help me choose a new camera for my wife . please

[papasmurf]

Hey guys first off all let me say that I am a complete newbie when it comes to cameras . My wifes birthday is coming up next month and she has been begging me for a new camera the one she wants is the Rebel (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Rebel-Camera-18-55mm/dp/B0000C8VEK) She loves the way it looks is the reason she wants it . Personally I would rather get her the BEST camera that amount of money can get her (as a plus I will be able to take better pictures of my razors of course) so please give me your input on the matter. please give me a back up to why I should get camera A over camera B , like I said I dont know much about them other than point and shoot so I will really need all the help I can get . Thanks



Nick

[Xavier]

What is your budget?
Are you thinking to get a kit or buy lenses separately?

I think the Canon Rebel is great simply because it is really easy to use for a new person into the SLR world. However, Nikon is also a great brand with great reputation. Once you decide on these two brands then it gets easier. I would not consider any other brands, simply because they don't have ample lenses and accessories. Plus other brands have strictly proprietary memory cards that you cant use somewhere else (eg Sony, Olympus)

But this Digital Rebel XTi (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-10-1MP-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B000I1ZWRC/ref=sr_1_8/002-0423143-7751233?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1185739390&sr=1-8) with 10MP might be better, or you if you can find a Rebel XT that is only 8MP it will also be good. These two cameras are a generation newer than the orginal Rebel with 6.2MP. The only big difference is startup time between these two and the original 6.2MP Rebel, and believe me you will notice.

[papasmurf]

well I was thinking of spending about $600-$750 for it preferably a kit as to If i was to buy lenses separately I would not know what to look for

[Xavier]

Usually, kits are the way to go. Simply because the lens is small and it will not interfere with your flash. If you get a higher quality lens, it is bigger and bulkier and it block the flash so that you get a dark circle in the bottom of your photos. You can always add a bigger lens later, but keep this one for all around point & shoot.

Recommendation #1: Rebel XT (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371191-REG/Canon_0209B003_EOS_Digital_Rebel_XT.html) $567
Recommendation #2: Rebel XTi (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/457539-REG/Canon_1239B001_EOS_Digital_Rebel_XTi.html) $730

If I were you I would save the money and get the XT. You can use the rest of the $ for bag, filter, tripod, or whatever you can think of... and oh, yeah memory cards. Ok, now I wait, for the Nikon clan to recommend something. BUT if you wife likes the silver/black Rebel, then you might disappoint her with a Nikon.

[papasmurf]

thanks for the fast reply Xavier but is there any thing I should be looking at other then the Rebel??

[Xavier]

That would be a Nikon D40x (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/486464-REG/Nikon_9421_D40x_Digital_Camera_Kit.html) for $700, but I will let the Nikon people say something about this camera since I am a Canon man.

[papasmurf]

That would be a Nikon D40x (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/486464-REG/Nikon_9421_D40x_Digital_Camera_Kit.html) for $700, but I will let the Nikon people say something about this camera since I am a Canon man.

after looking at that just a small search came up with this kit (http://www.digicombos.com/product_p/nkd40xnk1855gb2nf.htm) personally i like how the D40x looks better then the rebel but what would be the difference between the 2 is one better then they other?? I know I am opening a can of worms with this question

[MarSellus Wallace]

thanks for the fast reply Xavier but is there any thing I should be looking at other then the Rebel??

Hehehe, the best advice I can give you is, go to a shop. Ask to see and handle both the Rebel and the Nikon D40 (6 mpx) (or D40x, 10 mpx) or D80 (step up on the Rebel). Remember: megapixels do not matter. 6 Megapixels are amply sufficient to print a 10 by 15 inch image. What is important: does the camera balance well, are the buttons easy to reach, is the menu intuitive, what is the quality of the kit lenses? The image quality on both the Rebel and D40 is excellent. The lit lenses on the D40 are better than the Rebels. The Nikon's build is slightly better. Don't waste your money on accessories. UV filters are a waste of money on a digital SLR.

