What's your favorite Camera?

Kellpiejo · 11-30-2011, 02:36 PM

I'm looking at getting a camera for Christmas. My dad recently purchased a Sony A55 DSLR camera and I've been going to some classes with him and learning about all the options you have with a DSLR, so I'm wanting to get a good camera that I can play with the options and take some really neat pictures. My problem is I'm not sure I'm ready to invest the money for a DSLR so does anyone have camera that has manual modes like the DSLR's but are more cost effective? I'm looking at probably the $350-$500 range, if possible.

shaner82 · 11-30-2011, 11:24 PM

Just saw that there are some Canon's (slr) on Amazon for as low as 499.00. I have had 3 Canon Rebels, and I LOVE them. Good luck.

Cook22 · 12-01-2011, 01:56 AM

I'm an Olympus girl all the way, but as that ties you in to the three-fourths lens system it's probably not an option you want to consider

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cletracloversgirl · 12-04-2011, 05:24 PM

Love My Canons! I have a Canon 30D and the EOS Rebel 35mm....You can Ebay the Canon and get the 30D for around $600 complete with lenses and bag....Taishea

Kate Stamps · 12-10-2011, 07:54 AM

I have one of the first Rebels that was put out. My husband says I'm ready for a new one... but I LOVE the one I have and don't really want a new one.

AkhJustice · 12-29-2011, 05:59 PM

LOL, I used a Canon film SLR and a Nikon DSLR for college. I used a Canon for my professional work with Lifetouch, and a Fuji nikon-ripoff at Portrait Studio and Nikons at the Picture People.... Lens length meant more to me than the back to tell the truth. So, look at lenses closely - what brands can work with your chosen back, what options do you have, what do they cost? I do say stick with either a Canon or a Nikon, the cheaper plastic DSLR's out there are just that....I used a Sony and the sensor died on us....

Also consider a used camera. You can find a 5 year old DSLR with lens and kit for what a new cheaper one will cost. $600 will get you more in a used camera from a reputable dealer like Penn Camera than a sale at a Best Buy.

BTW, unless you are doing high fashion or billboards, a 5 year old 10 mega pixel DSLR with a 70mm lens will give you a portrait image you can blow up 16x20 inches just fine. I do weddings, engagements and school work and have never had anyone require an image larger than 11x14, or a landscape larger than 16x20 for home decor. Shooting raw, I was able to create 24x36 posters for my college's theatre troupe.

kelwil · 01-06-2012, 07:16 PM

If you are buying a used camera, 5 yrs. is old. A camera only has a shutter life, there are programs on line so you can check your camera and what the shutter count is. You can also find the camera by brand and what it's life is.
Nikon or Canon have great cameras for the beginner, I'm a Canon girl, but I have heard that Nikon might be cheaper to get into. The Canon Rebel is a great camera. Your money will be spent on lenses, buy a body, not a kit, if you can avoid it. Look on Craigs list, local ads, and you will see dozens of 'kit' lenses because no one loves them.
Find a good local store, go in and ask questions, small businesses might be more expensive but they are usually more knowledgeable. Some will even match prices to keep you.

terriboo · 02-15-2012, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelwil

Your money will be spent on lenses, buy a body, not a kit, if you can avoid it. Look on Craigs list, local ads, and you will see dozens of 'kit' lenses because no one loves them.

First THANKS to all for the great advice!!

I am also in the market for a new DSLR (been using a point and shoot Canon) and finally have almost all the $$ saved

Just have a few questions for you seasoned pros...

I've narrowed my choice down to a Nikon D5100...it was between that and the Canon Rebel 3Ti but since I already have a great Video camera I followed most of the on-line reviews and committed to the Nikon family.

Question #1 Are the kits not worth it? Wouldn't I need the 18-55mm lens for basic shots?

Question #2 My DS is a hockey goalie and would like to shoot action shots from the stands what would anyone recommend as a 2nd telephoto lens in a moderate price point? Would a 55-200mm lens be enough or should I invest a little more and get a 55-300mm?

THANK YOU in advance!
Terri

SummerBreeze · 03-23-2012, 04:30 PM

[QUOTE=terriboo;19188753]First THANKS to all for the great advice!!

I am also in the market for a new DSLR (been using a point and shoot Canon) and finally have almost all the $$ saved

Just have a few questions for you seasoned pros...

I've narrowed my choice down to a Nikon D5100...it was between that and the Canon Rebel 3Ti but since I already have a great Video camera I followed most of the on-line reviews and committed to the Nikon family.

Question #1 Are the kits not worth it? Wouldn't I need the 18-55mm lens for basic shots?

Question #2 My DS is a hockey goalie and would like to shoot action shots from the stands what would anyone recommend as a 2nd telephoto lens in a moderate price point? Would a 55-200mm lens be enough or should I invest a little more and get a 55-300mm?

THANK YOU in advance!

HI there! My newest camera model is the Nikon 5100, and I LOVE it!! Great ISO, easy to adjust the settings, good clarity---It's a great DSLR. There is one thing they(NIKON) should have mentioned about the camera; if you want a off-camer-flash, get the 7000. The 5100 does not have the commander built in it. I had to buy another flash and commader unit for the other flash(SB-600.)

Q1: It depends on what is in the kit. Yes, the 18-55 is a necessity.

Q2: Yes. I went ahead and got the 300. It's a great lens too.

juttaoy · 04-05-2012, 06:03 AM

My favorite camera is Canon EOS 7D

c-mouse · 05-10-2012, 07:55 PM

I own the Sony Alpha 7 and love it....I did NOT ever use the kit lens as I know they are not the quality I require in a lens....I have Tamron 18-270 quiet motor f3.5-6.3 and love it for my "can only take one lens" lens...I also have Sigma"s 50mm macro f2.8, 105 macro f2.8, 50-500 f4-f6.3 zoom and Sony's gold series 70-200 f2.8 constant lens...
I use the tamron and Sony lenses the most....
This is my 3rd Sony body (ie; Konica -Minolta 5D, and Minolta Maxxum 7 which were bought by Sony)---and I have never been able to wear one out.....They are sturdy and great for advanced amature shooters.....
That said,,,I bought my son a Canon T3i for Christmas as that was what he wanted...and I didn't buy the kit lens...I bought the body and then purchased him a better lens to go with the body...He will probably receive a second lens with more zoom for Christmas t his year.
Spend on the lens....but don't discount good third party lenses....Sigma and Tamron both have good reps and have a large variety of lenses to fit most major bodies(Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentex, ). Have fun shooting. and share what you shoot.