Hello photographers and other experts out there

My parents are getting me a camera this holiday season! I will use it to take photos of my daughter to give her agent updated pics and of my nieces/nephews to submit for possible representation.

I want a camera that gives a professional look without me having to be a professional lol. She's only 2 and I don't want to pay lots of money every few mths for the big time photographers. Her agent also said at her age, going to professionals is also not necessary especially if I want new ones often. This is a one time gift so I want to make the best choice for our budget. My mom's budget is around $700. My friend recommended "Canon EOS Rebel XSi" and my co-worker told me the bigger the lens, the better. This is all the advice I got so far. I just would like some suggestions for good cameras that will deliver clear photos so I can take pics as often as I'd like and send to daughter's agent and they will continue to get her called in (her current pics are professional but they are getting outdated!). I currently have a small Sony digital camera and the pics never come out as clear or as detailed as they do for my friend who owns the Canon EOS Rebel...anyone have other suggestions or any review on the Canon EOS?

Hi WillyKid,

I think you can get away with this. Great camera, shoots in raw very good lens and under your budget.

Or if you want a package deal within your budget. How about this.

Your friend is right about big lenses but a fast lens will more than eat up you budget on it's own.

happy shooting!

rod

Thank You Rod!

Very much appreciated

WillyKid,

The lens is more important than the camera. Your friends reference to a "bigger lens" is actually one that lets you decrease your depth of field so you can get a completely blurred out background. Your lens should open up to f/4.0 or ideally f/2.8. I use the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L which is about $1200 brand new. The next lens in line would be the Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM which is about $300 brand new. But this lens doesn't let you blur the background as much as the L series lens. Unfortunately, there's no other options between these two lenses.

Hope that helps.

Ken

Thanks Ken.

Duly Noted!

Ken, those aren't really headshot lenses. (I do use the 70-200 at times.) And yes there are plenty besides those zooms. Like primes...85 and 135.
L glass is good, (I prefer it) but there are some other good lenses too.
However, with a $700 budget, there is a limited list. A P&S is about all she can afford.
Unless she can spend about $5k to start the G11 is useable.

is "Canon EOS Rebel XSi" a P&S?

Willy:

Personally, I suggest getting a DSLR from Either Nikon or Canon. Both companies have entry level models that are well suited to your needs, and an important benefit is that they have interchangeable lenses, so you can get a lens appropriate for the work you are doing.


THE LENS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAMERA.

You can get a Nikon D60, And a decent Nikkor lens. That is, buy a D60 body only, then get the lens that is appropriate for the work you are doing.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d60.htm


The "kit" lens that comes with the D60 is only an 18-55mm, and IMO 55mm is too short for many headshot situations, even with 1.5x sensor cameras. The 18-55mm lens that comes with the D60 though is an EXCELLENT lens in itself, with vibration reduction, and easily outperforms the terrible kit lens that comes with the Canon XSi. It's just that 18-55mm is too "short" for headshots.


IMO you need at least a 70mm focal length with 1.5x sensors for headshot work, though this may be personal preference. At 55mm, the 18-55mm is not long enough (though maybe for you to get started?? ).

So the minimum lens you'd want is the Nikkor 18-70mm (I have one and it's a decent lens, at a reasonable price, especially if you get a grey market one).


For versatile lenses, check out:


http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18-200mm-ii.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/16-85mm.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/1870.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18-135.htm



For you, the D60 (and D90) are "prosumer" and come with a "point and click" mode that is as easy to use an an instamatic.


Canon has similar offerings (like the rebel XSi), but I know Nikon better, so it is the focus of my discussion.

Some reasons to choose Nikon over Canon;

1) Ease of use. I like the ergonomics of Nikon products - menus, button placement, etc. I find Nikons are easier to use.

2) I like the low end Nikkor lenses better than low end Canon lenses. The kit lens that comes with the rebel XSi is terrible. The kit lens that comes with low end Nikons is MUCH better. High end "redline" canon lenses are excellent, but very $$$$. I prefer Nikon lenses overall, and IMO low end Nikon lenses are superior to low end canon lenses.

3) While for many years (till about mid 2007) Canon sensors were the best, now Nikon is at least equal to, or pulled ahead of, Canon sensors.


It used to be just buy Canon for the sensors. Though now Nikon is as good or better in the sensor area, and with the better ergonomics and better lenses, I find Nikon the better choice for overall value, quality, and functionality.


Cheers


Andy

quote:

Originally posted by WillyKid:
is "Canon EOS Rebel XSi" a P&S?

Yea, XSi is an SLR that has a point and shoot mode, but I suggest the Nikon D60 instead whcih also has a point and shoot mode, for all the reasons I just mentioned.

OK thanks. I will read all of this over again and print out the links and pics of the cameras mentioned. I will take the info and prinouts with me to the stores so I have a good starting point and can talk to the sales reps knowing what I'm looking for. This is a one time gift so I have to make an informed decision!

Actually, the Rebel is not a point and shoot it is an SLR. BIG difference. Most notably, Point and shoots do not have interchangeable lens and have a noticeably long lag time from the time you click the shutter to when the camera takes the photo.

Most all cameras these days have a full auto mode though.

Yea I was thinking that as well because I have a little digital camera and in the advertisement it was called a P&S so i didnt think the SLR was as well...Any more camera suggestions from anyone will be duly noted.

thanks for the education/info everyone!

I would go with a Prosumer type camera that isn't too pricey, like a Nikon D60 or something...As has already been said, the lens is more important for what you want to do. You don't need any crazy number of megapixels.

Make sure whatever lens you invest in for shooting your kid is a telephoto lens!!!

A co-worker of mine just gave me his Nikon D70 to borrow until Monday! I will see how I like it. Is it much different than the Nikon D60 that some of you recommended?

Also, this website seems to prefer the Canons over Nikons hmmm...makes my decision tougher.
http://www.consumersearch.com/...l-slr-camera-reviews

Go over to B&H and take a look at the Nikon and Canon prosumer DSLR's. They will have something you like. Nikon and Canon are both good brands, you can't go wrong.
The current Nikon is a D90,D5000 and D3000. I don't know if the 60 or 70's are still available brand new. You can get a Nikon D5000 Digital SLR Camera with 55-200mm VR f/4-5.6G Lens for under $700. Or a Canon Rebel for about the same price.
There are pros and cons for each brand, equally divided. Since I have a lot of Canon L glass, I get Canon bodies.