Photo Pros, which ~$400-800 DigiSLR for my teen daugther?

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

I'm thinking something from Canon
but don't know what model.

Kaela is working at Waterplay this
summer and I want to get her a
camera to take some action shots
while she hangs out down by the
river.

Need to order from Amazon today
since her B-day is this weekend.

Thanks
Hein

forrest · Wed May 23, 07 8:17 am

I like Nikon D70, it doesn't feel like plastic like the Cannon Digital Rebel. I haven't touched the Nikon D50.

I have taken the D70 to the gut on a boched self photo during a snowboard jump and it knocked the wind out of me without even getting scratched.

This is what happens when my friends fall with the D70 and it hits you in the face. Again not a scratch, and will teach him to be more careful. Razz

http://rae.nu/pictures/2005-01-22-snowboarding/DSC_0010.html

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

I have a D 50 and its been a great camera. Plenty of abuse snowboarding and sled necking with it. Takes great pictures, fairly affordable for what it is.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

Thanks Forrest an PacHigh. I'll have a look at the Nikons.
I'm already afraid I'm going to be faced with some choices.

I need one of you Photo Pros to say some thing like:

'Get this camera. It will be all she needs and a little
more for when she gets the hang of it.'

I'm prepared to spend 6-800 and I'm not too worried
about a deal. I'm more into instant gratification and
fast shipping.

Thanks,
Hein

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Nikon d80 is @800$ (body only) and has 10.2mp. Nikon d40 (6.1mp) or d40x (10.2) do not have quite as many advanced options, but they are still pretty nice, and you can get a kit (body and lens) for 500$ - 800$. Nikon has great lens options if she really gets into it, and very intuative controls. Downside - the nikon digital bodies increase the focal length by 1.5x and the lowest sensitivity (ISO) is 200. Check out Canon as well - they have good stuff. Get a good lens - that really makes a differance. Stick with these two brands - they are the industry leaders for consumer level stuff. I would recommend Pro Photo Supply in NW PDX if you are in town. They have pretty competative prices, and are very knowledgeable.- C

Also - please note - a 6.1mp camera makes good prints to 8x10 - If she wants larger prints (ie 11x14) - the 10.2mp would be a better choice if it doesn't blow your budget.

forrest · Wed May 23, 07 8:27 am

This is the site I used to pick my camera:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

Mark · Wed May 23, 07 8:30 am

The Olympus EOS 30D is a great camera that she will be able to "grow" into.
More important is the Lens. Spend the money on the lens. You will swap out bodies over the years but keep the lens. Its not uncommon to spend twice as much on one lens as the body. Canon has also been very good about new generations of bodies matching up with Canon lenses. Some other brands change things around and make your lens obsolete.

Go to DP review for great advice on all things camera.

http://www.dpreview.com/

Damn forest you are quick! (edit due to Forrest being so quick)

Have fun.
Mark

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 424 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

I shoot a Nikon D70s and it works great. Be sure to get a good lens as Mark said. You'll need one that focuses quickly. 6.1Mp should be fine, I think most action photos are taken at that res since they save to the memory card quickly for the next shots. Pro Photo is the place if your near PDX.

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

Hein.

I am a Nikon shooter and have nothing but rave reviews about the Nikon products.

I shot a d70 for 2 years and had many many pictures published from that camera.

I have also used the Canon rebel.

In my oppinion, and after using both, I think the Nikon is a higher quality product on the low end. Like was said above, not as plasticy feeling. Plus, and the clentcher for me, the Nikons, at that price range, give you better manual controls.. allowing you to get off the program modes and actually choose how you want your pictures to be.

Just my $.02- They are all very good by now.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

I have a D70 as well and love it. Not up to pro quality Canon stuff, but it gets the job done. I think you have to choose between the D50 now, and the D80 as they're the newer versions.

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

If you are looking for an SLR camera, you can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon. However, if you buy a fixed lens camera, be sure to find one which has no delay when you push the shutter release.

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

We have the Cannon SD550 or 500, can't remember, but it is great.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Camera-Optical/dp/B000EMWBT2/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-9889559-0890439?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1179941553&sr=8-1 is the 600 for under 300. Very Happy

takes unlimited video at 60 f/s (unlimited=size of card).

Waterproof housing is available and is bomb proof.

Garrett has been shooting with it for a couple of years now (currently is 10).

The waterproof case is good to 120 ft Shocked

and is also great for keeping SAND Evil or Very Mad

out of the camera.

Can post some of the pics from it and movies as well.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Not an SLR but great image stabilization, speedy, 12X optical canon:

$499 - great value

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000Q3043Y/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/002-8454472-8912817?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1179944318&sr=1-3

These shots - not great light - but shot with the older S3 gives you an idea:

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-2068.html&highlight=jones+beach

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1726 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

my experience is with the canon lineup. I use the canon 20D
this type of camera will give you five frames per second for up to 23 consecutive frames. this helps when taking action shots.

stringy

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1153 Posts Oregon Phishy

I love my Pentax K10D however.....
Most photgraphers will prefer Canon and Nikon for their reputation and are not willing to look much further.
The K10D has features that no other Digital SLR offers.
1. the camera is weather sealed, so water, dirt and dust are a non-issue
2. the body has the image stabilization built into it. This means that any lens will become an image stabilized lens. This feature doesn't not slow the camera down like the others do.
3. the exposure control has a few programs that are uniique. There is a sensor priority and a shutter/aperature priorty mode as well, when in this mode that camera adjust the sesor speed (iso) automatically.
4. there is a raw button....push it once and the next frame will be formatted in raw with jpeg.
5. there is a continuous and single frame af switch that can focus at 3 frames a second.
6. 10.2 mp like the others
7. this camera is priced like the lower models of the competetors.

The downside of the K10D is that the hot new lenses have not hit the market yet. The first three will be available in August.

www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06091305pentaxk10dpreviewed.asp - 27k - http://www.pentaximaging.com/products/product_details/digital_camera--K10D/reqID--8793673/subsection--digital_slr

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06092102pentaxdastarlenses.asp

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 561 Posts Hood River Photographer

hein i shoot canon but 've heard the nikon entry prosumer cameras out now are the stronger option.

ultimately it's not the camera though... it's the photographer who makes the shot.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

So what did you end getting? (seemed like a zillion options)