Wife trying to get into photography...What do I get her? Please help!

[BigLebowski]

Hey everyone,

First off, you guys have a really great forum here. I participate in a local sports' team forum and it isn't nearly as active as this. Congratulations!

Now, down to business: my wife is really starting to get interested in photography, and I'd love to get her a good camera and lens for Christmas. I'm really hoping you guys could lend a little advice.

She enjoys taking landscape portraits, along with some action shots (although nothing so active as sports). I'm guessing I should probably get her a printer too, if that is a good idea). I would also like to get her a good lens.

Could you recommend a good camera, lens, printer, and price range? I'm guessing I'll be spending between 500 and 1000. For example, I found this deal: BuyDig.com - Canon EOS Rebel T3 SLR Digital Camera w/ 18-55mm Lens PRO Bundle

but I have no idea if that is the type of camera I should be buying her.

Thanks again. I'm going to be directing her to this forum whe she gets the camera!

 

[EchoingWhisper]

Have you chosen the brand for her?

 

[Dao]

For camera purchase, it is quite personal. I may like the way this camera works, but other may disagree. You buy her the Canon, and few weeks later she may say she prefer Nikon or Sony.

If it is not a surprise type gift, I think it is better to bring her to a store and have her try a few that are within your budget. Most of the entry level DSLR cameras are good. But the button layout and placement maybe different. Size and weight may also a factor. I gave my old Canon EOS XTi to my wife when I switched to a better camera body, but my wife do not like the size and weight of it. So I end up sold it and bought a Canon G11 (point and shoot) for her.

Once you (or her) already have few cameras on the list, maybe you can do some research on them and see which one is best for you guys. You may visit some camera review site such as dpreview.com or ask some questions here.


As for the T3 bundle you mentioned, it is a fine camera but I will not buy that bundle. Just the camera and lens instead.

 

[KenC]

It is very difficult to know what will work for someone. As pointed out, an advanced compact camera like a Canon G11 or G12 (or Nikon equivalent) might work better for her at this point. If it doesn't need to be a surprise, talk to her about which direction she'd like to take. If she is very serious about photography and interested in getting into the SLR world, the T3 is a wonderful camera that she probably will not outgrow for some time.

 

[amatuerallie]

I recently but that same camera bundle, the canon EOS T3 and LOVE it. I love Canon and did you know that when she is ready to purchase additional lens, all Canon lens since the early 1900's are still compatible, whereas Nikon switched. Not that anyone would want an old lens from 1950, but I like the company and they stand behind their products. I am new to photography as well. I suggest trying to purchase it at a local electronics or photo store. We have HHgregg here in KY, a family owned business that has spread throughout the south and east coast. I was able to talk them down and they even threw in a $60 SD card for $20.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I recently but that same camera bundle, the canon EOS T3 and LOVE it. I love Canon and did you know that when she is ready to purchase additional lens, all Canon lens since the early 1900's are still compatible, whereas Nikon switched. Not that anyone would want an old lens from 1950, but I like the company and they stand behind their products. I am new to photography as well. I suggest trying to purchase it at a local electronics or photo store. We have HHgregg here in KY, a family owned business that has spread throughout the south and east coast. I was able to talk them down and they even threw in a $60 SD card for $20.

 

[Dao]

I recently but that same camera bundle, the canon EOS T3 and LOVE it. I love Canon and did you know that when she is ready to purchase additional lens, all Canon lens since the early 1900's are still compatible, whereas Nikon switched. Not that anyone would want an old lens from 1950, but I like the company and they stand behind their products. I am new to photography as well. I suggest trying to purchase it at a local electronics or photo store. We have HHgregg here in KY, a family owned business that has spread throughout the south and east coast. I was able to talk them down and they even threw in a $60 SD card for $20.

I think she meant "Nikon introduce a new type of cameras that will not autofocus Nikon lenses that do not have a focus motor in the lens but those lenses can still be mounted on the camera and function as a manual focus lens"

Anatuerallie, actually you can still buy a new Nikon AF lens that doesn't have a in lens focus motor.

