The XMEN Clan Forums

Next year the wife and I are going to take our Honeymoon, and we're looking at going to Alaska. We've currently got a Sony 5MP point and shoot camera, nothing too fancy, but it doesn't take as nice of pictures as I'd like, (Many images with a lot of red in them seem really pixelated.) and it doesn't seem to me this camera would do too well trying to take a lot of long range high zoom wildlife shots.

My Question: What would be a good camera that's not too expensive that I'd still be able to change a lens now and again to get some of those great shots I know Alaska is known for having? I'd be asking for this as a Christmas / Birthday / Fathers' day present, so it's got to be something affordable, but functional. Also, any good books out there on digital photography so I can actually USE a camera that good?

What's "affordable"? You could pick up a used or refurb low-end or midrange Nikon or Canon. Here's an example:

long Ebay link

Those two included lenses should cover your basic needs. But be aware of the limitations of these models versus the mainline systems. Some won't matter to you and some will.
http://www.dpreview.com has excellent camera reviews and covers these tradeoffs.

Books? There are PILES of good digital photography books out there, both general and camera-specific.

Thanks. generally, in the camera realm, $500 is affordable for the most part. I don't ask for big gifts often, but I don't want them to be too extraordinarily crazily priced when i do. UNless it's a new motorcycle. Then I'd be asking for about 20 grand.

Sent you an email on this, but in case your addy has changed I'll post here too:

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum/sh ... hp?t=55477

Just saw this deal. The Canon 10D is a good camera, but a bit aged. Check the DPReview article on it. I have the next newer one, the 20D, so check the review on that one too, since IIRC the 10D can't use the EF-S lenses, only the EF mount.

Personally I just bought a Tamron 28-75 F2.8 from a guy there on TPF, and now I can't wait to get my hands on it. Supposed to be a very nice lens.

I was reading the Nikon D40 review, and it seems to me like it's a pretty good camera, nothing too fancy, but a good, solid camera. 6MP to me seems like it would be enough, and it's priced right where I might actually be able to convince the wife to get it for me. But, who knows? $1500 cor a camera seems a little steep to me.

I did consider the D40 when I was shopping cameras. If you think you'd like it, get it! It sounds like a good camera and pretty much what you're looking for. You may still want to see if you can save some funds by getting a refurb.

The biggest drawback for me was the lack of an AF motor since I can't really trust my poor eyesight to do a good job of manually focusing. Of course you can get lenses with the focus motor in them, so it's not THAT big a deal, I'd just have had some limitations when buying lenses. I also thought I'd miss the DoF preview button, but I don't use it much on my 20D.

I was reading that about those lenses... But if I turn the AF off for whatever reason, I can still manually adjust the focus, right? That's my biggest draw to the D-SLR than a point and shoot. I can focus how I want it to look. Granted, the AF on this camera is gonna be better than a Point and Shoot, but i still like the option.

Oh, yes, you can always manual focus if you want.

Hey, Hat, just ran across this deal on the TPF.

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum/sh ... hp?t=55537

A Canon Rebel XT with kit lens (18-55/3.5-5.6), all manuals, charger, case, shipping, for $515. Worth at least a look.

BH Photo has an open box deal on a Nikon D50 for $382.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/9417 ... meras.html

Couple that with a 55-200 VR lens for $250 and you have a very sweet deal. You can also look at some non-Nikkor lenses (Sigma, Tokina, Tamron) to save a few bucks, too.

Good luck.

Gambit - He has to be a member at TPF in order to see the link you posted.

XMENPorsche wrote: He has to be a member at TPF in order to see the link you posted.

DOH!!!

I just bought a D40x a couple of weeks ago. I went back and forth over which to buy and the lens issue that Gambit brought up, but since I didn't already own any lenses, I figured it wouldn't be a big deal to have to buy Nikon lenses.


You guys have been a great help and inspiration with all the threads in this forum. Maybe someday I'll learn enough to post some of the pics I take.

Malthus wrote:You guys have been a great help and inspiration with all the threads in this forum. Maybe someday I'll learn enough to post some of the pics I take.

Mal - that's probably the best compliment you could have given. I mean it.

Hope you like your D40x. I've heard that it's a VERY nice camera. I'm going to be in the market for another body next year and have my sights set on the new D3. If I can't swing the $5k that they're asking I'll have to go for the D300, which is much more palatable at $1,800.

I was looking at some "demo" units without the lenses, and the price difference really isn't that great once you buy a lens, which is rather disappointing. I was at best buy on Saturday and was playing with the D40 and D40x, and while I like the 40x more than the 40, price becomes a big sticking point with the wife... Not sure how to convince her I need a 10MP camera when she's in love with her 5MP Sony that I hate.. But I have to say, holding both cameras side by side and looking at them was nice, ans both cameras are setup very similarly, and they're both very easy to change settings on in a hurry. I guess I'll keep looking, and as Christmas draws near, I'll narrow it down and send a mass Email out to everyone in the family saying: I WANT THIS! GET TOGETHER AND BUY IT FOR ME!!

Ok - So I took the plunge on Friday and bought my new camera. I got the Nikon D40 with the 18-55mm kit lens, and I got a 55-200mm VR for $150 (New). It came with the gadget bag, and a couple Nikon School DVDs, so I'm pretty happy. After everything was said and done, it was a little more than I was wanting to spend, but it's the lowest price for this particular kit I've seen. The 55-200 lens is awesome, especially with VR on, but I have as of yet found some good settings for indoor fast action. (i.e. School Gym) The Auto settings with the 18-55 indoors are pretty good, etc. I need to learn how to use this thing now, and really learn more about photography to use this camera to the fullest.