Need to pick out a work camera- yay! Advice, please!

Hi everyone,

I am so excited! My manager just asked me to find a camera for our office.
I would be the one using this camera, primarily... I work at a University and produce brochures and web content for our department. This camera would be a HUGE help.


I have to stay under $1,000... I was wondering what suggestions you'd have and where I should look to purchase this camera from. Two years ago I purchased a 30D for myself through Canoga Camera but wonder if there's a place I can order through to get a corporate discount because this is strictly for work use?


At the moment, I'm leaning toward a Rebel, but wonder if I should be more conservative and just purchase a really nice point-and-shoot? The camera would be used to take photographs throughout the university (candids) for brochures and the web as well as for the occasional work party. Obviously, the Rebel would be better for the University candids... I'm just debating whether I should get a nicer camera (i.e., the Rebel) or try to keep the cost down by getting a point-and-shoot.


Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.


P.S. The memory card would also have to be figured into the cost. Lenses too, if I can find them at a good deal; however, I have an 18-55 and 75-300 at home that I've been meaning to sell for some time... maybe I'll just donate them to the University now?

By a G10 and be done with it. Compact, takes good images for your intent. Also small enough to always have with you.

You could pick up a Rebel XSi with the kit lens for $700:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …EOS_Rebel_XSi_a​_k_a_.html

Then you have $300 for any accessories you may want, like memory cards or maybe an external flash:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …EOS_Rebel_XSi_a​_k_a_.html

I'm considering the Rebel and have an option between one of two kits...

What I'm debating between is the lenses.

Kit 1 comes with the 18-55IS and the 55-250IS (I have both of these lenses and know from personal experience that they're great).

Kit 2 comes with the Tamron 18-200, which I'm not familiar with. The kit is $50 cheaper.

Does anyone have any experience with the 18-200? Is it a good lense or should I push for the one that's $50 more expensive and comes with the two lenses I know and love?

Thanks!

Don't get the G10. It'll take lame pictures indoors in low light. It's just a point and shoot, even if it looks cool and tough. It's not any better than cameras that are half the price.

Get a Rebel.

The 18-200 is ok, nothing special though. Hence why they try and get people to buy it instead of a kit lens when purchasing camera deals.

A G10 is a good idea though. Would mean you wouldn't have to fuss about with lenses and less chance of it getting broken/people (not you obviously) using it without the correct understanding of using a DSLR.

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #8114830
Don't get the G10. It'll take lame pictures indoors in low light. It's just a point and shoot, even if it looks cool and tough. It's not any better than cameras that are half the price.

Get a Rebel.

"It'll take lame pictures"

I didnt realise cameras took their own photos now without human interference.

They're only using it for an inter-university project. Not a multimillion photoshoot. And if it's going to be used by multiple people, it's best to have something that they can all use with ease and efficiency.

bohdank wrote in post #8098103
By a G10 and be done with it. Compact, takes good images for your intent. Also small enough to always have with you.

^that

I'm actually just being swung round to getting one myself for more or less your requirements for certain aspects at my work; I simply don't need my arsenal to take a picture from a book, and it's far easier to actually do so with something like a G10 than what i've got without a complex array of tripod or inhuman sense of balance

As for brochures, i'll be honest with you. pictures i've taken that come out the other end of CS4 via raw with lots of personal satisfaction, tend to largely be used as thumbs in stuff like brochures by the publisher, so it would pointless to complex out. Even if anything you take is used A5, the G10 on paper should handle it

Just my five cents, but unless it's stuff we send to the press, I honestly don't see the point in anything more

Nikon D5000 with the 18-55VR kit lens. It will save your job too.

20DNewbie wrote in post #8114922

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And on top of that it's discreet, thus making candids a lot easier than swinging about a Dslr which everyone seems to notice.

Agreed also.

G10 seems the ideal choice for this situation. Practically, financially and user friendly.

Okay, here's a good compromise: If you have 1000 dollars, get a Canon SX 110 IS or 200 IS for 200-300 bucks (take just as good of pictures as a G10-but can't do RAW) and with the extra 600-700 bucks get an entry-level DSLR.

For 1000 dollars you can do both.

I'm not trying to mock the G10. It's a great camera, but it's not worth 400-500 dollars.

That's just my opinion.

But I do like the way it looks. Very cool. Very Indian Jones. It's a good-looking camera.

DPreview will tell you that anything over 200 ISO is going to be noisy.

drdiesel1 wrote in post #8114938
Nikon D5000 with the 18-55VR kit lens. It will save your job too.

That's actually quite a nifty option, though the 140mm focal range of the G10 might serve best for social group shots, and simply deliver more

I think we've established we aren't after artistic excellence, and this is very close to budget

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #8115011
DPreview will tell you that anything over 200 ISO is going to be noisy.

Aghaa, is this for real? 200 ISO seems a bit lame