Camera for the average Family
reynazackphotography
Registered Users Posts: 45 Big grins
Hello,
My sister wants to buy her husband a camera for his birthday.
They are parents in their late 30's. They have an average knowledge of technology (not highly advanced).
They want a great camera that will be able to capture photos of their children (ie a high shutter speed) but that is also able to set in manual mode (apparently my brother in law knows how to shoot in manual).
I think they're open to a DSLR OR a NICE point-and-shoot.
Budget is $500 or less
Any suggestions?
My sister wants to buy her husband a camera for his birthday.
They are parents in their late 30's. They have an average knowledge of technology (not highly advanced).
They want a great camera that will be able to capture photos of their children (ie a high shutter speed) but that is also able to set in manual mode (apparently my brother in law knows how to shoot in manual).
I think they're open to a DSLR OR a NICE point-and-shoot.
Budget is $500 or less
Any suggestions?
Reyna Zack Photography
www.reynazackphotography.smugmug.com
www.reynazackphotography.smugmug.com
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Comments
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www.reynazackphotography.smugmug.com
A $500USD budget will probably not be sufficient.
If they want high quality results, and if they want a consistent percentage of "keepers", they need to budget considerably more. I suggest that they budget for at least $2000, and then start with a used, mid-level Canon or Nikon dSLR, plus a couple of good used lenses.
At the very least, I suggest either a Canon 40D or Nikon D90 body, and then a decent standard zoom lens plus a decent telephoto zoom lens. Add a good TTL flash with a focus-assist light, and a couple of DIY modifiers, and they should be pretty good to go.
For the standard zoom I suggest the Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD IF. While it's not perfect, it's good enough for many professional purposes, without the cost of the top-tier manufacturer lenses.
For the telephoto zoom I suggest either the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro or the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM. The Tamron is a little higher image quality, but a little slower focus. The Sigma is faster to focus, but a bit less image quality.
For the flash I suggest either a Sigma EF-610 DG Super flash (in the correct Canon or Nikon mount), or a used Canon 550EX flash or Nikon SB-600 flash, respectively.
KEH.com has most of these items available used, and they currently have the best warranty on used equipment.
Either a Canon 40D system or a Nikon D90 system should be able to provide most of what they want to do, especially if they follow my recommendations above. They don't have to buy it all at once, but one of those bodies, plus the standard zoom lens, plus the flash and DIY flash modifiers is where I recommend they start.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
They are not pro photographers. So I think a 40D system with flash and multiple lenses would overwhelm them.
What about a point-and-shoot option instead of a DSLR? There must be an option under $500.
www.reynazackphotography.smugmug.com
For outdoor, daytime use, with the built-in flash as fill, many cameras will do, especially with static subjects. Unfortunately, indoor images with the built-in flash will deliver the usual "snapshot" looking images, and the shutter lag will mean many missed opportunities.
Trying to shoot sports with a typical digicam is a similar lesson in futility. (Shutter lag issues plus poor high-ISO performance limiting fast shutter speeds.)
A larger sensor and bigger, large aperture lenses, with minimal lag, and a decent flash, used properly, can all add up to the quality images they probably expect. I haven't seen any shortcuts to image quality.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
My sister's having the same problem. I told her to get the Canon G12. You can get RAW files without having to get a DSLR.
Nathan
http://nathanpetty.com
The reason I suggest the Nikon 1 is the sensor is a bigger than point and shoots so it will do better in low light. And even more importantly it has phase detection built into the sensor which will make for much faster AF (it's as fast as any DSLR combo I've used) which will be key to get photos of kids in focus as they run around.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW9alBidf3w
An "accurate" reproduction of a scene and a good photograph are often two different things.
Get a Nikon D3100 or used D5000/D90, SB-400, and a 50mm 1.8 AF-S or AF-D depending on which camera you get, and you'll be happy with your photos for years.
There is also a new 310 HS, and 320 HS for a bit more, and a higher end 5x0 HS.
https://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras
I bought this camera for my daughter, to use on a family trip. I found it on sale at Best Buy, and ratings were good. But I now take this camera with me on business travel where I can not take my DSLR. The images are fantastic, and the control is really very good, offering a very functional Manual mode. In fact, the Automatic mode is much more capable than putting the camera in some of the configured settings, that you, the human, are certain is correct for the current conditions.
Here are some images taken with the camera. These were taken by my 13 yr old daughter, so I would classify this as 'average'. These were taken in either Auto or whatever setting she had the camera in and forgot about. There is also a movie, taken in a dark church (Vatican), so you can see how it performs in a dark area. Quite a bit of noise when she pans over to very dark areas, but frankly, neither she nor the rest of the family noticed or complained about it later. Overall, its pretty darn good, and with care, images could be even better.
Here is a sample:
And this one, taken directly facing the sun, which the camera handles pretty well:
Anyway, check out the images, not bad for a ~$200 camera!
Bigger sensor, great features, expandability with longer / faster lenses as desired, fully manual controls if desired, pocketable, etc.
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Good luck and happy holidays.
And it's within their budget.
Roak
<== Mighty Murphy, the wonder Bouv!
I would second the suggestions for Canon Powershot G12 or G15,
or a Canon SX50 (except that the SX50 may be awkward to use in manual mode, and is pretty tiny for someone with large hands).
==> But the other option to consider is purchasing a factory-refurbished Canon DSLR with a kit lens, using the Canon Loyalty Program. Most CLP cameras/lenses are indistinguishable from new. We just got our young teenager her first DSLR as a (big) holiday gift, and we managed to do it within the budget you mentioned (in fact, it was the only way to get her a DSLR without blowing our own budget through the roof). We got a Canon T2i with 18-55mm kit lens for just $358 (+tax in CA). Or you could get a T3i + 18-55mm lens for $448. See the Canon refurb camera web page and the Canon refurb lenses web page. Canon just had a huge Cyber Week sale, so it's out of stock on some models.
You may note that the prices I just quoted are lower than the prices on that web page. That's because the unadvertised Canon Loyalty Program allows you to take 20% off the posted refurb prices. The only catches to CLP are:
- You must have an old broken Canon camera to send in, in exchange (if you don't have one, they are readily available on eBay for under $10). Canon will accept *any* old Canon camera, film or digital, it just has to be not working (they just junk it when they receive it). If you have an old one, you can even break it yourself before you send it in -- take a knob off, break the battery door, crack the LCD screen, whatever.
- You cannot order through the web site, you must call the direct Canon Loyalty Program phone# (1-866-443-8002, option#2) to place your order, as explained on this DGrin thread
Canon also has refurb Powershot G12's available for $349 ($280 under CLP) on this web page.Good luck!
Supported by: Benro C-298 Flexpod tripod, MC96 monopod, Induro PHQ1 head
Also play with: studio strobes, umbrellas, softboxes, ...and a partridge in a pear tree...
B&H has the Panasonic G3 with kit lens for $299 through the end of the month. It's a very capable, 16MP micro four thirds camera, with a usable kit lens. The two Sigma prime lenses for micro four thirds are also discounted at the moment, $150 each, so you could get the G3 and a sharp f2.8 prime for $450. I got the G3 and 30mm Sigma and am very happy with both, and think this is just a killer deal.
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http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/730210-REG/Nikon_25472_D3100_Digital_SLR_Camera.html
An "accurate" reproduction of a scene and a good photograph are often two different things.
More than anything, the X10 renders colors and skin tones beautifully, even using automatic white balance. It is a tremendous piece of kit, IMO.