19 replies to this topic

[ilovepolkadots]

so! like many people out there i am interested in photos
taking them, looking at them, manipulating them, etc

and of course like lots of folks
i want to take some awesome photos

so i was hoping ya'll could help me in my purchase of a new camera
my folks are going to help me out a bit as it is going to be my christmas present
but i don't want something super expensive because this isn't my job or anything



if you have recommendations
especially of cameras you may own that would be awesome


things that are important to me:
durability, something that is going to last


really that is it !

p.s. oh! and this is what i currently have:

Spoiler

and have had it since high school
so i am looking for an upgrade
something more professional looking/more awesome...

[Persuasion]

You should mention what you want as for size, weight, and price range

[Bone]

First off, are you looking for a point and shoot or DSLR?

If you choose DSLR (which I recommend if you want to have the most options and control over your photography), you'll be spending at least $500.

[ilovepolkadots]

You should mention what you want as for size, weight, and price range

First off, are you looking for a point and shoot or DSLR?

If you choose DSLR (which I recommend if you want to have the most options and control over your photography), you'll be spending at least $500.

this i like my big present to myself
i am using one of my bonds that my great aunt left me
~$900 and as mentioned my folks will be helping me out


nothing too huge
i may be partial to using different lenses


i have no idea what DSLR is...
is it awesome

(**) so i checked out wikipedia
and this DSLR thing sounds pretty awesome

i am sure there are opinions on both ends of the spectrum as to whether it is worth it or not

[Bone]

this i like my big present to myself
i am using one of my bonds that my great aunt left me
~$900 and as mentioned my folks will be helping me out


nothing too huge
i may be partial to using different lenses


i have no idea what DSLR is...
is it awesome

http://manofthehouse...eal-differences

^ That's a decent explanation of the differences. (note that the 'D' in DSLR just indicates that it is digital)
If you want to use different lenses, you'll have to get a DSLR. Point and shoots are like the camera you have now.
$900 is certainly enough to get a nice DSLR. I honestly have no idea what to recommend, though. I got mine from my uncle, who's a professional photographer.

[Applepi]

I would also consider how much experience you already have with photography. A DSLR camera is worthless if you don't know how to use it properly/aren't willing to take the time and learn. At the same time, you can also take phenomenal pictures with a regular point and shoot camera!

I took photography in high school and it broke my heart to see people who had amazing cameras producing crap pictures b/c they didn't know how to play with settings to optimize light. If you don't have a lot of experience, I'd get a point and shoot, or spend the money on a class. If you're especially interested in photoraphy (as an artform not as stuff to upload to facebook for lulz) I HIGHLY recommend classes as they will teach you so much and push your creative potential.

Either way, good luck with your big purchase I hope you find something that works for you!!

[Bone]

Oh, and I have an Olympus E-510. I'm not particularly qualified to tell you how 'good' it is, but it gets the job done for me.

You might want to check out CNET or another review site to get started. Good luck!

[ilovepolkadots]

I would also consider how much experience you already have with photography. A DSLR camera is worthless if you don't know how to use it properly/aren't willing to take the time and learn. At the same time, you can also take phenomenal pictures with a regular point and shoot camera!

I took photography in high school and it broke my heart to see people who had amazing cameras producing crap pictures b/c they didn't know how to play with settings to optimize light. If you don't have a lot of experience, I'd get a point and shoot, or spend the money on a class. If you're especially interested in photoraphy (as an artform not as stuff to upload to facebook for lulz) I HIGHLY recommend classes as they will teach you so much and push your creative potential.

Either way, good luck with your big purchase I hope you find something that works for you!!

it is definitely something that interests me
i have one more semester of school and would definitely pick up a class on campus

i have no problems learning
one of the reasons i bought my mac was to be able to create vector art for the wii games i have been programming
(also learned how to program python for kicks)

so taking the time to really learn home something is done is not an issue



the only down side to a lot of weight is i expect myself to be hiking
and would love to bring my camera
so on the topic of weight i really don't want something that is over... 10lb?
batteries, lenses, etc inclulded

i don't know whether that is realistic or not

[Applepi]

the only down side to a lot of weight is i expect myself to be hiking
and would love to bring my camera
so on the topic of weight i really don't want something that is over... 10lb?
batteries, lenses, etc inclulded

with a good bag/neck strap weight becomes less of an issue. I'm not too familiar with DSLR digital cameras, but I had a pretty nice manual + lenses+ film+ batteries and it all wa fairly easy to lug around while doing my photoshoots (and by that I mean not too heavy). Also, I assume if you have multiple lenses and such you wouldn't be carrying them all around at once... That might end up getting a little heavy.

Definitely look into battery lives and how compatible it is with different lenses! I had a manual that was compatible with a ton of different lenses and filters and it was a lot of fun to play around with it (my personal fave: fisheye) But I'm sure you can also get a lot of those effects on your mac while editing.

[lluvia]

I LOVE photography and I also LOVE photo manipulating - but I keep them separate. I don't manipulate my own photos.

