Camera Suggestions??

I'm looking to buy a new camera and probably a book called, "photography for dummies". Any suggestions for a easy to use and reasonably priced camera and accessories would be greatly appreciated. Thanx...

 

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what is your price range, and what do you plan on taking pictures of mostly..

 

Looking for something around $100 or so, will most likely use it to photo some coins and snapshots for facebook. I guess something basic that ends up with a clear shot...

 

For around that price you can get a Canon Powershot SD1200 with IS. I think you can pick it up on amazon.com for around $140-$160 somewhere in that range.

I have a few nice cameras (EOS 5d Mark II, EOS 40d and EOS 30d), and a crapload of lenses, and when I don't feel like dragging around my gear I will use my SD970 or SD700 even, they will do the job.

 

Thanx Jesh, I'll look into that camera...

 

1. As a possible beginner in photography, don't get a LSR or any cameral that requires you to change lenses. Those cost more, more trouble today than they are worth, extra lenses are expensive and lots more.
2. Go to places like Walmart, Kmart, Best Buy and check out all thier cameras. Also, a camera store but hold off until you know what you want.
3. Make sure the one you buy has a tripod mount on the bottom, built in flash, possibly a hot shoe on top for additional flashes but not really important. For coins you will need a thing called a macro feature.
4. Check that the camera has a lens cover, protector and/or closes after not in use.
5. Be real carefull not to purchase a camera that has a proprietary battery system. Many Canons, Samsungs, etc do and it's really, really expensive to purchase a new battery for those. Some cost almost as much as the camera. Check to make sure your selection uses standard AA, AAA or C batteries. And some use those button cells and those are not expensive but difficult to find in your size when you need one.
6. Most come with at least 4 megapixels today so just make sure your selection is 4 or better. Remember that some advertise 8, 10, 12 or even higher megapixel ratings. You'll never use those settings.
7. Make sure your choice has a removable computer card. There are many cameras that require you to only download to a computer. With a removable card you can download your photos to many other devices like many new scanners, coppyers and even some CD/DVD player/recorders.
8. Note that there are several different types of those cards. The most common is the SD or the Compact Flash types. The SD is probably the most common and some for your camera will be in the 2, 4, 8 or even higher GIG capacity. This means you could take thousands of photos.
9. Check to see if your camera can change the megapixel ratings. Some start at 1 and go to the camera's maximum.
10. Regardless of where you buy it from, take seveal hundred photos right away. Digital cameras do have problems so it's worth your trouble to find out right away.

 

Wow. As a photographer who does this as one of his many hobbies and has had work in major magazines I've never seen so many misconceptions and bad info in one post. No offense but your info is about 10 years outdated. I'm on my phone so it's hard to comment on everything but I will tomorrow.

 

At $100, just be sure it has a macro setting.
With that and correct lighting you can take great images if you spend the time to practice and practice. It's actually how much time you wish to put into it.
I always tell folks to go with an SLR and a good macro lens but that gets in the $1000 range. Even at that price it's still, practice, practice, practice.

 

I am not a photographer, so I asked a friend of mine that takes incredible photos of coins. He recommended a Nikon Coolpix 4500. It is not the newest model of Coolpix, but he thought it took better pics of coins than the newer ones. I bought one on ebay, and I have been very happy with it. I just watched for a good deal on one that had not seen a lot of use.

 

I just finished using my son's Canon powershot S3 IS for two weeks. It is a fine camera with macro and a thousand other settings. What I found out was the proper lighting is critical. Also I didn't have a tripod or any stable non vibrating setup so it took many tries before I had a fairly clear, clean photo.
I still not sure how to really use the macro setting because the focal distance becomes so close it shuts out all the light. So I ended up taking normal shots and used the zoom to see if I got a nice steady clean shot. I think I got one in about two hundred tries. I used everything from books to boards but nothing worked for me.
So lighting, tipod and patience are what I need. I reccomend the Canon S3 IS to anyone looking for an all around good one. Batteries are regular AA, or AAA. I think the Canon PowerShot S3 IS goes for about $300.
zeke

 

I'm waiting for your NEW IMPROVED INFO

I'm waiting for your NEW IMPROVED INFO.

