What kind of camera?

[texassand]

Hi, I am totally new to the whole photography industry. I've always enjoyed taking pictures and am very creative with what fills the frame, but I have no expertise on cameras, lighting and all the confusing terms I read on here. Main question: I want to spend around $1000 on a camera. What is your advice on buying a digital, SLR, or digital/SLR? I mainly shoot people/portrait photos, you know like babies, families, students, etc. What is the best camera for me to get, that is user friendly and gives you nice crisp pictures. Also, do you recommend buying photoshop? I know nothing about that software, but I know it can fix things and add a lot of creative aspects to a photo. Also, what size lense should I get? :D

[CyberDyneSystems]

If you want a new Camera,. your only option at that price point is the 300D/Digital Rebel.

It is an excellent camera that will accept Canons complete line of over 50 lenses.

Your other options are a used 10D, which will offer comparable image quality to the 300D.. but will add many professional features that the 300D lacks. You can find people liquidating complete used kits with batteries,. lens and CF cards very readily for under $1,000.00 which will give you a better camera than the 300D and in the end you can save $$ depending on the bundled goodies.


The next step up in a new camera is the 20D for approx $1,500.00

RE: Photoshop... Yes eventually PSCS is the way to go.. in the meantime all three cameras listed above come with "Photoshop Elements" which is a marvelous "lite" version of PS... a truly usefull product that may solve all your post processing needs.

[Jon]

Your best bet right now (this is a Canon forum, so our recommendations are biased), if you've been taking pictures for a while so are comfortable using a camera, would be a Digital Rebel DSLR. There's a $100 rebate on it right now. It includes PhotoShop Elements, which will certainly be enough to get you started enhancing your pictures. As you consider this you may want to read a couple of the threads we have on manipulating photos and what is/isn't acceptable in various situations. As for lenses, the kit (18-55) is a fairly good starter. It's not drop-dead gorgeous quality, but it gives you a good range from moderate wide angle (scenics, group shots) to moderate telephoto (portraits) to work with. You might consider, trying to stay within your budget, the Canon 75-300 IS, which is also in the rebate program. Getting both will get you a double rebate, too, knocking down the cost of the camera and lens. It's not really long enough for serious wildlife photography, but for outdoor sports, the zoo, or such it's pretty good. Again, not drop-dead optical quality, but it can do good work if you make it.

[texassand]

Thank you. I have heard a lot about the Rebel but I wanted someone's opinion. Where do you think I can start looking for a liquidated sale for like a 10D? Also, do you recommend me getting a laser printer and printing off pictures myself?

[CyberDyneSystems]

For Color prints.. you do NOT want laser.

Look to Canon i960 for letter size prints. It's under $200.00 for true photo quality.

Check the marketplace froum here for used 10D's