Cameras & Camcorders

[busybees]

I currently have a Digital  Kodak easyshare C330 that I  have had for about four years. I really like it, it takes great pictures but I am looking to upgrade. My son will be graduating from high school next yr so I'd like to find a camera that I can record him walking across the stage. I make dolls and sell them on ebay so I'd be taking pics of my dolls. I would like to find something that I could get good close up pics of birds, bees, humming birds, etc.  Any ides of a digital camera that isnt overpriced? I also prefer a camera with a viewfinder on it. I know they all have the LCD screens but I have to have a viewfinder too. HELP!! Thanks!!

[Entropy]

---

busybees wrote:

I currently have a Digital  Kodak easyshare C330 that I  have had for about four years. I really like it, it takes great pictures but I am looking to upgrade. My son will be graduating from high school next yr so I'd like to find a camera that I can record him walking across the stage. I make dolls and sell them on ebay so I'd be taking pics of my dolls. I would like to find something that I could get good close up pics of birds, bees, humming birds, etc.  Any ides of a digital camera that isnt overpriced? I also prefer a camera with a viewfinder on it. I know they all have the LCD screens but I have to have a viewfinder too. HELP!! Thanks!!

---

It sounds like an entry-level digital SLR such as the Nikon D3100 or whatever Canon's current entry-level Rebel is might be what you're looking for.  They are expensive ($500-600 range) but not overpriced (you get a lot for what you pay for).  Very few, if any, point-and-shoots have optical viewfinders, and most of those that do are priced close to DSLRs.

Product photography (the eBay dolls) is more about lighting than about the camera - Your best investments will be a good tripod and constructing a light tent (Google "DIY light tent")

For the high school stage-walking - you want something with video.  Most current model DSLRs can do video, although one issue is that most of the entry level ones have built-in microphones and no external microphone jacks.  For good audio quality you need a good external mic.  Some people work around this by using a separate audio recorder and splicing in the audio later.

Closeups of bees/hummingbirds - You're getting into the realm of "macro" photography which can be quite difficult, but with a DSLR you'll have the option of purchasing a dedicated macro lens if the kit lens doesn't meet your needs.  Usually birds are shy so they need a long telephoto lens to shoot - There are some inexpensive ones that might do the trick such as the Tamron 70-300.

[hiblet]

I have used Canon equipment for years (since my first AE-1 that my parents gave me in the 1970s) and have been very pleased with their products. Nikon also makes great products. You really can't go wrong with either brand (photographers seem to be split into "Nikon" and "Canon" camps).

I currently use a Canon 7D. That model is likely more than you need, but Canon's entry-level DSLRs have many of the same features.

In terms of lenses - based on the variety of uses, you have a few options regarding lenses. Entropy did a great job of identifying the type of lens you would likely use for each application you listed.

I did want to call out one additional lens that wasn't mentioned - one that may meet the whole range of needs you have, in one lens. That is the Tamron 18-270mm lens. It goes from wide angle to super zoom, making it appropriate for nearly any shooting situation. It also has a vibration compensation feature (called "image stabilization" in the Canon line of lenses), something I highly recommend for those situations when you are not using a tripod. I owned this lens and was very happy with it (I sold it when I upgraded to some pro-level lenses that Canon makes).

One last thing - you may find that you upgrade your camera body as time goes on. I highly recommend picking one brand and sticking with it. That way, you can use the lenses you already have with the new camera body. (There is an exception to this, but it gets more complicated, and has to do with full-frame DSLRs vs. APS-C DSLRs. I don't want to confuse things by getting into a long explanation. It won't be an issue for you, unless you start looking at cameras that run $2,500+ for the body alone)

I hope this helped!

[Entropy]

I avoided suggesting the Tamron 18-270 since I figured it would probably be out of their price range, but I agree:  The Sigma 18-250 OS HSM and the Tamron 18-270 are excellent lenses.

I have the Sigma 18-250 for my Pentax but the Tamron 18-270 is very well regarded.  (Tamron had an availability gap in Pentax K-mount for that lens - I'm not sure if it is even available yet, the old Tamron 18-250 was.)

[hiblet]

Yes - I agree - the Tamron 18-270 is pricey. I figured I'd suggest it, since it can do the work of 2 lenses and, in that context, makes it a bit more reasonable. Also, it tends to be rather easily obtained as a used lens.

I have a friend who has a Pentax body and has the same Sigma lens you have - he loves it!

[Entropy]

Only problem (and this is probably just a matter of "need to send to Sigma for a firmware update") is that the lens fails to focus in live view mode on the K-5.  Classic phase detect AF works fine.

This is apparently a frequent problem with older Sigma HSM lenses on Pentax bodies that added live view contrast-detect AF.

[hiblet]

Sounds like the perfect excuse to go lens shopping!   

[BetterWay]

The best advice I can give here is to either buy Nikon or Canon.  The others really just don't make the cut.

You don't need an expensive body, BUT make sure that you spend the bulk of your money on their expensive lenses.

Do NOT buy any third-party lenses as they continually have more quality problems and compatility than OEM lenses.  All third-party lens manufacturers have to reverse-engineer the communications to the camera body, so there is no way they can take full advantage of what an OEM lens can do.  I have been burned for thousands of dollars on Sigma's.

Digital bodies are disposable as they are replaced very quickly with much better models.

Lenses hold their value if you buy the good ones and you can use them for years.

BetterWay

[hiblet]

BetterWay,

I agree with what you've said about lenses - I think an OEM lens is the better way to go, because that lens is designed and manufactured by the camera body maker to work with their cameras.

That said, I do think that there are some third-party lenses that can be a good option for someone who is looking to spend less or is looking for something that is not offered in an OEM lens at a comparable price. Specifically, I'm referring to the Tamron 18-270 for the Canon body. Canon does not offer a lens with this zoom range - they offer an 18-200, but sometimes that extra 70 can make a difference.

However, if the required lens features are available in an OEM lens, I would choose an OEM lens over a third-party lens every time. If the OEM lens is more expensive, then I'd go with a used lens (purchased from a reputable seller). 

I had great experiences with the Tamron 18-270. However, I have since upgraded to Canon "L" lenses and now will only buy those. That's just me, and reflects the needs of the photography I do.

I also agree with what you've said about camera bodies, to some degree. Yes, new bodies are released often, with more features, more megapixels, etc. However, I think as much thought should go into purchasing a camera body as goes into purchasing lenses. Properly chosen, a camera body can meet the needs of the photographer for years. I've had my 7D for about 18 months. While Canon has released new models since the release of the 7D, I have not found a reason to replace it with something newer and expect to have this camera body for at least a few more years.

The bottom line is that the buyer needs to evaluate all of the options and make selections that meet their current and future needs, as well as fitting in their budget.

My 2 cents...

[Entropy]

I disagree on third-party lenses being something to avoid.  Problems are rare, and in the case of compatibility problems (like my HSM + LV combo issue), Sigma is apparently quite responsive in terms of taking care of the issue.  (I can't say for myself, I haven't even contacted them yet.)

For example, in terms of lenses not available first-party - here are a LOT of holes in Pentax's first-party lineup - the end result is the majority of my lenses are Tamrons or Sigmas (Mostly Sigmas) and I have had great results with them.  (Note:  Recent Sigmas.  We had a Sigma 28-200 back in the 1990s that was a piece of junk.  I always blamed the issues on myself until I compared it to the kit lens on my new K10D in 2007.)

The first-party manufacturers have just as many problems.  Look at Pentax's SDM failure issues, and I hear the in-lens motors of Canon and Nikon kit lenses are kinda weak.  (Pentax kit lenses are amazing for the money.)