camera question

[Darren Addy]

While I was being somewhat tongue in cheek suggesting you buy a - gasp! - film camera, the idea will work!

Absolutely. The trick is finding a real wide angle to use on that film body without spending a fortune. You don't even have to give up autofocus, if you don't want to: One really budget way would be to get a Pentax MZ or ZX film body. They are ugly-as-all-get-out IMHO, but cheap. If you can find one with a FA-J 18-35mm, so much the better. (At the wide end, this would be just about equiv. to a 11mm on a Canon 1.6x crop). Otherwise, buy it new for $149.

Ultra-wide rectilinear on a budget using **gasp** film.

(Within the past month, somebody sold a Pentax digital *istD with the FA-J 18-35mm for $250. I'd pull the lens to use it on a film body and put a Pentax-A lens on the *istD.)

Otherwise, your challenge is to find a wide wide that doesn't require you to sell a kidney to purchase. (For example, Canon made a FD 14mm lens and one is on ebay right now for $2000. Tamron 14mm f2.8 has a Buy It Now of $699.

I believe the widest full frame rectilinear you can get right now is the Sigma 12-24mm. One went for just under $400 last month, but it will usually run you more like $500. The beauty of that lens is, you can shoot it on a film camera or a digital. (It would be an 18-36mm equiv. on a APS-C sensor... and you could still use it if you got a full-frame digital and get your ultrawide coverage again.)

In any event, if you are going the film camera route... get the lens first (not caring what mount it is) and then get a film body of that mount to match.

 

[Allan Jeffers]

I found a used canon 20D on a place called astromart for 300 bucks (you will need to sign up and if you use a free web based email, it will cost you, not sure how much though)

Both B&H and adorama sell used cameras

I have a used 20D that don't get much love, but there is a catch... it has been modified for astrophotography and thus has had its hot mirror replaced with a special IR filter. Shooting daytime images well, would need some work

 

[Patrick Martin]

Agree with others to pass on the original rebel. If you are specifically looking into DSLR and are failry new, and want to go the Canon route, would reccomend you checking out this canon forum or Fred Miranda. There are thousands of members, and there are always good deals to be had on used equipment (you have to be a member to see and post in the buy/sell sections). For example, I've bought a Sigma 17-70, a 50 1.8, and a 430exII flash all from other members, and all were in mint condition. There is also tons and tons of worthwhile advice you can get on a multitude of photographic topics that can help you navigate what can be a rather steep learning curve.

If you get a Canon 18-55 canon lens, be sure it's the IS (image stabilized) version. The predecessor was optically inferior and the newer IS version can yield some pretty good results. If you are on a budget, and do want to go the DSLR route, don't be afraid to get something like an XTi body and 18-55IS lens to start. Yes you will eventually likely want more zoom and perhaps something wider, but it will give you plenty to start, and will definitely beat using a P&S. You can also consider renting a lens like the Canon 10-22 for a couple weeks for about $100 vs trying to buy one for the $600 used it will run.

Something to keep in mind is that buying into a DSLR means you are also buying into the availability of lenses. People will generally upgrade glass before bodies. Nikon glass is good, some of their entry level lenses are said to be better than Canon, but the choices beyond that can be limiting, and more costly than Canon.

 

[Mike Deep]

Okay, KEH is back. Here's some options close to your budget:

Body:
20D: http://keh.com/Product-Details/1/DC029990791600/DC02/FE.aspx - $299
Rebel XT: http://keh.com/Product-Details/1/DC029990892520/DC02/FE.aspx - $275

Lens:
EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS http://keh.com/Product-Details/1/DC079990971900/DC07/FE.aspx - $119

 

[jshields]

so my wife out of the blue yesterday decides that i can get my new camera now and spend more than what i thought i would be able to. this was then followed by her saying, "but then i can get my new kitchenaid heavy duty mixer" i had told her about lanny's camera, which is already gone now, so i have a budget of probably around $700. not a fair trade off, a $200 mixer, for a $700 camera!! anyways i was looking around and found this website that had some good deals on a nikon d80 kit with a few lenses. just curious what you guys thought of the deals, and lenses that came with them. also i know there was a post started about websites and stores to stay away from. anyone heard anything about "bingo cameras"? thanks again

http://bingocameras.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=732

 

[Patrick Martin]

DON'T DO IT jshields!!
Never heard of them until I searched them on a canon forum I am on. They are known for being a scam.
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Bingo_Cameras

Get something used from a trustworthy person (like Lanny's, which was a good price w/far superior glass than the link you posted) or something new/refurb'd from a reputable place like B&H, Amazon, or Adorama.