One of my most precious items is my Canon Rebel T2i.
http://www.google.co...ved=0CGAQ8gIwAA

That's my camera. (It was my 18th birthday present.) I use a 18-135 mm (or something like that) lens and it works pretty well.

I don't know much about pricing since it was all a present, though.

[Sida]

There are some DSLR cameras you can get for around $400-500 that display tips on how to adjust the apeture etc to take a better picture of what you're currently looking at. This might be a good start, although I don't know specific models.

[ilovepolkadots]

I LOVE photography and I also LOVE photo manipulating - but I keep them separate. I don't manipulate my own photos.

One of my most precious items is my Canon Rebel T2i.
http://www.google.co...ved=0CGAQ8gIwAA

That's my camera. (It was my 18th birthday present.) I use a 18-135 mm (or something like that) lens and it works pretty well.

I don't know much about pricing since it was all a present, though.

this actually ended up being a good starting point for some research
i am thinking more and more i might just go with something simple
since i plan on traveling there is a certain hassle that seems to come with many lenses and unlimited settings
x.X

Watch slickdeals.net for a month, you'll find some awesome dslr camera's CHEAP

interesting o.O
this site is pretty intense - when i figure out a general make/model i will definitely start site stalking

[Random]

I have a Sony a300k and my cousin has a Canon EOS Rebel t2i.

Both are awesome DSLRs and are in your price range.
I recommend looking at either of these lines for something good.

Watch slickdeals.net for a month, you'll find some awesome dslr camera's CHEAP

Also, this.

[ilovepolkadots]

just let me know what your interested in (im a expert member ;0) like 1400 post or so i have on that site with my account.

i will totally take you up on that offer

I have a Sony a300k and my cousin has a Canon EOS Rebel t2i.

Both are awesome DSLRs and are in your price range.
I recommend looking at either of these lines for something good.

i will check those out !

[Ladida]

I have the Canon ELPH 500HS, which I totally adore. It's also 12.1 MP, so it really wouldn't make sense getting that, if you're looking to upgrade resolution. But I love my camera ^.^

Spoiler

Edited by Ladida, 07 November 2011 - 08:47 PM.

[Musician]

I would suggest a Canon EOS XS, or better yet, the Canon EOS T3 if possible. Our school uses those for our Photography courses, and they're pretty amazing, especially if you're just starting out. c:

[ilovepolkadots]

so i did lotsa research
and canon seemed like the fit for me

& after some suggestions from everyone i think i am going with this one:

EOS Rebel T3 Metallic Gray 18-55mm IS II Lens Kit
(^) http://shop.usa.cano...-1#BVRRWidgetID



i have read a lot of reviews on it
but if anyone on Codex has one and wants to tell me about it i would love that too
:3

[Musician]

so i did lotsa research
and canon seemed like the fit for me

& after some suggestions from everyone i think i am going with this one:

EOS Rebel T3 Metallic Gray 18-55mm IS II Lens Kit
(^) http://shop.usa.cano...-1#BVRRWidgetID



i have read a lot of reviews on it
but if anyone on Codex has one and wants to tell me about it i would love that too
:3

We have a couple of those at our school! They're quite awesome, if you ask me. xD

[Stunnerrunner]

I have a Kodak AF 3x Optical Aspheric Lens 12 Megapixel camera. They run $80 - $120 (I believe, last time I checked they were in this range). It takes really nice pictures - I get compliments all the time on how well my pictures came out. They look very professional. The viewing screen is nice and big, but my favorite feature has to be the Easy Share. You set up a Kodak account, take pictures, and while you're viewing them, you can mark them so that when you plug your camera into your computer, the photos/videos upload to Youtube, Flickr, Facebook, email addresses - even a Kodak gallery that automatically organizes your photos into cool books you can order.

Overall, I'm very happy with my camera, and I would recommend it!

*Edit - Read the above posts and figured out that you wanted a higher end camera... I have absolutely no experience with 'em, but I'll leave this post here if someone is looking for a regular camera. Good luck with your purchase!

Edited by Stunnerrunner, 16 November 2011 - 11:11 AM.

[ilovepolkadots]

I have a Kodak AF 3x Optical Aspheric Lens 12 Megapixel camera. They run $80 - $120 (I believe, last time I checked they were in this range). It takes really nice pictures - I get compliments all the time on how well my pictures came out. They look very professional. The viewing screen is nice and big, but my favorite feature has to be the Easy Share. You set up a Kodak account, take pictures, and while you're viewing them, you can mark them so that when you plug your camera into your computer, the photos/videos upload to Youtube, Flickr, Facebook, email addresses - even a Kodak gallery that automatically organizes your photos into cool books you can order.

Overall, I'm very happy with my camera, and I would recommend it!

*Edit - Read the above posts and figured out that you wanted a higher end camera... I have absolutely no experience with 'em, but I'll leave this post here if someone is looking for a regular camera. Good luck with your purchase!

it was still a nice addition to the thread
:3!

thanks for your time and if i end up going that route i will definitely look into Kodak