Looking for a good camera

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Looking for a good camera

Back to a pencil and paper, I guess. How do I sketch shine, though? I'll just write shiny inside an outline of a car! I remember when we used to carve car outlines in the side of the cave...

[CieraSL]

Re: Looking for a good camera

I remember when we used to carve car outlines in the side of the cave...

Speaking of which, I think I saw your mugshot on the internet.

[CieraSL]

Re: Looking for a good camera

By the way john m., !!

[CieraSL]

Re: Looking for a good camera

By the way john m., !!

[john m.]

Re: Looking for a good camera

This thread is so off topic now hahaha

He says they are too complicated but I know his real reason....the alzheimer's is starting to take affect and he cant see the buttons without some heavy duty reading glasses

I saw that mugshot too Ceira! The news channel I saw said "man goes crazy on neighbors"

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Looking for a good camera

This thread is so off topic now hahaha

He says they are too complicated but I know his real reason....the alzheimer's is starting to take affect and he cant see the buttons without some heavy duty reading glasses

I saw that mugshot too Ceira! The news channel I saw said "man goes crazy on neighbors"

Uh...what was the question? Oh, and where are my teeth? I left them right here next to the keyboard in this cup...dangit! Darn neighbors probably took them. Hey! Where's my teeth ya bonehead neighbors anyway!

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Looking for a good camera

I bought a D40X last year and have absolutely no complaints.

To me, the lens is more important than the camera body. For lens reviews, I go to slrgear.com.

For starting out, the 18-70mm is pretty good. The 18-55mm is okay, but it has too much distortion. The 18-135 or 18-105mm are also very good choices. Zoom lenses are all about compromise. There are some that go from wide angle to a very far zoom, but you have to deal with the distortion that comes with it. Just remember to stay with the AF-S lenses if you go with a D40X (the AF and older lenses do not autofocus).

So far, I have a 18-70mm, 60mm 2.8 macro, and a 50mm 1.4. I would really like to get into the ultra wide lenses sometime soon.

[john m.]

Re: Looking for a good camera

Well after looking at everyones links and tips Im still not sure which I want. I know I am probably going to go with Nikon, idk why I just am leaning towards them and Im also liking the D40 and wanting to get maybe a 18-200mm lens. But I am also very tempted to get the D90 which is an awesome camera but Im not sure how pratical the price is for me unless I can find a really good deal with an extra lens.

I have a huge appreciation for photographers even more seeing how much these lenses can cost! I was looking at a fisheye and it is more than a ton of detailing stuff. Im afraid to see how much an ultra zoom lens would be for air shows

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Looking for a good camera

Try looking at KEH.com. They have some of the best prices on used equipment.

[ZoranC]

Re: Looking for a good camera

While I have more DSLR gear than I would like to publicly admit when it comes to documenting upclose condition of car's paint or a part it is not my DSLR and macro lens that I reach for, it is one of my "regular" cameras, and I reach for DSLR when I want to do a "beauty" shot.

Why?

Because "regular" cameras have much bigger in focus "depth of field" than DSLRs at "same" F stop. This is their huge disadvantage when doing portraits and other things where you want shallow DOF blurring out the background, DSLR is much better for that, but huge DOF turns into huge advantage when doing macro or architecture.

[john m.]

Re: Looking for a good camera

Well guys, I think im gonna go with the D40. Its more compact and seems like it will be good for starting out in photography. I really like the features of the D90 and the quality of the pics but I cant justify the jump in price for it right now. I figure I will use the D40 and build up my lenses until I can upgrade to something better. Its only 6 MP but like ive heard the lens can make all the difference.

So what kind of lens recomendations does everyone have? The kit will come with a 18-55mm I think and I will also probably purchase an 55-200mm lens which is cheaper than the 18-200. What other kinds of lenses would you all recomend as ones I would use a lot?

John

[Bunky]

Re: Looking for a good camera

If you are looking at the D40, I would recommend the D5000 for a bit more money. You get the technology from the D90/D300 plus an articulating display.

For lenses, there are several schools of thought.
1. 18-200
2. 18-105 and 70-300 (optically a better solution)

If I had it to do over again, I would have got a faster zoom shorter range zoom (Nikon 16-85?) as the basic lens and then a 70-300 later.

[Tim Lingor]

Re: Looking for a good camera

Hey John,

Whether you buy Canon or Nikon, be sure to buy the best you can afford and remember that good glass (lenses) probably makes the biggest difference of all. It is not cheap to get into good quality camera gear but the results are worth it.

I shoot Canon and enjoy it very much. Here is a thread that was posted last year where members posted a few shots. Make sure that you post to it after you get your gear!

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26143&highlight=photography

Tim

[john m.]

Re: Looking for a good camera

Well I really like the D90 but it is so expensive. Im buying some more supplies soon and then will get the camera but after reading some sights the D40 seems good. The thing is I really like the D90 and would love that camera but also want other lenses. Now I gotta look at the D500

Im going to a Blue Angels air show in october and want a good camera for that so maybe I can find a cheaper D90 by then and by just the body and get a good lens. Or do yall think the kit is better to get? Im new to this so not sure.

I was reading Ken Rockwalls (spelling?) site and he really likes the D40 but the D90 just has so much more to offer with such great pictures but dang that is expensive! However, you gotta spend big to play with the big boys

[Tim Lingor]

Re: Looking for a good camera

Well I really like the D90 but it is so expensive. Im buying some more supplies soon and then will get the camera but after reading some sights the D40 seems good. The thing is I really like the D90 and would love that camera but also want other lenses. Now I gotta look at the D500

Im going to a Blue Angels air show in october and want a good camera for that so maybe I can find a cheaper D90 by then and by just the body and get a good lens. Or do yall think the kit is better to get? Im new to this so not sure.

I was reading Ken Rockwalls (spelling?) site and he really likes the D40 but the D90 just has so much more to offer with such great pictures but dang that is expensive! However, you gotta spend big to play with the big boys

Hey John,

If you want to shoot air shows, you need a camera that has a high frame per second burst as well as fast long telephoto lenses. Shooting airplanes is tough as you need a camera with a fast auto focus system which usually comes on the more expensive cameras.

Look at Fred Miranda or Photography on the Net for good insight.

Tim