New camera

[Alexx]

I'm looking for a new camera, I have a half decent one at the minute, but I want a GOOD one like a nikon or a canon.

I've had a look at the nikon d40 and it looks pretty decent, and its reasonably priced. Would anybody recommend it?

If not what cameras would you recommend?:sohappy:

 

[PhotoDave219]

WHats your intended use? What do you plan on doing with it?

 

[RiversideBunny]

Move up to the new D60.
IMHO

 

[PhotoDave219]

Cant disagree with that advice.... Tho the latest generation (D90, D700, D300, D3) are supurb at high ISO with low noise.

 

[celticdog]

I concur with the others. Spend a little more and go with the D60. You get a better sensor, more MP and additional ISO ranges over the D40. I have the D40 and it's a good camera, but the D60 is better.

 

[WDWFigment]

If money is not an issue, get at least the D90. If it is an issue, get the D40 (don't bother with the D60, not enough of an improvement over the D40 for the money).

 

[BigB911]

I, too, need some advice on purchasing a new camera. After the debacle today at D.O.C., I'm fed up with mine. It is absolutely horrible in low light situations. Even in perfect lighting, sometimes it seems that it is super-sensetive and I need to hold it ramrod straight. I currently have a Kodak EasyShare Z710 7.1 MP.

Now, I have no idea what ISO ranges or sensors are. I understand what MP's are. What I really want is a decent camera that I can point and shoot with, is great in low light situations, and takes great, crisp pictures like the ones ya'll post. Especially the great fireworks pics...I don't understand how you manage to make them look so...spectacular!

Anyway, price is an issue. I'm looking to stay around $200 or less. And I haven't even started shopping yet. I thought I'd ask the experts (you guys) first, and then go out and compare. Oh...and I'm sellng my Kodak, BTW, if anyone's interested...OBO for this POS!

 

[WDWFigment]

I, too, need some advice on purchasing a new camera. After the debacle today at D.O.C., I'm fed up with mine. It is absolutely horrible in low light situations. Even in perfect lighting, sometimes it seems that it is super-sensetive and I need to hold it ramrod straight. I currently have a Kodak EasyShare Z710 7.1 MP.

Now, I have no idea what ISO ranges or sensors are. I understand what MP's are. What I really want is a decent camera that I can point and shoot with, is great in low light situations, and takes great, crisp pictures like the ones ya'll post. Especially the great fireworks pics...I don't understand how you manage to make them look so...spectacular!

Anyway, price is an issue. I'm looking to stay around $200 or less. And I haven't even started shopping yet. I thought I'd ask the experts (you guys) first, and then go out and compare. Oh...and I'm sellng my Kodak, BTW, if anyone's interested...OBO for this POS!

Rather than purchase a camera, I suggest you learn how to use the own you currently own. Without knowledge of how to use any camera, you're not going to be able to accomplish any of the things you seek to accomplish. I would recommend the book Understanding Exposure or one of the National Geographic Field Guides.

 

[BigB911]

Rather than purchase a camera, I suggest you learn how to use the own you currently own. Without knowledge of how to use any camera, you're not going to be able to accomplish any of the things you seek to accomplish. I would recommend the book Understanding Exposure or one of the National Geographic Field Guides.

So...you're saying that the Kodak I have is fine and is a good camera? Thanks for the advice...looking at picking up that book used. :wave:

 

[WDWFigment]

So...you're saying that the Kodak I have is fine and is a good camera? Thanks for the advice...looking at picking up that book used. :wave:

I have never used that particular Kodak, but it has some fairly advanced features. What I'm saying is that the things you want to do with it aren't going to be possible with any camera (no matter the cost or quality) until you learn a little about photography and manual settings. Your camera likely is capable of doing a lot of the things you've seen posted here (it surely can take good fireworks pictures), it's just you need to learn a little more about how to use it.

I would probably start with one of the National Geographic Field Guides first, then get the book Understanding Exposure if you want more information.

 

[BigB911]

I have never used that particular Kodak, but it has some fairly advanced features. What I'm saying is that the things you want to do with it aren't going to be possible with any camera (no matter the cost or quality) until you learn a little about photography and manual settings. Your camera likely is capable of doing a lot of the things you've seen posted here (it surely can take good fireworks pictures), it's just you need to learn a little more about how to use it.

I would probably start with one of the National Geographic Field Guides first, then get the book Understanding Exposure if you want more information.

Thanks so much for the advice!

 

[KeithVH]

So...you're saying that the Kodak I have is fine and is a good camera? Thanks for the advice...looking at picking up that book used. :wave:

Just to pile on. I have a friend who has one and spent soem time with him working on the details. Some thoughts:

• Kodak doesn't make bad cameras, maybe not the best, but very competitive in their price range. Their sensors are better than the base Panasonics (most Panny's are noisy), I'll tell you.
• Don't use ISO800 - besides the noise, it's drops the chip to 2MP
• It has Aperture and Shutter Priority so you have close to manual control over exposure - that's the thing you need to learn
• Make sure digital zoom is turned off - that'll kill quality quick as anything
• A mini-tripod wouldn't hurt either, especially for night photos.

 

[Deadmanwalking]

Rather than purchase a camera, I suggest you learn how to use the own you currently own. Without knowledge of how to use any camera, you're not going to be able to accomplish any of the things you seek to accomplish. I would recommend the book Understanding Exposure or one of the National Geographic Field Guides.

While I agree that you need to understand how to get the most out of your camera... looking at the history of the camera she has I have to say that she would also benefit from a newer camera. The one she has was made about 4 years ago so its sensor is much worse than the ones you can get now, it only goes to ISO 800 and has a low iso of 64 which means the sensors true iso is probably 64 or 100... in other words you try to cranky any low light usage from it and you'll get lots of noise. Also the lens is 2.8 which isn't bad but with a low ISO is not going to do anything in the dark. Also, I've had the misfortune of trying to help some family members get better results from their Kodak point and shoot and the one thing I've noticed is that they compress the (*&* out of the images.... they also tend to be very soft. SO frankly I think she could use an upgrade along with practical instruction on how to use the camera.

I know its easy to blame the shooter, but sometimes it wouldn't matter if a master was shooting... the picture can only be as good as the camera will allow.