Digital Camera questions

Bullardbs

Bullardbs

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 7, 2007
Location
Thomasville, NC
My wife droped her camera in the ocean so will be looking for a new one and have some questions. The camera she has now is a sony and love it but want to up grade from what she has now. This is what she has now http://cgi.ebay.com/LikeNew-SONY-Cy...805891?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item519509ea03

I have looked at some Dslr cameras but not sure what to get or what Im even looking at. She has always loved taking pics so the camera gets used. What do you guys recomend?
 
Hunt around for a used Nikon D40 with a 18-55mm lens. You should be able to pick one up for less than $400. Great camera, perfect beginner SLR.

If you want new, Nikon just released the D3100, which will replace the D3000. At $700 with a kit lens... the D3100 is a bit pricey right now. The D3000 is $470 at B&H. That's not a bad deal.
 
There are rumors that Sony and Nikon share sensors. In terms of image quality, they're similar.

The problem is that Sony doesn't control much of the SLR market, so accessories are a little harder to come by. There's not much market in used Sony lenses, for example.

My neighbor recently bought an EVIL style Sony and an adapter for his Olympus lenses... it's actually pretty cool. Compact, excellent image quality, all the benefits and versatility of a removable lens, etc. So that might be something else to consider.
 
Iffin it were me, I'd have two cameras. A nice, compact, big optical zoom, point and shoot (Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1, 12x optical, 10MP, we've got one and love it, and they can be had for under $200) and mid range DSLR with a bevy of lenses, something like the D3000. Everyone I know who has spent a lot of time researching DSLR's has ended up going with Nikon. When we went on our honeymoon to Alaska, I had our Panasonic, and my best friend let me borrow his Nikon D80. It was perfect, because if we were doing sightseeing, we could carry the DSLR, but if we were doing more adventurous stuff like the ATV ride and horseback stuff, we could just carry the ZS1 in a pocket and still take pretty good pictures.
 
we have a canon DSLR the cool thing about it, and im not sure if the same is true with Nikon, but the analog camera lenses fit the body of the digital cameras. They trick is to find someone who picked up a film camera as a hobby years ago and got bored, and is now selling cheap thinking its obsolete.
 
I'll also add that the DMC-ZS1 is the third Panasonic Lumix camera we've had, and they all take really great pictures.
First a DMC-FZ1, 2MP, 12x Optical, fantastic lens, small sensor, a little too big to put in a pocket.
Next the DMC-TZ1, 5MP, 10x Optical, good sensor, good lens, fit in your pocket, but a little bulky.
Now the DMC-ZS1, 10MP, 12.5x Optical, nice sensor, very good lens, fits comfortably in your pocket.
 
I don't know anything about the Sony... except what I read in a couple of reviews just now. Looks like it's comparable in quality to the Nikon D60. Probably not bad for a couple hundred bucks.

Nikons all use the same lens mount, but a lot of the cheaper DSLR bodies (40, 60, 3000, 3100, 5000, etc) don't have AF motors in the body. You can use an older AF lens, but it will be manual focus only.

Also, you don't need to get carried away with lenses. One mid-range zoom takes the place of a bag full of old prime lenses. Only prime lens you really *need* would be something like a 35mm F1.8.
 
thanks for all the info this stuff is all new to me just trying to make the wife happy lol
 
This a great Idea for a Christmas gift for the wife, thanks for the info.

I have a question though, I know nothing about cameras at all. But the wife takes tons of pictures of the kids, The issue she has is the camera will not snap the picture fast enough, what camera would you guys suggest or what should I look for when trying to find one that will snap quick pictures? Sorry for the Hijack and noob question.
 
the one my wife had I posted a link it tiik great pics of the kids was fast and takes burst of pics at a time
 
Well I bought a Sony a230 on ebay came with a 18-55mm lens what other lenses should I get?
 
burrellsjeep said:
This a great Idea for a Christmas gift for the wife, thanks for the info.
I have a question though, I know nothing about cameras at all. But the wife takes tons of pictures of the kids, The issue she has is the camera will not snap the picture fast enough, what camera would you guys suggest or what should I look for when trying to find one that will snap quick pictures? Sorry for the Hijack and noob question.
Click to expand...

most digital cameras have adjustable ISO speeds that helps take faster action shots but one major thing that slows down a digital camera is that it has to save the picture to the card before it can be ready to take 2nd picture. Get a quality card will help but also the camera affects it also, best thing to do is read reviews on them. Also if she is trying to catch action shots look for camera that has burst mode, some do some dont. Burst most usually takes 3-10 pictures in a row by holding button down. The cheaper digital ones dont usually have it.
 
tkob1060 said:
most digital cameras have adjustable ISO speeds that helps take faster action shots but one major thing that slows down a digital camera is that it has to save the picture to the card before it can be ready to take 2nd picture. Get a quality card will help but also the camera affects it also, best thing to do is read reviews on them. Also if she is trying to catch action shots look for camera that has burst mode, some do some dont. Burst most usually takes 3-10 pictures in a row by holding button down. The cheaper digital ones dont usually have it.
Click to expand...

Its not that she wants to take a bunch of quick pictures, Its once you see what you want to snap a picture of, she presses the button and by the time the camera takes the picture, its too late. I guess what I am referring to is a quicker trigger?
 
burrellsjeep said:
Its not that she wants to take a bunch of quick pictures, Its once you see what you want to snap a picture of, she presses the button and by the time the camera takes the picture, its too late. I guess what I am referring to is a quicker trigger?
Click to expand...

All the things you are wanting in a camera are the same reason my wife loved the sony she had it takes very fast pics and works great for kids I have a 2 and 4 year old works great
 
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