Camera for my better half

[V8Landy]

I am thinking of buying a digital slr camera for my wife. We don't have much idea about them so we are wondering what you all suggest. She is thinking Cannon,Nikon,Pentax as brands.
The use is mainly photo's of the kids so we can have them blown up to put on the walls.
She is a beauty therapist bye trade so is thinking once she gets the hang of it she can do make up and photo packages.
And i want to steal it to take offroad images aswell(hehe Shhh).
She wants to do a course or something as well(probably online).
Any advice on any of these points would be great.
Thanks in advance Brett & Trudie

[dullbird]

I would recommend a course down at the local community college if you have one...and then perhaps do something online.

there is no better way then someone that understands your camera showing you what all the functions do while you sit and watch and then try. I have done two courses and thoroughly enjoyed them both I wish my teacher did a third.

[Chucaro]

Regarding the brand it all depends for what you are going to use it in the future.
If wild life and birds are in the list then that = big lens + big money so Canon 50D will be my choice.
If it is for general purpose, the Nikon is my choice ( I use one) because you can get a body only and then get for about $250 one of the best lens in the business the 50mm f/1.8 or for a bit more the f/1.4
Regarding learning the ropes about photography, a camera club is one of the good places to start.

If you are not going for a SLR then the canon G10 is an awesome camera but make sure that have the software upgrade on it.

Cheers

[big guy]

Agree with all the above.
Set out a budget and go to various shops and let her have a good feel.
Woman often have smaller hands and few features differently than blokes.

I do believe Canon at are the current leaders in compacts and a good 10-12m-pix camera for point and shoot around the $400 mark will do everything you mentioned and their programs will do your stills well.

When you say blow up did you mean enlarge?
Kidding really, your photography teachers pet correction I am sure for when you do one.

When enrolling in a course, do a hands on.
Over the net is fine if you have the basics down.

Beware of others with super snazzy cameras and fancy lenses.
The person behind the camera is what makes the difference and sure the equipment does play a role but make no mistake, a keen eye does the job.

Ever read a great article or book? No one asks what computer they were written on, its the story that matters and same for photos.

Good luck, its very addictive.

[slug_burner]

the canon eos 450d is a smaller slr designed for the ladies that have smaller hands and don't like the big ar#e slr cameras. I use mine 400d and a Rebel Xti (same dog different leg action) with a battery extender to give me a bit more purchase. I got one and could not get it off the wife so got the second one. But if you are going to do anything other than good light happy snaps you need to go for the quality in the lenses.

it is all back to $ and a return on that investment in joy.

most slr cameras have CD/DVD courses/training available get the salesperson to throw one with the purchase.

[Disco_owner]

Hi Brett;

everyone seems to recommend canon or Nikon , however try not to
overlook the new Pentax K7.

It's Pentax's latest enthusiast/semi-pro grade DSLR.
and it's the first Pentax DSLR to have a magnesium-alloy body
making it smaller than the K20D which it's replacing , while
it reassures build quality.:) The body
is weather sealed (though not weather proof) and
features a 920,000 dot LCD and 100% viewfinder
and the ability to shoot 720p HD movies. Like
the models before it, the K-7 has image stabilization
built into the body, stabilizing all lenses.


http://a.img-dpreview.com/previews/PentaxK7/Images/Intro2-001.jpg

[V8Landy]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. So i take it that it is like every thing else shop around for the best deal.
How do we know what a good lens is, Do we trust the sales person???
We where thinking of getting something with duel lens as a kit is this a good idea or do we buy the body and 1 good lens. Thanks again Brett

[V8Landy]

Hi Brett;

everyone seems to recommend canon or Nikon , however try not to
overlook the new Pentax K7.





Thanks Khos but a little high in price for us. We were thinking up to about 12-13 hundred. Will look around on line then hit a few shops when we get time. Cheers Brett

[Chucaro]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. So i take it that it is like every thing else shop around for the best deal.
How do we know what a good lens is, Do we trust the sales person???
We where thinking of getting something with duel lens as a kit is this a good idea or do we buy the body and 1 good lens. Thanks again Brett

The lens that come with the kit are well bellow average.
You will be heaps better of if you get the body only abd then the lens.

As I have mentioned, if Nikon is the way, the primer 50mm f/1.8 is an awesome lens as good as any $ 1000 lens.

Then if you like landscaping the Tokina 12-24 f/4 is excellent, I am very happy with it.

Cheap lens but reasonable good are the Nikkor 37-70 f/2.8 ( use the evne cheaper version F3.3-4.5 for my flora images.

The Nikkor 75-240

You can see the result of this lens in my page Arthur Plottier's Photo Galleries at pbase.com (http://www.pbase.com/arthurplottier)
The landscaping/sunrise are done with the Tokina
The flora with the Nikkor 35-70
The birds and reptiles with the Nikkor 75-240
The Tales of the Wood collection with the Nikkor 35-70

I hope that this helps.
Cheers

[V8Landy]

Helps a lot thanks;)

[abaddonxi]

A DSLR is a whole different world to a snappy camera. Notwithstanding what Big guy said, any DSLR is going to make it easier to take great pictures.

Check out KenRockwell.com (http://www.kenrockwell.com/) basically what he says, as mentioned above, is to spend money on lenses not camera bodies unless you have a need for the functions that come with the more expensive body.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/camera-corner/85592-pros-cons-buying-used-nikon-2.html#post1044058 This one I found is quite cheap, or buy something secondhand and buy a grey market 50mm f1.8 from somewhere like here (http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/index.asp), as Chucaro says, brilliant fast lens that has been the basic camera lens for the best part of fifty years.

Cheers
Simon

[V8Landy]

Thanks Simon thats a great link;)

[CraigE]

It depends what you want and what you can afford.
If you just want a basic small digital the Olympus U850SW is a great unit. Shock resistant to 1.5m and water proof to 3m. Ours has been dropped, kicked taken under water and taken underwater pics. They are a not cheap however but is my pic for this type.
I have a Canon EOS 1000 which is a great entry level SLR. The wife and kids can use it easily and has full auto. The EOS 450 is also a good entry level. Most Canon, Nikon etc are all good just personal preference and funds.
Go to your camera shop and see if you can play with a few brands and see what you like.

[V8Landy]

It depends what you want and what you can afford.
If you just want a basic small digital the Olympus U850SW is a great unit. Shock resistant to 1.5m and water proof to 3m. Ours has been dropped, kicked taken under water and taken underwater pics. They are a not cheap however but is my pic for this type.
I have a Canon EOS 1000 which is a great entry level SLR. The wife and kids can use it easily and has full auto. The EOS 450 is also a good entry level. Most Canon, Nikon etc are all good just personal preference and funds.
Go to your camera shop and see if you can play with a few brands and see what you like.

Thanks. Our local camera stores don't hold any stock as we are a small city with no demand. We will go to geelong or melbourne for a look when we get time. One of Trudies friends is coming on monday for a visit and does a lot of photography so she will quiz her on her thoughts.
Thanks to everyone for here thoughts and we will let you know what she ends up with. Cheers Brett&Trudie