the canon xt and xti models are great prosumer cameras, you don't neccessaringly have to go with the L series lens, there are 3rd party lenses that are comparable to the L lens for fraction of the price, just have to do your research.

 

wow nice pictures....

 

thanks for all the input guys

 

You have to make a dection:

1) do you want point and shoot or DSLR
2) what type of pictuers will you be taking

alot of people will scream out DSLR but take 50 picutres a year total with one.
if you are planning on taking a tremendous amount of pictures and this will be a hobby. i would recommend an SLR otherwise a point and shoot will get you a nice camera.

size is a big factor. i know its cool when you put on that slr over your shoulder and go around taking photos. but point being its alot harder to go to clubs with one of those or other life time activities. i have a couple of slrs. they are really great cameras. just give it some thought.

 

i plan on taking alot of pics at the local track. I live 1 mile from ORP in indy and there is something going on almost every day wether it is an event or just somone testing. Anyways i want to start taking picks there as well as some photshoots of my z and some other peoples cars. I want to be able to blow up some of these pics and make posters/big pics out of them.

 

then you'll definetly want an SLR, get the canon xti with a fast telephoto lens, 100mm+ and a short -> medium zoom lens i have the tamron 17-30mm ultra wide lens, the lens is great, comparable to the canon 16-35mm L lens.

remember, the canon XTs and XTIs has a 1.6 crop factor, so whatever range lens your get, you multiply that by 1.6, so with a 50mm, you're actually getting a 80mm. i have the canon 50mm 1.4, great lens, but on a 1.6 cropped camera, the range is not that great; 80mm lens isn't exactly the best walk around lens, but you wont even mind once you see the results.

 

I got my canon rebel xt at sears for $400 including tax.

 

save up a little more and get a dlsr. you have the option of adding on lenses where as a point and shoot, your stuck with one lens.

 

I'm more a fan of Nikon but looks like the bandwagon here is for Canon. I'd look into the D40 if I were you. 6MP is plenty, and honestly image quality on some of the 10MP cameras isn't that much better due to the sensor still being the same size but having to house more pixels.

The body you choose is less important than the lenses and how proficient you get at taking good pictures. Personally if you get a DSLR, decide which lens system you want and buy based on that...Nikon and Canon bodies are very similar. IMO Nikon lenses are typically better, but they are usually more expensive.

 

+1 nikon user here as well. if you really want to be gangster, some of my friends go large format, and invest in a scanner. 4x5 large format camera + good scanner = close to 100mp equivalent. the prints they come out with are just amazing.

 

Another for Canon. I just got me a 30D and it is the ****! An XT would be good for your price range and purpose. I favor Sigma over Tamron as far as aftermarket lenses go. 50mm 1.4 is one of my favs! Makes you manipulate the shot to the lens not the other way around. And its fast too If you do go Canon, take a look @ the 70-200 F4L. Great glass and not too much $$$.

 

canon has really marketed themselves well. that is why.

plus having read a bunch of reviews i liked the xti better then the d40.

 

canon has some great lenses. my friend switched from a nikon to canon system last year and i envy his lenses. but i have to agree a 50mm lens is just awesome. super quick in low lit conditions and having to actually move to compose your shot is a great way to learn. (it was my first lens) i own the 70-200mm vr lens for nikon and it was well worth the cash. nikon and canon are about the same, but canon has more lenses.

 

I'd get a Nikon D40 or D40x with that money. Its a nice entry DSLR. I sold mines a couple of months ago for $400 in new condition. Hopefully you can find one also.

 

I'm looking for something that is an inexpensive point and click. Something smaller in size--if I could pocket it, that would be great. Doesn't have to be the greatest in technology, more concerned about not having to lug something around when I'm traveling, but still gets a quality picture. Zoom and video are bonus. I've found these few in the range:

Canon PowerShot A570 IS (178 shipped)
Canon PowerShot A630 (199 shipped)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX-30 (227 shipped)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W80 (204 shipped)

Any thoughts or additional suggestions? I'd like to keep it under $250.

 

if you're thinking about point-and-shoots, sony is the way to go. they all use carl zeiss lens. for slr i'd go w/ canon and point n shoots i'd go with sony

 

I think the Sony uses a battery pack though, which is a drawback. But I will take your feedback into consideration. Thanks!

 

I would stay away from Sony. Canon and Nikon know cameras... They've been in the game forever. I had an expensive sony when it first came out (f717). After a year and a half of babying this piece of junk, the sensor went south on me. It's now an $800 paper weight. Never again would I buy a sony camera (nothing against sony in general). I hate to be a brand *****, but Canon or Nikon is the way to go if you're looking for a quality camera.

 

you can get a pretty good deal on the Canon Rebel XTI it is a SLR so you can get the package deal and you can choose the lens you want with it.. I'd recommend the 28-135 MM look online for this package.. it will be your best bet BY FAR...
I'm a professional photographer. some of the pros are even using these cameras 10.1 Mega pixels they say a Great lens is more important than the camera Mega Pixels aren't everything remember, unless you are gonna blow your pics up to poster size all you need is a 6 MP camera...

www.richardbrandonphotography.com

 

I knew you were good at something.