But the most important question of all is: do you really need a DSLR? Remember, they are bulkier, more complex to operate and heavier than say, a Fuji F31 or Canon elph or equivalent. In standard operation modus, a DSLR and a point and shoot yield the same image quality.

[MarSellus Wallace]

after looking at that just a small search came up with this kit (http://www.digicombos.com/product_p/nkd40xnk1855gb2nf.htm) personally i like how the D40x looks better then the rebel but what would be the difference between the 2 is one better then they other?? I know I am opening a can of worms with this question

Looks are one thing. Feel is infinitely more important. Go to a shop and take them in your hands...

[papasmurf]

ok lets say I go to a shop and look at the 2 what are some questions that I should ask about them the menus and the feel of the camera are of course some thing that I would need to make a decision on but are there any guidelines I should follow ? I know my wife wants a camera that can take action shots that my current power shot can not handle we take a lot of pictures of our dogs when they play and any one who has tried this knows what most of those pictures end up like . I would like a continues shot or burst of pictures .


I may be going off track if so please let me know so I do not further complicate things thank you all for your help thus far .


Nick

[elosamurai]

Hey Nick the best place near us to take a few in your hands is the B&H around 38 street in nyc.. They are also very knowledgable and might suggest something completely different...

[papasmurf]

Hey Nick the best place near us to take a few in your hands is the B&H around 38 street in nyc.. They are also very knowledgable and might suggest something completely different...

Guess I will have to go check them out . I am already pretty sure I will be buying it online rather then buy it at a store . I am sure that I will save a few bucks which would help me pick up a better camera

[mozart]

You haven't said if your wife knows about photography and cameras, so I'm going out on a limb here.

Don't get me wrong, but if you need to ask the salesperson questions about these types of camera, you might be in over your head. That is not to say that modern dSLRs couldn't be used like P&S cameras (they usually have a "green" setting), but generally, they are a completely different beast. They require a lot of understanding about photography to get decent results out of them. Most of them won't deliver good results until fiddled with, both in-camera as well as through post-processing.

Having said that, the Nikon D40(x), the Canon Rebels, and the Pentax 100K's are the regular contenders for those who want to free themselves from the limitations of compact digital cameras. However, if action shots is what you want, these low-end dSLRs might not fit the bill, particularly if you are talking about continuous shooting. Check with a knowledgeable salesperson (hard to find these days).

I strongly second the opinion that you need to take your wife to the store and let her test the contenders in order to find out which camera fits her best. The listed ones are technically all "good", but the feel is probably the most important aspect. Totally forget about looks! Then check out the different lens options. Although kits are generally a good start, the lenses that come with them are usually not great, but kits keeps the price low and draw people in. A dSLR is meant to be used with different lenses, depending on the photographic task. If your wife is happy to lug around two or three lenses, plus all the required accessories (filters, batteries, tripods, flashes, etc.) and won't mind changing them in the field (while avoiding getting dust on the sensor), then she should go for it.

Check out the reviews from the typical web sites, such as www.dpreview.com. If your wife can get through those reviews and understand what is said there, go for it. If not, a basic course about dSLRs at a community college using a friend's camera might be useful to find out if she wants to start heading down the dSLR road. Keep in mind that getting the initial kit is only the beginning. She will want to get lenses, and those will be much more expensive than the initial purchase. If she won't want lenses, a dSLR is overkill. A high-end compact camera will likely be a better choice. The web site mentioned above also has a great forum where you can ask specific questions about all the cameras in the world. That might help you find the right one.

Best - MM

[michael m]

I would check out ritz camera..... first . I was in the same situation nikon's got more bang for the buck . That the conclusion in came to.

[papasmurf]

You haven't said if your wife knows about photography and cameras, so I'm going out on a limb here.

Don't get me wrong, but if you need to ask the salesperson questions about these types of camera, you might be in over your head. That is not to say that modern dSLRs couldn't be used like P&S cameras (they usually have a "green" setting), but generally, they are a completely different beast. They require a lot of understanding about photography to get decent results out of them. Most of them won't deliver good results until fiddled with, both in-camera as well as through post-processing.

