Thursday, December 31, 2009

DIGITAL CAMERA (SLR) ADVICE WANTED/NEEDED

A few months after I started to really get into blogging, I began to notice all these beautiful pictures on other peoples blogs!

I was (and still am) speechless at some of the photos I've come across. I'm sure most of you have read a comment from me that started out with, "Oh my gosh!!"

Well, my husband has heard me talk about getting an updated camera, although I do have a handy Nikon Cool Pix that takes pretty decent pictures (with some editing), and he's agreed to let me get a new one. A digital SLR, to be exact. I know I've asked some of you what kind of camera you use.

It always comes down to two.

Nikon or Canon

I'm just a beginner, and I want to learn as much as I can about ISO's, aperture, flash, etc.! I want those pictures where everything is blurry in the background! You know what I'm talking about!

So, I ask you...my fellow blog pals, who are wonderful photographers, "What do you recommend?"

Can you tell me why you just absolutely love your camera and why it would be the best for me? I just need/want a simple SLR that I don't have to spend thousands on.

Thank you!!!

31 comments:

Carin said...

I'm a Nikon girl myself. I would recommend having the oppotunity to have both brands in your hand at some point. Make sure when you look through the view finder you can easily read your numbers and figures (I can barely read them on my dad's old Canon). You'll love whatever you go with!

Buckeroomama said...

While I would dearly love to get dSLR at some point, my point-and-shoot Sony Cybershot works for me right now. Small enough to fit in my pocket, as I don't want to be lugging a big piece of equipment around w/ me each time I'm out with the kiddos.

My SIL who's a professional photographer swears by her Canon, while one of kids' godparents who's also a professional photog can't do without his Nikon. Go figure. If you have friends with these brands and if they let you play around with their Canon or Nikon after you beg them nicely, try it out for yourself and see which one is more to your liking. :) Good luck. I'm so jealous. :)

Kimberly Rae said...

I just got a Nikon D3000 for Christmas and its rated as one of the top beginner SLR's... it replaced the Nikon D40... but like I said got some great reviews from Pro's that use those thousand plus dollar cameras... it has some scene settings like portrait, child, action, etc, but what is cool is it also has manual settings.. complete manual or various ones where you set speed camera does the rest... since I just got it... I am still learning to use it, but I like the way it feels in my hands, its not awkward at all.. the only downfalls I see so far and maybe its more ME than the camera... in some settings the shutter is slow (I think its more I am the issue not the camera) and there is no 'live view' on the screen, rather you have to position your picture thru the view finder......

Not sure if this helps or not and I don't know what it cost.. I believe around $400 or 500 depending where you get it

Veronica Lee said...

I'm still hanging on to my point and shoot Nikon Coolpix!!

Anonymous said...

I'm a Nikon Coolpix girl too! LOL
Happy New Year to ya! ((hugs))

Sarah A. Galang, Ph.D. said...

Hello Alicia, just to drop by and say, Happy New Year. May you have a wonderful new year with your family, blessings to you all!
God bless

http://sarahg26.com

Kimberly said...

I already weighed in on the Canon v/s Nikon debate, though I'll restate that you'd probably be happy with either.

I did want to point out that the background blur in photos (this is called depth of field or DOF) is also affected by the aperture of your lens. I'd be happy to explain more if you're interested. :)

Mamí♥Picture said...

Hmm I have a canon but soon will be an owner of a Nixon!
Good Luck my friend I am still shooting in auto mode 【ツ】
{{{HUGS}}}

Stacy said...

I have a Pentax and I LOVE IT!!!!I have tried both of the others but just preferred the Pentax!

Either way you are gonna love it!

Together We Save said...

My girls all 3 have Kodak and they are so easy to use and make pretty good pictures. I have a Minolta, I love it but I want one that leaves the background fuzzy too.

Kelli W said...

I have a Nikon D40 and I really like the quality of pictures that I get from it! I still have a ton to learn {and I've had it almost a year} but it is prety easy to use. It takes great pics in just auto mode which is really nice! It is one of the least expensive model that Nikon makes...which is what I wanted to start with. I have heard that the Nikon D3000 is really great too!

Darcie said...

When you find out let me know too! I have been just as stunned by photos I have seen out in blog land! Amazing.

BeLoVed AiMeE said...

Canon Rebel XT is what I use, entry level DSLR. It works for its buck ;-) Like others have said I really think you would be happy with either. The reason I chose Canon was that I already own a SLR film Canon and wanted to be able to use the lens I already owned. Happy Camera Shopping!!!

Brandi said...

I don't think I can be of much help. I basically wanted to read your comments because I am trying to decide between Canon or Nikon too. :)

I have a Canon Powershot and it takes great pics. I can even get a blurry background with it, so I am leaning toward a Canon DSLR. My mom has a Nikon, though, and she loves it. You probably can't go wrong with either one.

