COJ Photographers - Camera Recommendations!

I have a Canon power shot and was able to take decent pics in Europe. But I just bought a Canon Rebel T4i and that thing opens a whole new world of possibility. I have only had it for a few weeks but it is a lot of fun and you can be a lot more creative with your shots with it.

Bit more to carry but not terrible if you only carry one lens. Bout $800 online. Or you could get a T3i for $600 or so, very similar features and still a very good camera.

Just a thought to look into to determine if the extra money might be worth it to you for much better pics. 

i know i'm not happy with quality of the pictures from the camera i have now.  it may not be a powershot but the precursor to the PS??  it is also slow...i must be perfectly still for EVER to get a clear shot.  i would definitely like to upgrade, even if it is just to a newer, low-grade camera.

camera reviews are crazy to read...i'm not sure what i even need in a camera to get what i want!

If you're coming from a point and shoot, you might look at the super-zoom category.  These are sometimes called bridge cameras and fit somewhere between the DSLR's and the small pocket cameras.  They take much better pictures than a pocket camera and offer flexibility to use a manual mode.  With the telephoto lens and the smaller size (compared to a DSLR) these cameras are real popular with tourists.

A Canon Powershot SX50 is a great camera or get last years model, the Powershot SX40, for ~$300.  You'd be under budget and still happy with the quality.

I use a DSLR but got my wife a super-zoom and she loves it.  Sometimes it's just the right camera for the picture.  A side benefit with this type of camera is that it's hard to get 'gear acquisition syndrome' since there's not much to add onto it.  With a DSLR there's always a better lens, bigger flash, remote release, etc.

First you've got to look at WHY your pictures don't turn out.  Totally an internal process.

$350 might be better spent on classes (I know VCU has great photo classes, but Richmond is a hike) rather than equipment.

If you want the highest quality camera you can get for less than $350, you are best off with a Mamiya M645.  You can get a very nice professional set up for less than $350 - one that 20 years ago would have cost $3500 instead.

Nikon F4 and F5 bodies sit in the $150 range right now, VERY good professional bodies.  Though with just $200 for glass, you'd be stuck with just like a 50/1.8 (which is still a great lens)

Canon EOS 1 and 3 are still in the $300 range.

I second the Canon Powershot series.  I use both Canon (Personal) and Nikon (Work).  

This Powershot G12 is a great camera.  If you want to get into interchangeable lenses, this canon Rebel is a good package deal.

You can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon... 

I bought the Powershot sx40 and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  I wish I had the sx50 now.  I love it because I can use it everywhere.  takes fast pics, it handles low light way better than my other camera and I can zoom in on most anything and not need to change lenses.  I go to comic book conventions and tri/marathon expos.  use it alot since I can always get a pic I want. Plus is way cheaper than a DSLR.  I might upgrade to a DSLR later but I love how useful it is.

it might not give you as good of quality as a DSLR but very versatile and very to carry around. 

couple of videos that sold me on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JETW_pzve1o

(not about the sx40 but shows how useful those bridge/super zoom cameras can be)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfnv9pRUJrU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfpGJG9N7f4

I use the same recommendation when someone asks for a computer suggestion, go with what you're used to.  If you're accustomed to the software on a Canon then get another Canon.  It just makes for quicker learning.    

I agree with what Scorpio said though, you have to find out why you are unsatisfied.  My wife and her mother were the worst at taking pictures.  Their pictures were not the best, then I'd use their exact same camera with much better results.  Turns out, they were expecting the camera to be a lot faster than it was.  

I have an Olympus Stylus Tough that I've been fiddling with for a while, the night and indoor pictures were not the best.  I finally found that the default ISO setting was set to low.  Now the pictures are much better.  It's not my favorite camera, but since it's shock resistant and water resistant to 33ft, I tend to carry it a lot.  

The best place for reviews is http://www.steves-digicams.com