Digital Camera

[lightcav]

Anybody know of a good digital camera? What does the military use?

Thanks.

[DevilDogHopeful]

You might want to be more specific if you need help with buying a new camera.

[lightcav]

Well, I guess I want to find something that I can use for all kinds of things. Like outdoors, indoors, low-light, high-light, With good detail and some zooming capability. I am a painter so I would also like something I could use to take pictures of artwork for slides.

Also I was just curious what the military uses.

I was thinking of the Canon Rebel SLR. Does anybody know about that camera?

Thanks.

[wbear]

Rebel XT and now XTI is a great camera for the $ and would be great for a beginner to start with and up to an advanced non professional. I teach photography and we use them with fine results. I own one and IMHO you will be satisfied. You really can't go wrong with Canon.

[lightcav]

Rebel XT and now XTI is a great camera for the $ and would be great for a beginner to start with and up to an advanced non professional. I teach photography and we use them with fine results. I own one and IMHO you will be satisfied. You really can't go wrong with Canon.

Yeah I've seen them for around $600-$800.
How managable are the files when you download them to a computer? I've heard the criticism. Is it a big deal or is easy to adjust on the camera?

Thanks.

[gaijinsamurai]

X2 what wbear wrote. I've got a Canon, and I love it. Versitile, easy to use, and pic quality is excellent.
My 2nd choice would be a Nikon.

[Bobbo_]

I got a canon 30D... great camera, but probably somewhat above your price range...

[wbear]

Yeah I've seen them for around $600-$800.
How managable are the files when you download them to a computer? I've heard the criticism. Is it a big deal or is easy to adjust on the camera?

Thanks.

I'm not sure what you mean about downloading the files to the computer. Software is provided with the camera or you can use any of the many after market programs made for that function. Trust me its no problem.

[silveykyle]

I saw a picture long time ago of some CIA guys using Nikon D70's I believe, they aren’t top of the line but they sure get the job done. If you’re going to get a digital SLR get a cannon or nikon.

[Mark Sman]

First, don’t buy a camera right now.

The PMA is March 8-11. PMA is when the manufacturers roll out their latest and greatest. If you can wait until after the PMA you may be able to buy a great camera that isn’t the most recent model for a little less money. http://www.pmai.org/pma07/

Use the time until then reading about cameras.

Learn about FOVCF (field of view crop factor), aperture(f-stop), Prime lenses, ISO, depth of focus, ratcheta ratcheta. Easy stuff, but it may help with your decision. Basically just read up a bit.

dpreview.com – A well organized sight that breaks down the models, and offers side by side comparisons.

Fredmiranda.com – Reviews and discussion forums that cover the Cannon/Nikon DSLRs very well.

bhphotovideo.com – Reputable online seller, offers a wide selection of goodies.

You need to decide how much you think you are going to spend.

If you buy a DSLR you will spend more than you think. It is like crack. There are also many fine point and shoot models out there.

OK, my advice. Warning: Blatant opinions about to be stated.

You specifically mention the Canon Rebel line.

Yup, great place to start.

Skip the “kit” lense and just buy the camera body. The kit lense is not very good, and if you stick with this for any time at all it will soon be collecting dust.

Buy the camera body, two batteries and charger, at least a 1 gig memory card, UV 0 filter for each lense and a card reader that will hook up to your computer.

Ok now you need lenses. Lenses are like the AK-47 vs M-16 debate, only they cost more.

Skip the third party lenses. Some are good, but I prefer Canon lenses.

Also skip EF-S mount lenses. Some day (over the rainbow) the entire lineup of DSLRs will use full frame sensors. EF-S lenses will not be compatible.

You mention low light and high light. High light is no problem. Low light is the Holy Grail. The kit lense sucks in low light.

I deal with low light street shooting by using a fast “prime” lense.

You can buy a 50mm f1.8 for about $100. It is cheap, plastic and difficult to use. But it works. Sky is the limit on price moving upwards. You gets what you pay for.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showcat.php?cat=2

A fairly wide zoom is a good walking around lense. Hide your wallet for the rest of this thread.

With a 1.6 fovcf camera the 17-40 f4 L ($700) is a thought.

The 17-40 is not a good low light lense. But it is a good basic zoom and the cheapest L out there. Some people will tell you that L lenses are a snob/marketing thing. They are wrong.

So you want a telephoto lense?

The 70-200 f2.8 L ($1,100) gets high marks. You will probably keep this lense the rest of your life. Don’t bother with the IS unless you have shaky hands or weak arms.

Whats that? You didn’t want to spend that much?

OK, just buy the camera and the kit lense. You will still need at least one fast lense so spend the extra $100 on a 50mm f1.8.

You will want to upgrade latter though. Muwahahahahahahaaaaaaa.

[OMON]

Well, I guess I want to find something that I can use for all kinds of things. Like outdoors, indoors, low-light, high-light, With good detail and some zooming capability. I am a painter so I would also like something I could use to take pictures of artwork for slides.

Also I was just curious what the military uses.

I was thinking of the Canon Rebel SLR. Does anybody know about that camera?

Thanks.

i have it , i have it , i have it , i have it , i have it , i have it , i have it , i have it , i have it , and some extra's

[lightcav]

Thanks everybody. You've been most helpful. I think I'll wait till the new models come out and try and find an older canon rebel for cheaper than MSRP.

Thanks.

[RP]

Canon EOS-D1 Mark III :P

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

35mm Full Metal Jacket!!!!!!!!

[OMON]

Thanks everybody. You've been most helpful. I think I'll wait till the new models come out and try and find an older canon rebel for cheaper than MSRP.

Thanks.

canon 350D