Please read and recommend a camera for me?

Question

I'm spending about $400 once every 3 months to have someone else take pictures of my kids at my home or at a park because the pictures come out beautiful. Most of our family lives in Florida (we are in Austin) so it's really important that the family continues to get these pictures. I would like to put the money towards a camera of my own and maybe a course on how t use it. I have a Canon PowerShot shot that takes okay pictures, but I want a camera that actually shows the true color of my children's eyes. The pictures I take myself come out great, they're just not crisp looking like the ones I paying for. I know nothing about photography. Where do I start?

Answer 1

I only shoot Nikon DSLRS so my answer will be biased towards them.  Point and shoot cameras don't have the quality sensor or the quality lenses that an DSLR has.  I agree that the D300 or the D3 are the best cameras on the market for professional use.  I however couldn't suggest one of those to a beginner in the SLR arena.  They are too complicated for a beginner and would interfere with the task at hand (taking pictures).  I would suggest a used D40 with a couple of lenses. The 18-55 kit lens that usually comes with the D40 is actually a very good all around lens (I recommend it).  If you were to add a 55-200 VR (VR stands for vibration reduction) to your kit ,  I doubt you would be looking for anything else.  I know a D40 is a 6 megapixel camera, don't buy in to the megapixel hype.  Megapixels equal largest print size possible.  A 6 mpix camera can easily print to 8X10.  The D40 is very easy to use, but allows for full control as you learn about the camera (it has point and shoot modes plus all the modes available on pro cameras).  The camera  with both lenses should be easy to find for about $700.  I own one of these myself and I love it.  I also own a D300 and a few other pro bodies.  Over all its size (small and light) plus features equal the best bang for the buck for an amateur photographer in my opinion.  

Answer 2

Best camera on the market is a Nikon D 300

But since you are new, that may discourage you. Try a cool pix camera. But if you are serious about getting great shots. Get a nikon digital SLR.

THe cost about 1500 just for the body. NExt get a Heavy duty lense. Something around 70mm-200mm (that is the zoom).

If you don't know what you want. go to the local camera store. They will be helpful.

I'd say you would do well with a Nikon D 40 the cost about 700 USD and are a great camera, light and comes with a lenses.

TO get a great shot, you need to know how to use your camera. Try taking a photo class at a local university. Or join a photo club. Perhaps volunteer with a photographer to learn the secrets to the trade.

To enhance photos you need a computer. A mac with photoshop is the ticket.

Mac because they don't crash like the P.C. of the world. Also user friendly.

Mac cost about 1000 photoshop cost about 700

In the end you'll have lots of great stuff to take photos for a lifetime. If your first shots don't come out so well, thats the beauty of digital photo just delete it and try again.

Good luck.

Answer 3

okay a lot of people here have been recommending DSLRs which are nice cameras but unless you are pro...really you dont want to spend about 2000 dollars for features you will never use or really to capture pictures of kids...wont really need. i suggest a panasonic dmc-tz3. it has 10x zoom great for capturing candid shots along ways away and 7.2 megapixels which will make the pictures come out crisp and clear. theres even a movie function that captures sound as well. its really handy for that person who is not a pro photographer but wants high quality pictures without the HUGE pricetag of maintaining a DSLR. i use this camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/evoo73/

its about 300 dollars and a 60 dollars photoshop elements 6 would make a nice beginning photography package w/o costing you a lot more than you need.

Answer 4

Nikon D300. Why? because every time I look at the pictures I feel like I am actually there!

Answer 5

I recommend a Pentax Optio S10

I have one and it takes awesome pictures

and when it is uploaded to your computer the pictures are fairly big.

It has 10 Megapixels

3x Optical Zoom

and Digital SR

I bought it for 100 dollars and

I love it you should get it, perfect for people who haven't really had one

before and it's simple.

Answer 6

I would highly recommend the Canon Powershot S5IS. It has 12x Optical Zoom, a 72mm Lense, Image Stabilization, Face Recognition, a great Super Macro mode(for close up shots such as ones that would bring out the color in your children's eyes), 8.0 Megapixels, an place to attach a Canon Flash, compatible with tripods, and can take 9 pictures in 10 seconds in burst mode.

The Powershot S5IS sells for $350.00 at Office Max but I'm sure you could find it for less somewhere else.

If you would like you can view some pictures I took using the super macro mode on my facebook album: http://www.new.facebook.com/photos.php?i...

Answer 7

Check out www.consumeraffairs.com  This website

will tell you about all of the cameras out on the market,

which ones are the best for the price asked, which ones

have the most problems,etc.  That way you can make an inform decision about your camera purchase.

Answer 8

For a good overview...

http://kevinstips.com/2008/07/buying-a-d...

In order to get really sharp photos, you'll need a higher end SLR like camera or an actual SLR.

You don't need to spend a bundle on an SLR body, but I would HIGHLY recommend a good lens - preferably a prime lens unless you are going really high end.  It will give you the sharpest photos.

Even the best photos won't give you perfect shots.  This of course takes knowing the "How To" of taking good photos.  In addition, you will need a really good photo editor - a minimum it should be Photoshop Elements, preferably Adobe Lightroom (I can't say enough good things about Lightroom).

Taking good digital photos is a combination of good equipment, knowledge and skill, as well as post-editing software and skill.  It's why photographers charge as much as they do.

I encourage you to take photos of your own kids, just realize good photography is not a snap.