Having said that, the Nikon D40(x), the Canon Rebels, and the Pentax 100K's are the regular contenders for those who want to free themselves from the limitations of compact digital cameras. However, if action shots is what you want, these low-end dSLRs might not fit the bill, particularly if you are talking about continuous shooting. Check with a knowledgeable salesperson (hard to find these days).

I strongly second the opinion that you need to take your wife to the store and let her test the contenders in order to find out which camera fits her best. The listed ones are technically all "good", but the feel is probably the most important aspect. Totally forget about looks! Then check out the different lens options. Although kits are generally a good start, the lenses that come with them are usually not great, but kits keeps the price low and draw people in. A dSLR is meant to be used with different lenses, depending on the photographic task. If your wife is happy to lug around two or three lenses, plus all the required accessories (filters, batteries, tripods, flashes, etc.) and won't mind changing them in the field (while avoiding getting dust on the sensor), then she should go for it.

Check out the reviews from the typical web sites, such as www.dpreview.com. If your wife can get through those reviews and understand what is said there, go for it. If not, a basic course about dSLRs at a community college using a friend's camera might be useful to find out if she wants to start heading down the dSLR road. Keep in mind that getting the initial kit is only the beginning. She will want to get lenses, and those will be much more expensive than the initial purchase. If she won't want lenses, a dSLR is overkill. A high-end compact camera will likely be a better choice. The web site mentioned above also has a great forum where you can ask specific questions about all the cameras in the world. That might help you find the right one.

Best - MM

She knows more about cameras then I do she was a photographers assistant while going to school for a couple of years

That I am over my head I already knew that

My wife is perfectly happy to carry around all the lenses tripods filters etc because I will be the lucky one to carry it all so she does not mind

Right now I have a sure shot that I am happy with she is not she really loves the whole lens filter stuff that I know nothing about which is why I am asking you guys I see alot of talk here from people that know about this stuff basically I guess my question should be what camera would I get more for my money with if I was to spend $750 some thing she could use and also some thing that would be good for me to learn with as well .

[mozart]

My wife is perfectly happy to carry around all the lenses tripods filters etc because I will be the lucky one to carry it all so she does not mind

:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:


Right now I have a sure shot that I am happy with she is not she really loves the whole lens filter stuff that I know nothing about which is why I am asking you guys I see alot of talk here from people that know about this stuff basically I guess my question should be what camera would I get more for my money with if I was to spend $750 some thing she could use and also some thing that would be good for me to learn with as well.

All of the mentioned cameras are decent choices. Some people base their decision on who the manufacturer is, because with a dSLR, one is buying into a whole system. For example, the Nikon D40(x) requires autofocusing lenses, because the body doesn't have a focusing mechanism. They are generally more expensive than "normal" lenses. That turns off a lot of people who already have lenses that require manual focusing. If you don't have any "old baggage", the Nikon is a good choice. The Rebel kit lens is OK, but is often considered the weak part in the package. That's why many vendors offer a different kit with a better lens. That's more expensive of course, but the pictures will only be as good as the lens allows.

With respect to getting the most for your money, there is no such thing for the cameras in that price range. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. You need to define first what the aspects are that are most important to you, then see which camera fits the bill. Is is a good viewfinder (none of them has a good viewfinder), is it sensitivity, is it ergonomics, do you need a life histogram, etc. etc.? That is a very complex process, because there are so many things to consider. Check out the reviews and the forums. The reviews on Amazon might be useful too.

You could always simply get her the Rebel, test it out thoroughly and return it if she doesn't like it. The Rebel might "look" good, but many people complain that it "feels" flimsy and is too small. The D40 "feels" more like a camera. Highly subjective.

Best - MM

[Gafer]

Hey Nick the best place near us to take a few in your hands is the B&H around 38 street in nyc.. They are also very knowledgable and might suggest something completely different...

