What camera should i get?

[Love Photos]

Hi, this is Jacky here, I am very glad I could register as a member for free, there are so much useful links, resources, and discussion here that offer me a lot of information on photography. I am a amateur photography person who just have a Sony compact camera, but i am saving up to buy one good camera, but the question is which one should i buy? There are so much dealers, brands, and model to choose from, my current focus on photography is FAMILY, i am hoping i could capture every important moment of my family in a good quality way. Many Thanks!

[Redal]

Hi Jacky, and welcome.

The "best" camera is quite open to a lot of debate.
If you can answer a few questions , it will help us advice you on want we think is the best for you.
Question 1, What is your budget?
Q2, Do you want a good point and shot or a DSLR ( one that changes lenses)?
Q3, Do you want new or second hand?
Q4, Do you want one that can do Video ? If so how important is the quality of the video?
Q5, Does the size of the camera matter to you? Do you want to be able to put it in a pocket? Do you have small hands?

If you can answer these the options would be narrowed down a lot.

If budget was a non issue, i would hold off buying till the new 1Dmk4 is released, and maybe go for a 35mmf1.4 and a 70-200f2.8 .

Allan

[Love Photos]

All, thank you very much.

Here are my answers to your questions.

Q1: My maximum budget for the camera is $2000.00
Q2: Um.. Dont understand the term of "good point", SLR is good, i think, is DSLR mean digital SLR?
Q3: New or second dont mind, because i used to have a Nikon F55, which i bought it for $700.00 before, and taking a look on Trademe now, it's only worth $150.00 second handed.
Q4: I dont need it for video purpose, as i already have a hard drive video camera for the family.
Q5: The camera of the size is not an issue for me.

Thank heaps Allan

[Deviant]

Nikon D90 :D

or Canon 450D?

[Redal]

If it was me, im a bit of a Canon Fan.

Id go for a Canon 40d , they can be picked up for about $950- $1100.
On Trademe there is a 40d with 17-85 IS for about $1200 at the moment.
Lens wise id look at fast lenses , a 50mm f1.8 and a 85mmf1.8 can be picked up for under a grand for both.

If you had any left over after that , id look at getting a flash, maybe a Nikon SB 24/ 25 and a sync cord/ or wireless trigger.

The reason im a canon fan , is the better canon lenses are more readily available and seem cheaper than nikons equivalent .

If i went Nikon, my first stop would be the D300, then see what i had left over after that, which would be much.

Allan

[tomberkley]

Hi im a canon user also, try to stick to eather canon or nikon, as they are the two main brands for dslr cameras.
When refering to "point and shoot" Redal is meaning these cameras are the most common cameras you see around eg small camera with a screen on the back and all you really need to do is point it and take the photo. More or less fully automatic the camera does all the work and all you need to do is frame it where you want it.
DSLR cameras offer diffrent technology to "point and shoot" cameras and the user is in control or way more settings and how the photo turns out. ( Aperture, shutter speed, ISO, White ballance and a whole lot more jargon)
You should be able to get what you want for $2000. One this to remember is that the camera body isnt allways the most important this to consider. I would say it pays to spend money on good a lens or lenses. What i mean is i would stay away from buying a camera/lens kit. (Jbhifi,bond and bond harvy norman etc will try to sell you a kit) and more often than not you will be buying lower quality lenses that you dont really need. Better to buy the camera body that you want (most shops who sell DSLR cameras will sell them in kits and the "body only") and then find one general purpose lens that is of better quality and more suited to what you need. ( another thing to know is that lenses hold there value much better than the camera body's do, some really good lenses deprecate really slowly so if you need to upgrade for any reason you dont stand to loose as much money).
As for which camera/brand to go for, its hard to say BUY this camera as there are so many and alot of it comes up to your taste.
So go in to dedicated store and ask the staff to have a play around with the different brands and models and see what you like
I would say you will be needing a "general purpose" lens that is relatively wide but has some zoom in it also to cater for the family snaps.
hope this is a help ;)
Cheers
Tom

[Love Photos]

Allan and Tom:

Thank you so much, what you are offering here are very important and useful advices. Thanks a lot.

Many Thanks
Jacky

[Love Photos]

Hi Everyone:

I also have another enquiry, Christmas is getting very close, and i will be getting a camera before that and have it ready for Christmas, but i also want to take some formal family pictures on Christmas day, something like a photo shop where they have a blind at the back and umbrella etc to take some good formal pictures, can i have some advice from you guys as to what equipment should i be getting to have that set up? many thanks Jacky

[Haim]

check these threads out:

http://www.photographersonline.co.nz/showthread.php?t=288

http://www.photographersonline.co.nz/showthread.php?t=122

http://www.photographersonline.co.nz/showthread.php?t=117