Photographers: How / Where should I start looking for a camea?

Question

i'm a new photographer who, after taking a year of photography at school, wants to buy my own professional camera. i miss it too much not to!

where / how should i start looking? i know what i want, so if you have any suggestions, feel free:

i'm looking for a digital camera that works like a normal film camera--i want to be able to focus, adjust appeture, shutter speed, etc. can digital cameras have interchangable lenses? if so, that too. i don't care how large the screen is, because odds are i won't be using it much. something really good, but not TOO professional. something for beginners that i won't want to get rid of in a month.

suggestions?? even a brand, website, or hint would be wonderful...

thanks!

Answer 1

Stay away from the Nikon D40.

From DPReview.com hands on review.
Perhaps the biggest negative on the D40 is that it doesn't have an internal focus drive motor and hence no mechanical focus drive pin, instead it only has CPU contacts which means it can only Auto Focus with AF-S and AF-I lenses (those with built-in focus motors).

Go with a Canon DSLR or a higher quality Nikon body. Your biggest investment after the body , maybe more costly than the body, will be quality lenses. You'll want them to move up to your next camera body when you're ready to upgrade.

Answer 2

You are obviously ready for a digital SLR. I would recommend the Nikon D50 and the 18-70 mm lens. You will feel right at home with this camera and it's not terribly expensive. Nikon is bringing out a D40 that will cost about $600 with a "kit" lens that is not too bad, but not too durable. (the lens, that is) The camera looks pretty decent. Buy a 1 GB Sandisk Ultra II or Extreme III SD memory card.

Either camera will suit you for a long time. As you accumulate lenses, you will be setting yourself up for an upgrade to whatever replaces the wonderful D200.

Someone else willl tell you to get a Canon D400 and I can't argue with that. It's a good camera. Since you have experience, go to a real camera store and handle both cameras and see which one feels right to you.

Answer 3

I've been using a Canon Digital Rebel for a few years now and found it to be everything I need! You get full control at a fair price.
Good LIfe Lesson:
Dont buy something cheap "just to get started", you'll only wind-up spending more money later trying to upgrade.

Answer 4

Hi,
I'm new to photography myself, but I bought a beautiful digital camera on-line at Sony.com a few months ago, and I'm having a ball with it. It's a Cyber-shot dsc-15 and cost about $600 or so with a few extras to get me going. Bought it on credit and I'm doing photo-cards on the web and all sorts of things. It is 15x zoom and it's a joy to work with. People love the photos I take, mostly of nature scenes but I want to do everything I can. Peace, Bruce p.s., I don't knkow about adjusting aperature and shutter-speed, so can you give me tips?

Answer 5

I think you should go to a store that sells electronic stuff and ask the employees about them. You could go to a Radio Shack, a Best Buy, Circuit City, things like that.