Photography

[chrism182]

Hey people.

I'm looking into getting into photography, preferably photographing cars (Commodores mostly)

What's a good quality camera which I could use to start off? I don't wanna spend over $400 on the camera until I get a bit more skill in the area.

Does anyone have any recommendations for cameras that fit under my price range?

Cheers,
Chris.

[bigfut]

If you are going to be taking it seriously, I would purchase a camera with the future in mind. I have a Canon 1000D which is a good entry level camera, cost be $950 with two lenses. I realise its over your $400, but will probably save you money in the long run, for the likes of lenses etc, saves buying one camera then swapping down the line.

[chrism182]

If you are going to be taking it seriously, I would purchase a camera with the future in mind. I have a Canon 1000D which is a good entry level camera, cost be $950 with two lenses. I realise its over your $400, but will probably save you money in the long run, for the likes of lenses etc, saves buying one camera then swapping down the line.

True but I'm not sure if I'll get into it in the future a lot, so I wanna stick to my $400 price limit. Thanks for the suggestion anyway.

[Rufus®]

Have a look at a second hand DSLR, you may be able to pick up a Canon 400D or even 30D for around that money.

[Stressball]

Have a look at a second hand DSLR, you may be able to pick up a Canon 400D or even 30D for around that money.

Good suggestion. You can definitely find yourself a 350D with an 18-55 kit lens for that sort of money second hand. Not only is the camera not too shabby, the lens is fantastic optically, if a little less great build-wise. It will serve you well, unless you drop it

Be warned though, getting into DSLR photography is like a crack addiction. You're going to be spending a lot more than you originally wanted to on it

[ashbox]

if you dont' wanna get a dslr most decent point and click cameras are pretty good these days but yeah for ultimate images (for now) you'll need a dslr

[chrism182]

Oh ok, yeah in that case I'll probably be looking for a second hand DSLR camera off eBay or something. Any recommendations for models?

[minux]

Have a look at a second hand DSLR, you may be able to pick up a Canon 400D or even 30D for around that money.

Good luck with that, 400d's are still selling for 900+ with kit lens.

[vsutespack]

Dude get yourselfa point and shoot with manual settings I have a couple of camera including a dslr. My point and shoot is a canon power sot sx110is. its just under $400 and is excellent. It is my dslr back up camera.Photo editing software like adobe photo shop makes good pick into fantastic pics.
I only have couple of my ute on here take a look

[chrism182]

What's the difference between SLR and DSLR? Which is better?

[ashbox]

one uses film the other uses digital media ie; sd, xd cards.

they are the main differences

[DARK SIDE]

Chrism182 the Pentax K200D is what I have. It is a 10 megapixel Digital SLR and you can pick them up for about 600-700 at office works. I know its not $400 but it is worth the money and I am sure it is the cheapest 10 megapixel Digital SLR. Best of all its easy to use.

[mulligan-can]

If you are set on your 400$ limit then look around for a point and shoot that features manual focus + aperture + shutter priority as a minimum. Forget high zoom and high megapixel count devices.

You want something that will allow you to learn and enjoy the art. Seriously. Go in and talk to a salesperson or two and see what they can offer you with the above features. I have a strong preference towards canon when it comes to DSLR's but in the realm of point and shoot there is no real brand bias imo.

Another point to consider will be what sort of memory the camera takes. Ie SD, CF or XD etc.

SD would be my preference as a very large proportion of devices utilise SD memory these days.

Honestly, go in with a 400$ + a feature list in hand and talk a deal. There will surely be something out there for ya.

[Stressball]

So far you've gotten suggestions that have been mostly out of your price range.

I would suggest you hunt around and find something like the Pentax K100D/Super, I bought one of these with a kit lens brand new about 10 months ago for under $600. I upgraded to a Canon 40D 2 months later, but not because the pentax was sub-par. Though not in production anymore, you could surely find one second hand in good shape that is within your budget.

Otherwise I guess you might go the non-photographer's gimmick way and buy an olympus because it's cheap and small

[Cobez]

Good on ya mate! I am in the same boat as you, just starting to get into the basics. Got myself a 10.2MP digicam and a tripod. Nothing overly special, i'm just using it so i can work on angles, light settings, backdrops etc, then when i feel confident enough, i will look at purchasing something decent with lenses etc.

Need some inspiration? Have a look at Craig's (minux)'s photo landscape photography in the link in his signature. Some bloody amazing looking shots there.

[DARK SIDE]

Good on ya mate! I am in the same boat as you, just starting to get into the basics. Got myself a 10.2MP digicam and a tripod. Nothing overly special, i'm just using it so i can work on angles, light settings, backdrops etc, then when i feel confident enough, i will look at purchasing something decent with lenses etc.

Need some inspiration? Have a look at Craig's (minux)'s photo landscape photography in the link in his signature. Some bloody amazing looking shots there.

Me too mate, I feel like the hoby might end up costing me more than the car though lol

[Cobez]

Hahaha yeah i hear ya dude. I'm just gonna mess around with a basic digicam for the moment and see what i can come up with over a few months. Then i'll decide where to go from there.

[Rufus®]

Good luck with that, 400d's are still selling for 900+ with kit lens.

LOL, yeah I just had a look on ebay, would have thought they would have been around the $500 by now. Another couple of hundred and you can get the 450 brand new.

[Doctor Sodways]

Find yourself a Second Hand Canon "G" Series point and shoot, not sure what they are selling for but they are your best bet, the G9/G10 have manual capabilities and shoot astonishingly good photos. Brand new they are $800 ish, so second hand they would be in your price range...

As others have said, DSLR's are the best to get your mitts on if funds permit, but watch spending on everything else die as you invest in better glass and in the long run better bodies, only have to look at myself and Minux for what we have spent in 12 months on cameras, lenses, tripods, monopods, all sorts of stuff...