Bad324 Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 My girlfriend has expressed interest in picking up photography as a hobby so I figured I'd kick start this hobby by picking up a camera for her for Christmas. Both her and I know pretty much nothing so this should be interestingIs a budget of $300 for a "starter" camera attainable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conn-e-rot Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 How many pictures can she possibly take of the kitchen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 any of the quality DSLR's I've seen were more like 800...you can get a pretty nice P&S for around 3 though.more informationhttp://reviews.cnet.com/dslr-buying-guide/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4DAIVI PAI2K5 Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 DSLR is going to be more then 300 bones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted October 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 It doesn't have to be new or the latest model (read: I'm cheap and not sure if she will follow through on said hobby) but prefer it come with original box and manuals for her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4DAIVI PAI2K5 Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 then check craigslist buddy found a used nikon for cheap that was older. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 (edited) It doesn't have to be new or the latest model (read: I'm cheap and not sure if she will follow through on said hobby) but prefer it come with original box and manuals for herin that case, start scouring ebay or craigslist.cannon is the old standby for dslrYou might contact scottb, his wife kelly is a photographer, and might have some professional grade stuff she's not using anymore. Edited October 22, 2012 by magley64 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted October 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 that will be the next step, I just know there is plenty of people here that take nice pictures and have more trust in the members of this site over ebay and craigslist 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4DAIVI PAI2K5 Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Buddy got his for like 100-150 I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Hunter Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 What kind of subject(s) does she wish to photograph? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted October 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 What kind of subject(s) does she wish to photograph?scenic landscapes and what not. I know she isn't too interested in people or action shots Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conn-e-rot Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 What kind of subject(s) does she wish to photograph?Pots, pans, appliances ...normal kitchen stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtDee675 Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Cannon XS is a good starter camera. Snag something like this.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-Rebel-XS-EF-S-18-55mm-Case-/330812306010?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item4d05f3325a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Hunter Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 The Nikon D200 would be a nice camera that shouldn't depreciate any further for quite a while. That is just a bit above your budget and would still leave you i need of a lens; which is more critical than the camera body when it comes to creation of good photographs. With Nikon your options for quality glass would be very plentiful dating back to old manual focus lenses from the 70's.http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Digital-Camera-Bodies/1/sku-DN029990945020?r=FE# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jporter12 Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 The Canon Rebel line is what I recommend. Buy used. You can upgrade lenses as needed, and they stick around as the camera body is upgraded as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anden Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 I bought a pentax clearanced for 150. At Meijer I think. Not the greatest camera but It works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bambam Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 I have been using a Nikon D50 for years and have never outgrown it. If you want a camera to learn on, then something like that would be a good starter and because the cool kids all need much better cameras, you can pick them up relatively cheaply. Getting quality lenses off the bat may be putting the cart before the horse. Better to learn the basics with a kit lens and then make an educated decision about what lenses you want to acquire. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykill Posted October 23, 2012 Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 I have a D40 and it does everything I need it to. The D50 that bam bam recommended can be had for dirt cheap now a days and is a great camera as well. The good thing about those two cameras is they are easy to learn on and make the transition from P&S to DSLR easier I think... A how to book or video might be a nice addition to the camera to help her understand aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. and how it relates to the final product. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted October 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2012 I have a D40 and it does everything I need it to. The D50 that bam bam recommended can be had for dirt cheap now a days and is a great camera as well. The good thing about those two cameras is they are easy to learn on and make the transition from P&S to DSLR easier I think... A how to book or video might be a nice addition to the camera to help her understand aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. and how it relates to the final product.that is an excellent idea! I learned all that in my high school photo class but its been so long I hardly remember. I'll have to look into the D40 and D50 then! Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted October 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 any thoughts one the Nikon D3100? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykill Posted October 25, 2012 Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 It doesn't have to be new or the latest model (read: I'm cheap and not sure if she will follow through on said hobby) but prefer it come with original box and manuals for herI was basing my recommendation off this statement The 3100 is better than the d40/d50 and others mentioned and is a beginner DSLR. The current Nikon lineup is awesome as is Canons. You should be able to find a good deal on a 3100. I would go with it for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted November 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 sooo I found a D40 for $225 and it comes with a D40 "field book" This leaves me some room in the budget for a camera bag backpack for her too. Good enough deal on this model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykill Posted November 8, 2012 Report Share Posted November 8, 2012 If it comes with the lens then it doesnt sound like a bad deal to me. Decent reference for used pricing http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ns=p_PRICE_2%7c0&ci=15488&N=4294182649+4291315846&srtclk=sort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted November 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 ok this can be closed, picked up the D40 and can't wait for Xmas now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschoolsdime92 Posted November 13, 2012 Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 I bought my wife a t3 bundle a few weeks ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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