What would be the best digital camera for a high school photography class?

canon digital camera xsi image

whatachara

I asked the photography teacher and she said get a digital camera that has as many manual parts as possible (i think she means a camera that can be put into manual mode?). I was thinking an entry level DSLR such as the Canon Rebel XSI or Sony Alpha A200W, but possibly a high-end point and shoot. I really need some help!
the digital cameras must have as many manual parts to it. (so not just an auto focus lens

Answer
For the most camera of the investment, look for a Nikon D40 with AF-S 18-55 mm ED lens for under $470. It will be a good start and if you later decide to go pro, you will have your camera system started ...

Don't get hooked on the pixel count of cameras.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

More on the D40

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/d40-recommendations.htm

Why to use a UV filter in a Digital Camera?

hanalwala

I have recently purchased a Canon EOS Rebel XSi digital camera with two 18/55mm and 55/250mm lens with it. I would like to know if it is better if I were to buy a UV filter and use it or it is not required? I have also purchased a wide angle lens which I will attche to the 18/55mm lens to get a better wide angle . Do I need a UV filter over it ? Please advise.

Answer
It has much more to do with protecting the front element of your lenses than the little enhancement the UV can give to shots taken outdoors.

Replacing a $40 filter is cheap and easy. Having the front element of a lens repaired is expensive and takes time while the lens is visiting the Canon repair station.

Each lens you own should have some kind of filter on it; UV, skylight or clear glass ... your choice.

Cheap add-on lenses don't need a protective filter ... the filter may cost more than the lens in some cases.

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Why to use a UV filter in a Digital Camera?

canon digital camera xsi image

hanalwala

I have recently purchased a Canon EOS Rebel XSi digital camera with two 18/55mm and 55/250mm lens with it. I would like to know if it is better if I were to buy a UV filter and use it or it is not required? I have also purchased a wide angle lens which I will attche to the 18/55mm lens to get a better wide angle . Do I need a UV filter over it ? Please advise.

Answer
It has much more to do with protecting the front element of your lenses than the little enhancement the UV can give to shots taken outdoors.

Replacing a $40 filter is cheap and easy. Having the front element of a lens repaired is expensive and takes time while the lens is visiting the Canon repair station.

Each lens you own should have some kind of filter on it; UV, skylight or clear glass ... your choice.

Cheap add-on lenses don't need a protective filter ... the filter may cost more than the lens in some cases.

What digital camera would you recommend?

aetherboxx

I'm looking for a decent digital camera to use primarily for shooting flower arrangements against white backgrounds. Quality and focus are the major concerns here as most of the work will be closeup/macro. A good zoom lens and SLR are a plus for general purpose shooting. What camera(s) would you recommend in the under $600 price range?

Answer
I recommend to anyone seriously contemplating the purchase of a new digital SLR camera to consider these two primary questions:
1. How much money do you have to spend???? $500.? $800.? $1,500.?
2. What level of photography do you aspire to "progress to" in the coming years ? (i.e. basic beginner, intermediate, or professional/business use).
For most beginners to intermediates I usually suggest one of these two manufacturers: Canon vs Nikon

1. Canon EOS Rebel model XSi. (Also known as the Canon 450D in Britain) The "kit" package comes with an 18-55mm zoom lens. The camera has pop-up flash, 12.2 Megapixels, and shutter speeds up to 1/4000th, 100-1,600 ISO sensitivity, 7 auto exposure Scene modes, PLUS Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Programmed Exposure Modes and Manual. It also has a 3 inch LCD screen, 3.5 frames continuous per second max., 9 point AF system, Live View Functioning and the ability to record photos in 3, 6 or 12 Megapixels PLUS numerous other great features found only on more expensive cameras. Wal-Mart is also selling them now for about $799. Sam's Club also has them for $729. I also think that Amazon dot com has them for around $650.

I bought one of these 6 months ago and use it as my "back up" camera. I absolutely love it. I have gotten some fantastic photos with it and cannot praise it enough. I routinely enlarge my photos to make 8x10's and 11x14 size enlargements with no noticeable distortion or loss of detail in the pictures.

