hey all...
Christmas is coming. My girlfriend used to be pretty big into photgraphy when she was younger (her dad was a pro). When he fell out of the picture (no pun intended) so did the photography...I know she used to really enjoy it and from what work she kept that I've seen, she has an eye for it. Christmas is coming and I think I want to get her a decent camera. I have never really looked purchasing a quality camera before, so don't know what to look for. Hoping for a little advice...money's kind of tight with 3 birthdays (inlcluding hers) coming in the next month then Christmas. Not saying I want a cheap camera for her, just openly admitting I can't spend a ton if you get my drift. Thanks in advance for any input given..

 

I can make a few recommendations but I would need to know your price range!

 

Cheapest, all-rounder set up would be:

Nikon d80 + 18-200mm lense (either sigma or nikon)

u got extra cash? go for Nikon D90 then.

 

Ditto.

All the major brands make good bodies and have quality glass available, the deciding factors beyond budget are what kind of photography does she like? (Buying a wide angle zoom doesn't do much good if she really like getting shots of flowers and butterflies.) and what camera body is comfortable in her hands? If she doesn't like to hold it she won't use it much.

 

ive been using a nikon d60 and you can get away with just the stock lense if you can photoshop. All digital photography is mostly photoshoped or some sort of "post-editing software"

they are pretty good bundles at bestbuy dot com

or like stated if you got the extra cash go for a d90

 

Photoshop can't fix a bad picture...And for the record film photography has a lot of outside the camera work done too, even on the color 35mm film you would drop off at the 1 hour place.

You are right that all digital photography requires some sort of post production work. If you shoot Jpg the camera applies the setting from the camera to convert the "raw" shot to jpg, doing the work for you. I shoot RAW+Jgp, and probably 95% of the time the jpg setting in my camera get the image the way I want it. The othe 5% I use either photoshop elements or light room 3 (Beta) to adjust the settings a bit and create a new jpg from the RAW shot.

I've got some amazing pictures that I took with the kit lens I got with my Pentax K10D, it's really more of knowing the limitations of the glass that you are using. No lens is perfect through out it's range.

 

hey guys. havent been on in a few days but i appreciate the responses. i'm honestly trying to stay around $600 to start. I know additional lenses and what not can be purchased at later times, so just looking for a body and 1 lense for now.
She hasn't shot in a long time. And most of her shots were taken with her father's presence. Nature is what 90% of her photos are of. however I believe thats her father's influence, I don't think she has found what she is really into yet.
Great question about what will she like holding. I can't really ask her without being obvious about it. She's got tiny hands though, so i'm assuming nothing too bulky?
Nikon d40 thoughts? or am i going too cheap for her own good?

 

anybody??

 

I'm shopping for a camera to. Found this site to be a good resource.
http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/dig...ra-guides.html

This places seems to have good prices.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

I've been looking a camera that are $900 and up so not sure what is availabe at ur price range.

A lot of ppl did recommend the canon line to me though.

 

thanks for teh links bro!

 

Nature is a broad word. Does she like wildlife or flowers or landscape? It all comes down to different things. But if she shoots daytime more than nighttime, then a D90 is my reccomendation. You can try to go for a D60 if that fits your budget more but I would highly suggest getting a D90 just because it's much more durable and for nature photoshoots you are facing the elements. Even if she just go to a national park near your city you'll risk damaging the camera and having a tougher build quality is more desirable. You'll also want the 18-200mm AF-S VR lens or a cheaper alternative is having the 18-55mm AFS and the 55-200mm AFS lens combo. Maybe just get the 18-55mm for now and she can take lanscapes with that and then add on a 70-300mm later for zooming capabilities. Check out www kenrockwell com for more Nikon versus Canon info.

Be wary though, Ken's always reccomending the D40 which is do not like and highly suggest against it.

 

bump...


Want a nice digital SLR camera. I'm a digital camera noob, but I'm a fast/hyperactive learner and if it's noob sauce I will get tired of it and sell it for something better with a quickness.

I've taken a few photography classes and LOVE ULTRA low speed film for sharp detail. I special ordered 25 ISO film for the fine grain for class.

Prefer to take still landscape pics (Ansel Adams). Will also be used for random party pics (need flash), possible use of attaching to a telescope for astrophotography (schmidt-cassegrain), need LONG exposure times. REALLY want Panoramic pic ability. Have that on my little HTC phone and though it was a cool feature.


Budget: around $2000 for body only. Can go up or down depending on amount of win.

 

Then... id suggest an Iphone 3GS to take pictures.
Just use MS Paint afterwards to touch up your photos if you forget to use a tripod.

 

If I was back in Columbia I would shat upon your doorstep.

 

 

i wouldnt get too caught up on camera bodies. i would get a cheaper body to start with (canon t1i or d90) and buy high quality lenses in the focal range you need. once you get past the learning curve, you can upgrade bodies. the lenses stay with you. hope that helps.