Photography people please come in here

[MojoJojo]

I know that this question is a little broad but I'm going to ask it anyway.

What digital camera would you recommend for a beginner?

I want a camera that I can grow into and that my wife will like.(She's into 35mm)

I have heard great things about the A85. Any thoughts?

I would like something that I can buy lenses for as interest and money allow.

Maybe something like the shape of a regular camera?

Chime in with your opinions.

I would like to spend $200-$650ish.

Thanks.

 

[Excelsior]

Hm..something you can buy lenses for..like a dSLR?

for $650 that will be difficult.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Hm..something you can buy lenses for..like a dSLR?

for $650 that will be difficult.

Most of the consumer digicams have adapter lenses you can add, but that's a far cry from a DSLR.

You have quite the budget range. Maybe something like a PowerShot G5? Or how about a PowerShot IS?

If your wife is into 35mm, you'll probably want something in the higher end range....

If you can tack on an extra 350$, I'd highly recommend taking he plunge and getting a Canon Digital Rebel. You won't be sorry.. but maybe that's a little too high end for your tastes.

There is nothing wrong with the Canon PowerShot A series. They would be light on the wallet, perfect for point and shoot, and would give you the opportunity to also learn a bit of manual photography if you're so inclined.

The G3/5 is basically the same, just a little more higher end. You should be able to find a G5 with a nice accessory package for ~650$.

 

[MojoJojo]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Hm..something you can buy lenses for..like a dSLR?

for $650 that will be difficult.

Most of the consumer digicams have adapter lenses you can add, but that's a far cry from a DSLR.

You have quite the budget range. Maybe something like a PowerShot G5? Or how about a PowerShot IS?

If your wife is into 35mm, you'll probably want something in the higher end range....

If you can tack on an extra 350$, I'd highly recommend taking he plunge and getting a Canon Digital Rebel. You won't be sorry.. but maybe that's a little too high end for your tastes.

There is nothing wrong with the Canon PowerShot A series. They would be light on the wallet, perfect for point and shoot, and would give you the opportunity to also learn a bit of manual photography if you're so inclined.

The G3/5 is basically the same, just a little more higher end. You should be able to find a G5 with a nice accessory package for ~650$.

So should I go for the Rebel?
For that price should I be looking at something else.
I just dont want to have a $650 camera and be wishing down the road that i had bought the $1000 camera.
I hate when that happens.
I'm sure all you computer people can relate. 😉

 

[psiu]

Imaging Resource

Digital Photography Review

Steve's Digicam's

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: MojoJojo

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Hm..something you can buy lenses for..like a dSLR?

for $650 that will be difficult.

Most of the consumer digicams have adapter lenses you can add, but that's a far cry from a DSLR.

You have quite the budget range. Maybe something like a PowerShot G5? Or how about a PowerShot IS?

If your wife is into 35mm, you'll probably want something in the higher end range....

If you can tack on an extra 350$, I'd highly recommend taking he plunge and getting a Canon Digital Rebel. You won't be sorry.. but maybe that's a little too high end for your tastes.

There is nothing wrong with the Canon PowerShot A series. They would be light on the wallet, perfect for point and shoot, and would give you the opportunity to also learn a bit of manual photography if you're so inclined.

The G3/5 is basically the same, just a little more higher end. You should be able to find a G5 with a nice accessory package for ~650$.

So should I go for the Rebel?
For that price should I be looking at something else.
I just dont want to have a $650 camera and be wishing down the road that i had bought the $1000 camera.
I hate when that happens.
I'm sure all you computer people can relate. 😉

Yeah, that would suck.

It just depends on how into photography you are. I don't know. I have an PowerShot A60, and while it's a good camera.. I would sell my soul for a Digital Rebel.. there is just no comparing them to a fixed lens consumer - even prosumer - camera.

And the sky is the limit as far as lens upgrades go. It really is the better camera, but only you can decide if the extra cost is worth it to you. I don't know how cheap they are now, but I'm pretty sure the basic kit can be had for like 900$ now, maybe even like 850..

Yeah, Adorama has the body+lens kit for 870.. I don't know if that is the cheapest or not, probably not.. especially if you can get in on a hot deal.

In my opinion, since you are already prepared to spend 650.. the extra 250$ is well worth it.. although, you will most likely end up spending more because you will want a bigger CF card, camera bag, tripod, cleaning kit, etc..... but isn't it that way with every new foray? 😉

If your wife is seriously into 35mm(SLRs?) and is going to be using the camera a lot, I think that pretty much seals the deal. She will probably be unhappy with a more point and shoot, smaller cam.. unless that is what you are looking for.

As for others... there is nothing that compares with the Digital Rebel as far as bang for your buck, unless you can be satisfied with a regular consumer point and shoot.

And don't get me wrong, the Rebel can be a point and shoot camera too... it's just in a much higher class than a regular consumer digital camera.

Although, with the Rebel so cheap.. that line seems to be changing......

 

[psiu]

Check out the "find the camera for you" at imaging resource, best camera's at steve's digicams, and also dave's picks at imaging resource.

 

[Eli]

On the other hand, I would hate to sell you into thinking you need the Rebel if you really don't. It just totally depends on what you need and want in a camera and what you think you will need and want in the future. I recommend doing more research at the sites psiu has linked to if you are still fuzzy.

 

[McCarthy]

I may be missing a critical point here, but if your wife is into 35mm, why change? Digi isn't going away, seems if she (you both?) are already happy, why mess with a good thing? Just wondering.

I haven't been looking at digi a lot lately since I have a good 3MP Olympus from a few years ago and an 2MP $50 "craptastic" (crap, but fantastic in that I don't have to worry about breaking it) digi to tote everywhere. Neither is anywhere near as much fun as film yet though, even as each is so much more convenient for showing off snaps to friends online.

 

[kranky]

I recently picked up a Panasonic Lumix FZ20 and I'm very impressed. It's the first serious digicam I've owned - all my other good cameras were 35mm. The FZ20 has a list price of $600, and with Circuit City discount codes and a rebate I got it for $460 + tax.

Regarding using different lenses, what kind of lenses would you want to use? The FZ20 has a (35mm equivalent) zoom range of 35mm-420mm. For me, that covers everything I need. But if I did need more, there are adapters that allow using wide-angle and telephoto converters to extend that zoom range in either direction. It's got a 35mm form factor so it resembles an SLR.

I've had interchangable lenses for my 35mm film cameras but I can't imagine any need to be able to do it with the FZ20. If I was a pro, that would be a different story. If you have a big enough optical zoom and image stabilization, you may never miss having the option to change lenses.

I think the features you will want in order to "grow into it" are: combination of exposure modes (aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual), a hot shoe, macro focusing, manual and automatic white balance, manual focus option, and a electronic viewfinder in addition to the LCD screen. The biggest thing I hate about many digicams is that you can't see the LCD screen in bright sunlight, so I really like having a viewfinder also.

Research using the above links to see what people like and dislike about different models.