Another SLR question

[TrustingmyLord]

I am looking to buy a new camera. I had a Kodak easyshare 3.2MP, but I have given my husband this one so I can get a new one for my birthday.

I loved my Kodak, it was a great beginner camera, but now I am looking for something more. I am not sure if SLR is the way to go.

Let me describe my camera useage and hopefully someone can suggest whether I need SLR or not. I do not know much about photography. I know I want a very good camera, but with my lack of knowledge I dont want to spend extra money on this SLR camera unless it will be worth it for me.

I take pics of my family, portraits of people, landscapes and sunsets. My kids are in taekwondo and I need something where I can take some action shots... the kodak had a terrible lag. I know I want more MP's cause I want to make some larger photos and I like to crop some on occasion. I know nothing about lenses so its not likely I will be buying or using different ones anytime soon. I want a camera that will take great quality photos that is somewhat easy to use for someone who has no clue what all the technical stuff is about. Different settings sound good, but I am not even sure about what features I need.

So do I go with SLR or not? Can someone explain in plain english what good this would be for me, other than being able to use different lenses, which I wont be doing?

One last question... I am kind of interested in learning more about the technical side of photography... does anyone know of any VERY basic tutorial sites?

Thanks!

 

[rdale]

<disclaimer> First things first... I'm not a pro, just happen to enjoy photography, and it's one of many hobbies for me. </disclaimer>

in reverse order... a few links:

http://www.photoxels.com/digital-photography-tutorials.html

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/

http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/

http://www.picturecorrect.com/photographytips/photography_basics.htm

http://www.stumbleupon.com/tag/photography-tutorial/

A great book that will help you understand the "mechanical" aspect of photography/cameras so that you can control what happens when you click:

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition) (Paperback) by Bryan Peterson

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003

If you want to search for it at your local library or book store:
ISBN-10: 0817463003
ISBN-13: 978-0817463007

So do I go with SLR or not? Can someone explain in plain english what good this would be for me, other than being able to use different lenses, which I wont be doing?
The reason for going SLR is control. There is a learning curve, but with that knowledge under your belt, you have the freedom to control what you want to have happen when you click. It comes at a cost, both $ and time, but freedom always costs. You are also free to stay where you are now. Your view on using different lenses could easily change if/when you "saw" the need. For now, you may not have a need, and that's ok.

I take pics of my family, portraits of people, landscapes and sunsets. My kids are in taekwondo and I need something where I can take some action shots... the kodak had a terrible lag. I know I want more MP's cause I want to make some larger photos and I like to crop some on occasion. I know nothing about lenses so its not likely I will be buying or using different ones anytime soon. I want a camera that will take great quality photos that is somewhat easy to use for someone who has no clue what all the technical stuff is about. Different settings sound good, but I am not even sure about what features I need.
Do you have a camera store close to home? Yes, they are there to sell cameras, but like most things... if you can find someone who just loves photography and is very knowledgeable... and happens to work at a camera store... that would be a person to seek out. A local Wolf Camera store that I go to from time to time even has classes that are given away for free when you purchase a camera from them, or you can register to take them standalone. People with knowledge are out there. When you discover a question, write it down. When you have a "list" of these questions, physically take the list to a "camera person", even if they work at a store.

I do not know much about photography. I know I want a very good camera, but with my lack of knowledge I dont want to spend extra money on this SLR camera unless it will be worth it for me.
That is what is terrific about the web... easy access to megabuncha info on darn near anything. Google is your friend. So is the library, or just about any place where there are people that love photography/cameras. I think it would be wise for you to determine "your" need to know. If it's just knowledge... trust me, it's out there.

hope it helps a little...

 

[Deamiter]

I was going to say, "absolutely get an SLR" but looking at the C300 (if that's the one you had) an SLR would be a rather large upgrade and pretty pricey too!

I'd second the recommendation of dpreview -- I go there first when looking into a new camera. It makes comparison shopping extremely easy and fun.

Anyway, I know you'll find an SLR worth the price if you purchase it. If you shop around, you should be able to find a decent model for well under 800 bucks (make sure it comes with a lens) -- and don't limit yourself to Canon/Nikon. At your level, you won't get into the super-high-end optics that Sony and Pentax really don't have. You should be able to find one that has really good "easy-to-use" reviews and older models are just fine. Anything over 5 megapixels will start to strain your hard drives with little improvement in picture quality.

