Help! I need a new Camera!

ddbowdoin

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
thomas998 said:
While I might say the rx100 is a great point and shoot, I wouldn't recommend it. It really is above your budget and frankly for the price even if it was in your budget I think it is overpriced. If you go to bensoutlet.com and click on cameras they have a factory refurbished Nikon d3100 that will do everything you would want and it is priced at 370. And because it is a dslr if you decide you want to add a better flash or lens at a later date you can. To me a point and shoot is always going to be limiting because it can never be upgraded. I know the d3100 isn't a point and shoot but you will get much better photos than and point and shoot in your budget and still have money left over.
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eh, I'd have to steer the OP away from this option. There is no doubt of a DSLR and it's advantages, one of them being the ability to upgrade and enhance your images, but this does two things... one, isn't exactly something you can toss in a purse, and two, at 370 you're talking bottom barrel with a crap kit lens. The last thing I'd like to turn the OP onto is the Pandora's chest of photography... where now an upgraded lens in 800 bucks.
 
T

thomas998

Well-Known Member
ddbowdoin said:
eh, I'd have to steer the OP away from this option. There is no doubt of a DSLR and it's advantages, one of them being the ability to upgrade and enhance your images, but this does two things... one, isn't exactly something you can toss in a purse, and two, at 370 you're talking bottom barrel with a crap kit lens. The last thing I'd like to turn the OP onto is the Pandora's chest of photography... where now an upgraded lens in 800 bucks.
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You have to remember that a kit lens that may be crap compared to what you have, is going to light years ahead of what the OP has with his old point and shoot. The reality is more people that first move to a DSLR from a point and shoot don't even upgrade the lens, because the camera works so much better than what they were used to that they are satisfied... I'm not saying I would recommend a D3100 for everyone, I'm just saying that given the OP's budget it is the best bang for his buck... provided he can accept a camera that isn't the size of a pack of cigarettes.
 
NowInc

NowInc

Well-Known Member
The D3100 did me GREAT for 2 years...but I didn't suggest it because I think shes looking for something a bit smaller. 9 times out of 10 I would recommend it hands down..except when it comes to size.
 
ddbowdoin

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
NowInc said:
The D3100 did me GREAT for 2 years...but I didn't suggest it because I think shes looking for something a bit smaller. 9 times out of 10 I would recommend it hands down..except when it comes to size.
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yeah... the DSLR truly takes a commitment to be willing carry it. I always give people the pros and cons, the con being size... often they look past that con and 8 months later my friend is buying a new camera.
 
RonAnnArbor

RonAnnArbor

Well-Known Member
Not for nothing -- suggesting a dSLR to a person who wants a point and shoot is barking up the wrong tree -- I generally shoot with a dSLR, but I would NEVER carry it to an amusement park, a ballpark, or even vacations anymore -- where the camera needs to fit into a pocket and be available as I want it, but but hanging around my neck all day long causing back pain...I would never suggest anyone lug a dSLR around Walt Disney World, where you want to have fun, and you want to spend time with your kids, not protecting your camera all day....
 
ddbowdoin

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
RonAnnArbor said:
Not for nothing -- suggesting a dSLR to a person who wants a point and shoot is barking up the wrong tree -- I generally shoot with a dSLR, but I would NEVER carry it to an amusement park, a ballpark, or even vacations anymore -- where the camera needs to fit into a pocket and be available as I want it, but but hanging around my neck all day long causing back pain...I would never suggest anyone lug a dSLR around Walt Disney World, where you want to have fun, and you want to spend time with your kids, not protecting your camera all day....
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I agree... as many of the folks here already know I kind of put my digital rig in the closet sometime ago and when I went down to WDW I had a real plan in mind. Since we were staying in an EPCOT area resort I planned days and time to shoot. So I had my medium format beast packed away and ready to go for, as my wife puts it, "photo time". I basically have a set number of shots in my head, x amount of rolls, and try to keep it within a 1 hour window. I get my shots, put the camera away and never take it out again.

I can't imagine seeing myself carrying my D7000 around for casual / candid shots. It's a little too heavy (since I have mine gripped, and with some larger lenses) and I am constantly worried about people banging into me.

