Alright, xmas is here, help me shop for gf's birthday!

concealer404

My girlfriend's birthday is in about 3 weeks, and she wants a DSLR camera.

I'm looking for an entry level camera, under $1000 that will give her a decent camera to learn on, gain experience, and at least carry her through a couple years.

We have a couple that we've been looking at, but i'd like to keep it open-ended for now to see what you guys have used or can recommend based on you all knowing way more about this than i do.

Sooo... bounce 'em off of me!

kawizx9r

I'm on that boat looking for a camera for myself hmm...I can't name any models but Nikon has a great variety and you can spend about half that and get what you're looking for. The rest of that $$$ can go on lenses/etc.

coolsax

I've seen some good deals at Sams club if you have one nearby and have a mbrship... they had a Cannon set that included an extra zoom lens for around $700..
*EDIT* actually here it is on their website.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=446983&pCatg=9740

sony makes some nice entry level stuff and Nikon is good as well

whatever she chooses be suret that's brand she'll want b/c a lot of the big Camera makers use proprietary lenses and sometimes Memory cards so if she wants to go beyond entry level she may want to pick a brand she'll want to grow with.

I have a sony that's one step below DSLR and I really like it. also one thing that is nice about Sony is that you can use old Minolta lenses from old regular SLR kits bc Sony bought Minolta.. but you'll have to check on memory cards, I can't remember if their DSLRS only support Sony memory sticks or not.

vmaxer

Some info for you...


http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

concealer404

She's using a Sony DSC-T70 right now, and the damn thing is USELESS. I hate it, and she hates it. My old 3.2megapixel Canon powershot that i had years ago took 3x better pictures.

Coolsax, thanks for the link. That's a slight discount, ~$100 off for that equipment, definitely worth looking into.

Vmaxer, i'll take a look at that link this weekend and see if i understand any of it.

Freddy, go swing off of someone else's nuts.

kawizx9r

concealer404 wrote: »

Freddy, go swing off of someone else's nuts.

Stop spamming in my thread

I'm subscribing though, be nice to get some good info on a good camera without breaking the bank too much. You should top it all off with some classes for her so she can really put the camera to good use, jerk.

concealer404

kawizx9r wrote: »

Stop spamming in my thread

I'm subscribing though, be nice to get some good info on a good camera without breaking the bank too much. You should top it all off with some classes for her so she can really put the camera to good use, jerk.

Hahaha, we'll see about the classes. She hasn't been able to find classes around here, and there's plenty of good articles online, and she DOES know how to read!

I'm just giving you ****, as usual.

kawizx9r

concealer404 wrote: »

Hahaha, we'll see about the classes. She hasn't been able to find classes around here, and there's plenty of good articles online, and she DOES know how to read!

I'm just giving you ****, as usual.

No worries bro, just make sure to get her something she'll like! We're probably some of the few who's significant other actually encourage us to dive deeper in this wicked hobby.

You still need to get yourself another present though, get some new tubes!

concealer404

I'm not sure if ENCOURAGE is the word for it. She just doesn't care. As long as bills get paid, i can buy whatever i want, as long as it's not something really ugly, like Dahlquist DQ-10s. But i digress.

She's watching me post this, i'll get her something she likes. She was looking at Canon, Nikon, and Sony anyways, just wondering what people are using and like.

Tubes... yeah. Hopefully soon, we'll see what goes on.

vmaxer

This would be a hard deal to beat for entry level. She can add a lens or 2 as wanted and if she ever wants to, she can move up to a higher end camera and use the same glass...

http://www.adorama.com/INKD40KH.html

seeclear

Forget the camera, here's what she really wants.
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

concealer404

That's later...

We've been looking at cameras for the last couple hours, and we haven't narrowed down at all, in fact, we've added options, including the Pentax K-X and the Olympus E-620. Arg.

huggies

Bought the daughter a D3000 Nikon for Xmas. She took 150+ pictures already today. Even in direct sunlight, ie sun is in the frame, pictures have turned out pretty damn awesome. Got it for 450 at Dell on sale. They have a kit at Costco that includes a telephoto lense for something like 650. Dont remember the exact amount.

