Buying a new camera

[mill929]

I want to buy a good camera to take to the deer blind and to take good pictures of the kiddos. Any suggestions.

[unclefish]

I just went through this. What's your budget? Do you want a DSLR?

[mill929]

I am willing to spend some money for a good camera. Is the DSLR a good one?

[mill929]

What brand is the DSLR?

[Shane]

What brand is the DSLR?

DSLR = Digital Single Lens Reflex

That just means it's a camera that works like an older 35mm camera and uses interchangeable lenses, rather than a little pocket point-and-shoot camera. Lots of camera manufacturers make DSLR camera bodies and lenses, and they range in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. It's crazy.

[mill929]

Thank you for the help. I will research brands. Would like to stay with an American made camers.

[Shane]

Thank you for the help. I will research brands. Would like to stay with an American made camers.

Do you want a bigger camera (DSLR) with interchangeable lenses, or do you want something that's a little smaller and more automatic without interchangeable lenses? Pros and cons both ways. Also, I don't know if any of them are made in the US anymore.

[mill929]

Bigger camera with multiple lenses. I want to start playing around with picture quality and be able to zoom in from a long ways out.

[Shane]

OK, cool. There are lots of good cameras and lenses out there, but Canon and Nikon have the most extensive line of camera bodies as well as lenses. For that reason, most people recommend going with one of those two. That's not to say that Sony and Olympus and others don't have great stuff. They do. Just not as wide of an assortment, and not as big of a following. The latter can help if you are trying to sell your gear. If you have a bigger market of folks that use and need gear that is in the same "system" as yours, that helps.

I'm a Canon guy, so I can tell you a little about their stuff. Hopefully some of the Nikon users will chime in with info on the Nikon stuff too.

Canon's least-expensive DSLR models are the Digital Rebel line. They have most of the same features and functionalities of the more expensive models (not all), but they cost in the $500-$900 range (bodies only). The latest Rebel model is the T2i. It shoots 1080p HD video as well as 18 megapixel still images. It has several of the same features of the more expensive 7D model. The Rebels are a little smaller and have a plastic housing. The xD and xxD models are bigger and metal bodies with more weather sealing and such. They are laid out a little differently as far as where all the controls go. Some people prefer the feel and layout of one over the other.

The Canon 50D is priced between the Rebels and the 7D. They make other models that are even more expensive than the 7D. I shoot the T2i. I first had a Rebel XTi - a model from a few years ago. I decided to not spend all of my money on the body, saving more money to spend on lenses.

You'll end up wanting several lenses. There are ultra-wide angle lenses, like the Canon 10-22mm L that shoot big wide views. Great for landscapes and sunsets and such. Then there are telephoto lenses (fixed focal length) that can reach out and bring things in close. The longer the lens, the more expensive (generally). Another option for wildlife and such are zoom lenses like the 70-200mm lenses or a 100-400mm. Those give you a range of zoom to work with. I have a 70-200mm f/4 L.

Then there are in between lenses like a 18-55mm or a 28-135mm and things like that. Those are good everyday lenses for family events and such. I don't have a macro lens, but I want one. Those let you get really close to things and take photos of tiny details. I also want a fisheye lens. Those make the view curved and distorted, which can be a cool effect sometimes.

Canon's "L" lenses are their top of the line glass. Their other lenses are good, but the Ls are better (and more expensive).

You'll end up spending a ton of money on lenses...and flashes...and tripods....and backpacks...and.....

[mill929]

Thank you for taking the time to fill me in. That will get me pointed in the right direction. Like I said, it will mainly be for taking pictures of the kids and taking to deer blind so I will only need a couple of lenses.

Again, thank you for the help.

[Shane]

....so I will only need a couple of lenses.

Yeah, uh-huh. Keep telling yourself (and your wife) that.

It can be addicting.

[mill929]

yeah, youre probably right.

[jdma]

Yeah, uh-huh. Keep telling yourself (and your wife) that.

It can be addicting.

It is very addicting. When you think your finished buying somebody will post something then you will be wanting to try that out. I went with the Canon 7d after owning the Canon Rebel XT because I want a lot of frames per second for action shots (sports). I agree very much with Shane. The lenses get up there in price. The further you want to reach out there and get the picture the higher the dollars for the "L" lenses but they are well worth the money. There are a few places to rent lenses if you want to try that first before buying the lenses.

www.rentglass.com and www.lensrentals.com

Shane very well put.