recommend a camera for a beginner

[highwayjunkie]

What kind of camera do you use....and if you could recommend a camera for a beginner, what would that be?

 

[Kurt]

My main camera right now is a Nikon D700.

What is your budget? Do you want to be able to change lenses, carry in your pocket, easy to use or thick manual?

 

[Matt J]

Destinscuba may be selling his soon. Nothing more handy than floppy discs. :funn:

 

[highwayjunkie]

Right now I am using a Canon SD 1100. It takes pretty good pictures, but I am looking to buy something that does have the capability of taking better pictures, and I am more than wiling to learn more about photography. I like having a cam I can slip in my pocket, but I want something more.

 

[Matt J]

Right now I am using a Canon SD 1100. It takes pretty good pictures, but I am looking to buy something that does have the capability of taking better pictures, and I am more than wiling to learn more about photography. I like having a cam I can slip in my pocket, but I want something more.

You can spend a fortune on a camera and still take crappy pictures. Most of mine on here of sunsets and the beaches were taken with my phone. It has a 2.0 megapixel camera and does really well.

 

[Sailnmike]

It all depends on your budget,
I have several set ups Nikon D2x and D-200, D70, D40 Mmm a few more here and there.

but you really can't beat a nikon D40 to pick up and shoot and still do all your functions, It's cheep enough and takes as good as almost any more expencive camera.

My 2 cents

 

[dunelover]

We are pretty much beginners too but hubby wanted something he could easily use, but then advance with as well. I chose this Sony Alpha 350 Sony Global - Digital SLR Cameras. We love the tilted live veiw screen.

 

[Kurt]

Great resource - Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ

If video is important, check out the new Panasonic waterproof compact that shoots HD video. For SLR, look at the Nikon D90 or Canon 50D which both shoot HD video.

The Canon powershot G10 is the point and shoot a lot of pros carry in their pocket.

You can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon and they make so many models you can find one with the features you want to fit your budget.

 

[avalon]

Canon Rebel

For the price... I like the new generation Rebel from Canon. Plenty of accessories, lenses, flash units etc. to prevent "outgrowing" the system in the near future. I do have to say that I agree with SoWal GaiBoi on the photographers' skill being more important than the camera. No substitute for gettin' out there to practice. Plenty of people have expensive cameras they can't use to good effect!

 

[Natural Clean]

You said that you want to be able to slip in into your pocket? How important is this?
Your two choices are a dslr or a point and shoot.
A point and shoot is going to be smaller and cheaper. Its image sensor is going to be much smaller than dslr. A smaller image sensor means that the photo diodes are smaller. Each photodiode creates one pixel in the image. More photodiodes crammed into a smaller sensor means that there is less area to absorb light. this can cause a noisier image, among other quality problems. If your husband wants to grow with the camera, make sure it has manual controls. This is important once you start learning about exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, etc..

A dslr is going to be larger, but it will take better quality images, and you can change the lenses. The sensor is larger, and the speed is faster. They have a view finder that allows you to look through the lens.

Check out this site for some more info. I dont always agree with Ken rockwell, but he does a good job of explaining in layman's terms for people just getting into photography.

Recommended Cameras

once you learn some about photography, check out the strobist site for learning about off camera flash Strobist


also, once you learn how to use manual controls, and are ready to move on to composition, google "the rule of thirds"

Good Luck!