Cameras

[Weatherby]

i am looking for advice on a camera and i really figured since most of the avery prostaff takes lots and lots of pics i figured you guys could give some good advice and some recommendations on a good camera. i am a total newb when it comes to a camera but i want to learn. i am looking to get something good, probably spend $2,000 or so with a lense. i guess i am looking for something good but that is also user friendly....any advice? thanks for your time :)

[Brian Hall]

I am pretty new to the camera game but I got a Rebel XTI last year and love it so far.

[David Rearick]

For under 2k, I would go with:

A Nikon D-50 Body
Nikon 70-300mm VR lens
Nikon DX 18-55mm lens (hero shots and up close work)
Extreme III 2gb Memory Card
Pelican Hard Case
And some misc. cleaning equipment.

You should be able to pick that up for just about $1500.00 if you check eBay, places like Cameta Camera have some good deals.

If you could spend about $2200-2300, substitute:
the 18-55mm DX for a 18-200mm VR
AND the 70-300mm VR for a f4 fixed AF-S 300mm.

Either one of those is good all around combo.

The D-50 is a great body and is really easy to use and understand. The D-80 has a few more bells and whistles, but they really arent necessary.

[KevinSkalicky]

I also got an Xti this year and so far I think it's great. I have heard guys talk about the canon 20D and it sounds like an amazing bang for your buck, but you will probably have to find one online!

[Rob Jepson]

For under 2k, I would go with:

A Nikon D-50 Body
Nikon 70-300mm VR lens
Nikon DX 18-55mm lens (hero shots and up close work)
Extreme III 2gb Memory Card
Pelican Hard Case
And some misc. cleaning equipment.

You should be able to pick that up for just about $1500.00 if you check eBay, places like Cameta Camera have some good deals.

If you could spend about $2200-2300, substitute:
the 18-55mm DX for a 18-200mm VR
AND the 70-300mm VR for a f4 fixed AF-S 300mm.

Either one of those is good all around combo.

The D-50 is a great body and is really easy to use and understand. The D-80 has a few more bells and whistles, but they really arent necessary.
That sounds like a great combo David. I know a lot of guys who have picked up the Canon Xt or the XTi...both are great price pointed DSLR cameras.

[Jason Mears]

I recently picked up a A Nikon D-50 Body, Nikon 70-300mm lens, and a Nikon 18-55mm lens from Cameta Camera as Dave recommended above. You cant go wrong with it, I love the camera. It takes great photos and is simple to operate.

[Michael Reed]

I have a Rebel XTi w/ Canon 75-300mm lense. The Canon Body is pretty good but one thing to keep in mind - all the quality and price is in the lens - get a good lense and a decent body and you'll be satisfied. All DSLR's have pro's and con's. I did a shallow review of what camera to buy for the best price - Price wise, the Rebel XTi is unbeatable... Performance wise, the Nikon D-50 would be my choice but is pretty expensive... From what I hear, it seems that your not going to be trying to make a living from your photos but want some good quality shots? Go with the Rebel Xti, you won't regret it... Good luck, lets see some results when you do get the one you want.

[Mark Brendemuehl]

I would look hard at a Nikon D50 with a 70-300 lens. You can get yourself into a nice Canon as well. For that kind of money, you will have a nice set up.
I have a Nikon D50 that I love- They take some great photos.
Mark

[Tyson Keller]

I would seriously consider taking a look at the link below. I found a great buy on a Canon 20D package within your price range. This camera body is a step above the Rebel or Nikon D-50/ D-70 models.

http://royalcamera.com/digital-cameras-canon-canon-eos-20d.html

With the Continental Package, the package includes the following items for only $1,349. It would be a great starter package with the Image stabilized lenses:

Canon EOS 20D Camera Body

Canon 28-135 3.5-5.6 IS Auto Focus Lens

Canon 75-300 4.0-5.6 IS Auto Focus Lens

512MB CompactFlash Card

Deluxe Cleaning Kit

Deluxe Case

High-Speed Card Reader

Tripod

Screen Protectors

CapKeeper

For $2,049, you can upgrade to the Presidential Package with 2.8 L Series Lenses!!!! The Lenses alone are worth far more than the package price. This package contains the following items:

Canon EOS 20D Camera Body

Canon 24-70 2.8 Auto Focus Lens

Canon 70-200 2.8 Auto Focus Lens

1GB CompactFlash Card

Deluxe Cleaning Kit

Deluxe Case

High-Speed Card Reader

Tripod

Screen Protectors

CapKeeper

[Rob Jepson]

Thanks Tyson...those are some impressive deals!

[Weatherby]

thanks guys! i think i am going to order the 20d in the presidential series that tyson looked up! thank you Tyson, it looks like a heck of a camera! It will probably take a newb like me a year to figure it out, but it also looks like something i can keep forever and like anything i still think you get what you pay for. thanks again for all your replies! :)

[Josh Ernst]

You will be happy with your decision. Camera bodys are important but lenses are crucial. The presidentail package comes with a nice set of lenses. Enjoy and be sure to post up some pics.

Josh

[David Rearick]

I would avoid royal camera at all costs, check out the link below...

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Royal_Camera

There are alot of these shops out there, and they are real scammers. They offer great deals, but don't come through. I almost made the same mistake from another seller. I hate to bust in on Tyson's post, but I don't want anyone to get burned...

I just checked eBay, and for about $1400.00 you can get the card, the 2 lenses, and the body. Pretty close to the same, but from some trusted sources.

[Tyson Keller]

The biggest concern is to ask if the lenses and camera body are USA models and come with warrranty cards. If they do, you will be in good shape. If the products are not USA models and do not have the warranty cards, I would avoid buying from them. I did not personally call the company, but I would make sure before you buy.