 

[jake337]

I recently but that same camera bundle, the canon EOS T3 and LOVE it. I love Canon and did you know that when she is ready to purchase additional lens, all Canon lens since the early 1900's are still compatible, whereas Nikon switched. Not that anyone would want an old lens from 1950, but I like the company and they stand behind their products. I am new to photography as well. I suggest trying to purchase it at a local electronics or photo store. We have HHgregg here in KY, a family owned business that has spread throughout the south and east coast. I was able to talk them down and they even threw in a $60 SD card for $20.

Sorry but your information is incorrect. You have it backwards. Canon has changed their mount numerous times. Nikon mount has stayed the same. Every nikon lens made(besides a few invasive fisheyes) will mount on any nikon body ever made.

Also many would want lens from the past as they can be just as good or better than lens made today. Another reason to look for old used lens is that you can possibly save thousands of dollars and get similar, equal or even better quality than todays lens.

A good example would be the nikon 200mm f2. A brand new G version will hit ya for over $5,000 where as you can find a used ais version can be had for under $2,000 dollars.

Who would want an old 58mm f1.2 noct or one of dem old leica nocts.

 

[jake337]

I like used stuff. I also like prime lens. Others will have more knowledge on what zoom lens you may want to start with. The thinkg I don't like about zooms is the price you pay for fast f2.8 lens and having a family, you'll be indoors quite often taking snapshots and find many of the kit zoom lens lacking in speed.

d80 from $349
Nikon Digital D 80 10.2 MEGAPIXEL WITH BATTERY & CHARGER (SD CARD ) DIGITAL SLR INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CAMERA - KEH.com

35mm f1.8G from $189
2183B Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Wide Angle Auto Focus Nikkor Lens - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A.


50mmf1.8 af-d or af-s G model

Af-d for under $100 bucks
Nikon Autofocus 50 F1.8 (52) 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS STANDARD ANGLE LENS - KEH.com

or the newer af-s G model for $199

85mm f1.8 af-d from $364
Nikon Autofocus 85 F1.8 (62) WITH CAPS 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS TELEPHOTO LENS - KEH.com



Looking at just under $1000 if you went with the 50mm f1.8af-d and just over $1000 if you went with the 50m f1.8G.
This would cover your basic family group photo to individual portraits. you could add a 135mm and a wider lens for landscapes down the road and have a pretty solid system going.

I would go with the 50mm f1.8afd and grab a 3rd party hot shoe flash for around a 100 bucks and you'll have a nice starter setup going. Someone with more knowledge in 3rd party strobes could jump in and let you know whats good and whats not worth bothering with.

 

[shootermcgavin]

Damn you're thinking about a xmas present for your wife 2 months ahead and are thinking way out of the realm of a pair of socks... I hope you understand that every married and probably even dating guy will hear about this and will have to put up with the nagging for months. Thank god my wife will be in another country at xmas this year, you could really off set the balance of nature. I hope you just got caught cheating with twins or something.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I like used stuff. I also like prime lens. Others will have more knowledge on what zoom lens you may want to start with. The thinkg I don't like about zooms is the price you pay for fast f2.8 lens and having a family, you'll be indoors quite often taking snapshots and find many of the kit zoom lens lacking in speed.

d80 from $349
Nikon Digital D 80 10.2 MEGAPIXEL WITH BATTERY & CHARGER (SD CARD ) DIGITAL SLR INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CAMERA - KEH.com

35mm f1.8G from $189
2183B Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Wide Angle Auto Focus Nikkor Lens - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A.


50mmf1.8 af-d or af-s G model

Af-d for under $100 bucks
Nikon Autofocus 50 F1.8 (52) 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS STANDARD ANGLE LENS - KEH.com

or the newer af-s G model for $199

85mm f1.8 af-d from $364
Nikon Autofocus 85 F1.8 (62) WITH CAPS 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS TELEPHOTO LENS - KEH.com



Looking at just under $1000 if you went with the 50mm f1.8af-d and just over $1000 if you went with the 50m f1.8G.
This would cover your basic family group photo to individual portraits. you could add a 135mm and a wider lens for landscapes down the road and have a pretty solid system going.

