps while still being able to take quality photos. I am saving my pennies to buy the wide angle and telephoto lens available for it - no doubt creating some more learning curves!!!

 

[t_a_l_i]

Helen - yep. I have heard good things about it, but I'm just hoping that it is in language that is understandable enough for me that it is worth it. If it's a great book but not easy for me to understand, then I'm going to be looking for another book.

 

[Jakajer]

I agree with the ladies here. Go to a store and try a few out. Even if you don't know exactly what your looking for in a camera, hold a few different kinds, snap a few pics (hopefully they'll have a card so you can do this.. they should). I'm a Nikon gal myself, but I'm sure the Rebels are great too.. everyone seems to have their own love.. mine just happens to be Nikon. :wink:
I started with the D40.. it was an AWESOME camera to learn on.. I had it for about a year and a half and upgraded to the D90. One of the good things about SLR's is that they seem to hold their value pretty well, and I can sell my old camera to help with the cost of my new one.
Have fun shopping!

 

[NicosMommy]

Clara....

funny you should ask this....I don't know if you remember but just a couple of weeks ago I was telling everyone how my husband gave me $$ for my birthday to get my "big girl camera"........I am so ready for a grown up camera! I love my canon digital elph, its little and does the job, but Im just not impressed w/ it anymore. The quality Is sucky. I have gone to a few stores and tried a bunch out and I really do like the D40. So much so, that I ordered it tonight!!!!! Yay!!!! Ive been hemming and hawing about it for 2 weeks and I finally just bit the bullet. Good luck in whatever you choose, but def. go try them out!!!!

 

[clarabear]

I did remember your post Kelly. I was wondering what you ended up with...plus I liked your "big ggirl camera" terminology and stole it. haha

 

[Bush Girl]

Great advice to try the weight out before you buy.

We're a Canon family - I get my DH's hand me downs, so I'm currently on a Canon EOS 20D and he's on a Canon EOS 5D (sorry, don't know the "names" of these - we only use their model numbers in the UK/Singapore). Both these camera bodies are made of metal not plastic so they are heavier than usual and took some getting used to. I still find the 5D with DH's lens of choice on (a stonking great 24-70L) too heavy and get blurry shots due to camera shake. So it doesn't matter how good the camera is, if the operator can't handle it!

Whichever brand you go for, I really recommend a 50mm lens - it lives on my camera all the time. Means you have to run around your shots rather than zoom, but the clarity is awesome. Our first 50mm only cost like Singapore $100, which I think was about US$50. We have since upgraded but this lens together with the kit lens you'll get when you purchase will keep you going for a while.

And another recommendation - Adobe Lightroom. I know we all have photo processing capabilities in the software we scrapbook with, but you just gotta see Lightroom in action! The things you can do with a RAW photo (and a jpeg, but you get less room to manoeuver) are amazing, especially with V2.

 

[lialotito]

Clara,

Both Nikon and Cannon are great cameras... it's just a matter of taste. I lot of sites recommend a D40 as the best "cost-benefit" for SLR cameras. Look at some reviews in Google...

I got a D80 from my DH and the quality is amazing... but the built-in flash stopped working and I get a little disappointed, because Nikon doesn't have a technical assistance in the country I live (Ecuador)... next month I'll travel to USA and will fix it, but because of this problem, I haven't use the camera for 5 months... So, be sure to check if there is a technical assistance for the product you are going to buy.

I do have a little Canon powershot and I think they are great. Mine is really an old model (I bought it in 2004) and I have plans to buy a new Canon SD880. I like to have a small and light camera that you can bring anywhere... the D80 with the lens is really heavy and sometimes you can't carry it to some places.

But the girls are right... try them in a shop, if you have a friend ask to use it...

Good shopping !

 

[sandracvrt]

I'm still learning my alpha... hubby bought me a couple of books for it at Christmas, I just haven't had time to wade through them yet... and I agree... you need to hold one in your hands and decide for yourself... Nikon and Canon are both great cameras... I think everyone leaves Sony out of the running, but definitely check it out... my pictures are awesome and if you need books there are a couple good ones out there for it!

 

[clarabear]

OKay ladies. Thanks for all of your advice. I am going to go to the camera store today and hold a few cameras, see what I like. I know I want a camera that has an automatic setting for when I just want to get some pics taken but also has setting for me to play with. I used to have a fancy 35mm that I could play with all the setting on which I loved. I just need something automatic too so that I don't miss some fun pictures of the kids while I am still learning. Sounds like most of the cameras switch back and forth. I'm really thinking the Nikon since it seems to be the least expensive...but if I don't like how it feels it won't do me any good. I wouldn't have thought of that. I think I will check craigslist and ebay too. They have some good deals sometimes.

 

[mei74]

How fun! I got the Nikon d40 over the summer, and it's awesome. I love it -- it felt better in my hand than the Cannon. Happy shopping.

 

[clarabear]

So, I went to the camera store today and found what I like. I held the nikon and canon and I prefer the Nikon. The canon felt top heavy too me. It sounds like people always go for one or the other. the Nikon of heavier but I think I would be able to hold it steadier. I found one for $449 online at an e-bay store that was reccomended to me. Does anyone have a store that they reccommend? Now I just have to convince my husband that I should have it now instead of waiting for my birthday in June. I wish I was turning 30 this year instead of last year cuz then he couldn't say no. I am taking him skydiving for Father's day...but he doesn't knwo that so I can't bribe him with it. Hmmm...

 

[Jakajer]

I think that's a great choice Clara!
.. can't really recommend anything.. I always buy from a local store.