Buying A Digital Camera For My Specific Needs...

[FreemanPhoto]

I first want to preface my question by saying that I have first read through every thread that looked relevant to my question.

This may seem like the wrong forum for this question, but considering my specific goals, I am looking for advice specifically from graphic designers and photoshop gurus. So...

I want to buy a new digital camera. I would like to stay in the $400-$750ish range. I know, I know, but that’s all my budget can afford. I do a lot of “editing” of the photo in photoshop, adding such things as textures, alternate skies, and other hue, saturation, colorization, blurring backgrounds and aging techniques. So I don’t need the best camera around.

I need a camera that does well with capturing colors/contrasts in skies and can be crystal clear at 1-5 feet distance, taking photos of people. I want the kind of definition that can capture pores and peach fuzz. :-)

I DON’T plan on taking any fast motion sports kinds of shots, nor shots in moving cars. I do have troubles with my hands shaking (so I need an image stabilizer), but I don’t need to worry about taking many moving images or taking X number of shots per second.

I have some ideas, but I want to reserve my opinions until I hear others’ advice. I really appreciate any advice you can offer!


All the Best,

Matthew Freeman

[Politik]

Welcome to the forum

In my opinion, what you are describing is a lens. The camera will not get you peach fuzz and pores if you have a bad lens on it. My 105 VR will capture that on a bad body.

I would look into a Pentax. They have Image Stabilizer built in (so lenses wont cost a lifes savings), and the glass they make is top class. The kit lens is quality as well and it can be had for around 600 or so i believe.

Pentax K200 can be had for $550 with the kit lens

[mixedupmacandpc]

In addition to politiks great advice, u might want to view a post i just got done with:
http://www.photoshopcafe.com/cafe/vi...ge=1#pid361726
as it describes and shows samples of a the new canon G10 (about 479$ or less street) which sounds a lot like what u describe. For anything into infinity, it's pretty soft, but close up it's tack on. And it's cheap and small, if that's a consideration. Good luck and welcome aboard...
coocoo

[FreemanPhoto]

Thanks so much guys!

I have had a lot of people suggest the G10; but I know how picky I am about my art and I know my obsession with photography will only grow, so I feel like I need a camera with interchangeable lenses, to grow with me.

Thanks so much for the G10 pics! They look really clear, but you also say they don't begin to reach the quality of the dSLRs in your review. Again, makes me lean towards a dSLR.

If I go that route, what do you suggest? I can very Internet saavy, so even if the camera is in the $800 range, I'm sure I can find it within my range.

[mixedupmacandpc]

ya man, i understand completely what u say about being picky and obsessed. So if u don't have any lenses yet then ur free to choose brand. There are a kazillion sites with reviews and opinions, so here is just another: either Nikon or Canon DSLR that fits ur budget. Just get the lastest one. I had canon glass from the old film days, so the first foray into digital (has it been a decade now?) was with a Canon Rebel 300D. It still works just fine, and it must be 8 years old...can't remember. The equivalent of that today is right in ur price range. The kit lens that comes with all the entry level DSLRs, for canon at least, suck. So if u are really picky get the body from Adorama or B&H or whomever and then choose a nice all-around zoom lens. U will pay about 100-200 bucks more then if u went with a kit, but it will be worth every penny. Someone else can comment on Nikor kit lenses, as I know nothing there. Then, as time marches on, u can add to ur lens collection with some nice primes and whatnot. I am a real canon fanboy, but i suspect that Nikon and Canon will give the same results. Perhaps even Pentax and Olympus, but to me they are off-brands (ha!). imo its all about glass and eyeballs.
Well, good luck!

[FreemanPhoto]

You know, I agree, it would be worth the extra $100-200 to buy a better lens separate. Sadly, that's going to be even harder to figure out.

I've been reading reviews and magazines and books and whatnot, but having real life experiences from people is most valuable. In this price range most of the reviews don't talk about buying lenses separately. It's only the higher priced cameras.

So thank you!

[Politik]

Yes, it can be confusing. The trick, in most reviews, is to know endorsements sway opinions :-)

If Nikon gave me my D200 for free, I would say its the best. They didn't, so I can honestly say I like my Fuji a lot more.

I dont even own a pentax but I am VERY fond of their equipment.. I still stand behind that option and think its worth a look at. I also really like my nikon equipment. I think D80s are going for just under 50o used and that may be a great idea. D80 for 500, 50mm 1.8 for $100 would put you right at $600 and you would have more pores than you would want to remove in photoshop :-). Would also have an excellent body and great system to build in

[mixedupmacandpc]

I was just slathering over canon 5d which i need to get at some point (when/if 1d dies) and i noticed that the low end canon dslrs don't look competitively priced like they used to. i mean the g10 has the same processor as the 5d (digic IV), but all the low end canon dslrs are still using digic III or II. they must be ready for a refresh of the lines, but considering the recent plunge of CAJ, maybe there is going to be a delay or a rethink. so perhaps now is not the time for canon dslr?

[FreemanPhoto]

Wow, thank you all!

I have been doing more comparisons, based off of the advice I've been given here. I also went and tested out a few camera at some stores. Then it happened...I picked up the Nikon D90 and saw that it also captures HD-video. Drool...I've been wanting to work with video to create a video blog, so I might be thinking of waiting a little longer and saving up for this one. I see the body only being sold for around $550 online.

What I don't know is how to find the right camera lens and what the overall cost might end up being. Yikes!

[Politik]

the D90 for 550 online is a scam. Please check the reseller ratings and or link it to us here so we can help verify. Basic rule to follow - If its cheaper than amazon, adorama, and BHPhoto... its a bait and switch style site and you wont get your product.

Finding the right lens is easy and hard at the same time. Once you find out your specific need's', finding the right lens to fit them is easy. It is usually narrowed down to 2 or 3 similar ranges from the different brands and then you pick one :-)

for portraits, i would start with the 50mm 1.8 or the 85 mm 1.8