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Camera stuff @my Send a noteboard - 14/04/2010 06:43:33 PM

I know we have several people here who are into photography not to mention at least one who does it for a living so I was hoping to get some recommendations about an entry level dSLR camera. I want a camera that is fairly versatile; I will be using it to take picture of my four year old daughter and the peewee tee ball team I coach so it needs to be capable of taking decent action shots. I would also like to be able to do some limited artsy style shots of plants and wildlife, close ups of flowers and birds type of stuff. Being able to shot halfway decent video with it would be nice but I not critical.

I am looking to spend somewhere in the 500-800$ range for the camera and the lenses. I know I can’t get any decent telescopic lenses at that price but I would like t o have at least a 200-300mm lens. I want something that can grow if I decide to get more into photography but I really can’t see me ever dropping several thousands of dollars for a lens so I am not worried about being able to grow that much.

I have been looking at several cameras and the front runners are the Olympus E-620 or a Nikon D3000 or D5000. My question is are there any glaring draw backs to these cameras and is worth it to get a kit a 18-55mm lens or am I better off just buying a body and trying to find the lenses separately. How bad of an idea is to try and buy camera stuff off of e-bay or Craig’s list? I have bought tolls that way in the past and have usually regretted it.

Thanks

Some basics - The two big players are Canon and Nikon. I have a photo group with over 350 people, and I don't know ANYONE that shoots an Olympus - take this point as you will.

I had an Olympus from 2001 to 2007, it was entry level and wasn't a DSLR, but an advanced point and shoot. I liked it, but what I DIDN'T like about it was that when I hit the button, it didn't shoot right away, it paused and THEN shot. Missed a great many shots because of that. I've shot with my aunt's Sony DSLR too, and it does the same thing.

Me? I'm a Nikon girl. And I've absolutely loved both of my Nikons. I started with the D40 in 07, and upgraded to the D90 about a year ago.

That's my hardware background.

If you want to shoot video, the D3000 does not shoot video.

So, that leaves you with the D5000. I have heard lots of great things from the people in my group that have upgraded to this model - from ease of use to you know, general "I love this camera" type stuff. (Surprisingly, we talk about cameras a lot lol)

As for the lens - you'll get a kit lens with it, not sure which comes with it. I got a 18-105 kit with my D90, and I love it. You can also get a 55-200 zoom lens fairly inexpensively as well. (check the adorama link for used lenses there - they don't really lose a lot of value, but they do a little so you might get lucky!)

As for buying on Craigslist/ebay - I'm not against it, but as always, that is more "buyer beware" than getting it at a store, or an online store.

Some great online stores include B&H (as I'm sure you already knew) and Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/) What's great about Adorama is that they have used equipment, they are trusted and have been around for a very long time. Love them.

I stayed non-technical on purpose - but if you have any specific questions, I'll be happy to help if I can (and know who to ask if I can't!).

Good luck, and have fun!

Amy
formerly known as Amyrlin

Btw I miss you too ~ K.B. 1971-2006

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need some help with a camera recommendation random thoughts - 14/04/2010 05:39:06 PM 615 Views

I /just/ got a D3000 Spriteling - 14/04/2010 06:09:34 PM 409 Views

My mom has the D60 which I guess is very similar and love it random thoughts - 14/04/2010 07:04:31 PM 351 Views

Camera stuff @my - 14/04/2010 06:43:33 PM 486 Views

I almost forgot @my - 14/04/2010 06:49:10 PM 351 Views

Consumer Reports Info for Amy's suggestions: Macharius - 14/04/2010 06:54:54 PM 483 Views

Re: Consumer Reports Info for Amy's suggestions: @my - 14/04/2010 07:36:50 PM 491 Views

Wow. So $600 is considered "entry level camera" here? *NM* Artsapat - 15/04/2010 12:35:08 PM 160 Views

Yes, when looking at SLRs Floffe - 15/04/2010 12:40:27 PM 312 Views

Don't forget what high end really is though PhotoJim - 15/04/2010 02:04:08 PM 349 Views

Mmmm glass.. @my - 16/04/2010 02:12:07 AM 391 Views

I know isn't it? PhotoJim - 16/04/2010 02:49:54 AM 552 Views

a couple of slightly techincal questions random thoughts - 14/04/2010 06:58:33 PM 425 Views

Re: a couple of slightly techincal questions @my - 14/04/2010 07:26:15 PM 443 Views

LOL Looks like I paid too much.. lol @my - 14/04/2010 07:28:04 PM 665 Views

I love my Nikon. Beqi - 14/04/2010 06:46:11 PM 518 Views

those are awesome thanks random thoughts - 14/04/2010 07:01:56 PM 370 Views

I am looking to buy a macro lens. Beqi - 14/04/2010 07:15:32 PM 390 Views

You are ready for a new lens. @my - 14/04/2010 07:37:41 PM 350 Views

lol I will use this an my mantra!

