What type of camera?

[Carols Clucks]

Oh, remember it is not the camera that is taking good pictures, but the knowledge and eye of the person behind it!

 

[desertdarlene]

I have a Canon 350D that I got for a great deal on eBay. But, it took a lot of patience to find that deal as it took me a while to find the right one. The camera ended up being a hardly used camera body (without the lens) sold by a guy who wanted to upgrade his outfit. I bought a lens on another site. Then, I bought another lens last year. Even though my camera is now older and "outdated", it still works great and I even enter my photos into photo shows. And, I can always get more lenses that can also be used in upgraded models later on. I've taken thousands of photos with this camera with no problem. I would definitely go with another Canon camera next time I'm in the market.

You might be able to find a used 350D (also known as a Digital Rebel) in your price range. Many come with a small zoom lens, too. Make sure you get the battery charger and manuals, too.

 

[ivan3]

If action shots are your primary goal, then start reading reviews of the previous two generations of DSLR's (forget the megapixels - read up on the sensor size/sensitivity) - batteries and Flash units (you might find the equipment used for somewhat less - if you get lucky).

Another option, in the price range mentioned, are the current gen. of Superzoom/`hybrids'. Each man./model has its faults, however most will shoot action (in good light) at high speed in, at least, standard res. If one is not willing to RTM+RTM+RTM+RTM!!! then point-and-shoot and be happy (all these models require shooting A LOT of frames in USER MODE to learn how to get the best results under different lighting - auto settings only do so much. Also, with most of these cams figure in cost of Fastest/Largest storage medium you can afford (some shoot 1080p vid, if you think you need that), extra battery(s), monopod/tripod - x26 zoom gives good results if mounted on a tripod.

Whatever cam you settle on, make sure to shoot/shoot/shoot and try each and every setting/combinations thereof, during the warranty period (like computer components - they give up the ghost under stress almost immediately - or they function well past useful lifetime).

I still miss my old `analog' Asahi 4x5 Pentax - beautiful transparencies - don't miss the hauling/lugging/dragging...

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Zoom-cameras/lm/R27QUYMMNHS4JW/ref=cm_lmt_srch_f_1_rsrsrs0 (reading reviews of those who've already bought them is handy - then go to reg. review on any number of dig.photog. sites).

 

[Chickengal505]

Here are some I took with my dinky Kodak EasyShare Z710

Only thing I don't like is the date in the corner, But that feture can be switched off and/or the date can easly be cropped out.

 

[RGBistro]

Quote:
x2

I got into photography when I became a food blogger. My desire to take better photos led to me wanting to learn how to do it.

For the entire first year that I had my blog, I took pictures on a hand-me-down "point-and-shoot" Canon. Hey, it was free! Once I learned how to use all the buttons, I outgrew that camera and graduated to a DSLR.

I bought the CHEAPEST one I could find - a Canon Rebel XS from Costco. It was still a few hundred dollars, but takes some nice action shots. I'm still learning, but for what I'm doing (still food photography), it does the job.

In all honesty, it's hard to tell which pictures were taken on the free camera, and which ones were taken on my purchased DSLR. It's really about knowing how to use what you've got!

If you're on a tight budget, I recommend buying a used camera, as long as the lens is decent. You can learn on one of those while you save for your first $$$$ camera. (The purchase will sting!) Then do some research on what settings you'll need to set your camera to in order to take action shots. Then go out there and shoot, shoot, shoot!

Best of luck!

- Kim

 

[Chickengal505]

Quote:
x2

I got into photography when I became a food blogger. My desire to take better photos led to me wanting to learn how to do it.

For the entire first year that I had my blog, I took pictures on a hand-me-down "point-and-shoot" Canon. Hey, it was free! Once I learned how to use all the buttons, I outgrew that camera and graduated to a DSLR.

I bought the CHEAPEST one I could find - a Canon Rebel XS from Costco. It was still a few hundred dollars, but takes some nice action shots. I'm still learning, but for what I'm doing (still food photography), it does the job.

In all honesty, it's hard to tell which pictures were taken on the free camera, and which ones were taken on my purchased DSLR. It's really about knowing how to use what you've got!

If you're on a tight budget, I recommend buying a used camera, as long as the lens is decent. You can learn on one of those while you save for your first $$$$ camera. (The purchase will sting!) Then do some research on what settings you'll need to set your camera to in order to take action shots. Then go out there and shoot, shoot, shoot!

Best of luck!

- Kim

x3 If you can get ahold of a pawn shop ect. that would let you try out the camras before you buy, a used might turn out to be the best. Never buy a used camra you haven't played with.

 

[Iheartchicks<3:)]

Thank you so much for alllll the replies! Im definitely thinking of going with a used canon rebel, and checking local stores! Can people post pics of what they get with there cameras?

 

[arabianequine]

 

[call ducks]

Not jokeing -


Look on sale for Point and Shoot camras for the time being. Don't go to big, get on that is 14 MegPix. I take my best pics with a camara i got on sale for 80.00 bucks it was half off! (Kodak easy Share C1 something)


And i see you have any easy share.

Taking pictures of things that don't move is a lot easer then things that do move.

[Large File/Image]

 

[desertdarlene]

If you click on the link in my signature, you can see what kinds of photos I take with my Rebel (it's an older, 8MP one). Just be careful as one of my most recent blog posts is about a duck that was strangled by fishing line and I have graphic photos of her on that page. But those photos are pretty far down the page and you have to scroll a bit to see it (and I have a warning before they are shown).