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Camera Buying Guide
Published: 2007-01-02 19:24:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 17556; Favourites: 384; Downloads: 512
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Alrighty guys so this tutorial has been aging but still useful so I figured I'd spruce it up a bit and keep things a bit more on the ball. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE comment and note with things that should be changed or modifies. Any sections that need clarification or spelling mistakes I missed.As always I hope this helps you guys out and if there's things you'd like to see, PM/Note me. I have the "Tutorial Factory" slowly getting back into gear so we'll see what I can roll out.
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Comments: 277
Very helpful...I'll save up to buy one!
Im currently using my iphones camera AND photoshop app D:
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That's awesome, thank you. I need/want a new camera, so this will be very helpful
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hi, this is a great guide, and it really does help.
I currently have a Kodak Easyshare z740, and I have taken some wonderful photos with this camera. I love her dearly despite her age, but I had a hard fall on a boat ramp back in 2008 and fell onto my baby (luckily she was in a waterproof bag, but it didn't protect her from the concrete). Since then I have had bugs with toggles and selecetions - it always wants to be in auto, even when I select the scn or pasm.
This has basically prompted my descision to upgrade to a DSLR - and the choices are mind boggling!
So basically these guides are helping me create a checklist of must haves and don't needs.
At the moment the canon 450D or the nikon d90 are in the lead - for now at least
So cheers for the guide.
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Enjoy the hunt!! It's always such an adventure to go camera shopping. I Loooooooove my D90.
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lol!!!!! that is the camera I have now set my heart on... so I needs to save money like a squirrel! XD
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It's a beautiful camera. Just remember to take as many picutres as you can and to always push yourself to new heights!!
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wow thanks for this! i'm currently looking for a new camera since my old PnS broke and wasn't sure what type to buy! so this is really helpful! thanks
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Ok I have to admit this help in me open my eyes a little more when it comes to photography and cameras but I'm still having issues. You see I don't know anything about cameras or photography but I really want to learn and take good quality photos. Maybe even make it a career if I love it that much and am good at it. However I can't get start till I buy a camera and I don't want to buy a poor quality one but I should get something really good till I know how to use it. So I guess in the end I'm asking what should I get?
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The first thing we need to define is your budget. After you figure out what you'd like to spend you'll be able to get the best in it's class. A great low cost quality option is -> [link] It runs on AA, the quality is pretty darn good (for outdoors photos) it takes SD cards and has a tolerable 3x zoom. That's for $62 bucks. If you have more you're willing to spend then you can get better quality from there. Also if you're still looking for the modeling thing, check out [link] I've got an account there and it's pretty good. Just remember to always bring an escort.
But get back to me with your budget and we can work on it from there. Feel free to note me instead of replying, it's all up to you.
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Although I've already bought my first SLR, I read through this anyway 'cause it sounded interesting. And it was! Thanks for taking the time to write this- I'm sure it'll be of use to almost anyone wanting to buy a new camera 
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Thank you very much. I see you went with the XTi, great choice!
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Wonderful guide!
I have a slightly different problem. I bought a Samsung L200 about a month ago then got a Sony DSC W125 for Christmas. I am having troubles deciding which to keep.
I am a beginner looking to develop a hobby if that helps.
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Technical quality difference should be negligible between them. The best advice I can offer is for you to feel out which one you "connect" with better. Whichever you like most, go for it!
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Thanks a bunch! That helped a lot.
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i found this pretty helpful
see, im pretty new to all of this.
