I need a camera

I have been using a crappy little $75 camera that my dad picked up. I now have around 250 dollars and a some gold that i could sell. Im just wondering what the best bang for you buck you can get for a camera? I was looking at a nikon d3100 but i dont know what i am looking for. Just looking for some advice for a camera please.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

This website is a digital camera review site. If you look in the upper left hand corner you can drag the mouse and set your price limit. Listed in the link below are cameras in the 400-500 range.

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camera-reviews/?filter=100021_10194779_

 

I have been using Nikon since I was in high school and we used film. I love them. My daughter is using a 3100.
The 3100 will fill the need for nice coin photos and do a lot more. Basically you need something that can do macro focus (that is the ability to get very close and still stay in focus) had a fairly good high megapixel, and the ability to handle the camera manually, not always in auto modes. Auto modes are good for a great many thing, and you will use them most of the time, but not always. Good fast response after you push the trigger button is almost universal in better cameras now but be sure trigger / shutter response is instantaneous. Tripod mount (usually a place to screw a tripod in), timer, flash or flash attachment are pretty much standard, but you want to be sure the camera has them.
The great thing about a Nikon is the lenses. They have a long reputation for making great lenses. Interchangeable lenses that let you have excellent detailed macro for things like coins, mid range zooms for snaps and what not, and a nice telephoto for portrait to long range can give you amazing versatility and wonderful results. Canon also has a great reputation for lens quality.
There are a lot of cameras that have these features, and a few that are comparable to the Nikon 3100. You can learn quite a lot by comparing but it may be a little overwhelming too. If you do some comparison, ask us again about the ones you have narrowed down to and maybe we can help you decide what is important and what is not so much.

 

dittos on CNET. love that site

 

My mom has a canon rebel. I have a tripod with a professional photo cube thing. Light stands, everything i need, except for a camera. I was using their rebel until the cf card reader broke and they thought it was my fault, then they over-react and took the camera.

 

Worry more about the lens and focusing features then the camera.

 

Depending on what you are taking pictures of, your lighting, lens, and knowledge are more important than your camera. I have a canon t3 which is a very nice entry level dslr and the first pictures I tried to take of some coins were terrible. Then I purchased some better lighting and it made all the difference in the world. I've seen incredible pictures taken with $50 point and shoot cameras. Having said that, I love my T3, not only because it takes some incredible pictures, but having it makes me want to take pictures, which I really enjoy. Also, I got an incredible deal on it. Right now they are having a similar deal on amazon if you can put up some more money up front. The camera by itself with a kit lens is $499, but if you purchase it on amazon with one of canons photo printer, you will end up paying $849, but you get a $400 gift card through rebate. That brings the price down to $449, then you can sell the printer on eBay easy for $150, bringing the price down to $300. For a brand new canon t3 with kit lens, that's an amazing deal.

 

I bought A D3100 with the kit lens and cant seem to take better pictures of coins then my point and shoot. I think i need a macro lens.

 

the kit lens would likely leave a lot to be desired and a Macro lens would then have to be purchased.

 

Well I was just guessing that the camera he is currently using is one that might not have the best range of options including macro lenses available for it. If he was set on buying a new camera, then that's where my suggestion of the T3 with kit lens comes in. Also, I have been using extension tubes with my setup and they are a great substitute until someone has the funds to get a macro lens, which can be very expensive.

 

My Sony Cybershot is very versatile. It's available in varying prices and easy to use.

 

I use a Nikon Coolpix s9100. It is an amazing camera for the price ($200).
Spend your remaining $50 on some desk lamps and a good book on coin photography.
Does great HD movies as well.
However, the reviews are not very good for this camera. I read the reviews and bought it anyway. I have not experienced any problems with the camera so far. Trust me, this camera has taken a beating in the short time I have had it so far. Thousands of pictures and no hiccups yet.

You really can't go wrong with any higher-end point and shoots.




Some examples with the s9100:






edit: I also wanted to echo what many of said already: Most folks think that if they get a new camera, it will make all of their coin imaging dreams come true. Although it may help right out of the box, it is not the answer. It's lighting positions and knowing your camera and how to use it.

Think of it this way:

People will buy new $1000 golf clubs because they think their game will improve.
If they don't have the proper technique and swing, the new clubs will not help.
They will give you 20 more yards on your ball, but that's 20 more yards into the woods you have to go to find your ball.

 

Canon Rebel T3 works well...

Nikon 1 V1 isn't bad either...

If you're looking to image coins, I recommend a 100mm macro lens (Canon) and whatever mm Nikkor macro that Nikon provides.

Here's some shots w/ my new Rebel T3

 

I like how your photos came out with the cheaper... Camera. I also saw some coin photos on here from a sony mavica? I found one for $70

 

Go for a Nikon D40 DSLR.
A few years old but quality.

 

Go for a Nikon D40 DSLR.
A few years old but quality.

 

:thumb:

 

go with a nikon d90 or d5000 with a 105 macro lens (tamron or nikon), and a light ring. This combo is pro!.

 

Its all about how you use the camera. Here's with a Nikon D3100







And now with a Kodak EasyShare MD81

 

I really like the d3100, i just dont have the money lol. Does anyone know someone with a used one they would sell?