What camera to buy?

[Rich Lambert]

I'm going to hit the wife up for a new camera for Christmas. I want a good all around digital camera that's easy to use for under $1K. Any suggestions?

What about peripherals too, like bags, lenses, etc...? This stuff will go on the kids' gift list.

Porsche 911 content: I'm going to take lots of pictures of my 911.

[TargaFlorio]

Rich,

could you be a bit more specific?
Are you looking for a good point and shoot?
Digital SLR?
Do you want something where you can change lenses?

What will you be using the camera for?

Cheers,
n.
_
http://nicolashunziker.com

[SCHNELE]

Canon Rebel great value, I have the big brother to it the 30D great camera though these days it is hard to find a bad one but be sure not to cheap out on the lense.

[Rich Lambert]

Originally Posted by TargaFlorio

Rich,

could you be a bit more specific?
Are you looking for a good point and shoot?
Digital SLR?
Do you want something where you can change lenses?

What will you be using the camera for?

Pictures would be of cars and motorcycles at speed and at rest. Interchangable lenses would be good.

I guess I need to do more research.

[TargaFlorio]

Try the Canon EOS-40d

You should be able to find a body plus a couple of lenses for about 1K.

Next step up would be the EOS-1Ds, but there you're looking at pro equipment, body alone is about 5k.

Cheers,
n.
_
http://nicolashunziker.com

[ramonesfreak]

i love the lumix FZ-50, though after 10 months and about 6,000 pics, it developed a problem that required it to be shipped to a repair facility. despite that, i recommend it

[Mitch Leland]

Rich,

I had a Canon Power Shot SD300, pretty good camera. It is very small so it's very portable, took OK pixs, 4 Mega Pixels, 3X zoom. I would say with a 1 GB of memory, battery charger, and case it was around $400. It was lifted from my console while my driver was being serviced.

To replace the camera I bought a Leica De-lux3, 10 Mega Pixels, 4X zoom. Takes great pictures. A little larger than the Canon. Downside is that it has a lens cover which has to be removed, and the flash is not automatic. However it can be used either in auto, shutter priority, or aperture priority if you're interested in the fine art of photography. With the expensive case it was $750.

[old man neri]

I bought an olympus stylus that was both waterproof and shock proof. I have taken that thing everywhere and it has yet to let me down. 7.2mp, 3X zoom is what I think the current model has. Just recently I took it on a sea survival training course. I was floating in the frigid pacific ocean taking movies and pictures. If you want a tougher camera thing about this one. I never worry about where I take my camera anymore, that was important to me.

Just a thought.

[87coupe]

Costco has two great deals right now. The Nikon D40x with 2 lenses and a 1GB SD card for $900 and the Canon Digital Rebel XTI (EOS 400D) with two lenses and a 1GB CF card for $1000. Both are great cameras and at those price points you can't go wrong.

[911Rob]

I've got two Canons, used almost commercially and I love them.

Canon EOS Rebel; comes with everything you need as stated by Brandon.

[alf]

For $1000. You could get a Canon Point & Shoot and a Nikon DSLR.

[Steve Carlton]

The image quality with a DSLR will be far greater than a P&S, let alone the ability to shoot instantly and continuously, and your budget will allow it. The main players are the Canon XT/XTi and Nikon D40/D40x, and there's tremendous value on the market coming from the Pentax K100D/K10D and Olympus E-410/E-510.

In your price range, the quality of the kit lenses will be important. I think the Nikon and Olympus is strong there, and I'm not sure about Pentax. Nikon has a lens that causes many to go with their system, the 18-200 VR. There's a tremendous value in not having to change lenses for different shots and introduce dust into the camera. On the other hand, a kit with an 18-55 and adding a 70-300 VR will give you more range at the track.

Do go to a camera dealer and handle the different cameras. One may work a lot better for you with its ergonomics and handling.

Ask for 2 or 4 GB memory cards, a Hoya circular polarizing filter, an extra battery, a tripod, and Photoshop Elements. Shop online at pricegrabber.com and check out the seller's reputation at resellerratings.com and be sure to deal with a factory-authorized dealer.

[URY914]

I just bought a Nikon D40 with a 18-55 lense and a 4 GB card. I got it a day before Rennsport III, charged the battery the night before and went to the track. I set it on auto and shot +600 pictures over two days w/o recharging the battery. I bought it a Ritz Camera and got a bag and a great warranty for just under $1K. Warranty says I could drop it out of a plane and just so I have enough of it left to prove it's a Nikon, they'll replace it complete. I'll pickup another lense soon. My wife and 12 year old daughter use it too. Very easy to use. We're happy.

[CurtEgerer]

Used Nikon D1H's are selling on eBay for under $500 These were $5000+ when new. Low MP, but unless you're making poster-size prints, who cares? All metal, built like tanks. And if they quit working, you can use them to drive nails into concrete.

[Palum6o]

I have an Optio A20 point and shoot and its taken a severe beating, really enjoy this camera. I also have a Nikon N65 SLR that I unfortunately don't use anymore - I reallly like the Nikon cameras. A friend of mine just got the Nikon D40 and its really nice. I tried fitting one of my lenses from my Nikon on his and they aren't compatible (thought they would since they are both auto focus lenses). Costco and Circuit city.com have some great deals right now on the Nikon D40.

[Teutonics]

Another vote for the Nikon d40x (10MP). I got one with the 18-135mm lens, and absolutely love it. I used it to take group shots of the extended family at T'giving, and there were some that could pass for studio quality... and I'm not that good of a photographer.

I got the whole package for $820 shipped from a reputable authorized online dealer. I ordered on a Thursday and it was delivered on Saturday!

[Halm]

Originally Posted by Rich Lambert

Pictures would be of cars and motorcycles at speed and at rest. Interchangeable lenses would be good.

I borrowed my daughter's Nikon D40 to take to Rennsport 3 for this very reason. It is a great camera and I will buy one sometime over the next year.

HOWEVER, for cars at speed, you will need an extra lens, my guess the 70-300 lens. Check out eBay. There are some great deals for 2 lens set.

[kstar]

For what you plan to shoot, I would get the Nikon D40 and the Nikon 18-200 VR lens; It'll take you over your $1000 budget a bit, but you will not regret it, IMO.

Best,

Kurt

[Steve Carlton]

Unfortunately, the D40 only comes as a kit with at least the 18-55 brand new. For a little extra, you can get the D40x as a body only if you don't want kit lenses. Best price I'm seeing now is $539 at US1Camera. I suggest getting Nikon lenses brand new, as you only save a small percentage used and don't get the 5 year warranty unless you're the original purchaser. US1Camera shows the 18-200 for $660 delivered. I sold mine about 3 weeks ago for $590 shipped, when the best price online was $690.

[scottmandue]

I HATE YOU GUYS! now I am looking at cameras I can't afford!

However a quick web search shows Amazon.com has the Nikon D40 w/18-135 zoom for $671.83

Look at deal number 10:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html/?node=3017941&keywords=Nikon