Recommendations please--camera!

[montana cricket]

DD1 has always had an artistic bent and on our recent Glacier Park trip, dh loaned her his newish Pentax that his dad gave him. Her artwork has previously been primarily drawing/painting/computer but she really enjoyed the camera and she has a fabulous eye. Anyone who looked through my 3 threads from our trip saw a lot of her pictures.

So we're looking for a good camera for her for Christmas. We want a good entry level camera, not necessarily a DSLR, but a really good quality camera not just for scenery, but for artistic type purposes.

DH uses ebay a lot, so price isn't necessarily a deal breaker, but probably $800-900 new. She likes close stuff, and wanted to do night shots since we were there during the meteor shower. And otherwise, just all around photography (not so much people, she's not really a people person).

[LivinLife]

I personally like canon, I'd go with a T3i It's a beginner dslr but it also can be used as lower professional end dslr. If you buy the kit you will get a 18 - 55 millimeter lens( I think). Or just by the body and if she likes doing close up you can get a macro lens and then maybe a cheaper lens like just a small prime of 50mm

[hooahwife]

I'm a Pentax person so of course I would be biased on what I would recommend. I own a K5 and K10D. There are Pentax that are lower than the price you are quoting and still great cameras. The K10D is a great started kit and there is a built in post processing filters in it. Also, shake reduction is within the camera while with others is within the lens. Old film Pentax lenses can be used on the K10. Although they are not as popular as Nikon or Canon, does not make it a inferior camera they can stand head to head with the comparable model of those brands. There are many good features of the camera but best of all, it's what other cameras don't have - weather sealing on all their DSLRs, which I believe as far as Nikon, only available in the D7000 model. There are many stories out there where a pentax was used in the rain, submerged in a pool and most recently fell in a lake only to be found months later still working after the lake was drained. Anyhow, I can PM samples of pictures that were shot with K10D if you like.

Anyhow, you'll hear all sorts of suggestions. For me not one brand can shoot better than the other as all of that is still who shoots that camera. You can probably rent a camera and go from there. Try http://www.borrowlenses.com/

[montana cricket]

Keep 'em coming!

[hailey]

I have a Nikon D5000 and I think for the whole little kit it was about $600. I'm no photography pro but I think it's a great camera and it's always taken really good pics IMO.

[moni_gail]

Check out the new Lytro! I will eventually be getting one.
https://www.lytro.com/camera#

It may seem a bit odd. But rather than buying a bunch of different lenses, it has an increased light field and your focus, depth of field, etc is done on the computer.

Make sure to look through the Science and Learn tab.

https://www.lytro.com/science_inside#

[Mrs.Y]

I loved my Canon Rebel Xsi! I now have a 60D and love it as well! I'm going to second the T3i though because it's in your price range and a great entry level DSLR! A 50mm 1.8 is a very inexpensive lens to have on hand for regular shots and 100mm is a great macro lens! HTH!

[phrogger]

I have a Nikon d40 body that's still in good condition. My lens broke but it you want to try it out with just a new lens and see how much interest she has in it before you spend big bucks I'll send it to you. Just pay shipping. I bought a new d5000 and love it.

[AbramsPatrol]

I have a Nikon D50, D60, D3000, D5100, N65, P3 and P5000.

Being said, I have the D60 in mint condition with two lenses, the bag, charger, battery, etc. for $500 if you think you'd be interested. It's sitting in a camera closet and would probably appreciate a new home but I've been hanging onto it until someone I knew wanted it.

[montana cricket]

Thanks everyone, keep the ideas coming (and I'll let you know if we decide to go for it!)

[Andy0689]

I'd recommend choosing a brand with which you're already familiar. Unless you're ready for a brand switch, doing this will save you from having to relearn menus. From what I've seen most companies, especially Nikon and Canon, keep their menu structure similar from point and shoot to dSLRs.

Don't forget about the new compact systems that are out there like the Nikon V1, the Sony Alpha and others. For portability, these can't be beat and they shoot HD video too. My neighbor has a V1 and it does an excellent job with stills and video. I was very impressed with it. Not a good idea though if you plan to expand to a dSLR one day because you'll have to buy all new lenses.

If you go with a dSLR, I'd recommend a body only purchase and shop for a lens separately. This route can get expensive but in my opinion, kit lenses suck and aren't worth the money. Nikon hasn't made a decent one since the 18-70 back in 2005ish. Build on them feels cheap and they're usually slow. You're better off with a nice prime like a 50mm (f/1.4 or 1.8) or 85mm. They are sharper than a kit and the low f-stop gives you a little more flexibility. You're best zooms are your feet.

