advice please re: a good camera

[barbtries]

what i want is a camera that i can use to get pictures of the birds down by the lake with. no film. extra lenses okay, i plan to find a deal on a used one.

thanks!

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Visit the photography group.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[barbtries]

2. thank you, i posted there as well

[Blue_In_AK]

8. Oh, okay.

I just hadn't been over there yet this morning.

How much are you wanting to spend?

[barbtries]

12. well,

i plan on trying to find a used camera that was probably originally way more than i'm planning to spend. for instance, there's an ad on craigslist today for a Canon EOS 10D w/ 75-300mm lens - $250
i'm interested in that.

what i want to be able to do is catch the birds down by the lake in flight, and also to get really good pictures of them.

[Blue_In_AK]

18. If the 75-300 zoom lens doesn't have IS

(image stabilization), you will most likely need to use a tripod to get your birds. That's not a bad price, though, for the two together, and you can always add lenses, which is where the real fun is.

[barbtries]

21. i thought that sounded like a good deal

i'll have the money to do this in a week, so i'm doing my homework. thanks for the advice.

[madmom]

3. this is the one my SO got me for xmas for pretty much the same reason, I love it....

http://www.broadwayphoto.com/cat/DigitalCameras/1007123...

[Lost-in-FL]

4. Canon Powershot G10

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelI...

[Aviation Pro]

5. Nikon D40 kit with two lenses is reasonably priced....

...here's a picture I took of a pair of ospreys arguing over a fish.

[Lost-in-FL]

6. And their price is going down which makes it a great buy.

My husband has the D-80 but it is too much for me (complicated). I am happy with my Coolpix.

[barbtries]

13. that's the ticket!

i looked at a D70 today as well - any big difference, pros, cons? and what kind of lens do i need to make sure i have for shooting birds in flight?

[Aviation Pro]

15. I used a 70 - 200 mm zoom lens for that shot.....

...you can see the series here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Poiuyt]

7. Visit Digital Photography Review for the best site on camera advice

http://dpreview.com /

BTW, you will want a digital SLR with a telephoto lens for wildlife shots.

[proud patriot]

10. sage advice

[barbtries]

14. what does SLR stand for?

and thank you. this is why i love DU, no matter what the subject.

[Aviation Pro]

16. Single Lens Reflex.....

.....

[Pavulon]

19. Single Lens Reflex

basically you are looking through a prisim and mirror to see out the lens.

[Poiuyt]

24. The advantage of an SLR is that they have interchangeable lenses

You most likely will get a zoom lens, but there are different ranges of zooms. As I said, a telephoto zoom lens is probably best for wildlife photography. A wide angle lens is more practical when shooting indoors, etc.

[Belial]

22. Thats where I did my research.. good info there

[CrispyQ]

9. I just wanted a point-&-shoot so I got a Canon Powershot.

I cannot believe the great photos I get from this camera! Mine has a decent sized zoom lens but not the most zoom they offer. One of the best purchases I ever made! My husband laughs at all the photos I have of food that I make. Sounds funny, but it's nice to print out a recipe with a photo & the digital cameral makes it a snap.

Have fun!

[Warpy]

11. First, decide on megapixels

Four is pretty minimal if you're doing snapshots and manipulating them with Photoshop. Eight or more is necessary if you're blowing up small portions of a shot to create wall art. Ten is minimal if you're doing professional photography.

I've got a few 8x10 glossies I did with a 2 megapixel snapshot camera, but those are pics I didn't play with and used the whole shot for the final picture.

Second, look at optics. If you're doing a lot of fancy work, Canon and Nikon have the best optics, IMO, if you're going up to a SLR type camera. All the others are perfectly adequate for snaps.

Third, think about software. Even small, low power cameras come with software to remove red eye and do other minor manipulations, but good luck on getting the software with a used camera. The better the camera, usually the better the software. Both Windows and Photoshop have produced great advanced software. I'm partial to Photoshop because I've used it for years, but I tested the Windows and actually found it more user friendly.

I used film for years when I could see well enough to take pictures for money. Since I've gone to digital, I've never looked back. It's such a pleasure to be able to do all the things I did before with film and not emerge from a session reeking of nasty chemicals and with permanently black fingernails.

My own cameras are an Olympus 2 MP, Minolta 4MP for snaps and a Canon 8 MP SLR for stuff I want to play with.

[Pavulon]

17. Word of WARNING

there are lots of camera scammers out there. If you buy online I would recommend B&H, Adorama, or J&R's ONLY.

Wolf camera is not bad, you can lay hands on most stuff, and they will not rob you.

You will not find a camera that lists for 2499 for 1500.

That being said Nikon D bodies come in two types FX and DX. DX is now cheaper and very good for most applications. Unless you have a bunch of old nikon lenses you want to use DX is a fine format. The d300 is now a great deal.

The D700 is a great full frame (fx) camera that will take every lens nikon has made in decades. I prefer Nikon because the controls are easier for ME.

Once you are in DSLR land anything you like from Nikon or Cannon is a safe bet. Cannon ELPH line is great for point shoot.

Use it before you but it. Good luck.


This site is a good resource and does not sell equipment.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/

[comrade snarky]

23. Very, Very Good Advice from Pavulon

Do not just search low prices on the internet. Go to a reputable retailer like J&R.

Scam artists will sell you grey market items not for retail sale in the US. That means no warranty from the manufacturer. They'll also sell used as new and call you to put on the high pressure sales for overpriced batteries and lenses. If you don't buy the extras at massively inflated prices you may never get what you already paid for.

Also be aware that these people change names quite often and will pack store review sites with fake 5 star reviews to bring in the marks.

[Deja Q]

20. Canon EOS450D (aka Digital Rebel Xsi)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

(contains links to reviews of the Sony a350 DSLR and Xsi DSLR -- don't bother with point'n'shoot cameras; their small sensors' quality is often crap; there's only a Panasonic Lumix model or the Canon Powershot G9 I'd ever consider for a P&S; DSLRs being better in EVERY aspect.)