15 years young,im pretty new to DSLR's(only had a compact Kodak easyshare with horrid quality), and recently bought a Nikon D40 a month or two ago.
im starting to better understand the laws of photography itself, but im clueless with what to buy.
i have a D40, the 18-55mm kit lens, a tripod, and an older flash that i have not used or even know if i can use that i found in an old bag in the attic with a very old Minolta SLR that was unfortunatley broken.
i dont know the first thing about attachable flashes, or even if they r necessary, and Christmas is coming and i really want some new len's and some filters (again, dont know a whole lot about filters)
i really really really wanted a lens that could focus farther subjects, and a macro lens.
im on a tight budget though, and i highly doubt i will be able to buy both a zoom and macro lens, but lets say its around, oh, idk, $600-$700 dollars at most? =/
i wouldnt mind the macro lens being a manual focus (even heard that its better for manual when dealing with macro), but the zoom lens must be auto focus, as i would mostly shoot wild animals with it.
suggest some macro and zoom lenses that would be good for a begginer with a D40 maybe?
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If you're only just starting to understand photography rules and techniques I can't suggest enough going -> [link] <- there and reading and doing as many of the exercises as you can.
It's super easy to think that buying something will solve the problems but most often knowledge beats buying power.
As for flashes, I wouldn't connect that old flash to your camera there's a very good chance that it will burn out the hot-shoe with over-voltage.
With where you're at right now, I wouldn't buy anything exceptionally fancy. I would pick up a Nikon 75-300G or a Nikon 55-200 VR . Those lenses are cheap and good quality and will give you some more room to grow. If you're dead set on a macro the only one that will work fully (autofocus and all) is the new 60mm 2.8 AF-S It's a good lens but at that focal length you have to be very very close to the subject to get good magnification. That makes lighting the subject very hard. The best mix of quality, price and ease of use is the Tamron 90mm 2.8 . It's super sharp (arguably the sharpest lens tamron has ever produced). It's 1:1 focusing distance is 11 inches which is significantly better than the 60mm nikon macro.
If you're dead set on buying both a zoom and a macro go with the 70-300 and the Tamron 90mm. That will even keep you well under the $600 price point at $470+(tax if applicable)+shipping. It's a great deal, especially with that $90 rebate on the Tamron that's happening right now. You could probably even convince them (those kind enough to finance this expensive hobby) to add in a Nikon SB-600 Which would only then pull you to just under $700.
If you want to learn flash definatley start reading The Strobist . If you want to learn about portrait lighting the best buy you'll find is the OneLight Workshop DVD . Zack is the man, and that DVD is the BEST $250 I've ever spent to learn about anything photography related.
So the long and the short of it.
Don't purchase anything unless you feel you have to.
If you feel you have to purchase something get the Nikon 75-300G .
If you're dead set on a macro pick up the Tamron 90mm 2.8 .
And if you absolutely must have a flash go with the Nikon SB-600 .
Hope that helps! If you have any more questions feel free to ask!
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you helped a ton, thnx, i'll go look these up and see what else i can find out about them, and i'll start studying flashes and such to see if they are for me.
thanks! ^^
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not a problem. The gear I suggested is pretty much the best there is for price/performance. The tamron 90 is one of the best lenses there is, and the 75-300 zoom will more than hold you over till you figure out where you want to go with photography.
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thnx alot! so these are both compatible with nikon d40,and the zoom has autofocus?
ehh, one other thing, is VR important, and do these lenses have it?
sry if i seem like im nagging, i just dont wanna buy these lenses without knowing what it is im buying ya know?
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The Tamron 90mm won't have autofocus on the D40. Tamron has a version in the works but it hasn't come state side yet. With a macro lens the Depth of Field is so shallow that SLR style autofocus is useless. The D40 only has 3 points for autofocus which would mean you'd have to line your subject up with them for the autofocus to have a chance at working. This usually kills composition which is the most important part of a good photograph.
VR isn't terribly important. It's a nice thing to have, but it's not critical. I shot film for years, and digital as well without VR and the only benefit I've seen with the VR is that when I'm shooting in a dark church in low light the VR really helps. Other than that, I never notice it.
Haha, you're not nagging at all. Feel free to keep asking
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thnx again lol, i dont realy care about the AF in a macro since if your shooting something with a macro it usually is stationary or small enough to not get anywhere fast lol, the only reason why i was worried about the af is because with the zoom a will mostly be shooting wild animals and would have a bit less time to manually focus ya know? but its not a big deal ^^
And if the VR is really just pretty good for a dimmer setting, i have a tripod to counter that
okay, this is my final question and then ill try to leave u alone xD
how available are these cameras?
will it be hard to find some in good or new condition?
