Cameras - advice, questions, opinions

Re: what camera to buy?

brad — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:38:30 GMT

nikon just came out with the P5000...supposedly does it all. fast frame advance and many features...but can also be set to "auto" and used much like a point and shoot. i'll bet you will love it once you start to get into it. it adds another level to birding...you need to get a bit closer in most cases and this requires more patience and stealth. i started out with a fuji s5000...about the best point and shoot out there (i'm a nikon guy but nikon or canon can't touch this camera for the price)...now i've been shooting a nikon d200 with a couple pricey lenses for the last couple years. i hope you enjoy your birding and hopefully your new shooting!

Re: what camera to buy?

Goose — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:55:17 GMT

To lyceel:

I know you're a Nikon owner (I am too!) but I've heard a lot of good things about the canon SD780IS and the A1000 IS. Both are cheaper than the nikon, and arguably as good or better. I almost got the A1000, but my budget was pretty slim. I bought the Nikon S220 instead.

Re: what camera to buy?

DoityBoid — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:18:10 GMT

I'll second TJ Bryant's suggestion of Canon SX10IS ; that's what I use and I get great shots at 20x and pretty decent above that as long as I have my monopod with me

Re: what camera to buy?

lyceel — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:42:14 GMT

The P90 came out recently to replace the P80 (12MP and 24x optical zoom). On the other hand, this means the P80 is $50 cheaper now.

I've been contemplating a P&S camera for traveling, and I was considering one of these. How big and heavy is it? Ideally I'd like it to slip in my pocket, or at worst, a small bag attached to my belt. Any bigger than that, and I'd probably just carry my SLR.

Re: what camera to buy?

Spongebird — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:03:00 GMT

Okay, how about this? Go under your budget. Like you, I was interested in photography and wanted to just get started. So I got my Nikon P80 for $400. I love this thing. It's around my neck right now. It has point and shoot auto features like the little crappy cameras but it also has manual controls, a great lens, and 18x Optical Zoom, which is fantastic for getting birds.

Re: what camera to buy?

birdseye — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 07:46:29 GMT

T_L_Bryant:

I'd go to a camera shop and fiddle with a few, and once you know what you want, order it online for the cheapest price.

Ab word of extreme caution is needed here... I just bought a camera online.. well, lets say i paid for a camera... first was a canon eos xs... ended up to be the film version of it... then a canon xti... took my money, and i am fighting to get it back.. a scam...You'd be surprised how many companies you see advertising on the goggle search results that are scams.. here is a good site to use
http://www.resellerratings.com/

Re: what camera to buy?

T_L_Bryant — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:24:04 GMT

happy to help.

Re: what camera to buy?

natureboy — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:48:51 GMT

thanks alot, i'm gonna go research them when i get a minute.

Re: what camera to buy?

T_L_Bryant — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 03:14:05 GMT

You have quite a few point and shoot options with that budget. Depending on your "carrying tolerance", you could get a very nice pocket camera or one of the super zoom cameras like the Canon SX10 IS (too big to carry in your pocket). It has a 20x zoom and lots of features found on digital SLR cameras. You might learn more about whether you're going to like photography from this type of camera. The settings can be set to fully automatic, manual, or almost anything in between.

I'd go to a camera shop and fiddle with a few, and once you know what you want, order it online for the cheapest price. I think there may be a thread about the above mentioned camera on this forum.

Re: what camera to buy?

natureboy — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 02:48:35 GMT

i guess 500-1000. i dont want to get too involved incase i dont get into it. is that enough? if i have to spend over 2 or 3 thousand dollars to get started i'm gonna pass. i dont want to be a profesional or anything, just snap a few shots.

Re: what camera to buy?

T_L_Bryant — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:07:27 GMT

Let me turn it around and ask you what your budget might be. That will dictate the recommendations.

what camera to buy?

natureboy — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:19:55 GMT

i don't know anything about photography. but, i would like to get a camera and start taking some pictures on some of my outdoor adventures. what would be the lowest end camera or beginers camera that i could learn with and take some decent pics with? can you take good pics with a digital camera that has the ability to zoom in realy close from afar? how much would it all cost?