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Richardson Marine
03-22-2009, 08:22 AM
I'm sure this has been asked before but wonderin what might be out there at this current time. New to digital photography for the most part and lookin for a good camera.

Which one would you guys recommend as a good starter camera? Whats gonna give the most bang for the buck?

Can be new or used if somebody has one.

Thanks!

David

hsbob
03-22-2009, 12:44 PM
whats your price range? do you want a slr where you can change the lens or a fixed lens camera.

if its a fixed lens camera, youn will have to deal with whats called shutter lag. thats a time period between from pushing the the shutter button and when you actually take the picture. it can take 1.2 to 1 1/2 second and you can miss pictures. there are work arounds but it takes a little preplanning.

slrs are 500 to 1000 in the begnner bracket.

fixed are 200 to 500.

Richardson Marine
03-22-2009, 09:02 PM
Lookin at the SLR's. Best Buy has a sale on the Nikon 40 I noticed this mornin. Says its a good starter camera but I dont know any difference between them. I aint sinkin a $1000 into one until one day when I get a hang of how everything works and what all the terminology means. Maybe I should buy Digital Photography for Dummies and learns me something.:o

Lookin for something reasonably priced that I can learn the basics and add more lenses and flashes as I go on. Not some cheapo that dont work but a something solid to learn with. If there is such a thing.

mikes280
03-22-2009, 10:06 PM
everything i have read about the nikon d 40 is it is a great camera and priced right

pyro
03-23-2009, 07:21 AM
The D40 and D60 are good bang for the buck. If they had more than three fixed autofocus points, I'd like them a lot more. The D80 and higher have a big array of autofocus points, and they'll also drive the autofocus on any AF lens, not just the newer AF-S models which use their own on-board focus drive systems. The trouble is, the D80 packages are around $1000 vs $500.

Best Buy was having a $600 closeout deal on the D200 as of a couple weeks ago, but you'd still need a lens for it.

Richardson Marine
03-23-2009, 08:29 AM
Thanks guys!

Pyro I know ya take nice shots, but your way ahead of me. I'm lookin for something good but dont want one of those $1000+ deals that I dont know how to use. Looks like the 40 may fit the bill then.

I know you, Greg, Casey and some others take some really, really good pics. Maybe I can work my way there.

pyro
03-23-2009, 08:40 AM
The D80 still has an "AUTO" mode that works great most of the time if you don't want to get into the nitty-gritty features. It has more functions that can be accessed quickly by holding down a button and rolling a dial, and watching the setting change on the small info display ono the top side. The D40 makes you put down the camera and go through on-screen menus instead to make setting changes, as it doesn't have any info/setting display besides other than the screen on the back.

Either camera will allow you to shoot simple in AUTO mode, the difference is that doing the more advanced stuff is actually easier on the D80.

Don't forget to check Craigslist, sometimes you can find one like-new for half price.

Richardson Marine
03-23-2009, 08:50 AM
I've heard a lot of good things about the 80 as well. Not sure what I can find one for but that may be a better option.

Richardson Marine
03-23-2009, 09:11 AM
Here's the one Best Buy has on sale. Dont know how good of deal that is.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9999108200050001&type=product&id=pcmprd108100050001

pyro
03-23-2009, 09:18 AM
Try a few out and see how they feel in your hands, test them out before you buy, just so you know you're getting what you want. Buy it from someplace that knows their stuff.

hsbob
03-23-2009, 08:35 PM
there are some limitation and seduction in shutter speed on the d40 to d60 cameras. the d80 starts at less than 1000 and will satisify a new be some an extented period of time. get a 18-200 or 18-250 as your first lens. this lens covers a wide range of requirements.

Casey
03-23-2009, 09:11 PM
David not to take anything away from Bob or Chad cuz they defiantly know their stuff, but i think that D40 2 lens kit at Best Buy is your best bet. Those two lenses are great starter lenses and will take great pictures. I have the Nikon 18-200 that Bob mentioned at it's a great lens, but the lens alone will cost you more then the entire kit from Best Buy. Get the kit and use it for a year or so, then when you feel comfortable with it upgrade to a more advanced camera and keep the D40 for a back-up or give it to your wife or girlfriend.

Richardson Marine
03-24-2009, 07:33 AM
Thanks guys!

Casey I picked up the D40 last night at Best Buy. I liked the 80 and heard nothin but good about it but it was more then I wanted to put into one now.

I'll be in Gulfport next weekend so we'll see if I can get the hang off it by then.

hsbob
03-25-2009, 09:37 AM
look at the 18-200 from sigma. its around 400. the lens is not stablized but i find stablizers a marketing featcher. most home pictures contained moving objects and as such the stablized len can be of little help.

Stoker1
03-26-2009, 06:58 AM
You should like the D40. I've got a D50 and enjoy it. Just wish I had a better lense. Other than that, theres so many things you can do with them its crazy. Have fun bud.

Richardson Marine
03-29-2009, 09:46 PM
Well been playin around with it and so far I'm steadily learnin. Here's a quick pic I snapped the other night while workin on the boat.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z238/Hydrostream06/DSC_0002.jpg

Now if only I can get as motivated about Chemistry and Calculas as I am with photography and boats.:cool:

Casey
03-30-2009, 08:35 AM
Looks good and as you have found out its pretty additive. Have fun and enjoy your new camera.

Here's a few I took yesterday at the river, i just wish they were a little better.

http://cgudgell.smugmug.com/photos/501605694_RgKKa-L.jpg

http://cgudgell.smugmug.com/photos/501607453_MkZgp-L.jpg

Richardson Marine
03-30-2009, 08:39 AM
Casey I might have you busy this weekend teachin me how to take em as good as ya'll.:cheers:

fugazied
04-02-2009, 05:02 AM
The Nikon D40 is a pretty sweet camera. It's pretty much a 'semi-pro' camera. Strap some quality lenses onto that camera and you will get great results.

I have a Canon 250D, which is around the same level. I got a telephoto from EBay and the quality is great!

DS77
04-18-2009, 10:30 PM
The Nikon D40 was nice for starting out, great price, and you will enjoy it. I Had to bump up to the D80 loved it to, But now using the D90, my favorite so far!!! Has VR lens, live view with video as well. I can tell a big Quality difference in the pictures. Great for taking race/lake shots and footage!!!

Angela
(Wife of)