Camera - Help!!

[Scott Campbell]

I paid like $250.......

And you call yourself a Mexican. Aren't you people supposed to steal that shit?

[GoPackGo]

Re: Camera - Help!!

If thats what you really want, you'd be best served to save up and get a more expensive digital SLR camera with a 300mm lens

See, at training camp this year I was trying out my new 70-300mm lens, which I actually returned. I found that the lens will not give a low enough aperture setting at the 300mm end with a fast enough shutter speed to stop the action. End result, lots of blurred shots. I'm sure I would not have had this problem with a lower F stop lens, which adds $1,000 to the price!! I understand that lenses are something that you just don't go cheap on, plus they never get outdated. However, for the kind of things that I like to take pics of, I think my next investment will be the EF 15mm "fish eye" lens.

word. I actually updated that post and replaced 300mm with 50-200mm. You can definitely spend a lot so its best to research the hell out of everything before you buy. The info is out there. cameras can be fun!

[GrnBay007]

Re: Camera - Help!!

cameras can be fun!

There are TOOOOO many out there to choose from.
That's the reason I asked here, to find out what cameras people here have...maybe what they like or don't like about it. The camera we have here is actually my daughter's that she got as a gift, so I want one of my own anyway and since I'm buying one I want to make sure it will take good indoor/outdoor sports shots.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

I almost feel like I should take a class...lol

[MJZiggy]

Check out the website Scott posted. It's really very good and gives great information about any camera you might be interested in.

[GrnBay007]

Thanks for that link SC. Lots of good info there.

[GBRulz]

Re: Camera - Help!!

If thats what you really want, you'd be best served to save up and get a more expensive digital SLR camera with a 300mm lens

See, at training camp this year I was trying out my new 70-300mm lens, which I actually returned. I found that the lens will not give a low enough aperture setting at the 300mm end with a fast enough shutter speed to stop the action. End result, lots of blurred shots. I'm sure I would not have had this problem with a lower F stop lens, which adds $1,000 to the price!! I understand that lenses are something that you just don't go cheap on, plus they never get outdated. However, for the kind of things that I like to take pics of, I think my next investment will be the EF 15mm "fish eye" lens.

word. I actually updated that post and replaced 300mm with 50-200mm. You can definitely spend a lot so its best to research the hell out of everything before you buy. The info is out there. cameras can be fun!

Yeah, I realized that later!! You can research the heck out of anything before you buy it and still not like what you bought. I cannot tell you how many cameras and lenses that I have bought and returned, even though it received alot of good reviews. Until it's in your hands and you get the feel of it, you really don't know if you'll like it or not.

So, 007.... I suggest you go to your local Best Buy or Circuit City and start putzing around with the cameras. Make notes about what you like and then buy from a place that does not have a restocking fee, just incase you don't like it!!

PS, a new feature on the new Canon powershots is where you can keep part of the picture in color, the other part in b/w. Yes, I know you can edit stuff like this in photoshop, but it's just the convenience factor. Here are a couple examples...no editing was done with this, it's all the camera.

[Scott Campbell]

I wrote this earlier today, before reading most of these posts.


Many people need 2 of them. It’s affordable for many people now, as the cheap point and shoots are under $200.
1) One of the tiny point and shoot cameras that you keep on you all the time in your briefcase or purse.
2) A more advanced camera for when you plan on taking great shots. It will be bigger, so you won’t carry it on you all the time. I’m guessing that that Michele and PIP use them.

Things I like about my Canon S3:

• Pictures. The results are uniformly stunning.
• AA Batteries. If my rechargeables run out I can buy alkeline batteries at the corner 7-11 in a pinch.
• Widescreen - 16:9. I leave it on as the default setting. Most of the time we look at pictures on the PC or TV, and both are widescreen formats. On these displays pictures look much better than standard 4:3 shots.
• Video. It works so well I wouldn’t bother buying a dedicated video camera.

Things I don’t like about my Canon S3:

• Viewfinder. You don’t get great viewfinders until you move into SLR’s. I didn’t realize what I was missing until I took a few shots for a woman with her Rebel XSi at a wedding. You really need to try one to understand why it’s such a big deal. Amazing.
• The LCD display size is too small. (2 inches)

I also have the pretty highly regarded Canon 700IS. It’s tiny, and I think that’s part of the problem with it. Some of the pictures turn out great, but too many of them are blurry. I think my kids and my wife move the camera body slightly when they press the shutter. My S3 is weightier and doesn’t move around as much.

Two new SLR cameras coming out are going to shake things up pretty good. The Nikon D90 ($900 kit?) and the Canon 50D ($2700 body only). Both include HD video capabilities. It’s a big deal because the optics on a high end camera smoke those on camcorders. So it only makes sense to take advantage of those optics. They’re first generation, and they both have flaws - the D90 more so. I expect HD video to be better with 2nd generation implementations, and the feature should become standard on sub $1000 SLR cameras within the next 2 years. That’s when I’ll buy one. At some point you'll see HD video showing up on pro-sumer models like the S3 too.

Batteries - Sanyo Eneloops, or any of the pre-charged or low discharge rechargeable batteries. Any camera using standard AA's or AAA's can use them, and that makes the camera more attractive to me. Proprietary batteries suck. If you use rechargeables, I suggest you start buying these.

[GrnBay007]

This is all very interesting as I'm picking up on some terminology here that even if I had gone to a store and checked them out I may have had no clue what they mean.

Anyone care to post a quick read, important things to include, glossary? lol


Wow, you guys are camera tech-savvy!

[Scott Campbell]

I use a Canon Rebel XTi...........never been disappointed.

The latest Rebel XSi at $600 kit price for the body and lens is a ridiculously good bargain.

[GrnBay007]

I use a Canon Rebel XTi...........never been disappointed.

The latest Rebel XSi at $600 kit price for the body and lens is a ridiculously good bargain.

I saw that. Is the XSi and update of the XTi?

[Scott Campbell]

This is all very interesting as I'm picking up on some terminology here that even if I had gone to a store and checked them out I may have had no clue what they mean.

Anyone care to post a quick read, important things to include, glossary? lol


Wow, you guys are camera tech-savvy!

I almost forgot. You definitely want one that does HDLS.

[Scott Campbell]

I use a Canon Rebel XTi...........never been disappointed.

The latest Rebel XSi at $600 kit price for the body and lens is a ridiculously good bargain.

I saw that. Is the XSi and update of the XTi?

I believe so. If you get an SLR (body that accepts multiple lenses), I'd suggest taking a class. You may consider it even if you get a pro-sumer model like the S3 or S5. I will be. I understand the technology far better than I understand how to shoot. I'm a hack.

[GBRulz]

I know one can get overwhelmed with the amount of camera books out there. I went to B&N once and walked out with nothing because there were just too many choices! Anyhow, on Amazon, I picked up a book called "The Digital Field Guide". They make one exclusively for just about any kind of higher end camera. I highly recommend this read.

[Scott Campbell]

Thanks Michele! Your pics look terrific.

[Fosco33]

I bought a Nikon P80 and have been satisfied so far... My next will be a rebel