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SaraAlexine
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Looking to buy a digi SLR camera. Recs?
We have about $500 in Target gift cards that we received as wedding gifts and I've been thinking about purchasing a nice camera. I'm willing to spend a little of our own money if it's worth it.
From this link, what would you recommend? Or should I just get a higher quality smaller digi camera that won't be so big and bulky.
Thanks!
Re: Looking to buy a digi SLR camera. Recs?
I think it depends on what you want to do with the camera. DH wanted to learn about photography and how to take great photos. Some people just want to take nice photos fast and without bulk (lenses ect). Think about what you want to do with it before you buy.
We have a Nikon D60 and I love it. However, it doesn't take video and I wish it did. It is also kind of heavy. It's not something you just whipout and use. Plus I don't like to take it some places because I'm scared of dropping it (it has a strap so I shouldn't be, but I am).
I really just want to be able to take a nice quality, great looking photo. Our sony digi camera just isn't cutting it for me.
I have a friend that has a Nikon D60 and loves it as well.
I would really recommend asking your friend to let you hold it all assembled to get a feel for it. I was surprised by the weight with the lenses on.
ETA: That is if you are interested in one of the bigger Nikons.
I agree with everything EvansBridetoBe has said. You should only buy a DSLR if you're ready to own and use a larger camera. I recommend that you go to the store and hold several cameras. If you can see yourself bringing such a camera with you on trips or other photo-taking occasions, then pick the camera that feels best in your hands.
Otherwise, if these cameras feel too heavy for you, you're probably better off getting a high-quality point-and-shoot, especially one with HD video recording capabilities.
I am a yearbook adviser and we have three new kids of cameras this year - I'll tell you a bit about each of them:
Sony A330 (DSLR) plus lens (about $1000 with all the accessories): It's big and bulky; you really have to know how to use it to take good pictures. I would definitely take photo classes if you were going to buy this camera and be prepared for your first pictures to not be great.
Nikon L100 Coolpix (kind of a hybrid between a P&S and an SLR) ($215 on amazon): I like this camera because it takes great pictures, it's easy to use, and it has lots of features. I used it to take pictures at an indoor wedding a couple weeks ago and even though they were backlit without a flash, they turned out great. The zoom on the Nikon is really great.
Canon SD780 (P&S) ($215 on Amazon): I like this camera the best. It is tiny so you can take it anywhere; it has a huge screen; it has lots of features, and the pictures are very crisp and clear. I used it for an outdoor wedding a couple weeks ago and had tons of fun with it. I used the color accent feature, where you can pick one color for the camera to pull out and everything else is in black and white. My little cousins were wearing bright green and pink dresses so they turned out really cool.
If I were to buy a new camera, I would choose the Canon (but instead I just borrow one from yearbook when I need it
GL!
Based on your answer I am not sure a dSLR is really what you want. There are point and shoot camera that take really great photos. If you don't want to invest time in learning how to use manual features of a dSLR then you would probably be more happy with a point and shoot and would also be able to take videos. I use both a Nikon d90 dSLR and a Canon SD1100 IS point and shoot. DH likes to pretend he is a photog and will use the d90, but only if I tote it with us. It can get heavy, especially as you acquire more lenses and an external flash. As far as the d60 goes, it probably has more features than you will use, so I would recommend a d40 instead if you go the SLR route.
I am a huge fan of Canon if you go the p+s route. I have never picked one up that I didn't like. They have made good progress in facial recognition and image stabilization that helps people get great photos.
This website http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm has great recommendations for point and shoot as well as dSLR cameras. As pp said, make sure you goto the store and play with them before buying. (I thought I wanted a d60 until I held it and realized it was really uncomfortable in my grip).
Also, I have not been that impressed with Target's prices on cameras the couple of times I have checked, so make sure you check Adorama.com and B&H Photo before your purchase to compare. It might make more sense (especially if you have a super target with groceries) to use your Target $$ to buy everyday purchases and then use your normal operating cash to buy the camera.
Good luck!