Digital Cameras ...

[Pauly]

Hey guys, I haven't done photography for about 3-4 years now, but I'm looking at taking it up again - This time with a digital camera ;)

So I need some help! I'd like a few suggestions in different price brackets, and if possible the positives/negatives from your point of view. Price is sort of an issue, but of course I'd rather look at value for money.

[Christina]

It depends. Do you want a Point & Shoot camera that will take good photos just for fun or do you want to get into amateur photography with a good DSLR? You can get a decent 8.1MP/10MP point & shoot camera for about $249USD. You can put together a decent starter DSLR package for about $1300USD. This would include 1 camera body, 1 good lens, decent memory card, and maybe a backup battery. Quality lenses are what helps you get quality photos suitable for many different outputs.

[Corey Bryant]

We have a Sony Cybershot DSC-W80 (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665061062), DSC-F828, and DCR-PC110. I bought the W80 when I dropped DSC-S500 one too many times. For the most part, the W80 is great. I will say my pictures have improved from the S500. A lot of the images were blurry but the W80 seems to take care of that.

I don't use the F828 all that much and now the PC110 usually just sits there gathering dust. I was hesitant on buying the W80 because the battery was a rechargable one and not powered by 2 AAs. I was afraid that I might run out and then be stuck while recharging. (I did buy a back-up battery but I have not needed to use it yet.) Out here in Colorado it seems that the rechargable batteries wear out faster for some reason. It uses the memory stick duo which I liked since we have a few of those and has an internal memory as well. It is small (3 9/16" x 2 5/16" x 7/8" ) enough to take with us almost anywhere, fitting into my back pocket if I don't have the case hooked to my belt.

The F828 does a lot, but most of the time too much for me. I used to love photography (still do) but just not that much time to get out to take a lot of pictures.

[Pauly]

@C - I would like to get into amateur photography again. I haven't spent much time figuring out what I need(And being honest not much clue what I need).

You can put together a decent starter DSLR package for about $1300USD. This would include 1 camera body, 1 good lens, decent memory card, and maybe a backup battery. Quality lenses are what helps you get quality photos suitable for many different outputs.

I assume you have some suggestions? ;)

@Corey - I love(d) photography too, although admittedly I do have more free time these days. I'm pretty sure rechargable batteries are the same no matter where you go though :lol:

Also, while I'm at it, if you know of any resources to help me get back into it that'd be great. I have some of my old course material here but I was only on it for 4-5 months(We didn't learn much about cameras, more just how they worked and taking photos), and I've bought a couple of mags from my local.

[Christina]

Pauly, there's a lot of good info on the net. I did some major research before my purchase recently (noted in my gadget thread).

I chose the Canon Rebel XTi 400D. Rave reviews from every source I could find. It also rated high amongst new photographers as well as veterans. While in Los Angeles this past week, I saw on TV that they are advertising the XTi for the football ads for the NFL here which was pretty cool. The 400D is a 10.1MP camera.

They make an older body which is the 350D but only 8.1MP (I believe). So, if you can't fully invest in the 400D which is the body to get, then get a 350D and buy a nice starter lens. I think there's about a $200 difference between the 350/400D but I'm not sure. Check all the prices for the body only and then decided.

Do not buy a camera with the kit lens. It is worthless. It may seem like a good deal but the lens is best used as a paperweight! So research lenses. I chose to go with the Canon EF 28-135mm IS Zoom lens over my other choice for now. I still want to get the Canon EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS lens as well as a nice macro lens. For now though, my choice for a good all in one will do.

Here are some links that I have saved that are/were helpful to me in my purchase.

http://photo.net/equipment/building-a-digital-slr-system/
http://photo.net/equipment/canon/digital_rebel_xti/
http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/camera/settings/night-slr-settings.shtml


Plus, there's a Canon rebate for anyone in the UK on lenses and other equipment from Canon. I don't have a link though. Some sufficient googling could bring it up though. I think it'll run til' January. Other than that, I'm a fan of Canon over Nikon. Konica Minolta was bought by Sony so I stay away from them.

As for point and shoot though, I love my Samsung Digimax. It takes great photos and video at 8.1MP. Very sharp.

[Christina]

Here are some sample images (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sample-Pictures.aspx?Equipment=116&desc=Canon-EF-28-135mm-f3.5-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Sample-Pictures) of shots taken with the lens that I chose to purchse. Hopefully I'll get it by the end of this week so I can have a hands on review :)

[Pauly]

Hey C, thanks for the info & links. I found the rebate from Googling a little earlier, for anyone in the UK intersted it runs Oct - Dec(In time for xmas), you can get 50£ rebate for the 40D and the 400D, there's also a bunch of lenses but I don't have the link handy right now.

Those are nice pictures. I prefer capturing landscapes/scenery over portraits. When I was in college I focused on landscape quite a lot over those few months, I found it much more interesting/entertaining.

Anyhow, I found the 400D body for £369 on Amazon, which after looking around seems pretty good. I'm not sure I'll be taking advantage of the rebate though. Now to look for a lense ;)

[Christina]

No problem!! Unfortunately for us in the U.S., we only get the lens rebates :( No camera body rebates! That's an excellent price you found for the camera body! Mine was $604 with shipping and no tax (from J&R!). If I hadn't bought it online from them, I would have had to pay tax and probably a high shipping cost. I got the black camera body which costs more than the silver camera body. Which one is the one you are getting?

Don't forget a decent sized Compact Flash Card, Lens Filters (to protect your lens), camera bag or lens case and body case, and a back up battery!

[Pauly]

I find that we tend to spend a bit more on most hardware/software than you guys over the pond, although some is around the same. I'm going to start ordering my software from the U.S, especially from Adobe, the difference is insane!

The £369 is for the black camera body, although it includes 17.5% VAT which I'll be able to claim back at the end of the tax year. So around £305/$622 without rebate. With the rebate and VAT return £263. Not too shabby! I'm not sure which color I'll get yet, it does seem like a really good camera, but I have my PC to pay off first (Which cost way too much, should of bought a Mac!). There might be something else giving it a run for its money by then.

Don't forget a decent sized Compact Flash Card, Lens Filters (to protect your lens), camera bag or lens case and body case, and a back up battery!

Noted!