Lastly, be careful with eBay especially if you're buying a new camera. If the price is too good to be true, it's probably a grey market camera and you'll have to send it to Hong Kong or something like that for warranty work. Sure you can get it serviced in the US, but you'll probably have to pay.

[hooahwife]

Originally Posted by Andy0689

If you go with a dSLR, I'd recommend a body only purchase and shop for a lens separately. This route can get expensive but in my opinion, kit lenses suck and aren't worth the money. Nikon hasn't made a decent one since the 18-70 back in 2005ish. Build on them feels cheap and they're usually slow. You're better off with a nice prime like a 50mm (f/1.4 or 1.8) or 85mm. They are sharper than a kit and the low f-stop gives you a little more flexibility. You're best zooms are your feet.

Lastly, be careful with eBay especially if you're buying a new camera. If the price is too good to be true, it's probably a grey market camera and you'll have to send it to Hong Kong or something like that for warranty work. Sure you can get it serviced in the US, but you'll probably have to pay.

I agree with both these points, building on your camer. Definitely be very careful with buying stuff on ebay for that amount of money. And honestly with the budget you have, you have plenty to choose from and if you go the nikon or canon route, you can easily find them at authorized dealer stores. When my husband wsa in the market to buy me a macro lens for my birthday, I gave him the brand and model that I want. When he called the manufacturer he was told regardless of who he buys it from to make sure he buys it from one of their authorized dealers because there's so many fakes looming around.

[AbramsPatrol]

There are quite a few cameras marked down at Costco right now. Yesterday I almost picked up another P&S Nikon that was $30 off...because I really need another. My husband takes his to Iraq and Afghanistan all the time so I lose use of the P5000 while he's gone. I can say that something like a D50 body would be a good start. It's what I started with in the dSLR realm. Buy lenses carefully and look for where they're made, same goes for the camera body.

[montana cricket]

Originally Posted by Andy0689

I'd recommend choosing a brand with which you're already familiar. Unless you're ready for a brand switch, doing this will save you from having to relearn menus. From what I've seen most companies, especially Nikon and Canon, keep their menu structure similar from point and shoot to dSLRs.

Don't forget about the new compact systems that are out there like the Nikon V1, the Sony Alpha and others. For portability, these can't be beat and they shoot HD video too. My neighbor has a V1 and it does an excellent job with stills and video. I was very impressed with it. Not a good idea though if you plan to expand to a dSLR one day because you'll have to buy all new lenses.

If you go with a dSLR, I'd recommend a body only purchase and shop for a lens separately. This route can get expensive but in my opinion, kit lenses suck and aren't worth the money. Nikon hasn't made a decent one since the 18-70 back in 2005ish. Build on them feels cheap and they're usually slow. You're better off with a nice prime like a 50mm (f/1.4 or 1.8) or 85mm. They are sharper than a kit and the low f-stop gives you a little more flexibility. You're best zooms are your feet.

Lastly, be careful with eBay especially if you're buying a new camera. If the price is too good to be true, it's probably a grey market camera and you'll have to send it to Hong Kong or something like that for warranty work. Sure you can get it serviced in the US, but you'll probably have to pay.

The familiarity issue isn't really a big deal. I grew up shooting an old style Vivitar with extension lenses for close ups (just tubes) and got an old style Pentax p30t when I graduated from college. Since then I've shot mostly Fuji digital (finepix s5200), but recently bought a Panasonic with GPS for the office and the new Nikon Coolpix AW100 with GPS (awesome little camera by the way, waterproof(ish) shock proof, great GPS, shoots good video and fabulous pics for a point and shoot).

DH has a Pentax something or other that his photographer dad bought him recently, not a dslr, but certainly top of the line for one that's not a dslr.

And on the ebay thing, your right. But dh is extraordinarily picky with anything he buys through ebay, only buys from sellers with really good reputation and never buys "if it seems too good to be true".

Originally Posted by AbramsPatrol

There are quite a few cameras marked down at Costco right now. Yesterday I almost picked up another P&S Nikon that was $30 off...because I really need another. My husband takes his to Iraq and Afghanistan all the time so I lose use of the P5000 while he's gone. I can say that something like a D50 body would be a good start. It's what I started with in the dSLR realm. Buy lenses carefully and look for where they're made, same goes for the camera body.

