Posted: 1/2/2010 9:02:06 AM EDT
| I need serious help from serious folks here, OK so I may be in the wrong place for serious but here is the question anyway. I am looking at getting into photography as a hobby as I have a lot of spare time. I need suggestions on good entry level cameras that will fit in a budget of about $250.00 to start with. Any help would be great. |
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http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SD790IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B0011ZK6OS
10mp 3x zoom Image Stabilization $170 bucks http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SD790IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B0011ZK6OS |
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Quoted:
A used camera is a huge risk of total waste of money. Why is it for sale, statistically I'll bet 50% or more have some sort of issue, less the nhalf are because of an upgrade. save a bit longer and get new. This is true. There is no percentage to buying a used one when newer, better ones are so cheap. |
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If you are really thinking about getting into photography as a serious hobby.
I'd plan on at least doubling your purchase price and look for an entry level DSLR. Point and shoots are great for taking quick snapshots but you will really want a DSLR for developing (pun intended) your photography skills and understanding. I'm a Nikon guy myself but imo both Nikon and Cannon make some great entry level DSLRs. A great review website http://www.dpreview.com/. |
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Look for one of the Canon Rebels. That price range makes it tough, but eventually you should be able to find an XT with a lense. Try to find one with low actuations, as these things do wear out. That's a good starting point, but you'll have to spend a shitload more than 250 to progress any further. |
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Quoted:
I need serious help from serious folks here, OK so I may be in the wrong place for serious but here is the question anyway. I am looking at getting into photography as a hobby as I have a lot of spare time. I need suggestions on good entry level cameras that will fit in a budget of about $250.00 to start with. Any help would be great. There was a Canon G9 in the EE w/ lots of acc. for a little more––12mp REALLY good digicam and great stuffs. |
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Quoted:
500 is your price range. Go Canon or Nikon. (I use Canon) YOu aren't going to get what your want for 250 as far as a digital SLR, which is where it gets interesting. SLR or go home, if you want to have any fun with picture-taking. You will understand that once you own both. |
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If you're interested in photography you're going to want to get some control over the photographs you take. A simple point-and-shoot will not give you this. You will be at the mercy of the camera automatics, stuck with a single lens. You will have no control over your aperture. You will have no control over your focal length. Your life will be one of pain and sorrow, full of misery. You will die alone and embittered towards the cruel world that tied your hands with such limitations.
But wait! There is hope! They call it the single-lens reflex camera, or "SLR". It is a thing of beauty, a thing of grace. It will grant you the power you seek. Embrace it with love and it shall reward you. But it will cost more than two-hundred-and-fifty dollars. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I need serious help from serious folks here, OK so I may be in the wrong place for serious but here is the question anyway. I am looking at getting into photography as a hobby as I have a lot of spare time. I need suggestions on good entry level cameras that will fit in a budget of about $250.00 to start with. Any help would be great. There was a Canon G9 in the EE w/ lots of acc. for a little more––12mp REALLY good digicam and great stuffs. THIS /thread |
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Digital cameras have gotten so good that you can get alot of amazing shots with one that costs you under $200.00 You won't be taking Ansel Adams pictures with it, but even in that price range they have enough settings to do some neat effects.
The only downside for my needs, is they still aren't good enough to take super long night time exposure shots of stars. They're better than 10 years ago, but still alot of noise if the shutter is open for more than 10 seconds. They're good enough that you can get some nice night time city street pictures with the current generation though. Definitely buy online. You can save 20-30% over any brick and mortar store when it comes to digital cameras. |
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I got this one about 2 years ago for $225 and could have done better if I shopped a bit more. I can't believe it actually went up in price since then being older models go down fast.
It has everything one can want in a point and shoot digital. I like to play with the settings and can get some interesting results. Canon A720IS |
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Quoted:
If you're interested in photography you're going to want to get some control over the photographs you take. A simple point-and-shoot will not give you this. You will be at the mercy of the camera automatics, stuck with a single lens. You will have no control over your aperture. You will have no control over your focal length. Your life will be one of pain and sorrow, full of misery. You will die alone and embittered towards the cruel world that tied your hands with such limitations. But wait! There is hope! They call it the single-lens reflex camera, or "SLR". It is a thing of beauty, a thing of grace. It will grant you the power you seek. Embrace it with love and it shall reward you. But it will cost more than two-hundred-and-fifty dollars. Rangefinders also have their place. Some like to buy all kinds of tecno crap ands go out a few times and take pics (snapshots) of a bird/flower/sunset/bike/car/gun, but these are all snapshots. Some may be good technically or even artistic but seldom does the camera owner become a great photographer. Some have a vision or a passion that lets them use a camera as a tool to capture a moment, an emotion, a story or even art. The type of camera may influence the outcome but not so much in this case. For instance, an insider to a certain social scene would be able to get images and meaning about that group like noone else. A true entheusiast to a certain hobby could finely tune his imagry to suit the intended viewer, regardless of camera type. Someone traveling around to shoot all remaining wwII vets could use any camera and the pics would still have meaning. It's easy to fall into the "tyro" trap. Think about your photography first and concentrate on technique. For example, learn to rear focus, expose to the right, shoot RAW,buy some books on art/design basics. I myself want a G9 (not 10) so i can cover it in masking tape and sharpie to make it look cheap and subded for some upcoming work. It is an awesome camera that will do almost anything. Also, after you buy it, small tripod and some cards, you're done buying crap and can start to shoot instead of wishing you had just one more lens. |
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I disagree with used being a bad idea, I've bought both my digital camera bodies used with no problems. There are plenty of people that have to have all the latest features and dump their old gear cheap to buy a new model. I'd always go with a used pro or semi pro model over a new consumer model. Features like weather proofing and dual jog wheels are worth more to me than video modes and other consumer level stuff. With SLRs, the lenses are the real investment. I'm a black sheep, I went with Pentax as I already had some manual focus lenses from my films days, and I like having shake reduction independent of the lens.
KEH has a good reputation for accurate grading on their used gear. http://www.keh.com/ I bought my k10 from them, and it looked new. |
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Quoted:
I got this one about 2 years ago for $225 and could have done better if I shopped a bit more. I can't believe it actually went up in price since then being older models go down fast. It has everything one can want in a point and shoot digital. I like to play with the settings and can get some interesting results. Canon A720IS Those were a good camera. I have the 710IS, which was the smaller 7.1 megapixel and came out before it. I think the price is outrageous now because they're not making that model and there are just a few NIB ones left. Unfortunately when Canon came out with the successor model the 1100IS and 2000IS, they took out a few features. Their SD line of cameras still have some good featiures for a reasonable price though. |