Hiya gang,

So I'm heading off to Alaska in late June and my wife ok'd getting a new camera. I've read all of the recommendations in FlyBop's post down below, but I'm thinking that stuff is over my head. I've been looking mostly at Nikon (no reason in particular) and all the D40-D90 stuff is fairly confusing. Reading reviews has been useless, as everyone likes or hates everything for every reason under the sun. I'm thinking the Nikon D40 starter kit, but hoping I'm not making a mistake.

Here's what I'm looking to do with it:

1) Landscapes and fishing photos
2) Baby shots (planning to be pregnant here in the next year or so) <<<===Wife, not me
3)And I coach multiple high school sports, so something that is "Fast enough" to capture kids in motion.

After reading the Nikon vs. Canon stuff on other posts, I don't think that matters to me one bit. I'm not looking to go really high end at all, just something that will get the job done. What kind of lense would you recommend? I'm thinking one of the "starter kits" for sure, but is that a bad idea? I'm deferring to the pro's on this board.

Help! Thanks in advance!

~Donnie

For what your talking about, you really can't go wrong with any of the DSLR options available. Even the entry level cameras and the kit lenses have gotten to be pretty good.

Go down to a camera shop and find the camera that's in your budget and fits your hands the best... and ignore anybody who is certain that on brand is better than another.

I think you and David summed it up well..I will say again that get the one that fits your hands and budget best..They are all good cameras...Good luck and have fun...

I feel your pain in the decision making process! I went through it too, trying to decide which manufacturer, then which model camera, then which lenses to buy, and then I still had to learn how to use it all! I ended up buying a Nikon D300 and some fast, good lenses. I went with the D300 because of the sports I was going to shoot and also the low light/noise factor that I would be dealing with. There are so many good camera choices now though. Canon, Nikon, etc., you can't go wrong really.

If you are going to shoot night or indoor sports, then you really will need faster glass, at least a f2.8 lense in order to stop the action (non-blurry pics). You can use a flash indoors (like at a Bball game) and that helps a lot to compensate if you are using a higher f stop lense. If you are shooting football or soccer outside, you'll need a telephoto lense if you're going to get any detail on your subjects. You'll be able to get away with a higher f stop zoom if you're taking pictures during daylight.

I'd be glad to tell you what I've found out since I've been shooting now for a year. I've gotten pretty comfortable about knowing what will work and produce good photos and won't. If you ever want to ask more questions, PM me and we can talk.

Jim

If you decide not to spend the money for a full DSLR, keep the superzoom's in mind as a lower cost, less 'complex' alternative.

Sony, Canon and Panasonic all have 12X and up zooms cameras w/amazing feature sets and lower cost than DSLRs. My Panasonic Lumiz FZ18 has 18X optical zoom @ 10MP w/negligible spherical aberation. Great for pulling in action on the soccer field!

If you are looking for artistic control by all means look at DSLRs but if it's primarily snapshots, sports photos, etc I would keep the superzooms on the list.
Brian

I am thinking that a Super Zoom all in one or even something like the Canon G10 will provide you with plenty of camera and lots of flexability, without the bulk and weight of a SLR.

Well, as a photographer for over 40 years, i have just about every camers you can think of. (most of which I donated to the school when I retired)

Now I have a little digital camera I can put in my shirt pocket, or dry box on the boat. One that uses AA Batteries. (easy to find and cheep.)

My sons pocket size digital camera is waterproof. He just sticks it down in the water and gets great fish pictures.

Keep it simple, make it fun... point and shoot.

If photography is your "thing" then a decent DSLR is easy to find. I bought a Nikon D80 a couple years ago, but could have just as easily gone for one of the others (esp Canon). That purchase was followed by other "essential" lenses, tripod, etc. The list never seems to end.

I will tell you though that even at the "prosumer" level it's expensive (by my stds for sure). If you really would rather spend more time with the activities you mention instead of photography, you can get wonderful images from a point and shoot. For an outdoor type, one of the waterproof cameras is a good idea. My wife loans me her Pentax Optio when I go fishing and think a photo opp may happen by. She also carries it in her shirt pocket when we're out together and I have my DSLR gear. Olympus make some nice waterproof cameras too. The Canon mentioned above takes some wonderful photos...not sure if it's waterproof.

Bottom line, it's hard to go too wrong. Just make sure you're into photography before launching on a DSLR option.

I am finally getting a new camera...it is a gift for my Bday coming up soon...it had to be on sale...initially I wanted the 28mm Panasonic Lumix...but ended up with an iffy brand...but the price was right for the one giving the gift and the features sound great for what I use my cameras for:

I wouldn't consider Fuji an iffy brand, Skip. They've made a number of cameras that are quite good.

Seee? there is a way to get the answer you hope for around here...Hehe, I used the word iffy....Thanks Arlen

Skip,
4 1/2 out of 5 stars!

Nice Skip, I like the fact it has full manual controls..I can see you getting quite creative with that tool..

I just need it to document stuff...I used to shoot along with painting ...long ago...still have an old analog 2 1/4 yashika and 2 Konica SLR's languishing in a drawer...used to love the darkroom fun...Now I snap pics of whatever...this camera is a bit lumpy big to tuck in a flyfishing vest but I will manage...

My Momis 85 years old and it is her B'day present to me...I just don't have the money for toys right now, so it will be a very appreciated gift...gotta go and prune her roses soon. She has 40 of them .I have been pruning and caring for Mom's roses for 40 years...

How does this camera look to the assembled experts?

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Di...3993&sr=1-1