I keep telling dh "let's look at Costco"...and he keeps saying "I think we can get a better deal on ebay".

I wish, wish, wish that my old Pentax was digital...the body on it accepts the Vivitar close up "lenses" that I used backpacking. I could get so close to a flower or a bug that you could see the pores in the flower petals.

Good idea on the body then lens idea! Unfortunately we don't have any really good camera places locally, or I'd do that...there is one 100 miles away that we'll be driving near next week when we go east for a concert though...maybe I'll have to stop in.

[montana cricket]

Originally Posted by Andy0689

If you go with a dSLR, I'd recommend a body only purchase and shop for a lens separately. This route can get expensive but in my opinion, kit lenses suck and aren't worth the money. Nikon hasn't made a decent one since the 18-70 back in 2005ish. Build on them feels cheap and they're usually slow. You're better off with a nice prime like a 50mm (f/1.4 or 1.8) or 85mm. They are sharper than a kit and the low f-stop gives you a little more flexibility. You're best zooms are your feet.

My father in law was a graphics guy for the Rocky Mountain Lab with the National Institute of Health for over 30 years. He used to swear by Nikons and that's all he'd use. Now he says the same thing. Loves the bodies on them but says he can't find a lens he'd pay money for.

[AbramsPatrol]

Originally Posted by montana cricket

The familiarity issue isn't really a big deal. I grew up shooting an old style Vivitar with extension lenses for close ups (just tubes) and got an old style Pentax p30t when I graduated from college. Since then I've shot mostly Fuji digital (finepix s5200), but recently bought a Panasonic with GPS for the office and the new Nikon Coolpix AW100 with GPS (awesome little camera by the way, waterproof(ish) shock proof, great GPS, shoots good video and fabulous pics for a point and shoot).

DH has a Pentax something or other that his photographer dad bought him recently, not a dslr, but certainly top of the line for one that's not a dslr.

And on the ebay thing, your right. But dh is extraordinarily picky with anything he buys through ebay, only buys from sellers with really good reputation and never buys "if it seems too good to be true".



I keep telling dh "let's look at Costco"...and he keeps saying "I think we can get a better deal on ebay".

I wish, wish, wish that my old Pentax was digital...the body on it accepts the Vivitar close up "lenses" that I used backpacking. I could get so close to a flower or a bug that you could see the pores in the flower petals.

Good idea on the body then lens idea! Unfortunately we don't have any really good camera places locally, or I'd do that...there is one 100 miles away that we'll be driving near next week when we go east for a concert though...maybe I'll have to stop in.

Costco has really good prices. We've bought probably six dSLRs there. My mom buys hers as a set. I bought my most recent as a set and I barely use the telephoto because it's telecrap from China. I knew that going into it and it's fine for basics. I wouldn't ever count on it for work. My original I pieced together. Still regret selling my macro/telephoto to a Soldier buddy!

There are some really decent lenses on Amazon if you look with a keen eye. I have a box of Pentax lenses that I wish someone could use. I'm not a Pentax user so it just sits in the air conditioned barn all lonely. I still have my N65 in case I find time to set up a dark room to start developing again. Lofty dreams, I tell you.

eBay would scare me. You don't know if a lens has been dropped, rendering the motor wonky and all that. I'd want to hear and see it first. I get what it's like to have a husband set on a deal, though, so I feel your frustration there.

[Andy0689]

Originally Posted by montana cricket

My father in law was a graphics guy for the Rocky Mountain Lab with the National Institute of Health for over 30 years. He used to swear by Nikons and that's all he'd use. Now he says the same thing. Loves the bodies on them but says he can't find a lens he'd pay money for.

I'm a big Nikon fan too but that's because I've been using a Nikon since the early 80s. A lot of their new lenses are really nice but really expensive. My big problem with the kit-type lenses is that they are slow (f/3.5-5.6) and the build feels cheap. DX lenses are a gamble in my opinion too because despite the fact that they'll save you some money now, I think Nikon will eventually go to full frame for all of their dSLR camera bodies, including ones like the D90 and D5100 series.

The DX lenses will still work on those but can't take advantage of a full-frame sensor. I have a D3 now and absolutely love full frame. I've only ever had one DX lens that came with my first dSLR so I'm glad I avoided them. Camera bodies will come and go but glass you buy will be around for a long time.