Suggestions for cameras

[puffinp]

My mother in law took my digital camera that I used SOLELY for taking and sometimes posting pics of Puff ( he's SO photogenic ). So now I need to buy a new one. Don't know too much about them , but I'd like to have one that took good pics that I could share. Some of the ones I've seen here are so great , can you all give me a bit of advice? Keep in mind that I'm a novice at best and don't understand alot of the tech lingo.

[spectre]

Ah, one of my areas. Please specify a price point and primary uses. By that I mean are you interested in ladnscape, animals, buildings, plants, people, etc.

Here is a good place to start

www.dpreview.com -great reviews, some forums are friendly some aren't

Here is a site to bookmark

www.resellerratings.com -If a price looks to good to be true check out the seller on this site, there are ALOT of confidence scams and straight out con theives .

One last site with good tips but more photography rather than equipment

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/

My personal suggestion but probably out of a beginner price range

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/

Start with one lens and buy as you practice.


The generic point and shoots you get generally have poor autofocus, poor low light performance, and are rather limited. The DLSRs match the film based cameras up to poster size and have lower noise and better resolution for contrast free images (sky). Film still wins for dynamic range and very large prints (depending on the film used).

Generally the people who argue this point are hold overs from the I hate digital age with little working knowledge of new cameras. Of course if you are aiming for a point and shoot rather than a DSLR the these cameras will be nice but pale in comparison to film or DSLR cameras. It all depends on your price point.

If you go point and shoot expect it to be rather limited in low light situations and make sure you can switch to manual focus. My experience is that point and shoots are great for close ups of living things in good lighting and good for landscapes.


My own set up is on the higher end, email me with specific questions if you want, my address is on the bottom of my opening page. (see my webpage)

[puffinp]

Oh wow , way over my head, wish I understood all that you so kindly expressed , but , it was like german to me , o.k. here it is , I will go to best buy or some such store and just want a camera that I can handle then work my way up. Should it be " so many pixels" Kodak, or what? I at this point only want to take pics of Puff. To be honest I've only used one of those disposable cams in a long time.

[spectre]

OK, now we are talking. When you go to a store they will try to sell you on megapixels. Salesmen have a limited working knowledge and will always try to get across that more megapixels is the most important thing.

Basically the number of pixels refers to the number of individual sensing elements on each ccd or cmos (think film here). Increasing this number increases the resolution (clarity) of a picture but if you just increase the number and leave the overall sensor size the same the noise level goes up (think of sprinkling dust all over your picture). What you want is a decent point and shoot for indoor applications under good light. For your applications there will be little difference between a 5 or a 7 megapixel camera, both will produce decent 5"x7" prints.

With a point and shoot you will have a fixed zoom range. This will also have a set f range (think how much light the camera accepts). If you want indoor portraits then I can recommend any number of good cameras. With a 100 dollar printer you can even print nice photographs from them. DSLRs are digitals with changeable lenses. This means you can pick a lens to suit your application. In all honesty, if you have a limited knowlede of photography, DSLRs will take worse pictures than point and shoots. This is because point and shoots automate most of the choices for you whereas DSLRs require you to make those choices.

Let me know how much you want to spend and remember that a memory card and batteries will tack on another 30-100 dollars. I can definetly point you towards something you will like through a reputable vendor.

[puffinp]

O.K. you've suddenly become my best photo friend. Money is not really the issue it's more like my ineptness at managing the camera. Can you forgive me for having NO clue what I need or how to use it ? I just have this incredible G2 who is set up to be the next academy film star and he needs a great cimetogepher . Do I really have to know all the tech ?

[spectre]

Well, I've spent the last 2 weeks trying to solve aparticular problem so am fixating on anything other than that problem right now. In short, the answer is no, you can skip most of the tech (wlthough it becomes an obsession for some).

If the money is relative and you want a good performer I really like this
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong6/

Not the best not the worst but an all around great contender. Not so great if you want alot of zoom in which case try this
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz20/

Both will give somewhat grainy results in lower lighting but are otherwise good cameras.

I've got a few years practice and 5K+ invested in this field so it is a hobby of mine.

If you want to drop in price try this
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona620/

The powershot is an excellent intro camera and is cheap for what you get. Two fantastic places 2 buy from are

http://www.17photo.com/default.asp

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Good luck, with the selection

[featherduster]

I Just went from a Fuji (which I loved) to a Sony Cyber shot 5.1. I am having a blast with this camera! It takes movies w/sound and great photos along with macro. I use mostly the automatic settings, which are great. It also can take on other lens once you get good at it. Cost was under $300.00, Great camera for a beginner(like me) or a seasoned user ,as it has all the manual adjustments..

[puffinp]

I hate to admit this but I really don't think you realize how much over our beaks you are. We truly appreciate your responces but I'm still lost when I go out tomorrow to get camera , can you come with? O.K. maybe on the cell phone cause I live in Alabama. I did live in Colo. for a bit tho , Breckenridge

[featherduster]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...sony_dscw5.asp

[Rubyred]

Forgive me, but I simply suggest you make your mother-in-law give your camera back. Let her buy a new one.