Nick, This is the best advice you've received so far. While I don't have the luxury of living in NYC and having direct access to B&H I've ordered tons of equipment from them over the past 10 years. Top notch. Take your wife there and let her try out a Canon Rebel Xti (I've used the XT and the XTi extensively. The XTi is worth the extra money if for no other reason than the larger LCD) and the Nikon D40. (IMO the D40x isn't worth the extra $)

If size is not an issue, any of these cameras will work beautifully whether you want the simplicity of a point-and-shoot or the sophistication of a near professional level camera.

[papasmurf]

Thank you very much guys for all your help I guess all I can do now is go to the stores and have her actually hold the camera and decide for her self .I was actually hoping it would not come to this due to I wanted it to be a surprise but I dont have much choice I guess
Thank you all


Nick

[Gafer]

Thank you very much guys for all your help I guess all I can do now is go to the stores and have her actually hold the camera and decide for her self .I was actually hoping it would not come to this due to I wanted it to be a surprise but I dont have much choice I guess
Thank you all


Nick

We'll then get a HUGE box an wrap up a nice note from you - "For the camera of your choice. Let's go shopping" I've never met a woman that doesn't love shopping for herself with her man. :biggrin:

[Xavier]

Gafer that is a great idea. I have a Bday of SWMBO coming up. You don't mind if I borrow that line.:smile:

ANd if your wife is a prior photographer assistant... look out, your budget might be too small.:biggrin:

[bjrn]

Thank you very much guys for all your help I guess all I can do now is go to the stores and have her actually hold the camera and decide for her self .I was actually hoping it would not come to this due to I wanted it to be a surprise but I dont have much choice I guess
Thank you all

I think this is the camera equivalent of someone coming to this forum and asking "my husband/bf is wet shaving, I want to buy him a brush/straight/razor/etc", there's just so many ways to go.

Although you'll love out a bit on the surprise, at least you'll be completely sure she'll get something she's happy with.

[MarSellus Wallace]

Nick, one more word of advice. Filters are much less useful for digital cameras than they were for film cameras. I have 8 lenses for my Nikon D200 and I only have one filter: a Hoya circular polarizer. No uv, skylight, color, whatever. Spend the money on a decent digital darkroom (such as Apple Aperture or Adobe Lightroom, which I personally use and rate as top).

If your wife was a camera assistant, then she will know what photography is all about. I also read that you wanted the best camera for action pics. Check out the Nikon D80 as well. It is generally considered to be the best and fastest camera in its price category. It is basically the same as the D200 minus a couple of functions.

Remember: feel, look, decide. Canon and Nikon are top brands. You can't go wrong with either of them. Pentax and Sony are a close second.

One more important aspect: the viewfinder. It is brighter on the Nikon models. Check it out. And yes, to prove that I am not Nikon biased, the Canon have better high ISO-performance (above 800 ISO).

[papasmurf]

After all of the input from this thread I have decided that I will just take her to the stores and let her pick it out and see how it goes from there .

Thank you all for the help

btw I personally am leaning towards the Nikon I saw it in a store today during my lunch break and loved the feel of it did not have much time to really check out the menu to much but I will be taking another look at it soon



Nick

[ouch]

She knows more about cameras then I do she was a photographers assistant while going to school for a couple of years


If that's the case, I can't imagine her not knowing what she needs. Let her pick one out, and then you can do the most thoughtful and gentlemanly thing I can think of..................

pay for it.

[rexj]

What did you get?
rexj

[papasmurf]

havent gotten any thing yet but I am leaning towards the D40



Nick

[Xavier]

Tension is building up in here!!! Ok, I get excited for other people spending money. Especially when it is towards camera gear. Good luck on your hunt.:smile:

[Warlockdlx69]

nikon coolpix 5600...

