Digital Camera Suggestions for new member

[Heres Lucy]

Hello folks

I'm shopping for a new digital camera. I have no special picture taking talents. Had a simple point and click camera but it no longer works properly (damaged in bike accident).

I'd like to keep the price between 400 - 800. And would love something beyond point and click - but not too complicated. I don't want to carry a bunch of attachments.

Most of the pictures i take are when we travel in our RV.

After browsing a few photoblogs and this forum - my first thought was the
Digital Rebel XTi

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=14256

Any comments on this particular camera? Other suggestions?

I can be convinced on a point and click if it will take good landscape shots. My previous camera did not do well with those (i thought). :oops: I had a Sony Cybershot - DSC=T1 5.0 megapixels

Please give me your thoughts, advice - suggestions.

Thanks, Lucy

[TLovern]

The rebel series has always been a very good price/performance choice. It gives you the point and shoot abilities if you desire, but also the ability to go well beyond and take advantage of more manual controls.

Any lenses you get for this camera, beyond the kit lens will work with any upgraded camera purchases in the future (or you may be happy to stay with this camera)

The exception, possibly, being the ef-s series lenses are for cameras with a sensor size the same as this camera.

You should be very happy with the XTi

Tim

[Hermeto]

Get yourself Rebel XT + 17-40mm f/4L + 85mm f/1.8 and you’ll be in the sky with diamonds.. :D

You don’t have to buy everything at once, spread it over two years, let’s say..

[liza]

If your maximum budget is only 800 dollars, the XTi is out of your price range. The kit lens that comes with it isn't of the best quality, and you would likely outgrow it in a short time. Good glass comes at a price, so be prepared to spend more than you have initially budgeted. You also need to post process DSLR images, so the purchase of editing software, such as Photoshop, is necessary. It sounds as if you want something simpler, so you might consider the Canon S3 IS. It's a great camera with excellent resolution and a 12x lens, and would be perfect for vacation shots.

[Heres Lucy]

If your maximum budget is only 800 dollars, the XTi is out of your price range. The kit lens that comes with it isn't of the best quality, and you would likely outgrow it in a short time. Good glass comes at a price, so be prepared to spend more than you have initially budgeted. You also need to post process DSLR images, so the purchase of editing software, such as Photoshop, is necessary. It sounds as if you want something simpler, so you might consider the Canon S3 IS. It's a great camera with excellent resolution and a 12x lens, and would be perfect for vacation shots.

OK -- then maybe the attached is differnt than the xti? I get a little confused about all these choices. I see the suffix on this one is XT not XTi - is it that different?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-images/B0007QKN22/ref=/102-9854855-1420916?ie=UTF8&sort=quality&index=0&page=6#gallery

I will check out the S3 IS - but would still like to understand the difference of the XT vs. XTi if anyone can explain.

Lucy

[Hermeto]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_eos350d.asp?dontcount=1 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_eos350d.asp?dontcount=1)


http://www.dpreview.com/news/0608/06082416canoneos400drebelxti.asp




http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_s3is.asp

[runninmann]

Yes, the XTi replaces the XT. I was going to recommend the XT, based on your budget. Many people on this board use the XT with great results. I've seen it for about $700, and next month (or so) when the XTi hits the shelves, it may be less.

[Bob_A]

OK -- then maybe the attached is differnt than the xti? I get a little confused about all these choices. I see the suffix on this one is XT not XTi - is it that different?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-images/B0007QKN22/ref=/102-9854855-1420916?ie=UTF8&sort=quality&index=0&page=6#gallery

I will check out the S3 IS - but would still like to understand the difference of the XT vs. XTi if anyone can explain.

Lucy

Can I ask why you are considering an DSLR instead of a point and shoot style camera? Some P&S cameras you could also consider are:

Fuji Finepix F30
Canon Powershot SD700 IS
Leica C-LUX 1 (or Panasonic DMC-FX01, which is the same camera)

[kram]

I recently sold my Drebel with the kit lens to someone who's been using P&S for the last 4 yrs. After a week, they are completely happy with the results.

Coming to think of it, so was I for a year after I bought my Drebel.

Point is that if budget is tight, go for a slightly older DSLR and buy it used - maybe from someone on the forum. That will give you the best bang for the buck - give you a good initial setup and allow you to selectively upgrade over a period of time. Go for a used XT...and some good lenses.

[Heres Lucy]

Can I ask why you are considering an DSLR instead of a point and shoot style camera? Some P&S cameras you could also consider are:

Fuji Finepix F30
Canon Powershot SD700 IS
Leica C-LUX 1 (or Panasonic DMC-FX01, which is the same camera)

Yes you may. I should have been more clear in my original post - plus as i read more - i'm getting excited to delve into photography. Bottom line - i'd like a camera that can do both - one that will give me quality point and shoot pics and one i can use to experiment with - ie., lenses etc.

