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New Camera help????

So I'm in the market for a new and better camera (DSLR)? I have read SOOOO many sites on why this one is the one to buy that I just don't really know what I want or what I need :willy:

So where should I start? First some background on the uses for the new camera.

Car shows
Sporting events (my kids school sports)
And just different stuff I see on the road during the day that I think is cool

My start up budget is in the $600 to $800 range, and then I can add other lens as time goes on?? What would you start with??

Next would be what software should I use?? Free or buy?? I've looked at a few online free ones and Picasa seems nice and is free to start??

Thanks for the input guys :cheers: :lateral:

The Canon Txi kit from Costco is a pretty good deal. I got the t2i kit for around 850 when it was on sale, it seems to come on sale pretty often.

Comes with a carrying case, 18-55 and 55-250mm lenses, memory card, etc.

But with DSLR's, they arent "convenient" to carry around. But i'll assume you already understand that aspect. :)

The Canon Rebel series (T2i, t3i, t4i, etc) are all "Crop sensor" cameras. which means they are already zoomed in 1.6x basically. So an 18mm lens at 18mm is really 18mm x 1.6% = 29mm or so.

You can find some pretty good deals on slickdeals on kits with these cameras. Or look refurb or at craigslist. It seems a lot of people use this as their beginner step in to DSLR, and then later want to go more "pro" and upgrade to a full frame/full pro camera (ie. Canon MKii or Mkiii).

As for editing software, Lightroom is really good, simple, and runs fairly cheap (compared to photoshop). But Picasa was pretty decent for basic edits, I used it for a bit.

Rick -

Just remember that cameras are like horsepower.... if you like one there's a better one that's calling your name. And they're just like welders... if you can weld - you can weld with an old junk machine... So the camera won't make you a good photographer.

One of the best review websites is KenRockwell.com

He's no nonsense - and will say "here's all you really need"...

The thing you're not going to know going into this - - is what kind of photography you really like to do... action? Still? Races? Sports? Close-ups?
Most of us doing action shots have to have a better BODY so that we can shoot 6 to 10 frames per second... so that has a higher cost initially but you can't beat it if you're doing action stuff (think of this as holding a machine gun - push the button and start shooting frames). If you're only interested in shooting the sides of cars from the headlight down the body... then you wouldn't need that capability. Then you might want a wide angle lens and a monopod...

So what I'm trying to say is -- buy a decent body/lens.... mess with it -- pay attention to what you "CAN'T" do with it... and fix that in the next purchase. You'll either be hooked or you won't care and don't use it as much as you thought you would. :cheers:

Several years back.. 5-6 I purchased a Canon Rebel XTi, and with the proper settings, takes great photos. It's definitely rugged, as it bounces around all over my truck, under seats, literally rolls around.

I've had my lense repaired a few times, but only because of my own neglect.

I found that one of the greatest assets to this camera for me, was adding a battery grip. It really improved its recovery time, from taking multiple shots. This camera had an average of like 3-4 even 5 repetitious action shots, but by adding the battery grip, it increased it to 7 - 9 shots, with flash.

I purchased an after market battery grip from Best Buy, like 120.00, and have had it for bout 3 years, use it frequently, almost daily... (construction projects, and family photos).

I am sure the newer models are an improvement to what I have. I'd definitely buy another Canon. It would be a higher model this time, as I already own lenses that adapt to it. I don't see that happening any time soon tho, as I am working on completing one of these cash gulping PT cars..

My initial investment was like $1,200.00

Good Luck! :yes:

If you just want to take still shots like this? I took this with my iPhone!! :D

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...12/file-17.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by toy71camaro (Post 453613)

Thanks for the info, yah I get they are bigger then the point and shot cameras, but this is where I want to go as my next step in photograph. I am looking at Canon and Nikon, that's what I have it down to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld (Post 453619)

Greg, last night I spent about 2 hr's on Ken's site, WOW you aren't kidding he has some great info and tells you what he thinks! I think I have a good idea on what I want now, now I want to find a good camera dealer in my area to purchase from so when I need help I can go there instead of just looking for the best deal on the net. Thanks for the link that was very helpful!

Quote:

Originally Posted by califconstruct (Post 453620)

Thanks, I will try to keep mine safe :thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld (Post 453692)

Greg that's what I'm talking about :cheers: I'm sure your setup is more then I want to start with but what are you using for those shots???

Nikon D7000 and those were taken with the best all around lens I have which is a AF-S Nikkor 18 - 200. It's on the camera 90% of the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld (Post 453804)

Nikon D7000 and those were taken with the best all around lens I have which is a AF-S Nikkor 18 - 200. It's on the camera 90% of the time.

Greg, I'm thinking about getting one of these from Costco. Would you buy it again? How is the video it takes?

Also, Consumer Reports rates very highly the Sony Cyber-Shot RX 100, an almost DSLR as well as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and DMC-G3K.