 

[jshields]

thanks for the info patrick! it sucks that there are people and stores out there like this that are getting away with this crap. i will definitely stick to a reputable company. i posted your info on this company in the other post on companies to stay away from. thanks again!

 

[Greg Campbell]

Reseller Ratings is your friend!
Bingo Cameras' six month rating: 0.54 on a scale of 1~10.
Companies like this make buying used off Ebay look like an appealing choice.

Go with B&H, Adorama, Newegg or any of the sellers listed in the sticky thread "Buy from these companies."

Most on-line stores have a refurbished / open box section where you can sometimes find some killer deals. Check the fine print and warranty.

 

[Mike Deep]

The photography business has always been rife with scam artists looking to trap newcomers who simply search for the lowest price on a given piece of equipment.

ONLY buy from the following and you'll get the best real prices and never have any trouble:

B&H - bhphotovideo.com
Adorama - adorama.com
KEH - keh.com
Amazon.com (But NOT marketplace sellers, who have been getting more scammy as of late)
Newegg.com
Beach Camera - beachcamera.com
J&R - jr.com

Also check the stickied thread for more good companies.

If you ever find a price that undercuts these stores, it's a scam. There are no serious discounts in photography unless you go used/refurbed.

 

[jshields]

one more dumb question if i buy a body and lens separately, will i need anything else(other than battery, etc) to get the camera up and running?!

 

[Greg Campbell]

one more dumb question if i buy a body and lens separately, will i need anything else(other than battery, etc) to get the camera up and running?!

That depends on exactly what you buy. Most reputable places make it clear what's "in the box." The more shady operations will sometimes play games by effectively stealing the battery, charger, etc.

In most cases, buying the body gets you a nice box with all the necessary accessories, software, cables, etc. Attach a lens and you're good to go.

 

[Chris C Sanner]

That depends on exactly what you buy. Most reputable places make it clear what's "in the box." The more shady operations will sometimes play games by effectively stealing the battery, charger, etc.

In most cases, buying the body gets you a nice box with all the necessary accessories, software, cables, etc. Attach a lens and you're good to go.

Yeah, you might provide a link to what you are looking to buy too so folks can verify you are getting a good deal as well.

But typically if you buy a Camera Body brand new you will get everything you need minus a lens. So buying a lens would complete the package. I always recommend people ALWAYS buy an extra battery....just trust me

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

A camera bag is nice; but not necessary.
Filters for the lenses - such as a neutral density, UV, and maybe even a polarizing filter. Maybe a lens cleaning pen is also a good thing to have. A hood for each lens is practical.

But these are extras. Don't expect that in any deal unless you are getting a used package from a private seller. Come to think of it - that's not a bad idea/option. So long as it is all in decent shape - give Craiglist a shot...

Stay away from the likes of Sonic Cameras - and the like. I had a nasty-go-round with them myself. VERY SHADY. There are others like them. Be VERY careful!

 

[Darren Addy]

I always recommend people ALWAYS buy an extra battery....just trust me

That is one of the (minor) pains of having proprietary batteries (and a proprietary charger). Another reason I like my Pentax K200D: it uses standard AA batteries. (Came with lithiums, but I like the rechargable Sanyo Eneloops.) It can even run on alkalines, in a pinch.

 

[Darren Addy]

Filters for the lenses - such as a neutral density, UV, and maybe even a polarizing filter.

Showing your age there, Rob.

I'm agreeing with you, but I'd be willing to bet that few people have neutral density filters these days or even know what they are good for.