OT - Camera question

[Sam_2.0]

I want to get a real camera and experiment with taking pics and learn more about photography. For those who are into photography (pro or hobby), what is a good camera to start out with?

[sbcalimom]

We have a Nikon D3000 (dslr) that we've had since DD1 was about 7 months old. I really only know how to use it with the auto function but DH has taken some really cool pictures with it using the other functionalities. It was about $600ish at Costco and well worth every penny.

[swasat]

I'd recommend a DSLR camera. Both Nikon and Canon make great DSLR cameras.

We have Canon Rebel which we bought at Costco for $700. 2 months ago DH purchases that big lens (don't know what its called) separately from Best Buy for $250. We have been very happy with the camera.

[bring in the new year]

Sam, do you currently use a point & shoot or are you just getting started in general?

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

I have a Cannon Rebel DSLR also, and love it.

[busybee]

;D

[startsmart]

like sbcaligirl I have the Nikon D300 DSLR It's very intuitive for those just learning to use a camera beyond the basic digital camera but you can do a lot with the advanced functions.

best bet is to ask friends and family to test out their camera and see what you like.

Also with the holidays coming up they'll have some good sales at major retailers so you can probably beat the current prices.

[kent]

My personal preference is Nikon but Cannon makes an good product as well.

I'd suggest any camera you purchase have features that allow you to have a pinpoint focus on your subject while leaving the background blurred - take a look at Barbie on this site to see what I mean by that.

www.savegsd.org/dogdetail.asp?id=3941#photos

[Sam_2.0]

Thanks for the suggestions Right now I just have a Kodak Easy Share, but I would love to be able to do a lot more. I think I know what's going to be on my Christmas list this year.

[Frugal Nurse]

I was a part-time pro photographer for about 5 years. A lot of my colleagues used Nikon and Cannon DSLRs. I prefer the Pentax, but that is just because I fell in love will the old film SLR Pentax cameras when I was younger.

I would recommend going to a local camera store and looking at them. I have small hands, the Nikon and Cannons are huge and heavy (at least they were 7 years ago when I bought my DSLR). The Pentax was smaller and lighter, which was nice because when I shot weddings, I had to hold that camera for about 4 hours straight.

Also, read reviews on the different cameras. Each brand has come out with some camera models that are absolute junk; you want to avoid those.

My biggest camera mistake was that I picked one that used traditional batteries, instead of a lithium-ion one (pentax didn't have a camera that ran on lithium ion at that time). DSLRs run through regular batteries pretty quickly, but a lithium ion battery will last you awhile.

[chicg]

Sam - I'm a Cannon girl, I have a DSLR (Rebel) that is amazing and a small PowerShot point and shoot that I carry everywhere. With a baby, you'll probably want to step up to a DSLR but my advice is only go that route if you plan to learn to use the functions and anticipate using more then just the kit lens. I took a photography class through a college extension that was a great help. A DSLR is wasted though if all you do is use it on auto, like having a sweet computer and all you do it email on it. Many new point-and-shoots can do similar to what a DSLR can do on auto (for the novice photographer, advanced photographers can tell the difference but my point is evaluate how much you'll use it or how much you want to learn about photography as a hobby before you splurge for DSLR). Learn the functions on the point and shoot too because they can do amazing things (like they can do focus with background blurred, it's about learning functions rather then auto) too. I think photography is a great hobby and as the others said, I think my DSLR was from Costco for a holiday sale. They also often throw in extras like a camera bag and additional lens which is worth a few hundred bucks. Have fun with this decision!

[bring in the new year]

If you do go with the point & shoot, I love the Canon G10 and can rave about it for hours.

But at this point, I've had two Canons p&sh (first got broken) and DN has had one and we've liked everything.

Good luck.