I've never considered myself a photographer (never had the eye for it) and so have a very basic digital camera. But I've reached the end of my annoyance with this camera (half the pictures come out blurry. I've taken two pictures of the exact same thing and one comes our blurry while the other doesn't!) Anyway, I don't know if that's operating error or the camera itself, but the point is I have been wanting a new camera for a long time. I would prefer one that would be able to take pictures of small animals(I'm a zoologist, it comes in handy, especially when baby hummingbirds are the size of bees). But it should also be good for close ups/portraits. I feel inept in even attempting to ask what I need the camera to do, so any help is much appreciated. Usually I do my own die-hard research, but I don't even know where to start. Thank you! Thank you all so far for your input! I'm getting a little familiar with the terminology, and I hope this extra info helps. Allow me to specify - I mainly want the camera to take photos of wildlife, and since I work first hand with animals, I want the camera to take good photos from a range of small (baby hummers small) to close ups, like people actually handling the animals. A stabilizer sounds perfect, and I don't want to have to buy many lenses to do the work I need to do, seeing as I'm not a professional. Does this help? ^_^
Oh, and I don't know why you got a thumbs down, either, I really appreciated your input and your samples - they were gorgeous! There are one or two things that is happening with your photo. Main one I can think of, since it was the same picture, is that your camera doesn't have a stabilizer. If you don't have a steady hands when you take the photo, it will be in some sort of blur. Probably the other one your hand was steady that time and the other one, wasn't. There is also the speed of your camera in focusing. Maybe it wasn't in focus when it went off, unlike the other one.
A decent DSLR will be able to give you good photo. It depends on how big your print is going to be would be your choice of which DSLR and its MP.
Nikon D40 6.1MP 2.5"
2.5 Frames Per Second
18-55mm Lens
Advanced 3-Area AF System
Light and Compact DSLR
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.asp...
This camera is recommended for photos no bigger that 8X10 prints because it's only 6.1 MP. The larger the MP the larger your prints can be. An 8 MP would give you about a good 20X30 prints. Canon XTi has 10.1 MP which is pretty good, however it cost twice as much (although I saw some for about $600 at Amazon.com).
With your purpose of shooting extreme-close-up, you would need a MACRO lens. So you would want to get yourself a 75-300 zoom lense with macro (instead of just a regular macro lens) which would cost around $200 for a generic lens to $$ for Canon lens.
Those camera has a steady shot mode (stabilizer) and will help eliminate the blurs.
Addition: Don't worry about the thumbs down Lauren, sometimes people are just visiting puting thumbs down on anyone or everyone. Your advice is good. I like your photos. Really good. Try manual focus on your close up so you can control what's on focus. Aside from that, I'm impressed.
ADDITION TO CICI: If you are not going to blow up you picture to no larger than 8X10, I'd just go with the Nikon I mentioned above. However, you would still want a zoom lens because when taking picture of nature, you need to be from a distance. A generic lens like Sigma and Tokima will suffice rather than the expensive Nikon zoom lens (or telephoto lens) which, like I said you can get for less than $200. The lens that comes with the Nikon camera, you can use also for wide angle (use for group shots) and as far as portraits, you can use both. And the generic lens with a macro will give a closer distance when shooting something really small. If you can find a Nikon (or even the Canon XTi) that I mentioned cheaper without the lens, get it and buy the lens separately, and buy that generic lens (that zoom lens will do what the standard lens will do, except the wide angle shot - which you can do by being as far as you can get to fit, let say, all the people in a group shot). And no matter wha camera you get, buy a skyfilter for the lens to give an extra protection.
Once you have done enough research and have an idea, go to a reputable camera store who won't pressure you to buying (red flag - run) and asked them what you need and your budget (don't buy till you are for sure you got all the info you needed). Then buy yourself a book on that camera (about $20 good investment and your comprehensible manual), or go to a library if they have one on it. I am not going to suggest a camera because I don't know enough about the work you do. And even though I have no idea who gave the other people thumbs downs, I am going to throw out a reason why they did.
All the cameras that everyone has suggested, are beginner professional grade. I use a professional grade because I am a working "professional". However, if you aren't taking pictures to BE professional there is no reason why you should purchase one. In fact, I also have a point and shoot that I use with friends for snapshots. And they still take GREAT images, a few from those I have actually used in my portfolio, and no one would guess that they are from a point and shoot camera. And if you enjoy macro photography, the settings on a P&S are amazing, better than the macro settings on a professional grade.
Anyway just my two cents. I don't know why anyone gave laurenography a thumbs down either. Her's was reasonable advice given with consideration.
Maybe it is just a Nikon or Point and shoot user. I don't know why some people are so defensive of their camera selection. I too am an XTi user, and think it is a good choice, but the Nikon D40 or D80 may also be good choices. For you, it sounds like something with a Macro lens perhaps. If you don't want to blow up pictures or take many different types of photos, (such as action shots, low light shots, etc, a point and shoot may serve you well enough. If you want to push the envelope at all, go for a DSLR. Hello Cici.
If you're seriously considering a DSLR, take a good look at the Sony A200 and the Pentax K10D. Both have Image Stabilization in the camera body so any lens you use will have that benefit.
The A200 can use every Minolta Maxxum Auto Focus lens made since 1985 and they will be fully functional.
The K10D can use every Pentax Auto Focus K-mount lens made with full functionality. It can also use every manual focus K-mount lens made since 1975 but with limitations.
Although someone else may suggest other brands, be aware that they don't have image stabilization in the camera body and will only auto focus with certain lenses. In other words, if you want auto focus and image stabilization you have to pay extra for it with every lens.
For good images of your baby hummingbirds, I'd suggest a true macro lens - not a zoom lens that says "macro" on it. The 100mm Minolta Maxxum macro lens would be a good choice for the Sony A200. A true macro lens will give you a life-size image on the sensor.
Cici, regardless of which camera you buy, plan on taking some time to really READ & STUDY the Owner's Manual for it. I would recommend the Canon Rebel XTi. It runs anywhere from 600-649 with a kit lens. It is 10.1 MP. Image stabilization, Auto or manual focus as well as many auto or manual features.
And if you want can head over to Barnes and Noble, or your local bookseller and pick up a copy of 'Canon Digital Rebel XTi Field Guide'. It's a very nice book and teaches everything about the camera settings plus it recommends good settings for different enviroments and subjects. and Yes, that incudes macro modes, portraits, etc.
I myself own the Canon Rebel XTi and this book and love both.
In case you want to have a look, here are some photos that I took with my Canon Rebel XTi... (I'm not a pro, but I still think they are nice...)
http://a669.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...
http://a648.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...
http://a710.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...
http://a167.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/ima...
One last thing, a lot of people recommend the Nikon D40 over the Rebel XTi, but you should also know that Canon's are more user friendly and easier to understand and grasp at first. I've used both and much prefer the Canon. I also like the better choice of lenses... not to mention they are usually cheaper.
Might I add- a macro lens would not hurt, though the camera does fairly well for a hobbyist on the normal 'macro' mode.
Good luck and have fun!
EDIT- I don't know why someone would give me the thumbs down. Especially if they aren't going to answer themselves... I put forth the effort to give the advice that I can... |