Thanks for bringing your point up, David.

[David Rearick]

No problem Tyson, I had a friend get scammed by another similar operation, and I almost got it as well when I bought my D-80 body. They told my buddy it had the warranty, it was a US model, and etc, but when he received it there was no US warranty in the box. They also overcharged his CC by about $500.00. After a lawyer, the BBB, and a lot of headache with the CC company he got it resolved and got his money back. I would hate to see someone else go through it.

[Weatherby]

thank you for your input. i will look on ebay also, but what online companies are trustworthy and give a good deal?

[Kevin White]

thank you for your input. i will look on ebay also, but what online companies are trustworthy and give a good deal?

www.bhphotovideo.com

[Weatherby]

they don't show a 20d :(

[Mike Bard]

With the help of David Rearick, I recently purchased the D50 along with that entire set up which he described...all together it cost around $1500 delivered to my door. I have been using the camera for about 2 weeks now and have taken nearly 500 photos, the camera is very easy to get started with and instantly start taking some good photos.

[Doug Steinke]

I was looking at upgrading my camera and selling my 20D. Then I seen how cheap they were going on eBay and decided just to keep it and have two cameras in the field. I seen slightly used 20Ds (bodies) for $450 about a month ago on eBay. That is an awesome camera for that money.

If you can wait. When the Canon Mark IIIs hit the stores you'll be able to steal the old Mark IIs. Bet you see them for 1000-1500 bucks by the fall. Think of the thousands of pro sports\newspaper\wildlife guys that will be moving on to the Mark IIIs. Be a lot of deals out there.

[Zack Rednour]

Maybe when I get out of college I'll have 2K to spend on a camera ha ha, anyways my girlfriend got my a $200 Samsung from Target and I'm tickled pink! I guess I don't have to take mom's camera to Canada anymore because god knows you don't get many days to take pictures here in southern Illinois. Enless your hunting in Febuary then you can take pictures off the hundreds of mallards dumping into the deks. Who makes the rules around here and who want a dame duck season in November or beginning December anyway. Ok, my rant is over its getting a little out of hand!

[Rich Good]

I really like the Nikon D-50 for the money, It is simple to use also.

[Kirk Steffensen]

Has anybody tried ordering anything from www.expresscameras.com?

It seems they have excellent prices and list their cameras with USA warranty's. Just thought I would ask before getting into a credit card mess.

[Jack Searls]

shooting a D-50 like many of the guys...love the camera

[David Rearick]

Kirk, They have a rating of .47 out of ten on resellerratings.com

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Express_Cameras

[CamoHunter870]

Anyone purchase from buydig.com or beach camera?

They have the Pentax K100D for about 200 bucks cheaper then other stores like BestBuy, Circuit City, etc that I am looking at to purchase to go along with my Pentax ZX-30 SLR camera. I have two lenses for the ZX-30 so to save some coin I am going to go with a Pentax dig. camera.

They have the body along with a 18-55 lense for 450 after rebate which is cheap compared to other stores.

[Jeremy DeVries]

Not to go way off track here...but.....almost all the models of cameras you're discussing are found everywhere. I looked on the internet, found the best possible price for a specific camera, then printed the prices. I took that into BEST BUY, and they not only matched the best internet price, but beat it by 10%. With that additional savings, I purchased BEST BUY's service plans for all my equipment. Guaranteed warranty, and in some cases, (my point and shoot camera and MP3) they just hand you a new unit right off the shelf. I think the BEST BUY service plan for a $300 point and shoot was like $50. $30 of which was paid for by them beating the best internet price by 10%. Well worth the couple extra dollars.

I CAN'T RECCOMEND BEST BUY ENOUGH!!!!!!!

In the past year I have bought a video camera, a point and shoot camera, a Nikon D40, and an MP3 player all the same way. 10% less than the lowest interenet price I could find AND an EXCELLENT warranty and more importantly a local PERSON to deal with. Give them a try. I have been EXTREMELY happy. They were also offering 0% interest for 12 months on a Best Buy card. How can you go wrong???

[Craig Galloway]

Lots of great info here guys! I've been looking to buy as well.

[Weatherby]

i just received my 30d today!!!! i bought it from cameta cameras out of new york. this company is awesome to deal with! here is a link and look at their sales and positive feedback! i have heard so many horror stories from people buying on the net...i decided to go to a company that has the kind of feedback and then i called and talked to them.

http://stores.ebay.com/Cameta-Camera

[Tomahog]

My local camera shop said that the D-50 was not longer available but that it was replaced by the D-40.....

Anybody have any opinions on the D-40? btw, it was priced at $600 & the 70-300 lens was about the same...

[Kenny Nachtman]

I have a Rebel XT and I love it.

[James Staten]

I just purchased a Nikon D-40X with a 55-200 lens. I love it. It is my first serious camera equipment and I look forward to getting to use it in the field this season.

James Staten

[Rob Jepson]

i just received my 30d today!!!!
Congratulations on your purchase! Looking forward to seeing some photos.

[Jason Connellee]

I own Canon XTI and a 400mm 5.6 These two peices together are close to $1800.00 The 400mm 5.6 is a real swift handling lense for flight shots. It's light weight and image quality is tack sharp. It's "L" glass. Meaning a prime lense. Top shelf. If I can suggest anything, go with prime lenses. You will not regret it.

With the advent of the Mark III's coming out, a lot of II's will be dumped for low dollar. Doug is right. I would'nt be surprised if I see them go for 1000-1500 this fall. 20d's are great bodies. Noisy shutters IMHO.