Kelly said...

I do the same thing. Some pics are so great!! I am tryin to find one that is great and compact cuz... you know us bloggers HAVE to take it everywhere!! :o) Let us know what you find!

Lauren said...

hmmm -- I don't know ... I desperately need a better camera too, so let me know what you decide!! :)

Happy New Years EVE!

Mostlygrocery said...

Canons! I just love their interface. OMG I'm jealous you get to get an SLR.. hmm .. I know the Canon Rebels are about 500 and those are the entry ones but what makes the big difference are the lens which cost a lot. I'm a deal guy myself so definitely hold off until you get a really good deal.. I will keep you posted with what I see but in the meantime go to www.slickdeals.com daily to see what is recommended. Happy New Years Alicia!

-Paul

www.mostlygrocery.com

Susie said...

I have a Nikon and I love it!! I have no formal training in photography so, I just play around. Push this button and see what it does to the picture, etc. It is fun to go through the owners manual and experiment too. I think either way you go Nikon or Canon you should be good to learn:-)

Laura said...

I really want a Nikon D40.. that's what Im saving my money for, LOL! They aren't too pricey either. The reviews on Amazon are really good.

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

I just use my little Cannon Elph...but this is a great fountain of information to keep if ever I get brave enough to try a different camera!

I did want to let you know that I FINALLY posted some drawings that were requested on that Ask a Question Blog hop soooo long ago! So thank you for asking to see some crosses...I have a few posted on my latest post :o)

Happy New Year or in Hawaiian:
Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! (sounds like "How..oh-lee...Mah-kah...hee-kee...Ho!" ...your Hawaiian pronunciation lesson for the day :o)

Blessings & Aloha!

He & Me + 3 said...

I used to shoot with a Canon Rebel. I am a Nikon girl now. I love my D90. It really does shoot so smooth, but there is so much to know about it. I am clueless really. But as far as the feel in my hands...I now prefer the Nikons.

Brenda said...

I appreciate the post and comments because I have been wondering the same thing. I want a new camera to take better pics for my blog, but never quite know which one to get.

Good discussion.

Muthering Heights said...

I can't give any firsthand advice, BUT most of the photographers I know use Nikons! :)

Maude Lynn said...

I use a Canon!

Stephanie said...

You will find that people will always say Nikon or Canon. That was what I got when I wanted advice on which camera to get. I went with the Nikon and couldn't be happier. I just LOVE it!!!!!! So easy to use and wonderful results are all you'll ever get. You will not be sorry for the investment-totally worth it!

Nicole Marie said...

Oh I've missed u! Happy new year! anyways I got a canon power shot for christmas. I love it because its the same "point and shoot" I'm used to and I can learn more about ISO and aperture with it. u know, to prepare me for a future dslr.

JMBMOMMY said...

I have a Canon EOS 40D - love it. I know NOTHING about photography though....you can see my Christmas pics I took of the kids on my blog. It is a little expensive though...but I feel completely worth it.

Michelle said...

Hey Alicia...I know we have had the camera talk (haven't we?). :)

I think that you will be happy with either a Nikon or a Canon.

My added advice, go to a camera store and try holding the different models that you are interested in. The camera bodies are the same size/weight and some might feel better than others.

danette said...

I got a Canon Rebel this past spring and I LOVE it! I haven't used a Nikon so I don't really have a basis for comparison, but I think you can't go wrong either way... good luck!

Andrea said...

I have the Canon 50D with the 28-135 Lens. BUT what has helped me a TON is the new lens I got for Christmas. For only $100 (it will work on any Canon) you can get the 50mm f 1.8. This is NOT a zoom lens, so you have to move your body to do the zooming. But because the aperture goes ALL the way down to 1.8, it brings in sooo much more light and you can take better pics inside without the flash..AND that low number means even blurrier backgrounds for awesome portraits!!! I have been pretty lazy on my blog, but if you want to email me I can show you some of the good pics I've taken. andsmitty@yahoo.com

LifeAtTheCircus.com said...

still looking for advice? i am not a prof photographer. but we do have a digital slr. we went with the canon rebel. my husband is big into researching and researched both canon and nikon and decided for what we needed and wanted we could be happy with either, so we made the call based on price. we are so happy with it! it has auto mode which is typically what i use... occasionally i will switch it. but my husband greatly enjoys playing with all the settings... so it can easily do both. the big difference breaker i noticed was the external flash on top. we couldn't afford it at first, just buying the camera was enough... later we got the flash as a christas gift... it is amazing what it does for the pictures... now we are saving up for a zoom lens.
so you don't have to get it all at once.

hope that helps!