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Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,488
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Best low cost easy to use SLR digital camera
Looking to get better photos than an iPhone but not looking to take over from Scuvallo (although, he does meet some nice girls). Looking in the mid $200s with a wide to maybe 135 mm zoom. Could settle for a wide to 85mm
There is a dizzying array of availables, thought I would ask the brain trust here. When I was serious about photography Canon and Nikon were the show, Pentax a distant 3rd. Now? |
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04-03-2019, 10:18 AM
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Driver, not Mechanic
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 3,011
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No affiliation: https://kenrockwell.com/
I read his site 12 years ago and ended up with a Nikon D40... It's still going. Haven't really felt the need to upgrade. Though these days he's recommending Canon a bit more. |
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04-03-2019, 10:32 AM
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Canon and Nikon still have the best glass out there if that matters, and sounds like it does if you want better than what a newish iPhone can do.
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Brent The X15 was the only aircraft I flew where I was glad the engine quit. - Milt Thompson. "Don't get so caught up in your right to dissent that you forget your obligation to contribute." Mrs. James to her son Chappie. |
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04-03-2019, 10:35 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,105
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I would argue no "dslr." That implies a moving mirror. Rather, look at mirrorless digital or point and shoot.
My wife is all in on canon. Great stuff. I have a tiny Ricoh GR. A one trick pony. Go to Costco or similar and see what name brand is in your price range. An aside, the iPhone can take GREAT pictures. There is some serious mojo in there. |
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04-03-2019, 10:44 AM
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least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
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IMHO you can't go wrong with Nikon or Cannon thou I hear good things about Sony and Fuji.
At that price point you may not get interchangeable lens (unless you buy used). Be aware that the mm rating on digital lens is not the same as film cameras. I got a Nikon D80 kit (bag and two lenses) off CL for $200, I upgraded to a D7200. If anyone is interested in the D80 PM me, it was supposed to be a hand me down to my wife but she hasn't touched it in over a year. I also studied https://kenrockwell.com/ before buying
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Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone  1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. Last edited by scottmandue; 04-03-2019 at 10:59 AM.. |
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04-03-2019, 10:56 AM
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abides.
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Not an expert by any means, but i would suggest that you check out a used camera store and pick up a few. I quickly discovered that i preferred the shape of the canon grips. The rest of the specs are so similar it probably doesn't matter which brand you choose.
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Graham 1984 Carrera Targa |
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04-03-2019, 11:18 AM
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Registered
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lake Cle Elum - Eastern WA.
Posts: 8,417
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Quote:
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Bob S. 73.5 911T 1969 911T Coo' pay (one owner) 1960 Mercedes 190SL 1962 XKE Roadster (sold) - 13 motorcycles |
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04-03-2019, 11:22 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 2,411
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I've got a Nikon Coolpix that I bought at Costco. It has worked great for me.
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04-03-2019, 11:51 AM
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I am using a sony alpha 6000 (mirrorless). Has been great and offers flexibility of manual modes plus a bunch of “auto” options.
Nice size and form factor also. |
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04-03-2019, 12:25 PM
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At mid $200 price range you will be looking at a used dlsr. Arguments over brands are more about the glass rather than the body - and glass gets spendy really fast. A few years back I bought a used D5100 with the kit lens, bag, memory cards, and HDMI cable for $250 off CL. My previous SLR was a Nikon FM (manual) shooting 35mm film so I understand the basics about F/stop and shutter. That said there are thousands of settings on a modern dlsr to monkey with and admittedly I just don't have the time to play with it. So with that, I will be totally honest here, my wife's iPhone X, provides much nicer pictures than I can manage with my dlsr. Frustrating
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04-03-2019, 12:50 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 1,035
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Quote:
More settings than I will ever use. 
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Scot 78 911SC coupe, sold,, 2019 Macan S "my friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.." |
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04-03-2019, 01:02 PM
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Get off my lawn!
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Simple answer, either Nikon or Canon. I find the Canon menus easier to use and more logical. Either one has an infinite supply of lenses from cheap to so expensive you can only lease them.
It is a slippery slope. The advanced enthusiasts dream of pro gear. A full frame sensor make images look a lot better, and way less noise. Buy one that is used. Lots of people with deep pockets want the latest and greatest, and they sell their older gear and get the bleeding edge. Just read the camera forums and check out the number of cycles, or how many pictures has it taken. Don't buy one with too many snaps. Enjoy. And as a P.S. buy and learn the full version of Photoshop. It is the de-facto standard. It is not that much money, and can make magic happen.
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Glen 49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America 1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan 1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood! |
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04-03-2019, 01:06 PM
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1984 Porsche Carrera Targa
Nutmeg Brown Carrera
Subaru #3
Carrera
2003 996
04 Jeep
Carrera