That said, the price might be more important to you than a pro setup. Do your research and if a simpler model comes along with a fast autofocus and shutter (lag should be very low for action shots) I wouldn't rule it out just because it's not an SLR. I'm not too awfully familiar with mid-range cameras but given your experience, I'm certain there's something out there that markets to people who want action shots but won't break your budget.

Since you're looking to upgrade, my best advice is to compare like crazy at dpreview and find the cheapest camera you think will fit your needs (mostly action -- any camera that can do action will be able to match or beat the C300). Then look up a step and see if the features in the slightly more expensive cameras are worth the extra you'd have to pay.

Also look for a camera with a slightly larger lens than your current model. More megapixels with that lens won't help much since you're limited by optics more than file size. A larger lens will cost a bit more, but it shouldn't run into the SLR range.

 

[TrustingmyLord]

Thanks to you both for the replies.

The camera I have been using was the 7300 I believe. Around $100 about 3 or 4 years ago. Its done me good, but I have taken some really amazing shots and get really frustrated because I cant crop or enlarge much.

I was doing a bit of research last night, I dont want to rush into this blindly, and I had decided that I might go with the Sony Cybershot 8.1.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5614749

it has 15x optical zoom and it says I can shoot 2 frames per second. It looks like what I need.

However, then I was over at better photo, where I have some pics up, http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/free/gallery.asp?memberID=141163

and they have a feature where you can search through photos by what camera was used. Every time I clicked to look at the really, really great photos, it was mostly the canon rebel, slr. I looked up photos done with the sony as well, and they were very good, but nothing compared to that SLR. I just have to woner if I would not be able to take as great of photos with one without using different lenses or knowing more about these things.

I will check out this dpreview and the other links. As far as price, I really want that canon, but buying that would mean no extras. I am hoping to go a little cheaper so I can buy a few other things, sadly, I am so new at this I dont know exactly what the light is called, but I want a light setup for taking portraits, along with some fabrics, a carrying case, etc.

I am going to look into those sites, hopefully I'll be able to decide! Thanks again.

 

[Pointe a L'Etoile]

The photographer in me says to go with the SLR. Even if you don't think you want to use different lenses *now*, I have a feeling as you get comfortable using the camera and see how much you can do with it, you'll most likely change your mind about the lenses. Even if not, the canon rebel (or any other SLR model) are camera bodies that you can grow with - you can add to them in terms of lighting (flash strobes, lenses, etc). The quality of pictures that you take are going to be much better with an SLR than a point and shoot. The canon rebel is 10.2 megapixels - and 10.2 megapixels in an SLR is SIGNIFICANTLY different than 8.1 in a point and shoot.

That being said, the cybershot isn't a bad camera, especially for the difference in the price!

I guess some things to think about would be...how serious of a hobby is this for you? Is it something that you plan to keep up with long term and really perfect, or is it something that you just want to be able to get some good shots of here and there? If you just want some good shots of different things, I would stick with the point and shoot. If you are looking for a more serious hobby, I, personally, would make the investment of an SLR. Only you can decide though.

Good luck!!!

 

[chaz345]

You can get the original Canon Digital Rebel(6.1 MP DSLR)used on ebay or Craigslist for around $300 now. While certainly not state of the art, it would be a significant upgrade from where you are now and it really wouldn't cost much(if any) more than another compact that would be an upgrade from what you have.

 

[TrustingmyLord]

Ok, I think I get it. SLR is the way to go.

As far as settings go, about how hard would it be to use? I do want something with settings and features, but I dont want to have to mess with the camera for ten minutes each time I want to take a pic. Sometimes thats fine, but sometimes (with kids) I need to be quick.

 

[chaz345]

Ok, I think I get it. SLR is the way to go.

As far as settings go, about how hard would it be to use? I do want something with settings and features, but I dont want to have to mess with the camera for ten minutes each time I want to take a pic. Sometimes thats fine, but sometimes (with kids) I need to be quick.

The Canon Digital Rebel series(original,XT and XTi), and probably most other brands of "entry level" DSLR's have at least one, and usually several fully automatic modes where using the camera is really not much different than what you are used to. Pick it up, turn it on, push the button. Then if the situation is more demanding, or you want to do something creative and "break the rules" , or you want to try to get that perfect picture, you have complete control over all the settings in other modes.