Well, Jesh, WHAT did he get wrong?

I think JC was smack on for good advice when getting a 1st camera.

 

oops my bad

oops my bad.

I see you are one of those who focuses on cameras, not the
end result.

Most low end IS is a joke and a waste of battery & image quality.

A tripod is better.

Your example seems to indicate the best camera is "One of Each" plus their add~ons.

I say take a coin to a box store and have a salesperson show off their best deal that day that takes the best picture at the best price. And the sales person may even give you a lesson on how to best use the thing.

 

gET AbIG ONE

If you get a BIG digital camera you can use if for a doorstop 24 months from now when it quits working.

Seems these things are not fixable and designed to be landfill as their ultimate destination.

 

"I say take a coin to a box store and have a salesperson show off their best deal that day that takes the best picture at the best price. And the sales person may even give you a lesson on how to best use the thing."


I think that is great advice Dok U Mint.
__________________

 

This is all said without regards to the price, since with that limited of a budget for photography I am trying to help the guy get the best for the price. As for the info, half of it shouldn't be said, because you are going to go way over $100.

They are not 'more trouble then they are worth'. And one of the best lenses you can get for numismatic photography is a 100mm Canon Macro, used on a full body frame it's 100mm, on a cropped body (say a 1.6) it's 160mm. Well worth it if you can afford it.

He want's a budget camera $100. A tripod mount? A good tripod is going to cost you hundred (think Gitzo), sorry, but a cheap aluminum tripod is worst then handheld most of the time, especially on a SLR. (It's SLR by the way, not LSR). A hotshoe for an additional flash on a compact?

A CB-LX2 for instance costs $15. Hardly close to the price of the camera. The LC-E6 for the EOS 5 Mark II is a little more expensive, yes, valid there. The battery itself is $35, if you need a new one. One of my Powershots has had the same battery for several years...

Incorrect, what if he needs to crop? Since the camera won't focus at the distance he wants, he will most likely need to crop. For printing size, yeah, he won't need more then 4, but 8 is ideal. Not many manufacturers even make 4mp anymore since the huge misconception of 'the more MP the sharper the picture.

Take two pictures, one of pure black, one of pure grey and look for a bad sensor. Not 'hundreds'.

 

Here is my lack of focus on end results:

http://www.jesh.com/cairo/cairocitadel.jpg





Pyramids, taken with a 'pocket' camera at fully auto (bottom), and with a 5d:

A GOOD Tripod is better. A cheap one you will still get image shake. I use Gitzo Traveller and a regular Gitzo in the studio.

How?

Half the people who work at electronic stores only know what it says on the box. Go to a good photography store like B&H.

Sorry the images are so small but it's an attachment limitation, and I'd rather not link to the images with my name copyright on them... especially after the robbery!

 

Who say's they aren't fixable?? What kind did you have that broke, and what broke on it? They are fixable, unless you threw the thing on the floor, hard.

 

By the way, I am several hours ahead of your time, so when I send the message, it was early in the morning, 3-4am. So when I say AM, remember, there is more to the world then America's time zone (which is actually where my main home is, so don't get all defensive now!)

 

That Cannon Macro IS a great lens.

And at $500 puts him $400 over his target budget and still no camera.

If he does not mind waiting for a sunshinny day, just about any macro~capable camera can get his foot in the door and photos good enough to examine detail.

And a light tent/tripod combo need not cost hundreds if you have a dedicated application.

I have a rather nice $700 tripod but never use it any more.

Here is a "Free" system I've used in the field for insect imaging.

Of course for posting here, I put a coin in front of it.:bow:

http://www.cointalk.com/t76914/

 

Hi Abe, I have a sure shot and it works like a charm, For the money
I dont think you can beat it, Good luck with your search!