2. Nikon D-90: If you prefer to use Nikon equipment I strongly recommend the Nikon D-90 which has 12.3 Megapixels, 3 inch monitor with Live View, 200-3,200 ISO sensitivity, 11 point AF system with Face Priority, 4.5 frames per second in continuous mode, 5 advanced Scene modes for auto exposure plus Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Programmed Auto plus Manual. The D-90 sells for around $900-950. (Body ONLY. The 18-55mm lens cost an additional $150.-175.) Typically, Nikon equipment is slightly more expensive than Canon equipment, but (having owned both Nikon and Canon cameras), I have seldom noticed BETTER quality results using Nikon equipment.

You might also consider the Nikon D-40 ($499) kit that comes with the 18-55mm lens. Another great choice is the Nikon D-60 kit ($649) which also comes with the 18-55mm lens. All of these Nikon's can be found at Best Buy or Amazon dot com for a very low price.

These selections are probably the best choices for any beginner to intermediate skill level, offering the most lenses and other accessories, dealers and places to purchase. Both manufacturers have a good selection of macro lenses, which is just what you need for taking close up photos of flowers.

I strongly recommend that ALL beginners buy a good book on digital photography AND take a class or two from a Vocational school or Community Education Center in your area.
You can learn more about the technical specifications of each of these two cameras at these websites:

http://www.usa.canon.com
http://www.nikonusa.com

Good Luck

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What is the best nikon or canon digital SLR camera?

canon digital camera xsi image

TastesLike

I need a good nikon or canon digital SLR camera for a beginner that is easy to carry around.

Thanks,
TastesLikeCandyCanesAtChristmas!

Answer
The top rated entry level SLRs are Nikon's D40, D60 and D80 and Canon's Xti and XSi.

The best thing to do it trying them all in a store, you'll know which one YOU like best. Personally I like them all, but leaning somewhat to the Canon XSi. But it's a matter of what you like and what you want to spend on a camera.
The D40 is the least expensive and still a favorite for a starter DSLR.

Where can I find a Canon XSi pocket guide online?

sorccy

I just bought the Canon XSi digital camera. It comes with a nice little pocket guide, but since I bought my camera in Japan, it's in Japanese. I've already found the user manual through Canon's website, but they don't have the pocket guide. Anyone know where to find one online?

Answer
Their website has it in PDF format. http://www.canoneos.com

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On vacation, put my memory card into a different camera and it says there are no photos?

canon digital camera xsi image

random

I have a Canon Digital Rebel Xsi and had a memory card packed with photos in it. The camera's battery ran out and I forgot to put the charger, so I put my card in my dad's Nikon D40x and it says there are no photos on the card?! I'm on an old computer with no memory card slot so I can't check on there.

Any idea what happened? Is it because the camera doesn't recognize pics from another camera, or are the photos gone? Can they be recovered?

Answer
That is right. Don't worry, the photos are still there, but you cannot expect different cameras to "see" image files shot with another camera model, especially a different brand.

For under $10 you can buy a USB 2.0 card reader and copy your images to any computer you like.

You will notice that the image files your camera produces are called IMG_1234 and your dad's are called DSC_1234

While they are both JPEG files, the different naming conventions preclude your dad's camera from seeing them

What kind of professional digital camera should I get ?

sjchristia

am looking to buy a very good professional digital camera. I have been thinking of taking up photography as a hobby. Mostly photos of my childrens lives, family events, etc. Yet I have no clue as to what kind of camera is best for what I want to do. I was thinking of going for Nikon, Cannon or possibly a Sony one. I am also looking to spend between $500 - $700. I want it to be versatile and durable, because I am not sure if I will be able to afford another one any time soon. Thanks in advance.

Answer
The marketplace calls "professional'"cameras something different - you want what they would call an entry level or enthusiast d-slr (a digital camera that you can exchange lenses and other parts) or a "superzoom."

The problem with all the slr's is that they look "pro," meaning big, not something you can put in even a large jacket pocket. Olympus, another company, makes the smallest quality one available, but Canon, Nikon, and Sony all make excellent quality cameras too.

Here are a couple of links to facts on these kinds of cameras.

If you are looking to spend $500-$700 and not spend anymore, get a good superzoom. It is almost as good as an slr plus a couple of interchangeable lenses in most situation and everything is "all-in-one".

