Camera recommendations

Jean-Claude

Jean-Claude

Keeper of the beautiful
I could not think of a better forum to post this in. I would like to spend -$400 on a camera with changable lenses to take nice photos of my work.



I see most here do the same so I wanted to ask my comrades.



Mods, if you could let this stay that would be awesome. ;)
 
The good single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras are all about 200 dollars more, but they are thoroughly through and though professional and well worth it. The only difference between those and the multi-thousand dollar versions, are the shutters are not quite built for daily 24/7 work that the pro models are used for. Nikon, Olympus, or Cannon are all good and petty equal. For a weekend warrior, I wouldn't be surprised if it last you a lifetime. I have had mine 6 years or so, still looks and works like new. Whatever you choose, buy it at Costco, it's cheaper than anywhere else and they have a great return policy.
 
Don't forget Pentax. You can get their entry level k200d for less than five hundred. there are many great used lenses on ebay and the body is even dust proof and weather-resistant
 
I would suggest a D40, but I hear that you can only use 3 lenses from their lense selection. For that reason I suggest you look for a used Rebel XTi for that price. You then have the ability to use any Canon lens, including the L series if you ever wish to get to that level. A lens will make a much larger difference in the picture than the actual body itself. The lens is how your camera sees the picture. If it's not seeing it well, you won't get a good picture.



I recently tried out (and almost bought) an L series lens on my Rebel XSi after using the 18-55mm IS kit lens, and was absolutely blown away at the difference in my pictures.





Just my $0.02.
 
I'm with kaval... I personally use a Canon XSi with the lens that came with it, 18-55, but I see a lot of used Rebel xti for $400-500 even with a kit lens... check out craigslist and/or ebay for some of those deals.
 
Just another viewpoint.... I've had a DSLR and HATED it. When I did carry it with me, it was a PITA to haul around. If you get a quality P&S, you will still get very nice photos. (Within reason) an expensive camera takes no better prictures than a fancy set of cookware makes a good meal.
 
yakky said:
Just another viewpoint.... I've had a DSLR and HATED it. When I did carry it with me, it was a PITA to haul around. If you get a quality P&S, you will still get very nice photos. (Within reason) an expensive camera takes no better prictures than a fancy set of cookware makes a good meal.
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Yes and no... I had a Canon S3iS for the longest time and took most of my detailing photos with it (still do because I would only use my SLR for nicer, whole-car photos) and you can probably get great detailing photos with an even crappier P&S than the S3, but an expensive camera (with lens) will usually take better pictures regardless of the user
 
I've heard and still stand by the philosophy that the user makes the photo, not the camera itself. Taking good pictures requires steady hands, good knowledge of proper lighting and a proper knowledge of your camera you use. Personally I use a Canon A95 5.0mp PS and it takes great pics if I follow what I stated above. If you're looking at getting into something in the upper range, I would suggest looking at a used Canon Rebel XSi or XT. Once again, just my .02
 
Labster said:
I've heard and still stand by the philosophy that the user makes the photo, not the camera itself. Taking good pictures requires steady hands, good knowledge of proper lighting and a proper knowledge of your camera you use. Personally I use a Canon A95 5.0mp PS and it takes great pics if I follow what I stated above. If you're looking at getting into something in the upper range, I would suggest looking at a used Canon Rebel XSi or XT. Once again, just my .02
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+1



A good camera in the hands of a poor photographer = poor shots

A good camera in the hands of a good photographer = good shots



A cheap camera in the hands of a poor photographer = poor shots

A cheap camera in the hands of a good photographer = good shots



It's just the same as car detailing, technique and process are what is important to good results.



I'd also strongly consider a P&S (perhaps even a long zoom model) which fit your price point well and will give you more than enough image quality and be much easier to master.



Models like the Nikon P80 (<$300) Canon SX10 IS ($335), Olympus SP565UZ ($315) or SP570UZ ($360), Panasonic FZ28 ($280) would be on my short list.



Good research info on Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ.





PS: With your short list in hand go to a camera store and play with the models. See which ones feel the best in your hands and operate the way you think they should. The UI can be important in a camera. Take the camera outside in the daylight and see just how useful the LCD display is in bright light. See how easy and fast it is to take pictures and how long the shutter lag is. Ask yourself if you need a hot shoe for an external flash. Take a few photos in the store and outdoors and see how well the white balance was handled.
 
Good thread I was looking into getting a new camera as well. I would suggest looking on craigslist I have found some good deals and people are local so you can see and hopefully test what your are buying.



Brandon
 
lecchilo said:
Yes and no... I had a Canon S3iS for the longest time and took most of my detailing photos with it (still do because I would only use my SLR for nicer, whole-car photos) and you can probably get great detailing photos with an even crappier P&S than the S3, but an expensive camera (with lens) will usually take better pictures regardless of the user
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Thanks for agreeing with my point :goodjob An SLR that is not used takes much worse pictures than a P&S that does.
 
I too have been camera shopping and I"m not sure I'm ready to take the SLR plunge yet.



