Looking to upgrade my camera

[photofrenzy]

Hi Everyone!
I am new to this forum and new to photography in general. Well actually I have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember but never professionally and always for fun. My friends call me "a tourist" because I am always taking pictures and always have my camera with me. I just have a little junky Kodak Easy Share camera 7.1 megapixels, 3X optical zoom. I have taken some nice pictures that I am proud of but would like to be able to take better pictures. I am wondering if any of you could help recommend a better camera I could purchase at a reasonable price. I know there are some digital camera out there in the $200 range but not sure if they are any better than the little one I have. Any ideas on this and any other photography tips would be greatly appreciated

 

[iPhoto17]

$200 dollars does limit you to what kind of camera to get, i had a bad experience with an easy share with a battery life of only 10 pictures, then i decided i wanted a DSLR because i love having complete control over my camera and settings like i did with my SLR camera.

if your looking for simple point and shoots at around 200, the nikon coolpix series cameras are very good and go for less than 200

 

[photofrenzy]

Thank you for the advise. because I dont know much about camera I am wondering how different a DSLR is from a point and shoot. I know the SLRs you have to manually set the focus etc, is that how a DSLR works as well only its digital? If I dont buy new I could always buy used off Kijiji etc.. if it means I would be getting a better camera.

 

[prodigy2k7]

Thank you for the advise. because I dont know much about camera I am wondering how different a DSLR is from a point and shoot. I know the SLRs you have to manually set the focus etc, is that how a DSLR works as well only its digital? If I dont buy new I could always buy used off Kijiji etc.. if it means I would be getting a better camera.

DSLR's main difference is interchangeable lenses, and the optical viewfinder. They are also faster and bigger (obviously). They can produce better shots particularly with low-light with their ISO abilities. DSLR's these days to have auto focus pretty much standard for most/all of their modern lenses. DSLR's have a greater and more precise control over ...the controls They are generally more precise in zooming (your hand is easier then a little button you press for zooming in and out) . They also have smaller depth of field which helps isolate your subject from a disrupting background.

These are just some of the "pros" over P&S that I could think of, off the top of my head.

 

[swedberg311]

I would say shoot for a DSLR there is always the option of using automatic until you get your camera figured out

 

[iPhoto17]

I would say shoot for a DSLR there is always the option of using automatic until you get your camera figured out

buying a DSLR just to shoot on automatic is like buying a Lamborghini and not even taking it out of 2nd gear, its a complete waste of money of money to buy just for point and shoot

 

[Blake.Oney]

There are Olympus and Sony DSLR's that are $400 or less new and you could find DSLR's cheaper if you look for Nikon D40x or D80, D70 etc. used.

 

[swedberg311]

Im saying while he is tryin to learn he can use the automatic setting rather than manual. you dont want to miss something because you dont know how to use ur camera, and then when he has time he can read online and books to learn how to use it. and if he never figures it out he still has a nice camera he can use.

 

[photofrenzy]

thanks everyone. So I found a Olympus E500 body, lens, case and battery. Lens is Olympus Zuiko Digital 40-150mm F3.5-4.5 (Lens made in Japan. Found one used for $260, the person says he paid 1000 for it in 2008. Can anyone let me know if they think this is a decent price and camera for a first time DSLR user?? my little kodak bit the dust yesterday while I was at a friends wedding and now I am without anything.

 

[rpm]

hmmm id look into canon-nikon cameras, consider older Canon 350D or Nikon D40x/70/80...esp if you look at the long run in your investment. unless you're ok with jumping systems later on...

im not trying to be stereotypical and crunching down all the options down to two but in terms of availability of used gear and all the other bells and whistles, those two are your main choices for long-term relations

 

[photofrenzy]

thank you. How about a Nikon D50? I am looking at whats available used in my area and there is one right now for $200.

 

[Patrice]

I would say shoot for a DSLR there is always the option of using automatic until you get your camera figured out

buying a DSLR just to shoot on automatic is like buying a Lamborghini and not even taking it out of 2nd gear, its a complete waste of money of money to buy just for point and shoot

No it's not.

Better lens, better viewfinder, bigger sensor, better ergonomics, ......



and the opportunity to explore the other controls when curiosity sets in.

 

[rpm]

considering where you came from a D50 wouldnt be all that bad. plus any lens you buy even older pro or expensive lenses will work with it and any future Nikon you buy...

 

[camera obscura]

considering where you came from a D50 wouldnt be all that bad. plus any lens you buy even older pro or expensive lenses will work with it and any future Nikon you buy...

This is good advice. I love my D50. I'll just keep investing in lenses for it. I think I paid $650 for it in 2005 so $200 is not bad if it's in good shape. And if there is no manual, get this.

 

[KmH]

buying a DSLR just to shoot on automatic is like buying a Lamborghini and not even taking it out of 2nd gear, its a complete waste of money of money to buy just for point and shoot

No, it's not a complete waste of money to buy a dSLR to shoot on automatic and just point & shoot, for many reasons.