If $500-$700 is to buy the foundation of a photographic system that you will continue to invest in, get an slr. like on of these:

Olympus 510 or 520

Canon XSI or XS (wait a couple months, the price will drop on the XS)

Sony 300 or 350 (a little bigger than the others but a cool flip out screen that's great for catching kids without them realizing they are being photographed).

Make sure the camera has Image Stabilization or Shake Reduction (same thing). It will give you many more non-blurry pictures, automatically.

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Why to use a UV filter in a Digital Camera?

canon digital camera xsi image

hanalwala

I have recently purchased a Canon EOS Rebel XSi digital camera with two 18/55mm and 55/250mm lens with it. I would like to know if it is better if I were to buy a UV filter and use it or it is not required? I have also purchased a wide angle lens which I will attche to the 18/55mm lens to get a better wide angle . Do I need a UV filter over it ? Please advise.

Answer
It has much more to do with protecting the front element of your lenses than the little enhancement the UV can give to shots taken outdoors.

Replacing a $40 filter is cheap and easy. Having the front element of a lens repaired is expensive and takes time while the lens is visiting the Canon repair station.

Each lens you own should have some kind of filter on it; UV, skylight or clear glass ... your choice.

Cheap add-on lenses don't need a protective filter ... the filter may cost more than the lens in some cases.

What digital camera would you recommend?

aetherboxx

I'm looking for a decent digital camera to use primarily for shooting flower arrangements against white backgrounds. Quality and focus are the major concerns here as most of the work will be closeup/macro. A good zoom lens and SLR are a plus for general purpose shooting. What camera(s) would you recommend in the under $600 price range?

Answer
I recommend to anyone seriously contemplating the purchase of a new digital SLR camera to consider these two primary questions:
1. How much money do you have to spend???? $500.? $800.? $1,500.?
2. What level of photography do you aspire to "progress to" in the coming years ? (i.e. basic beginner, intermediate, or professional/business use).
For most beginners to intermediates I usually suggest one of these two manufacturers: Canon vs Nikon

1. Canon EOS Rebel model XSi. (Also known as the Canon 450D in Britain) The "kit" package comes with an 18-55mm zoom lens. The camera has pop-up flash, 12.2 Megapixels, and shutter speeds up to 1/4000th, 100-1,600 ISO sensitivity, 7 auto exposure Scene modes, PLUS Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Programmed Exposure Modes and Manual. It also has a 3 inch LCD screen, 3.5 frames continuous per second max., 9 point AF system, Live View Functioning and the ability to record photos in 3, 6 or 12 Megapixels PLUS numerous other great features found only on more expensive cameras. Wal-Mart is also selling them now for about $799. Sam's Club also has them for $729. I also think that Amazon dot com has them for around $650.

I bought one of these 6 months ago and use it as my "back up" camera. I absolutely love it. I have gotten some fantastic photos with it and cannot praise it enough. I routinely enlarge my photos to make 8x10's and 11x14 size enlargements with no noticeable distortion or loss of detail in the pictures.

2. Nikon D-90: If you prefer to use Nikon equipment I strongly recommend the Nikon D-90 which has 12.3 Megapixels, 3 inch monitor with Live View, 200-3,200 ISO sensitivity, 11 point AF system with Face Priority, 4.5 frames per second in continuous mode, 5 advanced Scene modes for auto exposure plus Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Programmed Auto plus Manual. The D-90 sells for around $900-950. (Body ONLY. The 18-55mm lens cost an additional $150.-175.) Typically, Nikon equipment is slightly more expensive than Canon equipment, but (having owned both Nikon and Canon cameras), I have seldom noticed BETTER quality results using Nikon equipment.

You might also consider the Nikon D-40 ($499) kit that comes with the 18-55mm lens. Another great choice is the Nikon D-60 kit ($649) which also comes with the 18-55mm lens. All of these Nikon's can be found at Best Buy or Amazon dot com for a very low price.

These selections are probably the best choices for any beginner to intermediate skill level, offering the most lenses and other accessories, dealers and places to purchase. Both manufacturers have a good selection of macro lenses, which is just what you need for taking close up photos of flowers.

I strongly recommend that ALL beginners buy a good book on digital photography AND take a class or two from a Vocational school or Community Education Center in your area.
You can learn more about the technical specifications of each of these two cameras at these websites:

http://www.usa.canon.com
http://www.nikonusa.com

Good Luck

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