I would go with the 50mm f1.8afd and grab a 3rd party hot shoe flash for around a 100 bucks and you'll have a nice starter setup going. Someone with more knowledge in 3rd party strobes could jump in and let you know whats good and whats not worth bothering with.

^^^^that nailed it.

 

[jake337]

I very much agree with 2wheel here, I also love prime as the aperture is almost always big. 1.8 and 1.4 can really give you the light you need and for family portraits a 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 is the best you can have. But as i mentioned maybe a kit lens would be good to start with, it's an ideal to our age of photography. But just a couple of years ago maybe ten your kit lens was always a 50mm. So etiher way, you are getting a good camera.

And the flash, yes, flash is a great idea. if you buy a flash as well, she will have a lot to grow into. But it's a risk to, maybe this will be above her head, I mean, i think it's better to be able to upgrade, you need the basics, it can be a bad idea to get a flash. A flash is essential, but you can do almost everyting without a flash as well. Im not dumb, a flash is great, but is it really such a good idea? And just a note; i love flash photography so im just arguing about if its a good idea to get her a flash already?

Blog; www.ottobergmark.wordpress.com

I mostly agree. But a cheap flash would almost be neccessary for family indoorn snapshots with kit lens, especially with children. Maybe a uber cheap one, that can swivel/tilt, and just leave it pointed at the ceiling. I just got sick of holding mail or whatever I could find in front of my pop-up flash to bounce it indoors with my kit lens. I think primes do a great help in teaching and understanding focal length, perspective, depth of field. Honestly I'm just a prime junky....


I'd also add that my list is all nikon, but you could get a similar system going with almost any brand, canon, sony, pentax, etc.

 

[mommy-medic]

What "look" does your wife prefer?

In my own opinion: Nikon is better at sharp, crisp vibrant colors, action scenes, and outdoor shots, and canon is better at indoor shots, soft smooth skin, and bringing out eyes in low light. To clarify- I'm not saying they can't do both beautifully, but from what I've seen this seems to be where one brand edges out the other. Again, canon CAN do vibrant crisp outdoor shots and Nikon CAN do soft smooth skin, but it just seems to be how their strengths lie.

Others may feel differently, but I would see what type she prefers. Also, even if it is a secret, why don't you "just happen" to take her to best buy and have her hold and play with them, and see what feels better to her? While you're scoping out big screens of course....

 

[KmH]

Be careful. Amatuerallie's information "all Canon lens since the early 1900's are still compatible, whereas Nikon switched." is 100% wrong.

The Nikon F-mount has been virtually unchanged since it was introduced in 1959 with Nikon's first SLR the Nikon F - 35 mm camera, the first 'system camera' ever marketed.

In 1959 Canon was using their R-mount. Canon abandoned the R-mount in 1964 with the introduction of it's FL-mount.

The FL-mount was abandoned by Canon in 1974 with the introduction of the Canon FD-mount.

Canon abandoned the FD-mount, and obsoleted all their previous gear, when they introduced the EOS system and the EF-mount in 1987.

In 2003 Canon added the EF-S mount. Canon EF-S lenses cannot be mounted on Canon EF camera bodies.

135 format film (35 mm) was introduced in 1934, and the first commercially available 35 mm SLR appeared in 1937 (the Soviet Union's, Спорm (Sport). The technology of 35 mm SLR cameras did not really take off until the 1970's.

 

[Village Idiot]

What "look" does your wife prefer?

In my own opinion: Nikon is better at sharp, crisp vibrant colors, action scenes, and outdoor shots, and canon is better at indoor shots, soft smooth skin, and bringing out eyes in low light. To clarify- I'm not saying they can't do both beautifully, but from what I've seen this seems to be where one brand edges out the other. Again, canon CAN do vibrant crisp outdoor shots and Nikon CAN do soft smooth skin, but it just seems to be how their strengths lie.

Others may feel differently, but I would see what type she prefers. Also, even if it is a secret, why don't you "just happen" to take her to best buy and have her hold and play with them, and see what feels better to her? While you're scoping out big screens of course....

Shot with my Canon:


A crisp, vibrant, outdoor action scene. Want to see more? I also do some good skin smoothing.