calling all photography nuts. your advice please.

[3imo]

Wifey needs a hobby.  She has expressed an interest in photography.

I'd like to get her a camera and maybe some software for christmas.

Any suggestions for a complete newbie.  Maybe some sites I can visit that explain a bit about amatuer photography and what would be needed to get started.

Can a decent camera be purchased for under $200?

  I own a casio, but as you can see in this link--> http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinion_text.asp?prodkey=casio_exs3&opinion=16089    They say the pic quality sucks.

But I wouldn't know.  Here is one at the largest size and highest quality.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f191/eimoytiana/99%20GS500E/gs500e_6.jpg


Looks good to me, I wouldn't know what to look for.  Do I need to buy her a new camera?

[Cal Price]

I used to be a pro photogarapher before I fell into the shipping industry but that was in the days of celluloid and even glass plates. I still do a bit and have kept my kit updated.

The fundementals are still the same, don't get carried away with spec, many people but kit with features that they never use and rarely push a camera to it's limits. A lot of people get hypnotised by pixels but unless you are printing a lot they are not so important as the sellers might have you think. That camera you are looking at is a nice mid-range "entry level" camera, go for something like that rather than leap in for pro quality. If she gets really hooked into photography then by all means upgrade in the future but don't spend a load of cash now, she may not get bitten by it or she may be quite happy mid-range.

I bought my GF a similar thing and she used it all the time and is very happy with it. Both she and I tend to view our images on the pc and a print is a rare event.

One thing worth remembering is that the most common fault in all photography is "camera shake" you gotta hold it still! It makes no difference if its a 1940 rollfilm camera or a modern masterpiece. The only other rule is have fun with it, good luck.

I just like this pic and any excuse to post it will do...........

Outside a Greek petshop......

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

For $200... you're really looking at the mediocre point and shoot cameras. They won't offer her much in the way of manual control, which is what serious photography is all about. Also, don't forget to account for a memory card, carrying case, and batteries (Most newer cameras come with rechargeable LiOn batteries, but it can't hurt to get a spare for trips, etc.).

Honestly, to get something with manual control and nice lenses/CCD (the two most important aspects of image quality, IMHO, megapixels are really low on my list) you'll have to bump your price up.

Some of my favorite cameras that don't break the bank are the Lumix series from Panasonic. Take a look on ebay.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Oh yeah, since Cal mentioned camera shake.. ALL of the lumix cameras come with a VERY nice optical anti-shake, which is superior to the digital anti-shake you will find on some cameras. Again, just my $.02 from when I used to sell them.

[Stephen072774]

I have 3 different models of the Nikon Coolpix at work and home, and they are all great cameras.  I think the nikkor optics on the Nikons are better than average... 

[Chilly Willy]

Olympus makes great point and shoot cameras with really nice lenses.

Have you considered a film SLR?  It's a great way to learn and master the basics.

Check Craigslist.  They often have great deals on cameras.

Chilly

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Sorry.. but I have to disagree Noah.. IMHO olympus = poop. Ever display model we ever had broke quickly, the lenses were mediocre... nothing that really jumps out at you like the leica lenses on the Panasonics. Also, olympus is the only camera (aside from fuji) who still use XD cards. XD cards are expensive and not widely supported. Just my $.02

[3imo]

No I haven't considered it because I have no clue what it is.
...gimme a minute......http://science.howstuffworks.com/camera.htm

OK. I know JU-JIT-SU...er... I mean photography.

OK, now I know. In fact her first camera was a big bulky SLR (about 9 yrs ago) a NIKON I think.

What about software, if I go with a digital. know of anything easy to learn? or geared towards Amatuers?

Thanks.

[makenzie71]

In my opinion, no, a decent camera suited for someone taking on photography as a hobby can not be had for $200.  $200 is the right price for a no-brains-required outdoor birthday party camera.

For a dcent point-an-shoot, you're looking at spending at least $350~450 for the beginning ranges of quality.  Though I say to most people they should stay away from Sony's Cybershot series, the pictures are spectacular (when the f%$king camera works!).  Stay with either Nikon or Sony.

You can get a good DSLR on ebay for $500 and that IS the route to go.  In fact, I suggest spending more and getting a Nikon D70 with a zoom kit.  The D70 is the best bang for buck package out there at the moment.  With the next model released, prices of new pieces are falling rapidly, and used can be had for very reasonable costs.  Scoure ebay.

Good photography equipment is not cheap.

(hit us up at www.photoartclub.net )

[WildBlue]

Some of my favorite cameras that don't break the bank are the Lumix series from Panasonic. Take a look on ebay.

