Buying camera - suggestions?

[Linkan]

I'm just about to start producing content and I need a camera. I'm not a big player that can spend insane amounts, but would still like a decent camera to start off with and then build my way up.

Also, we're talking still photography, just to clear that out. Budget is around $6-800 tops. Any suggestions?

[fbrtopic]

For that much, you shoul dbe able to get like a 8-10 megapixel digital camera, preferable DSLR. For professional stuff, you won't want less than 7-8 megapixels.


Here are a couple of decent camera's.

http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/cano...d-reviews.html

http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/fuji...0-reviews.html

Or a nice 7 megapixel camera, one that I have for everyday use, it allows interchangable lenses, but the lenses are speciallmade by sony. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars, great pictures and I like the idea of interchangable lenses on such a small camera, however I wouldn't use them just because I don't need to.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/P200/P200A.HTM

[Linkan]

Thanks for the links! I've been looking at the Canon 350D myself today, and I must say, it leans toward that camera.

[Cash]

This is a good product, also a Canon of 8 MP:
Canon Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera

[sleazy_eddie]

I'll ask some of my little brother's photography-major friends. They should be able to point you in the right direction.

[Linkan]

Thanks for all your help guys! Appreciate it!

[fbrtopic]

No problem man. Keep us updated!

[davepics50]

The RebelXT is a nice camera, and it shoots well on the auto settings. Even better when you learn the manual settings. The kit lens is a surprisingly good lens that is only $145 to replace it ever gets broken. Consider something that has a lower f-stop in the future for lower light situations and that wonder backgroud blur.

[phatbiatch]

I got my olympus C8080 from buydig.com being sold for about $150 less than competitors at that time. They have great prices

[Cash]

The RebelXT is a nice camera, and it shoots well on the auto settings. Even better when you learn the manual settings. The kit lens is a surprisingly good lens that is only $145 to replace it ever gets broken. Consider something that has a lower f-stop in the future for lower light situations and that wonder backgroud blur.

Welcome to GFY
Linkan, btw, before buying online, choose a reputable online store, otherwise you may fall for a cheap (displayed) price at a "bait and switch" scam store (do a research first at www.resellerratings.com and read the customer reviews) ...

[Linkan]

Welcome to GFY
Linkan, btw, before buying online, choose a reputable online store, otherwise you may fall for a cheap (displayed) price at a "bait and switch" scam store (do a research first at www.resellerratings.com and read the customer reviews) ...

No doubt about that!

[nestle]

I am a photographer as a hobbyist, I am planning on purchasing a Canon 30D within the next two months. I held and shot with both Digital Rebel and 20D previously and definitely liked the feel of the 20D better than the Rebel and thought that the pictures also came out a bit better (but wasn't too noticeable to the naked eye).

I've been planning on buying the 20D for the last six months and decided to hold out til the 30D came out. Just waiting for a good deal ;)

Either way, I don't think anyone can go wrong with a Canon DSLR unless you have been a Nikon man for a while then it'll be best to stick with what works for you.

[Linkan]

...I don't think anyone can go wrong with a Canon DSLR...

Nope, I'm very close to getting that camera!

[jo3]

Nikon !!!

[Jenny S.]

Ever tried to upload a gallery with 8 MP pics? Don't get pixel crazy! You don't want pics being over 130 KB anyway, so 3-5 MP gives you plenty of room to downsize a pic and crop, if needed.
My husband's concerns are different. Size, not only in bed... We have the big pro equippment, like Nikon D 100, but barely use it.

I don't know who of you guys has a professional camera crew plus a photo pro for the stills at hand when you do a shoot? We don't.

Like most, we do our own pics and we want to get maximum result from one shot. This means we do video footage and pics at the same time. Ever tried to operate a huge 3-chip video camera and a SLR photo camera with a zoom lens at the same time? It's not going to happen. Sex isn't static, you gotta be on top of things, with the camera, I mean. Small digitals are the way to go. A small handheld camcorder has a bette quality (picture, not sound) than a 50k $ pro Betacam 12 years ago. Less is more, I think.

[Linkan]

Ever tried to upload a gallery with 8 MP pics? Don't get pixel crazy! You don't want pics being over 130 KB anyway, so 3-5 MP gives you plenty of room to downsize a pic and crop, if needed.
My husband's concerns are different. Size, not only in bed... We have the big pro equippment, like Nikon D 100, but barely use it.

