Cameras & Camcorders

[SmeddyJJ]

I am wanting to buy my best friend a new camera as a graduation present. He currently has some kind of digital Sony, which he still enjoys using, but it is several years old and he can't do as much with it as he'd like. I have been looking and trying to do some research to figure out what to get him, but I am still pretty lost.

He is really creative and big into portraits, self-portraits and landscapes/flowers. He also loves to experiment with using many different kinds of colors, poses, environments and lighting.  One thing I know he definitely wants is the capability to use different lenses; the camera he has now has a built in lens which definitely limits him. I also know he wants the camera to (I'm sure there's a term for this, but I'm not sure what it is) be able to take a bunch of pictures really fast in a row...

Lots of people keep telling me just to give him the money or not to buy him such an expensive item, but he has done a lot for me and deserves an awesome new camera.  He can't afford to get one for himself, and I know he'll be happy with any new camera that's a step up from the one he has now.  So, please only offer an opinion if you're going to be helpful.

Thanks so much for any help/opinions!

- H

[xl]

A few questions....

• what is your budget?  I like the budget Nikon D800.  The FX sensor allows for him to be "big" in his pictures..
• does your budget include a lens?
• does your budget include a UV filter?
• does your budget include a camera bag?
• do you want a 18-55 kit lens?  Are you going to need the 55-200mm for zoom?  Do you want an 18-200mm combo lens to minimize lens changes and space?
• does your budget include a quality flash?
• does your budget include a tripod?
• do you want video?   Are you planning to use auto-focus on the DSLR video?  Just say NO!

In general.  Look at Nikon or Canon for a DSLR.  These two camera lines will be a great launch pad when your friend wants to take photography seriously.  If he wants to spend time in a photography class, Nikon/Canon are the most common.

I previously used a Sony 828 camera.  When I saw a friend's images of from a larger DSLR sensor and recycle rate of an external flash..... Just say DROOL.

[Dval]

I don't know if I'd start out recommending a D800 as that's a huge step up from a non-DSLR camera.  It would be a friggin' awesome gift to receive, though.  Just think that might be a tad too expensive to start out with.

Personally, I'd recommend something like a Canon 60D or Nikon D90 (or if a little lower, Canon T2I/T3I or Nikon D7000/D5100) along with a decent telephoto lens (55-250mm, 70-300mm, 18-200mm), a nice wide-angle lens, and a flash. 

As xl wrote, it all depends on the budget. 

[SmeddyJJ]

Thanks for the opinions! I'll check all those out. :-)

[xl]

I suggested the D800 as no budget ceiling was set.  It's a great value compared to the Nikon D4, expecially for pixel peepers.

On the other end of the scale.... keep your eyes open in the coming days.  Nikon may be releasing a D3100 replacement.... called the D3200, it's rumoured to offer 24 megapixels for under $1000!