Beginner Camera

Mark78 · Jul 25, 2008

What would be a good beginner's camera, for someone who loves shooting scenery? I have a FUJIFILM Finepix S5100. I like it but the stabilizer sucks, the blur ruins some really nice shots. Any suggestions?

Ptyler22 · Jul 25, 2008

What is your budget? Are you looking for a beginner point and shoot, or an SLR?

Mark78 · Jul 25, 2008

SLR, less than 600 dollars, is roughly the range.

Dao · Jul 25, 2008

As for the low end DSLR cameras, there are few of them in the market. Most of them are pretty good. Go to dpreview.com or other review sites and check them out first. Then go to a store and play with them and see if one of them you like better.

nymtber · Jul 25, 2008

I honestly think the BEST DSLR under $600 right now is the Sony A200. Yes I could be a little biased since I own one, but it comes with a pretty nice kit lens, Built in the camera Image stabilization (sony calls it "super steady shot") and the ability to use any Minolta AF lens made since 1985. There is also the Canon Rebel XT, which is a good camera with a great following. Nikon makes nicer lower end DSLR's, but if you wanted to use an older lens, the low end nikons dont have a built in autofocus motor, and most older lenses would be manual focus only, canons all have the motor in the lens, and sony incorporates the motor into the camera.

The only thing I wish sony would implement on the A200 is a mirror lock up feature on the 2 second timer. While it isnt a big issue it helps make landscape and sometimes macro shots even better when using slower shutter speeds (even on a tripod). Maybe somone will release a firmware update for it...*dreams*

theres also olympus and pentax, but I dont know much at all about them.

kcon · Jul 25, 2008

The nikon d40 is pretty popular

tonywuhl · Jul 25, 2008

The d40 is great

Kegger · Jul 25, 2008

You can always pick up a used D70 or D50 and be able to use the non AF-S lenses.

You can generally find them for under 600 on ebay or amazon.

Edit: Here's a link with a bunch that are pretty cheap and come with glass Click

NateS · Jul 25, 2008

It all depends what you plan to do. If you are not planning on getting big with your photography and just want something for nice pictures, the D40 is really nice. It has very nice high ISO performance and really good quality pictures.

If you plan to get into it more down the road then a used D70s or D50 might be better as it will let you use a wider range of lenses with autofocus.

Don't rule out the Rebel XT which is a good camera as well or even the XTI (which is just a hair above your budget I believe).

Sony is good too as are most DSLR's from large name manufacturers. Do as said before and look on DPReview at the different cameras in your budget.

Most importantly, go into a store and feel some of the different cameras as the feel will mean a lot. You will also be able to play around with each and see which one fits YOU best. Obviously this is hard to do with the D70s/D50 as they are all used now but you can gauge the feel of the Nikon's by the D40-D80 and the D70s/D50 are both on par with the same feel in my opinion.

Crazydad · Jul 25, 2008

At the risk of starting a Nikon vs.Canon debate, I have to say I love my D60. And the D40 is great too. The Canons just didn't feel right in my hands.

The issue about these 2 not handling old Nikon lenses doesn't seem to make sense to me. If, like me, this is your first SLR then you probably don't have any lenses anyway. You are going to aquire the ones you want as you go.

Best thing to do is go check them out for yourself at a good camera store. Hold them, play with the menus, etc. To see which one feels best to you.

Crazydad · Jul 25, 2008

Sorry for the repetition. NateS beat me. Darn meetings!

LynziMarie · Jul 25, 2008

Crazydad said:
Best thing to do is go check them out for yourself at a good camera store. Hold them, play with the menus, etc. To see which one feels best to you.

I agree...
you can't just take any one persons word on it... you'll really just have to figure it out for yourself. No one knows what you want better than... well... you! :wink:

Mystwalker · Jul 25, 2008

If you are looking for "Image Stabilization" to be built into camera, you should not look at Canon nor Nikon - both of these have "IS" (VR or Nikon) built into lens. Also, lowest priced Canon IS lens I can think of is around "$150-$250" on EBay (28-135). This may put you past your budget.

Sony does have "in-body" IS.

If you want to shoot scenery and have no problems with your FUJIFILM, a cheaper alternative is to invest in a tripod. I'm guessing FUJIFILM is a Point & Shoot - you can get a $30 tripod from WalMart which should solve your "blur problem".

Hobbes · Jul 25, 2008

as someone mentioned above the Canon Rebel XTI/400D is a great camera for your budget I have used it a few times and its wonderful! hehe I am a newbie myself and I just got myself a EOS 40D because I am a fast learner

maulrat · Jul 25, 2008

If possible, check out your local camera shops and see if you can rent a camera for a day or so. This will give you a feel for which you would rather go with; Nikon or Canon. (is there really a 3rd choice?)

I keep hearing the same thing from photographers. Whatever brand you buy as your first camera and really learn from, will most likely be the brand you stick with for future camera purchases.