We know you want manual controls, so that rules out a lot of point and shoots, and a reasonable zoom for outdoor sports etc - but a few other questions:.
Are you willing to buy a digital SLR with detachable lenses? If so, then any of the Nikon D40, Canon 400D, or Pentax K100D (or base Olymous) would seem OK, whichever feels good to you when you handle them..
That would probably involve buying other lenses later on, but would give better results..
What is the size of your budget, is another important question..
Regards.
Alex..
Alex,.
Budget constraintswould like to keep between $500-$600..
In terms of detachable lenses, yes, willing to buy, but keep in mind, I know nothing about nothing, SMILE, so literally starting from scratch..
Do not want something that is too heavy/bulky to carry around..
By the way, what is the differences between the the Canon High-End Advanced Digital cameras and the A-series digital cameras, do you know?.
Thanks,Juanita..
Juanita1 wrote:.
Alex,.
Budget constraintswould like to keep between $500-$600..
In terms of detachable lenses, yes, willing to buy, but keep in mind,I know nothing about nothing, SMILE, so literally starting fromscratch..
Do not want something that is too heavy/bulky to carry around..
By the way, what do you think of the Canon A-series cameras, can one grow from them?.
Thanks,Juanita..
Hi Juanita,.
Sounds like you are probably ready for a Digital SLR camera since you indicated that you wanted a camera to learn with, and the also the variety of types of pictures you want to take. An SLR camera allows you to change lenses for capturing different types of pictures..
SLR = Single Lens Reflex. A Digital SLR (DSLR) simply means that instead of capturing an image film, the image is captured on a digital sensor..
With an SLR, when you look through the viewfinder, you are seeing what is coming through the lens, so your composition (framing) and manual focus (if you focus manually) is more accurate..
Canon, Nikon and Pentax I believe have very nice cameras that price from around $500 - $700+. While these are "entry-level" cameras, they all are capable of taking high quality pictures with ease, and more professional looking pics with learning and practice. So don't let the "entry-level" status of these camera fool you..
I have the Nikon D40x, so I cannot tell you much about the other brands. But I am very happy with it. I haven't had it very long, but read up a lot (and continue to practice) on shutter/aperture and other photography aspects..
The D40x also has a "help" function that you can bring up with the push of a button, and will explain what the setting is that you are trying to set, or warn you if a picture will appear under or over exposed..
Read everything you can about the different cameras you are interested in, and then (very important), go and hold them, play with them, and see how each one feels to you - that is very important..
Ask more questions if there is anything you are not sure about! That's why we're all here, to ask questions and to help each other ..
Albert-O.
Http://www.berto.zenfolio.com..
Juanita1 wrote:.
Hello all,.
I've posted the following to another site as well, but hoping I canget as much assistance as possible..
After reading, re-reading numerous posts here and other resources,and getting more and more confused, let me ask as simply as possible:.
Which digital camera w/manual controls would you recommend for abeginner?.
This beginner would like to learn and advance skills, hence therequest for a camera with manual controls..
Picture-taking would range from band competitions (FIELD LEVEL) tobaseball games, with everything in-between, kids, babies, stillobjects (as a point of interest and learning, such as flowers, birds,whatever).
Many thanks for your time and patience!.
Juanita.
HiAny entry level dslr will be fine....go have a play and buy what feels right..
Having said that your $600 budget will not get you the best for your variety of named uses..
For band competitions you will need good low light lenses...this means at least a little faster than normal (though kit lenses CAN be quite good for this, you may just miss a shot or 2 if it gets too dim). A tele zoom for baseball..
Pentax would be the cheapest Can be had for around $450 with kit lens then add a tele zoom for 150 more or so....you get what you pay for...and you will need memory cards and a charger...all inexpensive but will add up..
These photos are with Pentax K100d and Tamron 17-35 2.8-4 (discontinued in Pentax mount but still some available at around $450 (I am using US dollars though I am not in USA))...so I would have spent if I purchased now....to get these say..$400 K100d body only$450 Tamron 17-35 lens$20 memory card$20 4aa recargeable batteries and chargeradd taxes postage etc....
These have been posted before ..some a few times.
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If you get the kit lens instead you could get very similar add another lens and still be in budget....the point is with a dslr you do not have to get an answer to ALL your needs when you buy the camera. While a point and shoot can do as good in good light...its in lower light that dslrs shine....and the K100d is very good in low light..
All entry cameras will have there downsides ....with the K1100d it's small buffer and slightly loud shutter (by comparison) neither are problems for me....also all dslrs have white balance problems indoors to some degree. The stabilisation is wonderful though..
Again...buy what feels right for you..
Neil.
Link back to flickrhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/26884588@N00/..
Juanita1 wrote:.
Alex,.
Budget constraintswould like to keep between $500-$600..
In terms of detachable lenses, yes, willing to buy, but keep in mind,I know nothing about nothing, SMILE, so literally starting fromscratch..
Do not want something that is too heavy/bulky to carry around..
By the way, what is the differences between the the Canon High-EndAdvanced Digital cameras and the A-series digital cameras, do youknow?.
Thanks,Juanita.
As others have said, any entry DSLR will be fine, Nikon D40, Canon 400D (Digital Rebel). Pentax K100D, or maybe Olympus..
Alex.
Http://akiralx.smugmug.com/..