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Any nikon lens with the "AF-S" attached to it will autofocus on any nikon DSLR, the d40 and d60 included. If it only has an "AF-D" then it won't be able to focus on the 40/60d
Yeah the VR only helps counter any shake on your part if you have a tripod then VR isn't useful at all.
Lol i'm serious when I say feel free to keep on asking questions
By cameras do you mean lenses? They are all available at a fantastic price brand new.If you read this link -> [link] to my da comment the links I included in it are all to them brand-new at Adorama.
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A great tutorial and much help you have given us! Thank you!
I'm hoping to purchase my first dslr sometime next year. No, I haven't quite decided but I have a few names/models in mind but I have to go over the functions of each again. I'm very picky! lol
Thank you for sharing this!
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Not a problem at all
It's always up to you weather you feel you need one or not. There are far more things than just the functions in the camera to think about. There's the cost of external flashes, fast "large aperture" lenses. and that kind of thing. If you're looking to get gear that "grows" better canon or Nikon are solid choices. Sony is coming along very very nicely,and Pentax has been coming along well also. Olympus seems to be on its way out but that all remains to be seen. I do wish you the best of luck!!
What cameras are you looking at?
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Thank you for your reply!
A friend of mine has recently bought the Nikon D80 and loves it. She is trying to convince me to buy one when the time is right for me. I'm not sure what I am leaning towards at this point, but I do know that my purchase will be my only one and it has to be *the* best purchase for myself. I'm big on feel and comfort while holding the camera (elbow problems) so I will need one that does not weigh a ton. I love macro and that will have to be a must on the camera. There are a ton of options I am looking for and I would love to go over them with you and perhaps you would recommend a few cameras to me.
Thank you again for replying! I appreciate it!
Kim
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I don't believe that there are any capable of recording video. I keep my Panansonic FZ-30 around to handle any videos I need.
The D80 is a very nice camera. If this is going to be your "only one and it has to be *the* best purchase" perhaps an SLR isn't right for you. Because sadly, buying an SLR is just the beginning. Because there's the body and the lens. The kit 18-55 (should you choose to get it with that) is a great lens, but it's only so flexible. The best bet for the most flexibility and quality and price would be the D80 with the 28-200 Nikon lens, or the 18-200 Nikon VR (if you can afford it). That will give you some pretty decent flexiblity, but as with everything it's always a trade off, and I can't really say how that will be on your elbow.
What are you looking to do with the camera? What sort of situations do you think you'll find yourself using it in?
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Hi Bryce, Sorry for taking this long to reply back!
I love taking macro shots. I'm drawn to nature quite a bit. I love autumn and winter the most. Having amazing lenses would certainly be a bonus! I've never used a wide angle lens before and that is exciting! Image stabilization would be a must, as well as something that combat blur in photos.
At some point I will be getting my work together to perhaps show at small cafes and libraries. There is at times the opportunity to do work for the local newspapers in my area, whether it's concert venues, parades, sporting events, etc.
Thank you for your expertise and information! I do appreciate it very much!
Kim
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Hey there kim, feel free to take as long as you'd like between replies! I'm sure not in any rush
I'll tell you right now that there's no single camera or camera/lens that will do everything that you want to do. For macro shots my personal favourite setup is a Nikon D50/70/80 and the old version 60mm 2.8 Micro Nikkor. It's such a sharp lens and those cameras compliment it wonderfully.
What's more important than image stabilization is having "fast" lenses. Having image stabilizaion is great at counteracting your movements of the camera. If you have "faster" (lenses that shoot with a wider aperture (smaller f-number)) the more light they let in allowing you to use higher shutter speeds. That allows you to freeze the overall action of a scene better.