Beqi - 14/04/2010 07:47:17 PM 334 Views

As much as I normally don't like aftermarket lenses PhotoJim - 15/04/2010 02:59:09 PM 409 Views

I'll translate

@my - 15/04/2010 03:42:08 PM 478 Views

LOL! Thanks

PhotoJim - 15/04/2010 04:11:50 PM 339 Views

Re: LOL! Thanks

@my - 15/04/2010 04:38:51 PM 492 Views

Re: LOL! Thanks

PhotoJim - 15/04/2010 04:55:36 PM 418 Views

Oh! You are both turning me on!

Beqi - 15/04/2010 07:30:48 PM 388 Views

We know we are.. @my - 15/04/2010 08:07:33 PM 358 Views

I have the even older D40. Excellent camera. *NM* Liam - 14/04/2010 11:40:37 PM 167 Views

My brother and Aunt both have Nikons LadyLorraine - 14/04/2010 06:57:46 PM 371 Views

I still love the old 35mm SLRs Beqi - 14/04/2010 07:18:25 PM 401 Views

I tend to rate this guy's opinions, by the by: Liam - 14/04/2010 11:46:55 PM 664 Views

thanks that is a very informative page random thoughts - 15/04/2010 05:26:27 AM 317 Views

thanks that is a very informative page random thoughts - 15/04/2010 05:26:28 AM 372 Views

Okay. I'm not much of a photographer. But I do work in a photo lab so I do have helpful tips. callandor1000 - 15/04/2010 03:35:50 PM 342 Views

Fuck me. I posted this in the wrong place. *NM* callandor1000 - 15/04/2010 07:25:25 PM 172 Views

stay away from olympus moondog - 15/04/2010 01:33:01 AM 472 Views

that seems to be the popular opinion random thoughts - 15/04/2010 05:28:50 AM 337 Views

well, like i said... moondog - 15/04/2010 07:40:23 AM 348 Views

it isn't really cheaper then the Nikon random thoughts - 15/04/2010 02:45:46 PM 315 Views

I'm a Canon guy. PhotoJim - 15/04/2010 02:15:38 AM 445 Views

The D5o00 or Canon do seem like the way to go random thoughts - 15/04/2010 05:23:39 AM 393 Views

Who's obsessed? @my - 15/04/2010 02:00:15 PM 388 Views

I'm with Amy on this one. PhotoJim - 15/04/2010 02:08:03 PM 364 Views

Have you checked out the Panasonics? Brian - 15/04/2010 07:57:57 AM 299 Views

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<quote id="98088">
<quote id="98067">I know we have several people here who are into photography not to mention at least one who does it for a living so I was hoping to get some recommendations about an entry level dSLR camera.  I want a camera that is fairly versatile; I will be using it to take picture of my four year old daughter and the peewee tee ball team I coach so it needs to be capable of taking decent action shots.  I would also like to be able to do some limited artsy style shots of plants and wildlife, close ups of flowers and birds type of stuff.  Being able to shot halfway decent video with it would be nice but I not critical.

I am looking to spend somewhere in the 500-800$ range for the camera and the lenses.  I know I can’t get any decent telescopic lenses at that price but I would like t o have at least a 200-300mm lens.   I want something that can grow if I decide to get more into photography but I really can’t see me ever dropping several thousands of dollars for a lens so I am not worried about being able to grow that much.

I have been looking at several cameras and the front runners are the Olympus E-620 or a Nikon D3000 or D5000.  My question is are there any glaring draw backs to these cameras and is worth it to get a kit a 18-55mm lens or am I better off just buying a body and trying to find the lenses separately.    How bad of an idea is to try and buy camera stuff off of e-bay or Craig’s list?  I have bought tolls that way in the past and have usually regretted it.

Thanks
</quote>

Some basics - The two big players are Canon and Nikon. I have a photo group with over 350 people, and I don't know ANYONE that shoots an Olympus - take this point as you will.

I had an Olympus from 2001 to 2007, it was entry level and wasn't a DSLR, but an advanced point and shoot. I liked it, but what I DIDN'T like about it was that when I hit the button, it didn't shoot right away, it paused and THEN shot. Missed a great many shots because of that. I've shot with my aunt's Sony DSLR too, and it does the same thing.

Me? I'm a Nikon girl. And I've absolutely loved both of my Nikons. I started with the D40 in 07, and upgraded to the D90 about a year ago.

That's my hardware background.

If you want to shoot video, the D3000 does not shoot video.

So, that leaves you with the D5000. I have heard lots of great things from the people in my group that have upgraded to this model - from ease of use to you know, general "I love this camera" type stuff. (Surprisingly, we talk about cameras a lot lol)

As for the lens - you'll get a kit lens with it, not sure which comes with it. I got a 18-105 kit with my D90, and I love it. You can also get a 55-200 zoom lens fairly inexpensively as well. (check the adorama link for used lenses there - they don't really lose a lot of value, but they do a little so you might get lucky!)

As for buying on Craigslist/ebay - I'm not against it, but as always, that is more "buyer beware" than getting it at a store, or an online store.

Some great online stores include B&H (as I'm sure you already knew) and Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/) What's great about Adorama is that they have used equipment, they are trusted and have been around for a very long time. Love them.

I stayed non-technical on purpose - but if you have any specific questions, I'll be happy to help if I can (and know who to ask if I can't!).

Good luck, and have fun! 
</quote>

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