Based on what i read so far - i thought the Rebel served both purposes (yes/no?). Plus Liza recommended the Canon S3 si - does anyone know can i eventually buy different lenses for this one? Or is there another Canon that would do both.

I'm getting ready to read the reviews hermeto provided above for all 3 cameras - so maybe those will answer all my questions. But if you happen to see this post and can answer it more quickly - that would be great.

Also - qstn about photoshop - Liza (or others) Am i correct - your saying this is a requirment to produce my pictures from the Rebel (XT or XTi)? Or is this just a feature that most photographers like to use to finetune their prints. I know eventually i'll want to invest in Photoshop - but was hoping i could postpone it for awhile.

Thanks so much for the advice so far -- i really appreciate it and eager to hear more.

Lucy

[Jon]

The 350D does have "basic" modes where you don't need to fuss with any more settings than you want to, but it also allows (as does the S3) you to take much more control over the camera.

The S3 accepts "auxiliary" lenses, which work in combination with the camera's built-in lens. They're a compromise measure; the 350D with interchangeable lenses will give you better results than the S3 when you need the auxiliary lenses.

PhotoShop isn't a requirement; especially if you're not usually making large prints (over 6x8) you can probably find in-camera settings that you'll be happy with while you're learning. LAter on, you may want to start playing with post-processing, but that doesn't have to mean taking every shot into PhotoShop. I find that just converting from RAW to JPEG or TIFF via a raw conversion utility meets my needs quite well 99% of the time.

[SkipD]

Yes you may. I should have been more clear in my original post - plus as i read more - i'm getting excited to delve into photography. Bottom line - i'd like a camera that can do both - one that will give me quality point and shoot pics and one i can use to experiment with - ie., lenses etc.

Based on what i read so far - i thought the Rebel served both purposes (yes/no?). Plus Liza recommended the Canon S3 si - does anyone know can i eventually buy different lenses for this one? Or is there another Canon that would do both.

I'm getting ready to read the reviews hermeto provided above for all 3 cameras - so maybe those will answer all my questions. But if you happen to see this post and can answer it more quickly - that would be great.

Also - qstn about photoshop - Liza (or others) Am i correct - your saying this is a requirment to produce my pictures from the Rebel (XT or XTi)? Or is this just a feature that most photographers like to use to finetune their prints. I know eventually i'll want to invest in Photoshop - but was hoping i could postpone it for awhile. Lucy, most folks who use SLR cameras, be they film or digital, probably spend a LOT more money than your budget allows. They also probably have several components to their camera system to carry around - separate flash, several lenses, other accessories, etc.

I looked at the Canon web site for the S3 IS camera (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=13077) and examined its specs closely. From the sound of your posts, I think you would find the Canon S3 IS a very suitable camera. It has a lens that covers a very wide range of focal lengths, though if you want extreme wide-angle you'd be a bit limited. However, for telephoto work it will do quite a lot for the money. It is a very versatile camera - far better than a conventional point-n-shoot. I suspect that it would take you a couple of years of very intense learning and use to grow out of the capabilities of this camera.

You will definitely want to have a decent computer to do photo editing, though Canon cameras almost always come with basic software as part of the package.

[cc10d]

Many folks just leave the camera set to large .jpg type files and have very fine results with the in camera processing. (rather than computer work) Then when they want pictures take the files to Wal Mart or somewhere to get the 4x6 prints done. (often cheaper than printing your own for the small prints). The Rebel Series do a fine job. My wife used the orig. rebel for a few years, she now has a 30D and likes it fine. Both are used in large jpg file mode. She has learned to use the computer some now and is enjoying the added control of her prints. We both use Wal Marts special for quick 4x6's to share away from the computer. When we find one we want larger, or modified we set up in photoshop and print up to 8x11 prints at home.

I think that the Rebel XTi would be an excellent camera to grow with, (or the XT for that matter, I would suggest these over the original Digital Rebel as it was slower to wake up) but you can also get the 20D (now that the 30d is out) for not much more. Might check them both out. My wife (and I ) really likes her 30D. I still use my 20D, it works fine. The 30 has a larger screen, and other more subtle improvements.

The S3 IS is a very advanced yet simple to use point and shoot camera. If you were going to stay with that type of camera, it is a very capable camera in the less than $500 range.

Just remember that any camera is just the tool to express your own vision, sharing it with others, and/or for your own pleasure. Its what works for you that counts.