I don't know who of you guys has a professional camera crew plus a photo pro for the stills at hand when you do a shoot? We don't.

Like most, we do our own pics and we want to get maximum result from one shot. This means we do video footage and pics at the same time. Ever tried to operate a huge 3-chip video camera and a SLR photo camera with a zoom lens at the same time? It's not going to happen. Sex isn't static, you gotta be on top of things, with the camera, I mean. Small digitals are the way to go. A small handheld camcorder has a bette quality (picture, not sound) than a 50k $ pro Betacam 12 years ago. Less is more, I think.

Hmm yeah I was concerned about the 8MP pic size as well. I mean, a 256 Mb memory would hardly cut it, now would it? Would a 1Gb do?

I've gotten the recommendation so far to get an as good camera as possible. The more MP's the better. I won't have a professional crew, so perhaps a ~5MP compact camera would cut it for me after all? Would certainly keep down the costs that way, but not if it affects the quality so much that I won't get payed properly for my work.

I'm still very close to getting the Canon 350D... but if that's overkill for a newbie, just starting out... let me know! Thanks!

[ultimatebbwdotcom]

It depends on how "into it" you want to get. A dslr is going to give you the options to change the lens, which even though you may not need to do initially most stock lenses are 3.5 - 5.6 which is pretty uselss in low light. Being restricted to the lens that is built into a point and shoot (PAS) may eventually drive you insane - no ability to buy close up lenses for small spaces or larger zooms for those across the swimming pool shots lol -

In addition the sensor in an slr is much larger - for example, the 8mp Canon Powershot S80 has a 1/1.8" which equals a sensor about 7.2mm wide x 5.3mm tall. Compare this to the 8mp Canon Rebel XT dSLR, which has a sensor that is 22mm wide x 14.8mm tall, or about 9.5 times bigger. The larger the sensor, the more light and less noise it produces, so in this case, bigger is better.

Point and shoots have this annoying lag whilst writing the info too - i used to hate the wait between shots as my old PAS camera did its business - not so with DSLRs, 4-5 frames per second is easy, they really are superfast cameras to use.

Id never ever go back to a non dslr - if you plan to do plenty of content creating they are the best option. Why not buy both a dslr and POS and use both for the weekend, then return the one that doesnt work for you.

[Linkan]

Id never ever go back to a non dslr - if you plan to do plenty of content creating they are the best option. Why not buy both a dslr and POS and use both for the weekend, then return the one that doesnt work for you.

That's not a half bad idea

Even though the Canon will cost me a fortune, having to purchase memory chips and what not, I think I'll have that back when it comes to quality. No lag is also a damn fine thing so work should be easier! Hopefully I can work back the extra dineros the Canon camera will cost me.

Otherwise I'll be going hobo real soon! lol

[ultimatebbwdotcom]

Ive seen the Rebel 350D (plus 18-55 lens) at B+H for $743 with $100 rebate (although i never trust those rebate things) even cheaper elsewhere but i actually trust B+H.

Heres the link

bhphotovideo.com

[Zuss]

I have the Pentax *istDs which is like the *istDL but with a bigger very nice viewfinder and stuff. Great handling...check it out ....

[Linkan]

Ive seen the Rebel 350D (plus 18-55 lens) at B+H for $743 with $100 rebate (although i never trust those rebate things) even cheaper elsewhere but i actually trust B+H.

Heres the link

bhphotovideo.com

If I buy from a US retailer, I get it really cheap. At B+H it would cost me 4,8K swedish crowns, while if I buy the same camera here in Sweden, it'll cost me about 9K crowns (~$1250). I'm telling ya, our damn taxes...

The shitty thing with ordering from the US would be if I had to return it or what not. But our swedish prices suck so much I might have to risk it :/

I dunno, damn.

[rianrose]

Those of you using dslr's...just curious. What glass do you use? What lenghts seem to cover most of your shots?

[ultimatebbwdotcom]

Those of you using dslr's...just curious. What glass do you use? What lenghts seem to cover most of your shots?

At the moment Im using a 1.8 20mm Prime, a 1.8 50MM prime, standard 3,5 5.6 18/55 and a 3.5-5.6 28-135 IS

I partner these with two softboxed AB800 strobes with the wireless transmitters.