Look at the Cannon G10 and the outgoing G9 model. Should be able to find good deals on the G9 in your price range and it's a stand out for me as something nearly SLR quality photo wise that can still be operated by a dummy.



When you consider an SLR you should make sure you're good with Photoshop as you're going to need skills with a good editing software to make sure you can touch up colors and levels, etc.



Andy
 
i compared a P&S camera and a DSLR - for the out of the box, full auto picture taker (me) the DSLR wins hands down. Sure if I took the time to understand how to take better pictures, the p&s will take good ones, but what if I took the same time to learn the DSLR = even better pics! and for the $200+ you are looking at spending (sales going on at circuit city and best buy for the holidays; remember price matching + % discounts), I think that you will have a better time with the DSLR



I used to use a cheaper canon, then a nikon, then a better nikon P&S...then I grabbed my dads DSLY canon rebel XTi - I am now getting a Nikon D60 or a Xti or XSi
 
yakky said:
Thanks for agreeing with my point :goodjob An SLR that is not used takes much worse pictures than a P&S that does.
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haha very true... I use it for other photography though... I think people misunderstood me... a good camera in poor photographer's hands does= poor photos, but a good camera in ANY photographer's hands= better photos than a worse camera in that same photographer's hands... that's what I was trying to say... I definitely believe the same thing as you Labster, photographer makes up most, sometimes all, of a great photo.



OP if you're simply looking for a camera for detailing, a good P&S will be more than enough, because most of the fancy shots don't usually belong in a good before/after comparison... if you know you'll probably take it up as a hobby sooner or later, if you have a couple extra $100s laying around, and if you can wait a week or so to practice before taking any shots, then I would highly recommend a DSLR because it can serve both purposes, while a P&S can't... as mentioned before, used Rebel XTi would be your best bet for a starter SLR good luck
 
toyotaguy said:
i compared a P&S camera and a DSLR - for the out of the box, full auto picture taker (me) the DSLR wins hands down. Sure if I took the time to understand how to take better pictures, the p&s will take good ones, but what if I took the same time to learn the DSLR = even better pics! and for the $200+ you are looking at spending (sales going on at circuit city and best buy for the holidays; remember price matching + % discounts), I think that you will have a better time with the DSLR



I used to use a cheaper canon, then a nikon, then a better nikon P&S...then I grabbed my dads DSLY canon rebel XTi - I am now getting a Nikon D60 or a Xti or XSi
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Exactly what I'm saying.. thanks.
 
Can anyone post some of the "better" shots with a DSLR? Say a shot with the P&S and a better shot with the DSLR, like a side by side?
 
This thread might be useful.



I did the same thing as Ivan...first had a Canon S3 IS and now have the XSi. Either will produce good images, but in order to truly take advantage of a dSLR the setting needs to be on 'M' if you really want to take control of what your camera will output.



The DSLR stuff can be addicting...a few extra lenses and a good flash will put you over $1k...but the extras aren't a necessity for simply detailing photos. A XSi or XTi with the kit 18-55mm lens would do just fine. If you just want to point and shoot without any manual intervention I would be considering a non-dSLR.



One thing I miss about non dSLR is the size.



Whatever route you decide to take, eBay/PayPal/Microsoft have a promotion going on now that allows you to get 30% off (up to $200) cashback. Google "ebay cashback."
 
yakky said:
Can anyone post some of the "better" shots with a DSLR? Say a shot with the P&S and a better shot with the DSLR, like a side by side?
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I would do it if my card reader wasn't fooked up... the thing is, like shine said, DSLRs provide you with flexibility of changing out lenses and taking photography further... but auto vs. auto, you might get a better background blur or better image due to the better sensor, etc., but overall, it wouldn't be worth the $200+ extra over a P&S... however you don't want to spend the $200-300 on a P&S only to later get an itch for a $400-500 DSLR.. then you wasted the $200-300 as it will teach you little to none about DSLRs... it's like going from PC to rotary haha... you know where the power cord plugs in and where the on switch is, the rest you have to learn everything new...
 
This past summer I went through the whole deal trying out different cameras from P&S to DSLR's and comparing them both. I went to Ritz camera (cause no restock fee) and tried a few P&S's from Fuji to Canon for a few days. Needless to say I was very disappointed with all the p&s's and ended up going with a DSLR.



I read dpreview everyday from one brand to another. I listened to people say how great some of the new p&s's were and how they are getting closely like DSLR's. So untrue! I went in the store and told the sales guy what I have read and he told me to stop reading reviews.



Having gained lots of experience with cameras in the past 6 months I have learned a lot.



1. DSLR's are in a league of their own.

2. Some reviews by people are only there cause they are in love with that specific brand or work for the camera company.

3. Try a few of them for yourself and listen to your own opinions.

4. A DSLR can shoot auto mode perfectly.

5. DSLR's take superb out of the camera pics with no editing required if it is set up right.

Comparing a p&s to a dslr is like comparing a pc to a rotory. The difference is very huge! A p&s has it's limits, while a dslr can be upgraded by lenses and etc while never getting bored...
 
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