Looking For A Professional Grade Camera.?

Question

I have used kodak cameras, and they are really good. The thing is, they don't take the quality of pictures I want. I'm looking for a professional grade camera, with a price range of 400-700 dollars. I love the canon and nikon cameras, but I have a question, is their software compadiable with a Mac? I have the latest operating system, an OSX 14, and 512MB RAM. (Im upgrading to 1GB when leopard comes out.) I want a camera with good clarity, zoom features, and shutter speeds. Interchangeable lenses, I dont need, but interchangeable flashes/speedlights would be nice. Thanks for the help!!

Yours,
Stephanie

Answer 1

It's not "professional grade," but still for an excellent DSLR in your price range, get a Nikon D50. I am using a D200 and we got this camera so my wife could "keep up" with me. We have no regrets as it is an excellent camera. It has a few "consumer friendly" automatic modes that make it very easy to use, but still offers total photographic control when you are ready to take charge. The "kit" lens is a decent lens optically, but you might want to upgrade to the Nikkor AF-S 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G ED DX lens for a bit more range and a lot more durability. When you are ready to add lenses, the sky is the limit with Nikon. Then, when you upgrade your camera, you will have a nice, useful collection of lenses.

Get a 1 GB memory card, such as the Sandisk "Ultra" for decent write speed.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d50.htm

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d50.asp

Major retailers sell the kit with the 18-55 lens for $600.

The D40 is the hot new cute DSLR from Nikon, but frankly, it costs the SAME as the D50 and is not as versatile, should you decide to learn more about what you are doing. I'd just buy the D50 and be done with it, as the D40 is going to be hard to find anyway.

Actually, many people are picking up on the idea that the D50 is the bargain of the century and it's getting hard to find.

I believe the Nikon camera software is compatible with Mac, but I'd suggest you spend another 20 bucks and get a card reader. You can use Photoshop or any other imaging software you want, bypassing the camera manufacturer's software altogether.

Answer 2

You want to be able to change flashes? But not lenses?

There are several digicams that have a hotshoe for an external flash, the Canon G7 among them. I think it would be more useful to be able to switch lenses, though, rather than the flash. A flash is a flash (of course, some are better, more features, more power than others, but still...)

I would look at Canon and Nikon's entry level dSLR models. Better performance than a digicam, and you can change flashes AND lenses. The starter lens will be all right to start with. You can decide later what lenses you would get the best use from. Nikon's kit lens is a bit better than Canon's, but I would suggest that you handle cameras from both and see how they feel. You may like one better than another, and either would be fine.

Answer 3

1. Kodak's are OK, but not the best.
2. All are compatible with the Mac.
3. Wow- there are a lot of good cameras out there. You might enjoy an entry level DSLR like the Nikon D40, Pentax 100D, or Canon 350. All around $600. Or- you can go with one of the better digicams. Consider a Canon G7, Panasonic FZ50...
There really are too many to list.

Answer 4

Umm, professional grade would be $2000+ for a camera and lens alone... I paided over $2000 just on my Rebel and thats not even professional grade execpt my lens. Theres more to Professional Photography that most people do not understand that, the lens kit is not enough. You need filters, memory cards, cases, lens, flash unit, etc. Thats expensive.

I would go with the Canon Rebel XTi but you do not want interchangable lens... which makes no sense to me right now. I guess just get a lens kit and dont buy anymore lens but the lens kits arent as good as lens that professionals use, obviviously.

Yes software does work on Macs.

Seriously, no disresrespect, professional grade cameras do require interchangeable lens. You are asking something like can I get a car but one with no wheels.

Answer 5

And now, for your pleasure only, I shall answer your question, but with pirate talk.

Arrrrr, the canon and the nikon be good cameras, they do. Ye can maybe not find a Digital SLRRRRRR for that price range me hearty. Mebbe o mebbe ye might find a Canon D50 or the likes o'that. But ye can get a prosumer type camera for sure in yer chosen price range. HAR HAR HAR. You shall not have any problems with a Mac, ye shan't, for compatability, with yar Macs n'yar PC's is pretty good with mid and high endin' cameras I swear it on Davey Jones locker.(Swings sword animatedly) Yer just be puttin the USB inter the computer after yer installing the cameras drivers y'hear. Yer should be havin no problems gettin the booty from yer treasure camera to your ship errrr I be meanin computer.