I have wanted an X-Pro 1 for some time, but I don't travel enough to demand DSLR quality in a small package. I'd simply be repeating another purchase and not having any increase in quality or filling a gap of equipment I don't have. I try to have ONE DSLR, ONE MF camera, One 4X5, one 8x10 etc.
 
NowInc

NowInc

Well-Known Member
I never had an issue bringing a DSLR with me to the park and feeling "bogged down"...but then again I'm also a "local" who goes multiple times a year...so I guess for me the trips are more like "outings" at this point. I still get enjoyment out of it..but I also don't bring a tripod. Just a camera, 2 lenses, and a thinktank.
 
ddbowdoin

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
NowInc said:
I never had an issue bringing a DSLR with me to the park and feeling "bogged down"...but then again I'm also a "local" who goes multiple times a year...so I guess for me the trips are more like "outings" at this point. I still get enjoyment out of it..but I also don't bring a tripod. Just a camera, 2 lenses, and a thinktank.
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I don't like keeping it on my neck and having it dangle in front of me, but with all the crowds and the sharp objects I don't dare carry mine on my shoulder and let it swing.
 
Z

Zman-ks

Well-Known Member
NowInc said:
Another good option:
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http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NEX-3NL-Compact-Interchangeable-Digital/dp/B00BF9MUBM/
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My sister has that camera and really loves it. :)
 
T

thomas998

Well-Known Member
ddbowdoin said:
I agree... as many of the folks here already know I kind of put my digital rig in the closet sometime ago and when I went down to WDW I had a real plan in mind. Since we were staying in an EPCOT area resort I planned days and time to shoot. So I had my medium format beast packed away and ready to go for, as my wife puts it, "photo time". I basically have a set number of shots in my head, x amount of rolls, and try to keep it within a 1 hour window. I get my shots, put the camera away and never take it out again.

I can't imagine seeing myself carrying my D7000 around for casual / candid shots. It's a little too heavy (since I have mine gripped, and with some larger lenses) and I am constantly worried about people banging into me.

I have wanted an X-Pro 1 for some time, but I don't travel enough to demand DSLR quality in a small package. I'd simply be repeating another purchase and not having any increase in quality or filling a gap of equipment I don't have. I try to have ONE DSLR, ONE MF camera, One 4X5, one 8x10 etc.
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I used to bring a bunch of lenses a bag of stuff.... I never thought carrying a camera was a chore, but I did realize that I was getting to focused on taking pictures and missing the fun.... Maybe the next trip I'll just take an old film camera and a certain number of rolls of film, ration myself so I can't snap a thousand photos and see if it makes things better.... I've got some old Nikon SLRs that are just gathering dust maybe if I use them the wife will stop asking me to donate them to goodwill.
 
ddbowdoin

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
thomas998 said:
I used to bring a bunch of lenses a bag of stuff.... I never thought carrying a camera was a chore, but I did realize that I was getting to focused on taking pictures and missing the fun.... Maybe the next trip I'll just take an old film camera and a certain number of rolls of film, ration myself so I can't snap a thousand photos and see if it makes things better.... I've got some old Nikon SLRs that are just gathering dust maybe if I use them the wife will stop asking me to donate them to goodwill.
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digital has done me a huge favor, it's made once unaffordable film cameras now a reachable goal... and you're right, when you limit yourself to X exposures you certainly place more value on each and every shot. Unfortunately, many of the "handholdable medium format" cameras are still real expensive. To be honest, 35mm film is not worth shooting anymore because digital is doing a damn good job at catching up. I still shoot 35mm but only in some of my fun and quirky cameras (like Holga or other Lomo cameras, ie the Fisheye 2).
 
gooftroop5

gooftroop5

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thank you for all of your input! I am going to head to our local electronics store and get a "feel" for each of the cameras before I make my decision. Any other cameras to consider while I'm out and about?
 
ddbowdoin

ddbowdoin

Well-Known Member
gooftroop5 said:
Thank you for all of your input! I am going to head to our local electronics store and get a "feel" for each of the cameras before I make my decision. Any other cameras to consider while I'm out and about?
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we about summed it up for you... I'll just add that if there is something that is slightly above your ceiling then at least consider it. It really burns a few months later when you start thinking back to the "oh, that one was only a hundred dollars more" types of situations.
 

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