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      05-21-2007, 06:40 PM   #1
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Camera recommendations...

Recently I decided I wanted to get a little more into photography. I've always had the standard 3-5mp Point & Shoot Canon digi camera but I've come to realize that it's pretty much only good for taking the standard group pictures. Anything further then 20-30 feet and the picture quality drops a lot, the zoom function also seems to be worthless.

I've been reading and see I have 2 options. P&S or DSLR. I know the hardcore people will say stay away from DSLR's due to their hard controls and such. I also thought I heard that DSLR's pics usually require some work in a photo editing software which I don't have much experience in. As for a P&R I think I will just be getting a more expensive version of my current Canon. Sure it will be easier to use at the beginning but I also want something I can grow into and will last me close to 10 years. I am completely willing to learn so I don't need/want a dummy proof camera, I would even like this to become a hobby.

I'm getting into the stage of my life that I want to be able to take some good pictures for memories. First house, engagement, my first puppy on my own all that is prolly within the year and I want to be able to capture those moments. Sounds kinda cheesy but it's something that I think is important.

What would you guys recommend? I've always been a Canon person but always read and hear good things about Nikon. I would be willing to spend up to 1k if necessary.
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      05-21-2007, 08:16 PM   #2
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I don't know too much about cameras either. I bought a Nikon D40 last month and am playing around with it to see what works. I'm about to go to Crocker Park to pick up a book on photography. I had a Kodak P&S that was dying so I euthanized it.

Whenever I actually get my car waxed, I plan on taking many pictures so I need to learn some basic photo skills myself. I guess it just takes plenty of practice and that's easy to do with digital. A lot cheaper than buying miles and miles of real film.
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      05-21-2007, 08:23 PM   #3
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Speaking of Crocker, thats the place we gotta go to take some pics for sure.

BTW, I was out in the Avon/N. Royalton/Sheffield area yesterday. I saw a PlatE92 335i, that didn't happen to be you? I was driving west on Mills by 83 around 4pm. I wasn't even paying attention and didn't realize I was passing a 335i until the very last second and saw most of it through my rearview mirrors haha so maybe it was you.
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      05-21-2007, 08:24 PM   #4
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As a Canon person, stay Canon, I love their cameras, but I guess its all how it feels in your hand.

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend not going with a DSLR (especially if you like photography) because of the controls and the time it takes to learn, but because of the amount of money you're going to spend. Honestly thats the only down side to it.

DSLR's are great, a complete step up from P&S cameras. You have complete control of how you want the picture to look, which I love. I hate having to use people's P&S cameras and just take the picture and get a blown out sky or not be able to expose something correctly, etc. About a year and a half ago I wanted to get more into photography and wanted a Canon S3 IS, but I was told to just save up and step up to the DSLR and I did, haven't looked back.

If you want to start w/ a DSLR look into either a Rebel XTi body, Rebel XT, or a Canon 20D body. Then depending on more or less of what you want to shoot is how you're going to decide your lenses.
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      05-21-2007, 08:41 PM   #5
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I want to shoot my car of course, upcoming house and scenic/city scape pics and what not. I guess I want to do all around photography to start.

I have heard a lot of good things about the Rebel line. The only thing that swings me towards Canon for sure is price to mp ratio. The base Canon is what, 8mp @ $699 whereas the Nikon is like 6mp @ $799. I did say I was willing to spend 1k, but no one ever wants to reach their maximum haha.
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      05-21-2007, 09:57 PM   #6
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I rock a Canon 20D with a 24-70L lens and a 70-200L and a couple others!!!
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      05-21-2007, 11:06 PM   #7
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My car is space gray, and I was cruising Sunday, but I only passed 83 on the south side of 2, while going west on 254. I think... old age.

Actually, I was just thinking today that Crocker would be a cool place to take photographs. I was driving through there today and saw a new MB S-class 550 with the license "XPENSIV". Nice car, but a tool of a plate (and the driver, too, I'm sure).

My D40 is 6 MP, but I got it from Best Buy for $550. That's what sold me, a low starting price. If I ever get better, I may upgrade, but I didn't want a $1000+ toy collecting dust. I have no brand loyalty and it's hard to say anything bad about Canon or Nikon, so I went with my wallet.
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      05-21-2007, 11:08 PM   #8
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You'll probably hear this alot when picking out a camera, but pick a camera that feels right in your hands, not by what "features" they have. In the end, if it doesn't feel right in your hands, then its pointless.
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      05-21-2007, 11:56 PM   #9
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Gotta agree on this count - if it doesn't make you feel like you want to go out and shoot pictures with it then it is the wrong camera.

Go spend a day wandering around to various camera stores - do your best to just feel the cameras and ignore the salesdroids. You will know which one you want when you have it in your hands.
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      05-22-2007, 11:06 AM   #10
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I got my D40 (Nikon) this weekend as well.

I first bought a XTi (Canon), but while I was at the store I couldn't forget the feel of the Nikon. The plastic feel of the Canon made me return it and get the Nikon. I'll be able to get an extra lens now for the money I saved.
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      05-22-2007, 08:49 PM   #11
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I stopped into BestBuy to buy the new Maroon 5 cd and checked them out. I think I narrowed it down to the Nikon D40 which is a 6mp correct? or the 8mp Canon Rebel XTi. I really like both but the speed of the Canon over the Nikon was noticable.

