campbellfam
enthusiast
Posts: 1849
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 07-12-02
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11-17-09 09:37 AM - Post#100074
So my 15 year old has fallen in love with photography. The last 3 years she has been in Yearbook or Journalism at school and can't wait to take take photography at AHS.
We bought her a really nice digital camera last year for Christmas but as nice as it is, it's really just your basic, run of the mill camera and she's been dropping hints that a much nicer camera would make a great gift this year.
I know next to nothing about higher end cameras, some have said to look at Nikon's while others say Canon; but even then I don't know which models are best- I read last year's thread on the subject and am more undecided now, lol. Add in the facts it will be for a beginning teen but I still want it to last her a few years and I'm completely lost.
Any thoughts? Help would be greatly appreciated. 
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5920
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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11-17-09 09:55 AM - Post#100077
In response to campbellfam
I get some pretty amazing shots with my Nikon D40. It has a pretty good auto setting but you can go manual and make any adjustments you want. I know they have some higher end models out, but for the price, I really like it.
Canon is also a very good line of cameras.
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allen
enthusiast
Posts: 1965
Reg: 12-02-05
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11-17-09 10:04 AM - Post#100080
In response to Al C
If you're just starting out you probably can't go wrong with Nikon or Canon. The difference comes when you start buying extra lenses for the camera. In my opinion Canon makes the best lenses, so I have a Canon camera and have added 2 lenses in addition to the lens that came on the camera. Recently I bought a Canon 7D and it is pretty awesome. A huge step up from the Digital Rebel I'd been using for the last 5 years.
I would highly recommend either Nikon or Canon though--don't get anything else.
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JeffB
enthusiast
Posts: 333
Loc: Cottonwood Bend
Reg: 10-22-02
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11-17-09 10:47 AM - Post#100087
In response to campbellfam
Camera brands are pretty much a personal preference. You can't go wrong with any of the major brands such as Canon, Nikon, Pentax or Olympus. Panasonic also makes a very good camera. There are some differences, primarily in the senser sizes when it comes to design.
One thing you need to think about is cost. At this point, since she is just starting out, I would not put a lot of money into a high end DSLR, let her get her feet wet first, and learn the basics of photography. What I would recommend is that you get a camera that can go fully manual. If she is going to be taking classes, she won't want to be shooting automatic. I would recommend a camera like this one. It is moderate in price, can be set to fully auto, fully manual, or anywhere in between. It has a fairly fast lens, and a long telephoto. While it cannot change lenses out, with a 20x zoom it will last a long time. I only recommended the Olympus because I've been shooting with an Olympus for many, many years. Other manufacturers make comparable cameras. This particular camera is the updated equivalent of the last camera I bought prior to getting my slr, and I still carry that one in my bag for quick shots, and because of the fast lens.
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campbellfam
enthusiast
Posts: 1849
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 07-12-02
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11-17-09 11:39 AM - Post#100092
In response to JeffB
Thank you all for being so gentle with me, LOL!
JeffB- Great camera (especially love the price!!) but I know she wants to be able to trade out lenses.
allen- what a gorgeous camera! I wish we could afford it. What makes Canon's lenses better, do you think?
Al C- one of her friends has a D40 (which was her introduction to the higher end cameras) Do you know what the difference is between the D40, D60, D70 and D90?
I'm still finding and scouring review websites...maybe that's part of my problem...
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5920
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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11-17-09 11:49 AM - Post#100095
In response to campbellfam
Go here to compare Nikon's different models. There are differences between each model ... megapixels, features, video, etc.
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JeffB
enthusiast
Posts: 333
Loc: Cottonwood Bend
Reg: 10-22-02
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11-17-09 12:06 PM - Post#100097
In response to campbellfam
If her heart is set on a dslr (as mine was ever since a sophmore in high school), consider either the Pentax k2000 or the Olympus E-620. Both are great values, have all the features she should want, and additionally have built in image stabilization, which can be great when taking the long shots without a tripod. Neither Canon nor Nikon have this built into the camera, you have to buy image stabilized lenses. These do a fantastic job, but add quite a bit to the price tag.
For a comparison of the various Nikon cameras, check this link. This is probably the best web site out there for information on all the available cameras. For a good overview on dslr cameras, look here.
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nomoon
enthusiast
Posts: 1026
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-31-06
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11-17-09 12:12 PM - Post#100098
In response to campbellfam
You've already gotten some good advice here. If you are looking for a DLSR, then I'd recommend either a Canon or Nikon. My favorite review site is dpreview.com. Canon's entry level DLRS is their "Rebel" series. Here is a review of the latest Rebel, the 500D. I'm not familiar with this particular model, but previous versions of their Rebel were very nice. B&H is now selling the body for about $635.
I'm not familiar with the specifics of the current Nikon models, but you can't really go wrong with them either.
I have an old Canon 20D, which was replaced by the 30D, 40D, and 50D. It still works extremely well and is built like a tank. The 20D-50D series is the next line above the Rebel, but expect to pay about twice as much for this line. I'm envious about Allen and his 7D.