We will be interested in what you decide to do, hope you will stay with us here at POTN, enjoy the hobby!

[lakiluno]

A Used XT on the buy and sell forum is very low price - probably around $500 or less.

Some used Lenses - perhaps something wide for landscapes - and a tele of some sort, and your sorted...

you could just squeeze that into the budget if you gave it some thought and didn't get carried away. However, you'd then need to get memory, filters etc, that might add to your costs a bit....

[Heres Lucy]

Great info here -- thanks so much.

I think Liza and Skip may understand my real abilites or lack of them.. lol. I do not have much knowledge (ok none).. so i am thinking i should scale this back a bit.

My husband is looking for a birthday gift for me. He bought my original Sony - without any research - he was just trying to get me something small and easy to use. After 2 years i was getting quite frustrated with it and wanting something more sophisticated - so when it got damaged in the accident - i figured now is the time.

Skip - i looked at that link and then found this package with the S3 camera and all its goodies.. http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-S3-IS/dp/B000GGTHXO/sr=1-3/qid=1156872672/ref=pd_bbs_3/104-2555919-9034348?ie=UTF8&s=photo#moreAboutThisProduct. Right now - i think the S3 is probably the best solution for me. I don't want to get too overwhelmed. Plus i'm still recovering from wrist surgery as a result of that accident that destroyed the Sony.

But - I'll keep reading the camera reviews and additional replies - they are very helpful and i appreciate them. Heck i thought the RV forum i follow was large -it's nothing compared to this place - Yikes! You guys are sure talented over here.

Lucy

[baddlord777]

Can someone tell me in english..lol what : need to post process DSLR images, means....
I am a real newbie...bought a 350d a couple months ago because i wanted a nice camera capable of taking nice shots. I had a eos slr...i wanted and needed a digital. I feel left out now that i feel i missing something very important....Please explain as much as possible...links can help to...appreciate the help...sincerley JR

[Permagrin]

Hello Lucy, welcome to the forum. I too agree with Liza and Skip. I own an s3-IS along with my dslr kit and it's a fine camera. You can learn so much on it...it has the basic controls of a dslr so you can really learn how to use one before you invest in the whole kit and kaboodle! ;) It's weird saying a 6mp camera is a good one, but it is! The lens covers the whole gamut and the photos respond well to post processing (if you want to do that). The IS works well too. (I've had 4 P&S in the last 2 yrs trying to find a suitable backup to the dslr I use most of the time...and by suitable, I mean photos that I WANT to keep, all the while knowing full well I won't be making more than an 8x10 of any of them....and it was the one I finally settled on.) It's not a huge investment (though it's more expensive than others), definately less expensive than the dslr realm for sure. It's fast too...surprisingly so for a P&S. A vg camera for learning advanced functions.

edit: I forgot to mention that if you don't like the advanced controls, it's got all the basic "just point and shoot" functions too...

[Heres Lucy]

Well i went up to a local camera shop and looked at the Rebel & Powershot. No question - the powershot is the right choice for me. The Rebel is so much bigger than i thought.

DH said - just go get it :D so i'm now looking at online stores to see where i can get the best deal. Any thoughts about these online stores - good or bad?

Thanks for your help!

Lucy

[Permagrin]

Well, amazon.com is selling it for $355 through Adorama camera and I've bought from Adorama several times (big purchases) with no probs whatsoever. I think that's the cheapest I can find. From a reputable dealer that is...

[Bob_A]

Well i went up to a local camera shop and looked at the Rebel & Powershot. No question - the powershot is the right choice for me. The Rebel is so much bigger than i thought.

DH said - just go get it :D so i'm now looking at online stores to see where i can get the best deal. Any thoughts about these online stores - good or bad?

Thanks for your help!

Lucy

For on-line I can definitely recommend B&H Photo as I've purchased from them many times without any issues. Adorama and Newegg also get good reviews from the people on this forum. Just don't get fooled by the resellers that sell way below B&H or Adorama prices ... they are almost always scams.

I think the S3 is a great recommendation that you'll be really happy with.

[Heres Lucy]

Thanks guys for the "online" advice. Some of these companies concern me -- plus i want it before the holiday weekend - so i'm just going to get it locally.

I need to start hanging around these forums - i'm sure there is much more to learn.. Is there another place here - i should be visiting to catch the discussion related to the Canon Powershot S3 IS - or something similar. Or is this the right spot?

Lucy

[bonneyda]

I agree with both Liza and Skip. The S3IS is the way to go. It will amaze you how similar the fundamentals are between it and the Rebel XT. You will learn plenty with it and may some day move up to an SLR. It will take fantastic photo's and you can spend the extra money on memory and Post Processing items.

:p