You'll find that when using a SLR that far fewer photos come out blurry. This is because you can shoot at ISO's of 800 with very clean results. Also the on camera flash and metering systems are significantly better than their counterparts. Also for flash photography pick up a "Puffer" diffuser from Gary Fong, it softens the light and provides great results without breaking the bank.
As for getting work for galleries and libraries there is noting more important than having "clean" photos. By clean, I mean sharp, well lit photos that are lower on noise. I've gotten a 6mp image printed at 20x30 and it looks positively amazing, so don't let yourself get caught up in the Megapixel race!
It seems to me that if you want to do landscapes and macro shots you'd want to get a D80(the d90 will be out soon (end of september) so you'll want to wait for that announcement before you buy. That way you can either get a d80 at a great sale or decide to pick up the d90.
Also working for a newspaper is tiring thankless work. You'll want a good wide range of glass for that. You may want to look into getting an "all round" lens such as the 18-200 Nikkor lens. It will be more difficult to use indoors but you could always pick up the awesome SB-600 flash to offset any of those issues.
If you have any questions, or want clarification feel free to ask
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Hi Bryce,
How are you? How is your photography going? I've just read your latest journal/blog, and congrats on the wedding photos and business! That is awesome!
I have another few camera questions if I may ask.
I *may* have an opportunity to purchase a camera that will get me by till I can afford the Nikon D80/90 lol. It's the Canon SX 110IS. I've done some research and from what I have read, it does seem to be a really good camera and it has the options/goodies that I am looking for at this time.
What do you know about this camera and would you recommend it?
Thank you so much!
Oh, and the camera is bundled in a kit here in Canada, so it comes with 4 batteries and the charger and a case for roughly $283.98.
Thank you Bryce!
Kim
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Hello kim
I'm doing well and photogaphy has been busy and rewarding despite the lack of updates on here.
You're of course allowed to ask more questions!!
I can totally understand why you're leaning towards purchasing it. It's a great pocket cam that's fabulous at what it does. However, it's still a pocket cam and will have many of the limitations that you currently face with you P72.
Pocket cam's don't re-sell well so you won't be able to get much (if any) return on investment. That means that it puts you $283.98+tax further from your goal. If you're going to be spending in that range why not look for a used/refurbished SLR? The Canon Rebel XT is fabulous and a D50/D70 used can be had for a very reasonable price. The Canadian dollar is down a bit currently but after this election tomorrow i would expect the US dollar to go down. Which would mean that you could get a nice deal off ebay from a reputable seller for a good price.
Usually bundles are great deals for the sellers but not so great for the buyers. Of course there are good bundles out there, but it's always good to be absolutely sure that it's a good deal.
Did that all make sense? If you have any questions feel free to shoot back to me. Some current deals that ship to Canada are linked below.
Canon 20d
Nikon D50
Fuji Finepix S2 (Takes nikon lenses and accessories)
Adorwin is the ebay account for Adorama, which is a big name seller in the US.
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OH good! which one did you pick!?
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For a long time I was almost determined to buy an Canon's DSLR EOS 450D but your guide convinced me to pick a Advanced Digital Camera Canon Powershot S5 IS. Maybe someday I will buy a DSLR like you...
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!? What's that mean?!
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it means I have the right camera and stuff.... I just am a terrible photographer.... see? look at my pictures no one commented on ONE of them :S
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Come on now. You're super new to DA. I've been on here for years and I still haven't even cracked 15K page views! Just keeps submitting and join some clubs!
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nooo
this is my side
my main is :
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There's no photos on that account silly! I really only work with photography!
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ahhh
photos are on this account...
are they good?
can you please check?
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My dear you have 4 photos. Read over this [link] practice with the concept and take 1000 new photos. We can work on improvement once we have gained more experience.
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Thanks so much for the help--- btw dont you love the new deviant?
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I'm always willing to give honest advice
It's ok, I'm still getting use to it. I still like Dav4 the best so far.
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