Demiurge

I'm really partial to Nikon, although many in my family have Canon DSLRs that are real nice too. I don't shoot professionally, but I do a lot of product shots and integrate them into graphic design pieces as well as stand-alones for my business. I've been able to turn it into a bit of a side job. So my vote, for whatever it's worth, goes to Nikon first and Canon second.

Remember the camera body is one thing...then you have to figure out what lens to buy. If she has an old film camera, her old lens could work with the new body if you buy the right one. At least that's the case with Canons.

BeRad

If she really is interested in getting into photography as a hobby, I'd definitely stick with either Canon or Nikon. The reason: They are the biggest players in the photography game, therefore, there is a more plentiful supply of used equipment on the market. Not everyone wants to pay for a brand new lens when they could save a hundred or two on a used one!

I love my Canon Xsi and found it to be a great body to lean on. The lens it comes with is very good for a kit lens as well. Check out some review sites and read through to try and help narrow down what is important to you. I know that you'll be quite happy with either a Canon or Nikon though!
www.dpreview.com has lots of info.

kingtut

Any of the Canon DSLR will suffice. I'd go the entry level route and buy an additional lense. I'm a Canon owner, and I am very happy w/it.

vmaxer

Demiurge wrote: »

I'm really partial to Nikon, although many in my family have Canon DSLRs that are real nice too. I don't shoot professionally, but I do a lot of product shots and integrate them into graphic design pieces as well as stand-alones for my business. I've been able to turn it into a bit of a side job. So my vote, for whatever it's worth, goes to Nikon first and Canon second.

Remember the camera body is one thing...then you have to figure out what lens to buy. If she has an old film camera, her old lens could work with the new body if you buy the right one. At least that's the case with Canons.

I agree 100%. I have been using Nikon for more years than I want to tell...I still can use all the older lens I had. This makes it nice. I am now using a D300 and don't plan to upgrade for a while.

I would stick with Nikon or Canon. I have a couple older film Canon cameras, but only a couple of old lens also.

Demiurge

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Digital-SLR/index.page

kcoc321

Ditto on the Canon XRi. I have had one for several years, and what I love is that I can put it on "auto" and just point and shoot, and get really great pictures. Heck, at Christmas today, I just set it to Auto and gave it to my 13yo neice. AND I also have the option to fine tune settings like Fstop, ISO ect and monkey with it to my hearts consent.
IDK what lens is in the "kit" right now, I am sure it is decent. Then you can upgrade to a better lens and it makes a huge difference. (kindof like getting tubes...hehe) But the 'Mid-grade' upgraded lens I got was around $700 alone. I also got a wide angle lens, which was my primary "justification" for the purchase....business write off....hehe

Merry Christmas

Zitro

Photography is actually a hobby of mine, and my starter camera was a Nikon D50; still have it and still love it. Great pictures, easy to use and they're built quite well. A guy at the shop told me for every 1 Nikon that gets taken in for repair, he gets 6 or 7 Cannons. Although I have been impressed with my friends Cannon gear also, as far as picture quality goes. Never been impressed with Sony's stuff, though.

Nikon D40/D50 can be had used for pretty cheap. Look around my friend!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D50-Body-Digital-DSLR-Extras-FREE-SH-slr-6-1-MP_W0QQitemZ160388889842QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item2557ec3cf2#ht_594wt_1165

CLPolk

I have a Sony Alpha 200 and love it!! It has nice Group support Here http://www.flickr.com/groups/sony_alpha_dslr-a200/

bigaudiofanatic

My father has a 1500 dollar Nikon slr I have the canon rebel. Both me and him prefer mine. Simple to use and lots of options. The rebel gets my vote.

leroyjr1

..........

coolsax

here's a website that has a lot of reviews and camera news.. i used it alot when I was trying to decide on going full DSLR or Bridge. It has a lot of reviews for current cameras and does a lot of comparisons as well..

www.dpreview.com

vc69

Canon or Nikon. There really are no others for an entry-level DSLR.
My GF has a Canon XSI but she said the Rebel is good.