Here comes the kicker. The Nikon is $599, Canon is $699, the 10mp Canon is I think $899. BestBuy also currently has a a deal with a 2 lens combo for the D40 going for $799. So you get the standard lens that comes with the $599 and the next lens which is the 100m-200m?? It's sounds like a good deal to me, but is it really to the camera buffs? I do like the idea of having 2 lens' and the price is pretty reasonable. I liked the feel of both but the speed and response of the Canon as I played with it still stands out to me. But I also don't know how much of a requirement those traits are.

I don't know. So again, what do you people think?
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      05-22-2007, 09:17 PM   #12
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^^^ dude why in the hell are u shopping in retail paradise???
get it from B&H photo and get a canon or ill make fun of u!!
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      05-22-2007, 09:22 PM   #13
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I will not buy it from BestBuy, I just went to look at them. I went there to get a cd and looked at the camera's. Shoot me.
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      05-23-2007, 03:03 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darkcloud View Post
I will not buy it from BestBuy, I just went to look at them. I went there to get a cd and looked at the camera's. Shoot me.
People still buy CD's I haven't bought a CD in atleast 4 years.
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      05-23-2007, 07:41 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3 View Post
People still buy CD's I haven't bought a CD in atleast 4 years.
I'm too lazy to try and download a whole cd anymore. I lost interest once I left college 2 years ago. The gf and I really like Maroon 5 so I figured I'd support them by buying the new cd. The way I look at it is, if I were hurting for $9, I shouldn't have this car or be on this website anyways .
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      05-23-2007, 09:19 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darkcloud View Post
I will not buy it from BestBuy, I just went to look at them. I went there to get a cd and looked at the camera's. Shoot me.
whats a CD?
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      05-23-2007, 03:14 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADHD View Post
whats a CD?
It's a hard plastic circular disk that you can use to play music.

Oh, it's also what I'll use to slash your jugular vein and watch you bleed to a slow death

Then I'll take your ride and your girl Oh, and your cameras lol
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      05-23-2007, 08:21 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darkcloud View Post
It's a hard plastic circular disk that you can use to play music.

Oh, it's also what I'll use to slash your jugular vein and watch you bleed to a slow death

Then I'll take your ride and your girl Oh, and your cameras lol
LMAO!!!!!

so im guessing its like a scary DVD!!
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      05-23-2007, 08:41 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADHD View Post
LMAO!!!!!

so im guessing its like a scary DVD!!
LMFAO
That's the best. It's kinda a horror/romantic movie.

It starts with the slashing scene. Then moves onto me taking your things and sliding in with your lady. Then I use your cameras to take pics of your lady doing naughty things on your ride. Then we roll into the sunset.

It's got HOLLYWOOD written all over it
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      05-26-2007, 10:39 AM   #20
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Canon makes tremendous equipment as does Nikon - either would be a very good choice if those are the two brands you're considering.

I started Canon (35mm film) and now have their top of the line EOS-1Ds Mark II which is their best available. You're at the point where you need a camera that can do POS (the green zone) and also allow you to fully experiment with all the settings the Mark II can do (pictorially). To get a feel for the camera, go to a local store (Best Buy, etc.) and try out their Rebel Series. I bought one for my dad and he is now an avid beginner. He experiments all the time and has done a tremendous job learning the equipment. You can't go wrong with this camera. My sister has the same model and shoots only in the green zone - her photos turn out great!

The benefit is that you have an endless choice of lenses available and can add as many accessories as you can afford. Once you get comfortable with it, you can go with the fancier models that have more settings to tinker with. Unless you have the need for a high 'fps' capability, the Rebel is the way to go. There are a couple of models to choose from. The XTi is the one I got for my dad's birthday but if you want a similar camera with a full frame CMOS sensor, the 5D would be a great choice so you don't have to worry about image scale factors. Smaller CMOS sensors change the effective 'mm zoom' rating of the lenses. You might want to read up on this factor before you invest if you've got more money to spare for your first DSLR.

PM me if you want more details! I've had 4 Canon camers, 3 film and 1 DSLR and I've never had a problem with any of them. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have on photography. I'm getting ready to set up a photography business to help pay for my equipment. I've got a wedding coming up in October that'll be my first. Car photos are really fun though - check out my site: http://nyobie.smugmug.com/Events. I've got photos of a local Hot Rod show and also the Detroit International Auto Show, all taken with my DSLR. I love it!
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      06-05-2007, 05:52 PM   #21
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I bought a Canon G7 for my Europe trip and love it. While it's not a DSLR, it's size and portability are what attracted me to it. Ideally, I think it would be nice to have a DSLR and a nice P&S. P&S cameras have gone a long way, I suggest playing with the G7 and seeing if you like it. It's a great travel camera.
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      06-05-2007, 06:53 PM   #22
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I am currently shooting with a Canon 5D. Love it man! Gotta run the full frame.
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