5.1 MP
audio with the camcorder feature
LOADS of photography modes/extras
OODLES of digital zoom, with 3x optical...
and for far less than $250 in most cases :)

[papasmurf]

OK Gents I placed the order for the camera today

this is what I ended up buying

http://www.1wayphoto.com/products.asp?product_id=12641

Hope it was the right choice :lol:

Thank you all for your help and input


Nick

[murchmb]

OK Gents I placed the order for the camera today

this is what I ended up buying

http://www.1wayphoto.com/products.asp?product_id=12641

Hope it was the right choice :lol:

Thank you all for your help and input


Nick

Nick,

That place has a bad reputation (http://www.resellerratings.com/store/1_Way_Photo). I would investigate canceling your order if possible. I'm going to guess the camera is not warrantied by Nikon USA, but by a third party. I'm also going to guess the lenses are not Nikon, but another brand. I hope you get it and it works out OK, but keep your guard up. You may get a call from them with high pressure pitches to upgrade. Just a warning. Read through the Reseller Ratings comments.

[Xavier]

Good Luck with it!!!

[papasmurf]

all ready canceled the order thanks for the heads up



Nick

[papasmurf]

remade the purchase here (http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?omid=108&ref=cnet&utm_source=Cnet&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NKD401855&sku=NKD401855)and cheaper thanks xavier .I forgot about that link you sent me a couple of weeks ago



Nick

[murchmb]

If it was B&H, you did fine.

Edit: whoops you added the link after I posted. BuyDig has good reseller ratings, so you're probably OK.

[papasmurf]

If it was B&H, you did fine.

Edit: whoops you added the link after I posted. BuyDig has good reseller ratings, so you're probably OK.



And I just bought the same package for $290 less


Nick

[Xavier]

Oh, you had me worried there for a second.
When I said "Good Luck with it!!!", I meant it since I never heard of the site you ordered.
However, I can sleep good tonight, knowing you went with a BuyDig.com they have much better ratings (http://www.bizrate.com/ratings_guide/cust_reviews__mid--24992.html).

Now I can just say: "Wait, Relax and Enjoy"

[papasmurf]

yeah the guys at buydig.com gave me many extras when I said it was for my wifes birthday and they were a pleasure on the phone.



Nick

[papasmurf]

Got the camera today guys it actually arrived yesterday but I had it shipped to a friends house and just picked it up cant wait for the damn battery to charge so I can start fooling around with it .

Thank you all for all the help



Nick

[Xavier]

This is a camera for your wife, right? :biggrin:
I think you will enjoy it as well, if you play the right cards. :smile:

[papasmurf]

This is a camera for your wife, right? :biggrin:
I think you will enjoy it as well, if you play the right cards. :smile:



Yes it is but it is like when you buy a woman Lingerie it is really a gift for you and not as much for her correct???



Nick

[bjrn]

Yes it is but it is like when you buy a woman Lingerie it is really a gift for you and not as much for her correct???... weeeeeell, that depends on how you mean "for you" :001_tt2:

[papasmurf]

... weeeeeell, that depends on how you mean "for you" :001_tt2:

I am pretty sure you know what I mean with out having to say it . and no I am not talking about me wearing it . but I guess that would make for some interesting:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: pictures

[Xavier]

I like the way you think :biggrin: :biggrin:

[bjrn]

Good, good.

Anyway, good luck with the camera. I haven't used it myself, I've heard good about the D40, and I'm sure both you and your wife will be happy with it!

[papasmurf]

Question

Guys is the tripod screw supposed to be loose it wiggles up and down .


Just to clarify I am talking about the screw that the camera goes on it is very loose and I am scared to use the tripod so the camera does not fall off


Nick

[Xavier]

It is supposed to get tighter as you screw it in the camera.

[papasmurf]

well its not getting any tighter it is turning along with the camera
also you would think the screw would be a bit longer


Nick

[Xavier]

Brand & Model # of tripod, please.
Unless you can submit a photo.
Vanguard Deluxe VT #126?? from buydig.com??
If it is, I think it has a detachable plate you can put on your camera base. Even if it is not detachable, usually the plate is plastic and is a little loose.
Usually, affordable tripods do ok, for video camera & P&S, as well as light digital SLR.

[papasmurf]

yup thats the one Vt-126