Tell a worth while camera from a shitty one.

[J31Bro]

Never done much with cameras at all.. I don't know what to look for.

Where do I start?

[conversehtnut]

what are you looking for? something simple like a point and click or something more professional?

[J31Bro]

what are you looking for? something simple like a point and click or something more professional?

Much more professional. Something on a extremely high quality, high resolution level. Not a digital point & click jobber from Wal Mart.

[conversehtnut]

if you want something professional look into a Nikon DSLR. they have a wide range of cameras and prices depending on what you are looking to do. some are good for just starting out and still have the quality resolution and others are extremely high end with perfect focus and resolution no matter what the lighting is. i can look into it a little more a recommend a good camera for you if you want. just need to know what your price range is.

[brynm]

what are you looking for? something simple like a point and click or something more professional?

This is the first question to ask yourself. There is a lot of good cameras out there, figure out a budget and what is important for you to have in a camera.

I'm a bit of a Canon nut lately. We have a compact point and shoot as well as one a step or two below a DSLR. Point and shoots are a little more convenient, but you give up some other features like higher zoom, manual controls, being able to use filters, etc.

[conversehtnut]

i kno cannon has some good cameras but personnaly i like Nikon. its what i learned on and what i always had

[brynm]

Damn it, left mid post and came back. Deman was looking a little while ago too, have a look at that thread. The sx20is is a sexy camera as well. It's not quite as complex ( or expensive) as a DSLR but still gives you good zoom, and the ability to use filters and an external flash. IIRC they're about $400

[conversehtnut]

can you interchange the lenses on that one?

[conversehtnut]

running out, ill check back in later

:wave:

[J31Bro]

I'm asking more what I need to look for.. rather than suggestions.. although suggestions are welcome too. :fyi:

[JimJ]

Quality and availability of lenses.

Nikon and Canon are the standards out there, they both have an extensive line, can find them around the world, etc. There are some manufacturers out there who IMHO make better quality lenses in some sizes (Zeiss), but they don't make nearly as many sizes or are as easy to find.

If you're just learning, I'd recommend trying prime (fixed focal length) lenses over zooms. Because you make tradeoffs with changing focal length, you shouldn't use a zoom to just fill the frame if you can move where you're standing first. Prime lenses force you to think about composition more, and make you more aware of where you are. They're also cheaper to buy good ones :) A 50mm and 85 or 100mm will cover a lot of situations. When I had a Contax SLR, I used a 50mm prime only (because it was all I could afford at the time, lol). Taught me a lot about the best way to get a shot.

You'll also see lenses marked as "f/" with a number, like f/1.8. This is the lens' lowest f-stop, the setting where the lens is at its widest aperture (where it collects the most light). A lens with a low f-stop is considered to be a "fast" lens. You should buy the fastest lens you can afford, as having a low f-stop available gives you a lot of benefits over a high f-stop lens. Stuff like increased depth of field, ability to take no-flash shots where other people will be forced to use flash, etc...

[J31Bro]

Quality and availability of lenses.

Nikon and Canon are the standards out there, they both have an extensive line, can find them around the world, etc. There are some manufacturers out there who IMHO make better quality lenses in some sizes (Zeiss), but they don't make nearly as many sizes or are as easy to find.

If you're just learning, I'd recommend trying prime (fixed focal length) lenses over zooms. Because you make tradeoffs with changing focal length, you shouldn't use a zoom to just fill the frame if you can move where you're standing first. Prime lenses force you to think about composition more, and make you more aware of where you are. They're also cheaper to buy good ones :) A 50mm and 85 or 100mm will cover a lot of situations.

You'll also see lenses marked as "f/" with a number, like f/1.8. This is the lens' lowest f-stop, the setting where the lens is at its widest aperture (where it collects the most light). A lens with a low f-stop is considered to be a "fast" lens. You should buy the fastest lens you can afford, as having a low f-stop available gives you a lot of benefits over a high f-stop lens. Stuff like increased depth of field, ability to take no-flash shots where other people will be forced to use flash, etc...

+1 owed.

Say I want to spend $250-$400, what would your suggestions be? Obviously I'd rather not spend $400, but I also don't want to skimp out. It won't be used daily, but it'll still be used fairly often.

[JimJ]

I have no idea about digital SLRs. I'd read photo.net for reviews.

[J31Bro]

Thank you very much.

[conversehtnut]

+1 owed.

Say I want to spend $250-$400, what would your suggestions be? Obviously I'd rather not spend $400, but I also don't want to skimp out. It won't be used daily, but it'll still be used fairly often.

iirc i dont think there are any new DSLR for that price. the cheapest Nikon i think is around 500. you may be able to find a used or older model DSLR at either a Ritz camera shop or maybe on eGhey

[JimJ]

Just try to find one with a full-frame sensor.

Partial-frame sensors add focal length, which sucks if you've spent the money on a 25mm wide-angle and it ends up being closer to 30mm.

[conversehtnut]

Just try to find one with a full-frame sensor.

Partial-frame sensors add focal length, which sucks if you've spent the money on a 25mm wide-angle and it ends up being closer to 30mm.

but if he is only looking to spend a couple hundos then he cant afford a full frame. those run a few gs

[J31Bro]

I just need something that takes CLEAR pictures. I have the worst luck with anything digital with "autofocus".. it never focuses on the right thing.

[JimJ]

Ah, I had no idea what the prices were doing.

I just wish digital backs for 6x4.5 cameras would come down in price :(

[conversehtnut]

I just need something that takes CLEAR pictures. I have the worst luck with anything digital with "autofocus".. it never focuses on the right thing.

if you get a DSLR you can choose the focus grid and program it how you want it


Ah, I had no idea what the prices were doing.

I just wish digital backs for 6x4.5 cameras would come down in price :(

wtf do you have that for? iirc i think those backs run up to 20g dont they?

[JimJ]

wtf do you have that for? iirc i think those backs run up to 20g dont they?

Because I really want a 645 or 6x6 Hasselblad in digital :)

[conversehtnut]

go for it if you got 30G to spend. thats a quality cam right thurr.

dont think thats in JRobs budget tho :laugh:

[J31Bro]

go for it if you got 30G to spend. thats a quality cam right thurr.

dont think thats in JRobs budget tho :laugh:

:sneaky:

maybe it is.

[hoss]

Hop on CL and look for a used D40.

That is a great starting point for DSLR's.