Jason
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Al C
enthusiast
Posts: 5920
Loc: McKinney/Allen, TX
Reg: 02-16-01
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11-17-09 12:13 PM - Post#100099
In response to JeffB
Good links!
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campbellfam
enthusiast
Posts: 1849
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 07-12-02
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11-17-09 01:58 PM - Post#100109
In response to Al C
Jeff and Jason- dpreview.com is a fantastic site, thank you!
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campbellfam
enthusiast
Posts: 1849
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 07-12-02
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11-21-09 10:09 PM - Post#100545
In response to campbellfam
OK- this is a really stupid question, I'm sure, but what is the difference between a camera, "kit" and camera "body"
I was thinking that camera "body" means without lenses but what to be sure...
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allen
enthusiast
Posts: 1965
Reg: 12-02-05
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11-21-09 10:12 PM - Post#100546
In response to campbellfam
Yep, a kit includes a lens. Body only is just that--no lenses come with the camera.
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campbellfam
enthusiast
Posts: 1849
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 07-12-02
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11-21-09 10:22 PM - Post#100547
In response to allen
Thanks, allen 
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George
enthusiast
Posts: 140
Reg: 04-25-07
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01-17-10 07:19 PM - Post#103611
In response to campbellfam
I agree with the advice to go with Canon or Nikon.
There are various reasons some people consider Canon lenses better than Nikon, but a good summary can be found here: Canon vs Nikon Lenses
While I shoot Canon, I believe the person behind the camera makes the biggest difference.
I don't know your budget, but I think a used 5D at around $1,500 or a new 7D in that same price range would be great cameras that someone could use for many years.
I shoot with the 5D and love it, but I have read good things about the 7D. The 5D has a full frame sensor, 12.9 MP, and 3.9 FPS. The 7D has an APS-C sized sensor, 18 MP, 8 FPS, more focus points, and video.
The full frame sensor will produce better image quality for portraits, landscape, still life, weddings, low-light situations, etc... The 7D will be better for faster moving subjects like sports or wildlife.
Personally, I'd throw the MP size out of equation. Camera manufacturers keep hyping that feature but honestly, 8 MP is all most people will need since that can produce a 8x10 print at 300 DPI and a 16x12 print at 200 DPI.
A Canon 50D sells for about $1000 new without a lens and is a great camera for that price range. A Canon Rebel XSI without a lens is $500 new. That's what I would buy a student and then buy them a better camera for HS or college graduation if they stayed with it and I could afford it. Better cameras will be available then at lower prices too.
Besides a camera and lenses, an external flash unit, like the 580 EX, is the most important piece of equipment.
Edited by George on 01-17-10 07:20 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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campbellfam
enthusiast
Posts: 1849
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 07-12-02
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01-18-10 08:39 AM - Post#103624
In response to George
Thanks!
We ended up getting her a Nikon D60 with a VR lens and she loves it, has already taken over 300 photos with it!
Thanks to all your advice!!
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campbellfam
enthusiast
Posts: 1849
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 07-12-02
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04-10-10 07:50 PM - Post#108652
In response to campbellfam
Something is wrong with her Nikon D60. her photography teacher looked at it and couldn't figure out what was wrong, she said it's almost like the camera is not recognizing when a picture is taken.
Does anyone have a recommendation on where we can take it to be fixed?
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nomoon
enthusiast
Posts: 1026
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-31-06
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04-10-10 11:07 PM - Post#108656
In response to campbellfam
I'll bet that it's still under warranty. With Canon, you typically send the camera to one of their service centers to be repaired. I've done this twice so far for my Canons. I'd suggest checking the Nikon website for how to make warranty claims.
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campbellfam
enthusiast
Posts: 1849
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 07-12-02
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04-11-10 04:30 PM - Post#108676
In response to nomoon
We bought it used so I don't think the warranty will apply...
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George
enthusiast
Posts: 140
Reg: 04-25-07
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04-14-10 10:34 PM - Post#108951
In response to campbellfam
Nikon will still do repairs on it if it is out of warranty, it just won't be free. For a local place, try Garland Camera.
www.cameraandrepair.com
1401 Northwest Hwy # 101
Garland, TX 75041-5297
(972) 278-0717
There's a place in downtown Dallas too, but I don't recall the names.
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campbellfam
enthusiast
Posts: 1849
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 07-12-02
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04-15-10 09:18 AM - Post#108977
In response to George
Thanks!
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George
enthusiast
Posts: 140
Reg: 04-25-07
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04-15-10 11:09 PM - Post#109067
In response to campbellfam
A few more places:
Archinal Camera
203 W. Main
Richardson, TX 75081
972-644-7766
http://www.archinalcamerarepair.com
[email protected]
Camera Stop
3400 Preston Road
Plano, TX 75093-7468
(972) 867-6882
http://www.camera-stop.com
Dallas Camera and Repair
1321 Chemical St.
Dallas TX 75207
214.630.4040
http://www.dallascamera.com
[email protected]
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