Good Photography Camera?

Question

I want as good as I can get, but still understandable for a beginner, please help :)

perferably digital
cost range: anything under 2000

Answer 1

Wow. Since you say, "Anything under $2,000," I'll say get a Nikon D80 and start out by just leaving it on the green "Auto" icon. As you learn, you can venture out into the other modes, but starting out, "Auto" will be just perfect for over 90% of your photos.

You can get this very popular kit from B&H (accessible through Yahoo! Shopping):
Nikon D80, 10.2 Megapixel, SLR Digital Camera with Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens and Lexar 2GB 133x Secure Digital (SD) Card for $1,250.

You won't understand a lot of what you are reading yet, but Here are a few links, in case you have not seen this material yet. They will give you more pros and cons than I could dream of.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3476/editors-choice-10mp-dslrs.html

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3231/camera-test-nikon-d80.html

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3157/nikon-d80-competitive-set.html

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/2794/hands-on-nikon-d80-dslr.html

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d80.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond80/
(Note: There are 30 pages to this article. Don't stop after reading page 1.)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinions.asp?prodkey=nikon_d80
(Note: There are over 60 owner opinions, including pros and cons in almost all of them.)

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/nikon_d80.html
(Note: There are 11 pages to this article. Don't stop after reading page 1.)

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d80.htm

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3569/10mp-dslr-shootout.html

Answer 2

Choosing a camera is a VERY personal decision. No matter what answers you get from here, try looking at ALL the responses you receive at your local photo store. Most of the people there are super friendly, and will enjoy helping out someone new to the hobby.

If you're looking to spend 2k, you would probably be able to get the cameras everyone is talking about, and I would suggest looking at the Nikon D70 (or even better, the D80) in addition to the other responses.

However, I propose a different solution: I think you should look into getting a non SLR for now. If you are new to the hobby it would be a great, less expensive way to get acclimated to digital photography. Then, when you know exactly what you want, you can spend the money on it and get what you're looking for.

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20, and it does very well for the price. You can get one on eBay for relatively cheap, and it should hold its resale value enough so if you wanted to sell it back in a year or two, you won't be out much. In the meantime, you can learn all the things about photography you need (most aspects of taking great pictures are not model-specific) with a quality camera that you can feel comfortable with. Then, when you know what attributes and features you really want on your new camera, make an educated decision and enjoy it forever. 8*)

Answer 3

Well in my experience $2000 seems so little now XD. I promised myself not to spend over $2000 but opps... I kinda broke that a while ago =). I personally own the Canon Rebel XTi. Its a niffy little SLR, when I say little it is little compared to the Nikon D80 and the Canon 30D. Since your a girl, I am hoping your picture is right, the XTi should fit in your hands without really a problem. Keep in mind that 80% of chocing a camera is based on personal opinion. I like Canon I choose a Canon.

Reason why I did not choice Nikon:
1) At the end of their line, they do not have a full frame sensor
2) Canon has a faster autofocus than Nikon thanks to their USM system. Nikon did try it out on a few lenses but it never seemed to catch on
3) More IS choices
4) Used them for many years, havent been unstatisfied with any of their products yet

Now those are my opinions, the XTi is an amazing camera, so is the D80 but those little things swung me to get the XTi over the D80.

Answer 4

I would recommend getting the Canon EOS XTi, it'll cost about 700 for just the body (no lens) and then spend the rest of your budget on one or two nice lenses (something other than the basic kit mens, because those are never made that well).

it will take a bit to learn and understand, but it would totally be worth it if you're really into photography. =)

Answer 5

Try Trick Photography Special Effects - http://tinyurl.com/dT45x6I5VN

Answer 6

Just take a look through this list of BEST cameras on Steves-Digicams:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

Personally I recommend......
At the top end of the scale, there's the Nikon D200
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/d200.html

slightly further down, and slightly easier with no extra lenses to mess on with would be the Fuji Finepix S5200 / S5600 / S6000fd / S6500 / S9000 / S9500 / S9600 Zoom / S700
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fuji_s5200.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_s6000fd.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/s9000.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/pr/fuji_02222007_s700_pr.html

In the same mould is the Olympus SP-510uz
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/sp510.html

Slightly more compact.......... and there are many great digital compact cameras available..... even my old 4-megapixel Fuji Finepix A345 can give my Dad's old PENTAX ME 35mm SLR film camera a run for it's money........

The Fuji Finepix F30 + F20
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fuji_f30.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_f20.html

The Fuji Finepix A500 + A700
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/fuji_a500.html
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/fuji_a700.html
(can you tell I'm a fan of Fuji digital cameras?)....... these are going to be joined in May by 2 new versions........ the A820 (8megapixel) + A900 (9-megapixel)
http://www.steves-digicams.com/pr/fuji_02222007_a820-a900_pr.html

Answer 7

Whats your budget? What type of camera? Digital SLR's are the best nowadays. Canon 10 mega pixel Rebel XTI is good for starters. You can find them for about $800.

Answer 8

Film or Digital? Priority on good manual or automatic functions? Price range?

Answer 9

Canon Rebel XTi. MMM...I salivate just thinking about it! I have a film Rebel and they are great! Battery life is great, resolution, image quality, colour. It's a great piece of equipment.

Answer 10

understandable for a beginner ???

any model of Nikon Coolpix cameras will be useful