by birthday is comming up and i dont know which one to ask for--?

Question

my birthday is comming up, and i can get one large thing every year--

my ipod is very old- it is one of the black and white minis.

so either- i can get a new ipod - or an SLR 35mm camera.

( i love photography)

i use each just as much as the other- what do yall think?

Answer 1

Your old iPod still works but you don't have the camera. So, I'd suggest the camera.

IF you want a GREAT 35mm (film) camera, depending on the budget, I'd suggest the Nikon N80 (considered the "poor man's pro camera") with the Nikon AF 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6D AND the Nikkor AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6D (and afterward get the Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8D for about $70/$75 on your own for low-light situations).

The N80 can be used manually (great for taking photography classes) or semi-automatically (either aperture priority OR shutter speed priority), or fully automatic. You can use this camera with manual focus or automatic focus. It has THREE metering types (Average or Center-Weighted Metering like the older cameras, Matrix Metering and Spot Metering for difficult lighting situation where your subject may be standing in the way of the light, to prevent you from getting a silhouette). It has a built-in strobe (good for up to about 6 feet, and great for fill-in light for when the subjects are standing in the way of the light, to set it off so to fill in the darkened area to prevent a silhouette of your subject). It also has a on-command grid lines for helping you keep the horizons straight during landscape/seacape photography. (The F100 does not have a built-in strobe nor the on-demand grid lines).

If the budget permits, I'd go for an F100 (big brother of the N80, but far more robust, heavier and sturdier pro-level camera).

Both cameras advance film automatically; both rewind the film. Both set the ISO automatically.

The Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6D lens is the most versatile lens around (and great optics for fantastic image detail). You can use it as a wide angle lens (28-35mm), regular lens (45-55mm), a portrait lens (85-90mm) and as a short telephoto lens (90-105mm) as well as a macro lens!

The Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6D lens is great for sporting events, parades, candid photos during the day and can substitute for wildlife photos on bright days.

The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D lens is the best bang for the dollar lens you'll ever find with great optics (good for portraits where you want a lot of fine details) and is great for low-light situations where you may not be able to use a flash! A great lens for low-light emergencies.

Check with www.keh.com and when you get to the Home Page, click on the "Camera Store" tab on top of the Home page; also check the other tabs, Latest Arrivals and Markdowns. If you don't see what you want, go back a few days later and be ready to buy once you see what you like; their merchandise does NOT stay on their shelves very long!

Check out these sites, too, for more information:
http://www.photosig.com/articles/1227/article
http://www.photosig.com/articles/1227/article#2

If you'd like more information on either camera, get in touch with me and I'll gladly send you more information. Good luck and very best wishes (Happy Birthday!!!)

Answer 2

I vote on camera. I shoot Nikon, (after several years using Canon) so that's what I will discuss.

The problem with Nikon is they are no longer making any film cameras except for their flagship top of the line F6. (And the FM10, which I'll get to in a minute) So unless you're really prepared to get into 35mm in a big way, we will assume a good, used body. Or you might find new "old" stock.

The N80 is a good bet.

I have a N2000, N6006, and F100. All are great cameras.

The F100 or N90 would have a better auto-focus system than the N80, but either would be fine. If you want a manual camera, see if parents would spring for an FM3A.

Nikon makes a manual camera, the FM10, I believe it's called. Actually made by Cosina, and not the best build quality. But it would be all right for starters. I would rather have a better used body, though.

The best lens ever made for the money is the 50mm 1.8. You can get a new one for under $100. Everyone used to learn on a 50mm lens. Now zooms rule the roost.

Keh is a good reliable camera dealer, with very fair ratings and a good return policy.

For new equipment, www.bhphoto.com.

Good luck and happy birthday!

Answer 3

Assuming you don't already have an SLR, I'd go for that. You've already got an ipod that while old, still works.