The primes are awesome for low light conditions and those blurry background shots although i find the 50mm a little restricting which is why i bought the 20MM. They are also much sharper than the zoom lenses and you can just use your feet to zoom anyway lol

[rianrose]

Which brand 20mm prime do you use? I was considering getting the sigma 20mm prime. the 50mm prime is obviously a staple.. its a shame its so limiting. I've got a tamron 28-200 3.8-5.6 that just doesnt open up enough... obviously where the prime's rule.

[Linkan]

My mind is 95% made up. I'm getting the Canon 350D next week unless the remaining 5% seize control of things. Any last minute warnings about the Canon 350D, please hand 'em to me now

[ultimatebbwdotcom]

Which brand 20mm prime do you use? I was considering getting the sigma 20mm prime. the 50mm prime is obviously a staple.. its a shame its so limiting. I've got a tamron 28-200 3.8-5.6 that just doesnt open up enough... obviously where the prime's rule.

I use the Sigma 20mm funnily enough. Good results so far - Nice and fast in the focusing department, even when its fairly dark and I'm just using the model light on the stobes. Picture quality wise, im very happy with it.

The 50mm is restricting and i use it less now apart from the odd half body shot in the set where i want the backgound thrown out, id probably get something around 35mm to next time but, as you say, for $90 its a must have for that range.

I barely use the 28-135 at all now and don't really have any need to go above 50mm in my studio - the only time i need anything with that length is to get across a swimming pool or somethingand i havnt got one of those yet.

Id say a good lens for porn shooters would be something around 17-45 f1.4 which canon do with the L glass - around $1400 last time i saw but definately on the list

[Booty Bucks]

I am a photographer as a hobbyist, I am planning on purchasing a Canon 30D within the next two months. I held and shot with both Digital Rebel and 20D previously and definitely liked the feel of the 20D better than the Rebel and thought that the pictures also came out a bit better (but wasn't too noticeable to the naked eye).

I've been planning on buying the 20D for the last six months and decided to hold out til the 30D came out. Just waiting for a good deal ;)

Either way, I don't think anyone can go wrong with a Canon DSLR unless you have been a Nikon man for a while then it'll be best to stick with what works for you.

Yeah that's right about Canon, I own a 20D and it's good shit.. it's not to much difference between the 20D and the 30D the view screen is larger and maybe a couple of other small things.. It's basically the same camera.

[rianrose]

I use the Sigma 20mm funnily enough. Good results so far - Nice and fast in the focusing department, even when its fairly dark and I'm just using the model light on the stobes. Picture quality wise, im very happy with it.

The 50mm is restricting and i use it less now apart from the odd half body shot in the set where i want the backgound thrown out, id probably get something around 35mm to next time but, as you say, for $90 its a must have for that range.

I barely use the 28-135 at all now and don't really have any need to go above 50mm in my studio - the only time i need anything with that length is to get across a swimming pool or somethingand i havnt got one of those yet.

Id say a good lens for porn shooters would be something around 17-45 f1.4 which canon do with the L glass - around $1400 last time i saw but definately on the list

17-45 seems ideal but anything fast that doesnt distort in that range is bloody expensive... Id love to get a canon L in that range but theres so much I need to pick up before that becomes important enough. Its one of the main drawbacks of digital slr's i suppose.. you gotta get shorter lenses for everything which makes closer shots that dont distort expensive.

I have a feeling the camera will live with the 20mm prime onboard until we splurge on an L. Its so easy to just blow so much money on lenses hehe. I didnt see a 17-45 f1.4.... It seems the zooms are only down to 2.8 that I was finding..... I would probably go for the 17-55/F2.8L IS... its only $1200.

It'll be nice when canon makes some affordable full frame sensors suddenly the lenses will be so much more effective. (aka less expensive)... i suppose they gotta get our money somewhere.. either with short lenses or expensive bodies.. bastards

[Linkan]

I would probably go for the 17-55/F2.8L IS... its only $1200.

Yeah, only... lol

But there's gonna be pretty cool pics, I hope

[Jaytown]

The new canon digitial rebel XT is about as good as it gets. This cam with a gig card is about all youll ever need. Cant go wrong. http://www.photoxels.com/canon-digital-rebel-xt.html

[Linkan]

The new canon digitial rebel XT is about as good as it gets. This cam with a gig card is about all youll ever need. Cant go wrong. http://www.photoxels.com/canon-digital-rebel-xt.html

Yeah, I hear ya. It's a nice camera! I will have to raise some funds to get it though, it's bloody expensive up here in the north.