Topic: camera recommendations

[Jimna]

my fuji s5000 just died.  i take a ton of pics and need a replacement fast.  im looking at the $250 range, max.  i do need something that has good optical zoom (10x or better) and does well in low light(like a concert maybe? ).  one thing i never liked about the fuji, it had poor results taking pics of things far away or moving with out blur.  i dont have much time to waste though, my wife is graduating in 10 days an i need to have the replacement by then to capture the event. 

im very uneducated in the subject so any advice is much appreciated.  thanks in advance.

jim

[stirinthesauce]

About 5 threads (one started this weekend) with a very similar subject matter all below this one.  First, if you want to stop movement and low light capabilities you will need fast glass.  That is something that point and  shoots do not have.  You need a dslr back and f2.8 or better glass.  If you need a small dslr for cheap, look at the rebel xt from canon.  Buy a 50mm f1.8 and your set. 

If you want zoom, you can buy a canon 70-200f2.8, but that will run you a grand or more.

Here is the problem, with a 250 price range you can get lots of point and shoot cameras.  They will take quite adequate snapshots in daily circumstances with adequate lighting and at adequate ranges.  However, they were not designed for lowlight and/or long range shooting. 

You need the right tools for the right application. 

With a dslr back, you can come equipped with the right lens for the right application.  You also have an almost endless amount of flexibility on you shooting options instead of the few options for controlled shooting that a P&S uses.

Good luck in your search.    You may just want a p&s for your wife's graduation.  Or not.  If not, bump you budget up and look at buying the tools for what you need.

[Jimna]

good advice.  how cheap could i get into a rebel xt and a 50mm f1.8?  would this be a good way to start out and build or am i still to low on the food chain and need to look bigger? 

sorry for the lack of knowledge, this just came up and im sorta scrambling to fix this issue while still keeping my options open in the future.  i do know the value of getting the right thing in the first place instead of replacing the wrong thing down the road.  my budget is self imposed.  i could max out at 450 or 500 if it would make the difference worth it.  but if im still way off, then i might as well be frugal and get the P&S for cheap. 

[Ryan Sims]

You could do the Rebel XT and the 50mm f/1.8 for under $500 without much hassle, I'd say. If you're willing to buy used, that is.

[stirinthesauce]

You could do the Rebel XT and the 50mm f/1.8 for under $500 without much hassle, I'd say. If you're willing to buy used, that is.

x2

And yes you can build upon this.  Just add glass 

checkout dgrin.com and fredmiranda.com for buying used.

[Jimna]

awesome!  thanks fellas, ill do some research tonight.  +T

i sorta knew canon was the direction i was looking...

[BJ]

i have a VERY lightly used XT i can sell you.  It has been for sale in the YS for a while now..already have a buyer for the lens...i will even package my 50mm lens if that is the deal breaker...

[Jimna]

PM sent

[stirinthesauce]

PM sent

good man.  BJ is good peeps.

[Ryan Sims]

Nice choice, and welcome to the team if you get the deal done!

I've shot with the Rebel XT for about a year now. Still love it.

[Jimna]

im still a little reserved.  im spoiled from 4 yrs of a p&s with a 10x zoom.  what would be the cheapest zoom lens i could pick up?  i know for the graduation ceremony i would want it just to be able to take ok picks, because of the size of the place.  this could be the deal breaker for me.  the zoom is a must have in my situation.

thoughts?

[phanophish]

im still a little reserved.  im spoiled from 4 yrs of a p&s with a 10x zoom.  what would be the cheapest zoom lens i could pick up?  i know for the graduation ceremony i would want it just to be able to take ok picks, because of the size of the place.  this could be the deal breaker for me.  the zoom is a must have in my situation.

thoughts?

If you are strictly looking for a zoom you could go with something like this....

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-55-200mm-Telephoto-Digital-Cameras/dp/B0001VQ12Y/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1209479203&sr=1-24

It is not going to be a good option for concert shooting but for photography where low light is not a problem it will get the job done.

[stirinthesauce]

^^^^That's a good rec, and for more reach sigma has a 70-300 that runs around 2bills or a bit more.  Fine for everyday use.  I believe it is f4.-5.6.

[Ryan Sims]

^^^^That's a good rec, and for more reach sigma has a 70-300 that runs around 2bills or a bit more.  Fine for everyday use.  I believe it is f4.-5.6.

Correct. I own it. Really a pretty decent lens.

[Jimna]

thanks for all the ideas folks, but big thanks to stirinthesauce and BJ.  they have given me mucho good advice and put up with lots of stupid newbie questions. 

i purchased BJ's package(<<that doesnt sound right), and a new sigma 24-70mm f2.8 glass to match it.  i should be set for a while now (like it or not!).   i only blew my budget by 120%, not bad.

now, for it all to get here and figure out how to use it in time for a major family event, next friday!

[Melanie]

Sory, wrong camera reply.