Cameras.

[Higgie]

Going to Italy in a few weeks and the wife and I are in the market for a new camera. Looking to spend around 600-700$. Looking at an SLR either the canon or Nikon. Anyone have any insight. Thanks
Rich

[JohnR]

Way out of my league, that said you cannot go wrong with the Nikon D series or the Cannon Rebel

Best entry-level digital SLR cameras - CNET Reviews

[Katie]

Nikon D5000 with the standard 18mm to 55mm lens will do you perfectly. It's the set up I use on a daily basis.

Took this photo with it on Saturday

[Saltheart]

For travel I like the much smaller point and shoot cameras. A big camera gets to be an anchor around your neck when you are hoofing it around doing site seeing. Other than for a true pro like Katie , the point and shoots with all the optical zooms and image stabilization take pictures that are way above and beyond and vacationers needs.

[Nebe]

^ x2
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[PRBuzz]

Might find some good deals @Ritz camera as they close their stores/doors.....

http://www.bostonherald.com/business...59603&srvc=rss

[Higgie]

I'm not overly concerned with the size. I already have several point and shoot cameras that could be great for travel but I think I'm going to bite the bullet and buy the Nikon d3100.
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[Higgie]

Thanks for the input though. Any time the wife approves an upgrade in technology you have to just run with it.
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[spence]

I think that's a good choice...

I've got a D5000 as well and love it. The 3100 has some nice improvements.

If you get the 50-200 zoom along with it I'd suggest the Crumpler 4 Million Dollar Home as a bag if you can find one cheaper than retail.

-spence

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by Saltheart

For travel I like the much smaller point and shoot cameras. A big camera gets to be an anchor around your neck when you are hoofing it around doing site seeing. Other than for a true pro like Katie , the point and shoots with all the optical zooms and image stabilization take pictures that are way above and beyond and vacationers needs.

Im with Saltheart, I had a Canon Rebel and after years of toting it around looking like a tourist I realized I get just as good of a picture from a small point and shoot that higher megapixels that fits in my pocket. Plus you can get waterproof in case you and your significant other get frisky at the Trevi fountian and fall in.

[spence]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

...I realized I get just as good of a picture from a small point and shoot that higher megapixels that fits in my pocket.

Depends on what you like.

Megapixels don't necessarily translate into a better photo, the size of the CCD is much more important and this is one of the big differences between a SLR and POS.

Point and shoots do fine in good light, but anything moving fast or under darker conditions and they're usually going to struggle.

-spence

[Higgie]

Thanks spence your the second person to recommend the scrumpler. Pulling the trigger in a couple hours.
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[spence]

Originally Posted by Turf Guy

Thanks spence your the second person to recommend the scrumpler. Pulling the trigger in a couple hours.
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It's got excellent build quality, doesn't look funny and is very compact...small enough to still tuck into a backpack if you need.

Make sure you get an extra battery!

-spence

[bassballer]

I have the D3000 and like it alot. I just like to take some good photos here and there of the dogs, and fishing, vacations ect. Not looking for anything more. The D3000 is easy to use with all the presets and guide.

[Higgie]

Thanks guys. I bought the d3100 last week and I love it. Like you said for pics of the dog and vacas etc. it's going to take some time to really understand how to use it to its full potential but I can't believe it took me this long to own a good camera.
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[Saltheart]

The secret to getting pictures worth framing and putting on the wall is to take lots of pictures. I means hundreds and hundreds. A few are bound to be perfect!.

I can remember in the days of film (1983) , I was lying on the deck of my boat with my Canon SLR trying to get a picture of a small Island with a lighthouse on it off Guilford , CT. My friend was steering and we made several runs at the Island with the sunset in the background trying to get the shot timed so that the lighthouse light was on in the picture . Must have taken 20 shots and luckily , 1 of the 20 had the perfect combination of water . Island , sunset and light on , in the same picture. I still have the framed picture to this day . almost 30 years later.