I agree, I've had the FZ-20 for about a year now and I like the quality of the pictures.  It's not by any means a professional camera, but it allows fully manual exposure control.  Amazon has some used ones for about $300, and I think you could find them for even less on craig's list or something.

Here's a sample picture I took with this camera:



In my opinion such a camera is good enough for her to get started.  Like Cal said, if she gets hooked, then you can think about investing in a higher quality SLR equipment.

As for software, I use Adobe Photoshop most of the time.  However Picasa is free and lets you do A LOT to your pictures.  You might want to check that out!

[Chilly Willy]

Good Points Mak and NGFL,

The Nikon D70 is a fine camera and one that your wife will not grow out of for years to come.  As a serious photography hobbiest, I started out with point and shoots, but quickly moved into digital SLRs.  

However, if you're not certain that your wife will stay with it, a point and shoot (2 megapixels and up) would be a cheaper introduction.

The Olympus C2040 (2 meg. pix) point and shoot that I bought nearly six years ago still takes excellent pictures.  It was one of the highest rated cameras at the time, especially in lens quality and skin-color representation.  I'm not sure how the company has faired since then, so please consider NGFL's point.

Mak is absolutely right.  This hobby is expensive, moreso than motorcycling.  My bike = $1400, my Nikon D200 + 18-200 Nikor lens = $2650.  That figure doesn't include my photo printer, smart card reader, camera bag, spare battery, or memory.

I bought a used Nikon F100 (near top of the line film camera) last year with lens, filters, and bag used off Craigslist last year for $500.

My point and shoot = $300 (six years ago).

I hope this helps,

Chilly

[3imo]

  I own a casio, but as you can see in this link--> http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinion_text.asp?prodkey=casio_exs3&opinion=16089    They say the pic quality sucks.

But I wouldn't know.  Here is one at the largest size and highest quality.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f191/eimoytiana/99%20GS500E/gs500e_6.jpg

Looks good to me, I wouldn't know what to look for.  Do I need to buy her a new camera?

So....aside from dropping 500+, would it be such a bad Idea to just have her start with my Casio?  Then maybe as she learns and progresses into the hobby, she could just upgrade to one of the others?

Or maybe I could get an SLR from Ebay for her to begin with.  \

MAk- on that photoclub forum you posted, I found a thread started by Weaslenose (Phae had posted too) http://www.photoartclub.net/forums/showthread.php?t=34

You said you use a Old school Minolta SRT 101 35mm SLR, Ebay has em for about $100 or less.   Would that be an OK beginner camera?

The Nikon D70 is way outta my price range, even used.

[makenzie71]

I would try to stay away from older SLR's as a beginner camera.  I absolutely love mine, but being an all-manual camera, the learning curve and steep and extensive.  This is one of the reasons I suggest starting with a digital camera...plus, in the end, the cost is slightly lower because you're not having film processed and developed alll the time (cost and labor of developing is the biggest dterent to ametuer photographers).

Let her shoot away with your camera...though she'll outgrow it quickly.  It's not really suited toward a hobbiest, though.  Build up your budget and get her a quality camera.

[Alphamazing]

I got my Canon EOS Digital Rebel (300D), a fully manual dSLR for $400 off eBay. Check 'em out.

[weaselnoze]

how so cheap? used?

[makenzie71]

He got is used, and he got lucky...lucky lucky...

[Chilly Willy]

Costco often has good deals with their rebates...

Again, if you're going to buy used, I would check out Craigslist first, then ebay.  I've bought three different cameras off ebay and was fortunate each time to get ones of nice quality.  My F100 I bought from Craigslist and was actually able to meet the seller and check out the camera first.

Right now you can buy some nice Nikon automatic/manual SLRs on either forum.  I started with an Nikon N50 (basic, but took nice pictures) from ebay.  Currently, the bodies for the N50 are averaging $50-$60 on ebay.  Once you get into SLRs over point-and-shoots, though, you'll be spending the bulk of your money on the lenses rather than the camera body itself.  A good zoom lens might be the way to go.

Chilly

[Alphamazing]

how so cheap? used?

Yeah, used. Came with the body, kit lens, an external flash, a 256MB card, a 128MB card, the UV filter, a star filter, 2 extra batteries & charger, a remote shutter button, all the manuals/paperwork, and  a camera bag. All for ~$400 shipped.

He got is used, and he got lucky...lucky lucky...

Naw, not that lucky. The 300D goes for around that price pretty regularly.

[porsche4786]

Get her like a Pentax K1000 or something, old, but a great camera to learn on. And get a film scanner....

[makenzie71]

Naw, not that lucky. The 300D goes for around that price pretty regularly.

my bad...it's been nearly 2 years since I really looked at their prices.