need help choosing camera

[upper]

and what does the f/3.5-5.6 or f1.8 means?

 

[upper]

and what kind of tripod would i need for this camera? or what about image stabilizer?

 

[Overread]

hmm well Canon and Nikon are often the most popular choices for cameras, mostly because they are well established producers but also because they both have large and very diverse ranges of lenses available. That said at the starting level any DSLR is going to give you pretty much the same results. The big advantage you get with the sony is that it comes with the image stabalier built into the camera body as opposed to the camera lens (which is how nikon and canon operate). This gives you an instant advantage in handheld use to start off with and also means you get it with both the low end and top end lenses. With canon and nikon you do have to pay slightly more to get that Is feature in a lens. However I have read that (and don't hold me to this) Is in lenses is better than Is in camera bodies. Now I don't know how accurate this is as a statment or by how much it affects the shots you get, but its something to consider.

Personaly if I were intending to go further with my photography as a hobby, as in invest in expensive kit and really make it a major hobby I would be more inlclined to say go for nikon or canon as further down the road they offer up better lens choices. If its a hobby which you will have an interest in but don't/can't see yourself investing large amounts of time/money in then the sony will get you to a good standard.

 

[djacobox372]

what DSLR camera+accessories(tripod/bags and stuff) would you recommend me for overall 700$-900$

For that $$ I'd look for a nikon d70 outfit on ebay. You can get a great deal if you find somebody selling a combination of lenses and accessories that suits your needs. The auction below would be a great choice, the included lens covers a very wide range, and is close focusing for those closeup shots you mentioned:


http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D-70-and-...yZ107912QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The Nikon D40 is probably the most popular inexpensive DSLR right now, but I try to point those buyers towards the d70, which is less expensive used then the d40. Image quality is about the same between the two, but the feel and features of the D70 beat the d40 hands down.

 

[ANDS!]

Try and shoot for a Nikon D50 locally. I just picked up one with a "kit lens" for 300 bucks. eBay usually has them from anywhere between 300-500 (ripoff at that 500 range for the crap lenses they try to stick you with). That would leave you with enough scratch to get a nice prime lens, and perhaps even a macro lens for your plant photography. You would save even more money if you decided to go the Canon route, as they are generally cheaper. If you did, you'd be looking for a 300 or 350 XT.

900 is most definitely enough to get you started, and allow you to do some beginner to advanced shooting.

 

[croomaniac]

i'm a sony user i do see that more and more 3rd party lenses are coming.. and don't forget that sony is using the same mount as konica-minolta's a mount, there are just many used (legendary) minolta lenses out there, for example the legendary f4 beercan ;-)

 

[upper]

sorry guys, but i cant order stuff online, here's the store around the block from my house.
http://www.samys.com/browse.php?cat=101&mfg=26
or
http://www.melpiercecamera.com
can anyone find me a good 700-900$ set?


this is because my dad doesnt trust online store, he said what if he buys it and it breaks, he cant go to the store to get it repaired, he would have to ship it back, and he doesnt even know if its a scam. and if they're selling us a broken camera

 

[JustAnEngineer]

There are some very reputable on-line stores. Use www.resellerratings.com to check out others' experiences with a new vendor. www.bhphotovideo.com or www.adorama.com get very high marks, for example. Note that your credit card may offer additional protection for items that you purchase on-line.

 

[upper]

i havnt seen a Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro in any of those reputable on-line site. or i woulda ordered it myself.

 

[NateS]

sorry guys, but i cant order stuff online, here's the store around the block from my house.
http://www.samys.com/browse.php?cat=101&mfg=26
or
http://www.melpiercecamera.com
can anyone find me a good 700-900$ set?


this is because my dad doesnt trust online store, he said what if he buys it and it breaks, he cant go to the store to get it repaired, he would have to ship it back, and he doesnt even know if its a scam. and if they're selling us a broken camera

It doesn't matter....if it breaks, your warranty isn't with the store, it's with the manufacturer.

 

[NateS]

i havnt seen a Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro in any of those reputable on-line site. or i woulda ordered it myself.

Are you kidding me?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...lSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

http://www.adorama.com/Search-Results.tpl?page=searchresults&searchinfo=Sigma%2070-300%20APO

I ordered mine from B&H and couldn't be happier with their service.

 

[upper]

i just told me dad that if it breaks its with the manufacturer, then he said if we buy it at a store, we could return it to the store. and he said that he doesnt want to order stuff online, because they could pull tricks on you. give us used stuff, or stuff without warranty, or change the stuff we ordered around, and they'll already have our money.

 

[jg123]

Most stores will accept a return like that within the first 30 - 90 days but if you don't take an extended warranty you will have to deal with the manufacturer after that time.

 

[upper]

what do you guys think about this set
Sony DSLR-A200 with 18-70mm from kit=500$
tamron
AF 28-200mm f/3.8 - f/5.6 XR Aspherical (IF) Macro Super Zoom Lens for Minolta(i think this work on the sony too.)=300$

tripod
http://www.samys.com/product_detail.php?item=6788
80$

T_T, cant find any better ones, and it'll exceed 900$ with tax

and, i just told my dad that they'll accept return like that if you buy it online, but he said, then we'll have to pay for shipping, and wait for shipping, then they would take forever to respond to their return email. but if we buy from store, we could just go and return it right away with no extra shipping charge and time.