Let me preface this by saying I know absolute zilch about cameras and photography in general. However my girlfriend Andria, (LuckysGal) is a great photographer as well as a graphic designer by trade. She's constantly taking pictures of everything from old cars out in fields to boxes of chocolates for her catalog at work. She's been wanting a digital SLR so I looked them up. I thought it was a brand but apparently lots of companies sell this digital SLR deal. I also see they range in price from $500-$1,000. What brands and models do you guys/gals like? What features should I look for? Some come with a 14mm/42mm lense whatever that means. Is it stupid to buy one without this extra lense? Please point me in the right direction, any help as always is greatly appreciated.
There's two main SLR's that stand out. The first is Canon, the second is Nikon. I've always been a Canon person ever since the AE-1, so my choice is easy. I don't want to learn another command set. Others may tell you what you want to know about Nikon, but for me the choice was easy. I went with the 20D (the latest incarnation of that/improved etc, is the 40D). Lens selection is based on usage. I'm a close-in type, so I like a ultra-wide zoom. Canon has a very popular lens called the EF 17-40 F/4. What that means is it covers all you need close-in. They have a newer lens called the EF-S 17-85 F/4-5.6 Stabalized. EF-S is a new line of lens by Canon, and designed for consumers. The bad thing about both of these lens, is that the camera is capable of opening-up to F/1.8, so after awhile you wish you could get more light into the picture. Outdoors this is generally not that big of a problem. In my case I went with a much better lens, but it cost as much as the camera. Flash - The built-in flash is so-so. I never use it. I bought the Canon external flash. Also very expensive. My Advice: Buy a 30D Kit for Christmas which includes the EF-S 18-55 non-stabalized lens, and 2 gig flash card (about $1.2k on Amazon). Then for her birthday buy a Canon flash, and then for Christmas next year, let her pick out the lens she really wants.
"SLR" stands for "Single Lens Reflex", it's a type of design, not a brand. Sort of like OHV for "Overhead Valve" or SOHC, you get the idea. What brand of camera is your girfriend already using? If it has interchangable lenses, (lenses that can be removed and changed) stay with the brand she already has so that her current lenses will work on the new camera body. If not, ask her what brand she prefers or has always wished she had. And be prepared to pay way more than $1,000 for a good quality name brand SLR. As far as the lens that comes with the camera, a 14mm/42mm is a little odd. It's a super wide angle to nearly normal zoom lens. It would have limited uses. My own personal preference has always been Nikon. I shot professionally with Nikon film cameras for twenty years. and now use a D-1 digital. They are excellent cameras that will take all the abuse you can throw at them and still deliver, but you will pay a preminum for the name.
I use a Nikon D1, costs a fair bit but I like it. I tried Cannon and Pentax and wasn't a fan, always used Nikon 35mm cameras as well, F-1, F-6 and F-60. The only good thing about Cannon is a larger choice of lenses ie, 600m+.
My liking is for a Nikon as well,,,,I have a ancient Nikon FM ,,this camera is damn near indestructible and has been used by profesionals for years,,,BTW,,I am NOT a professional,,,HRP
If you are going to buy it as a present perhaps get a gift voucher and take her shopping, that way she can choose what she wants. She'll love ya even more, especially if you make the gift voucher in a creative way.
That's a great idea Pete! Me, I'm a Nikon guy, but mainly because my first camera was an FG and I've ac***ulated lenses for it. You could always go with my other love the H***elblad with a digital back, but personally, I'd have to sell my house for a down payment on the back! I have a coworker with a Canon DSLR, he loves it, and it's down to around $700 at B&H Photo as of last week. It's a great beginner's camera (heck, has alot more features than most of my cameras!), and the price is pretty easy to swallow. As always, quality gl*** and talent make a good picture, not fancy features. Ben
Just a comment: When I first got into digital SLR, I went with the Canon D30 (not the 30D). It was like 3 Megapixels. My problem, was I am blind enough that I couldn't use those little digital cameras and tell if the picture was in focus or not. Man! That D30 was a killer! I loved it. It got stolen after a couple of years, and the Insurance company gave me a wad of cash. To save money I bought a digital rebel. ****! The D30 was a full-function the operator is in charge type of camera. You set it up wrong, it works wrong. The damned digital rebel tried to be smarter than the operator, and features were dumbed-down, or made just plain hard. When I ended up having to hold three ****ons and my tounge right, ****!, I sold it on eBay. That's when I ended up with the 20D. If you can find an used 20D at a camera store (warrantee) then I'd say save some cash and get it. It is wonderful. Long battery life. The Canon has an ISO capability of 3200. That really turns night into day. It's a little noisy though, so I mostly use 1600 at indoor car shows. As you know, car shows have piss-poor lighting, and flash only adds more vomit to an otherwise ****ty scene. Fast ISO improves the task (somewhat), but you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear... Very important: Whatever you buy make sure it has a USA Warrantee! There is a thing called Gray Market. What that means is you can get the thing for a huge discount. Problem is, you have to send it to Japan or Serbia, or some Chicom in North Korea. Gray Market only makes sense when you can afford to throw it away when it breaks, as the saving disappear if you have to deal with the Mafia overseas. It's the Mafia that sells Gray Market stuff anyway.
Here is some tech info when I inquired as to what camera COOP666 used: Tech stuff: I was shooting with a Leica Digilux 3, using the Leica lens as well as an Olympus/Zuiko 8mm fisheye that I bought specifically for Bonneville. I was shooting a little underexposed, then color correcting in Photoshop. I also used a polarized filter to cut the glare from the salt, after a few days. for the amazing pictures from Bonneville at the link below: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202159&page=3 However it depends on how much you want to spend for when I researched the camera it is well over $1,000. Needless to say I did not rush out and buy one however it is on my wish list
I like Canon. I had a Rebel TI in 35MM and I now have a Digital Rebel. They both were/are great cameras and have a great selection of lenses. I had popint and shoot digitals before and they are fine until your skill improve and then you will want more control that is does not offer. Here is a link to some digital SLR camera reviews by one of the better magazines, Shutterbug: http://www.shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/amateur_digital_slrs/
I use Canons. Nikons were a bit easier to find the lenses i wanted, but i couldnt get over the weight of the Nikons.
It's the same as if your girlfriend was here saying her boyfriend needed a welder, what's a good welder? Since she's into photography, she has some pre-determined ideas about what she needs and doesn't need. Right now you don't know enough to buy IMO. Good luck. The hardest part isn't the shopping, it's understanding a woman
You're getting good advice, but I would think you'd get better help on a camera board. Try looking here- http://www.steves-digicams.com/ lots of info and reviews. If it's over your head, let your girlfriend look at it and decide, it's a big decision, since it's more of a system and not just a camera.
Was it an SLR? I probably wouldn't own anything less than an SLR, as they are disposable (all brands).
Thanks for all the info and ideas guys. I just rifled through her camera bag and found out her regular SLR is a Cannon Rebel EOS 72. So both of the lenses in there are also Cannon. That might dictate which brand I buy, but I do like the voucher idea Pete came up with. I'd have to be really creative though, kind of boring getting nothing but a piece of paper Christmas morning
Scott, You should be able to take care of that easy enough BTW does she read the HAMB at all anymore? If she does the cat will be out of the bag anyway.
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