Camera Help

[Walkin Horse]

I'm interested in buying a digital camera,but the choices are so many,I don't know what to do. I would like to stick with Canon since I had a 35mm when I was younger. I am however open to other suggestions but with so many, Canon is all I've considered.
I started looking at the RebelT7 with so many bundles and lenses,I'm confused. Yesterday the R100 popped up then the R50 and R10. All with bundles and a bunch of different places to buy from and similar but different prices. Once again I'm confused.
My use will be occasional picture taking and family photos of the grandkids. I've realized I have very few pictures to leave my kids. Most all are on my iPhone. Which leads to my next question.
Printing photos. Is it better to buy a photo printer or use a photo print place? Will a standard printer work or does it need to be a photo printer.
So the final question would be, should I spend the money on a digital camera,or should I just keep using my iPhone. These pictures were taken with my iPhone and an example of my photography interests.

 

[soFlaNative]

I get it. Somehow handing someone a thumbdrive ain't the same.
About the only thing I can download easily will get flushed.
I like the pics, even if it hurts my neck to look, that dock shot is of a place I'd like to see.

 

[Rule3]

You can take amazing pictures with a I Phone. You can down load them your computer and the CLOUD, Copy them to a Flash drive and take that to a picture place and have real photos made.


If you get your own color printer the ink and paper are expensive. I gave up on that long ago


A good point and shoot digital camera is expensive


Canon PowerShot ELPH HS 360 Digital Camera, Silver 1078C001 - Adorama

 

[LVSteve]

You can take amazing pictures with a I Phone. You can down load them your computer and the CLOUD, Copy them to a Flash drive and take that to a picture place and have real photos made.


If you get your own color printer the ink and paper are expensive. I gave up on that long ago


A good point and shoot digital camera is expensive


Canon PowerShot ELPH HS 360 Digital Camera, Silver 1078C001 - Adorama

I just printed some stuff at CVS. I was very impressed by the quality and the fact it faithfully reproduced the pictures I had adjusted using Irfanview.

 

[Golddollar]

You can take amazing pictures with a I Phone. You can down load them your computer and the CLOUD, Copy them to a Flash drive and take that to a picture place and have real photos made.

Except when you're a Luddite like me. I have the proper cable but I can't transfer pictures from my phone to my laptop computer to save my life. My computer refuses to accept pictures from my cell phone.

 

[BKLooney]

I have an Olympus OM-1, fantastic camera, images are sharp as a tack. I have a lot invested in the glass, the one that stays on the camera 95% of the time is a 12-40mm 1:28, I will occasionally put the 40-150mm1:2.8 on there.

That said, 98% of the time I take pictures with my iPhone...

 

[Fishinfool]

Alot to cover. What camera? Canon makes a number of interchangeable lens cameras, full frame, and reduced size sensors, DSLR and mirrorless, as well as point & shoot. Prices & features vary, but just about any will give you quality pictures. Take into consideration camera size. Will it be something you want to pack around with you? Some systems can get quite bulky, hence the everyday appeal of cell phone cameras. But bear in mind most camera phones have small sensors, and will not have the pic quality or flexibility of a good DSLR / Mirrorless system. Most folks find a camera phone sufficient for everyday snap shots.

Bear in mind that most cell phone pictures look good when displayed at reduced resolution on a computer screen. Some times not so good when enlarged and printed. Small sensors, small & slow lens's, and typical overproccessing of cell phone pic come at a price.

You can print quality pictures at home with the right printer (Canon makes a series of printers designed for photographs), ink, and paper. It is though easier sometimes to just put the pics you want to print on a thumb drive and bring it somewhere like Walgreens or Walmart to have printed.

Some tips - Buy from an authorized dealer, USA designated products. Unauthorized dealers will sell "Gray Market" gear, usually a little cheaper. Problem is they probably will not be covered by the manufacturers warranty (at least so with Nikon).

"Kits" can be a good deal, just make sure they have the lens's and gear you will need.

Look for stabilized lens's and or camera bodies. It can make a big difference in low light, allowing for faster shutter speeds and less chance of a blurry photo.

Depending on your budget, in your shoes, I would look at a compact mirrorless interchangeable lens system ($$), or a compact DSLR (less $$). Frankly, either will give excellent results. Another option is a higher end point & shoot, fixed zoom lens camera. They can be a good all in one set up, with very good picture quality. For not alot of money, I think one of the Rebel kits with a wide angle zoom, as well as a mild zoom telephoto lens will give you the most bang for the buck.

Larry

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I usually do not buy used stuff, except Chiefs & Bodyguards.

Having had access to a Nikon D60 in a past life, I wanted a digital camera, but I didn't want to fork out "new" prices.

Last winter I trolled ebay until I found a Nikon D90 -- a lot more camera than the D60 -- being sold by a self-proclaimed professional photographer who had recently upgraded his gear.

Body, two Nikon lenses, filters, batteries, charger, all the cables, and it all came in a super efficient, very nice tote bag made specifically for cameras.

$150.

I was the only bidder.

Everything looks like brand new, and it takes far better photos than I can, and far, far better than my phone. I'm a happy guy.

added: I shot the photo of the willow flycatcher with the big lens
zoomed out to 210mm. My phone could never have captured him.

 

[lihpster]

Don't overlook used gear. I recently picked up a Canon Rebel T6 with 2 lenses, bag, several batteries, charger and a bunch of accessories for $100 at a pawn shop. For the uses you are concerned with, it would do wonderful. Mine came with 18-55 and 75-300 zoom lenses. That should do for most casual photography.

As to the printing, use a service. Printers and ink and paper are expensive. If you're not printing LOTS of pics, it isn't really cost effective.

 

[swsig]

About a dozen years ago, I bought my first digital camera, a Sony point-and-shoot. I hated it. It only took good outdoor photos. The flash would never synchronize with the shutter, so all my indoor photos were underexposed. I replaced it with a Nikon point-and-shoot. It has worked perfectly. It downloads easily to my Mac computer with a USB cable. So I can recommend Nikon digital cameras, but not Sony.

That said, all of my photos these days are taken with my iPhone. Even my "primitive" iPhone 7 takes excellent photos (see below). And if you have a Mac computer, they automatically download to your iCloud files and to your Photos files on your computer as soon as you take them. Easy-peasy!

Here's a "classic sunset shot" made with my iPhone 7:

 

[H Richard]

I used to be very involved with Photography, Camera Club & P.S.A International Competition, back when "Slides" were the rule. I shot a few weddings and portraits on the side.

As digital crept into our lives, the interest in creative competition seemed to expire. The digital camera let anybody create a nice picture. No special training or experience needed.

My interests were then into shooting and eventually I bought a Cannon Powershot A1100 IS. The function selection seldom ever comes off of "auto". It's a 12.1 Megapixels, and a 4X Optical zoom. It fits in my shirt pocket. It has gone to Europe three times, all the Christmas, holiday, etc.and all the pictures of my guns ever posted here. I caught one on sale for $99. No more extra lenses to lug around.

The only thing I kind of miss is long lenses for some wildlife photo's.

12/4/23
Just wanted to add, I load all my photo's to my computer, and print on card stock. Gives a nice matte finish to the photo's.

The Nikon F2 Photomic I used for years with 2 macro zooms & and wide angle lenses I tried to sell for a couple of years, took to a pawn shop and they said great outfit wouldn't give any offer as is worthless. I did sell on this forum for $150 (inc shipping).

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Many of the HP brand printers will print photos as color page prints or on special with special ink pack will print high quality photos. You get to control the size and number of copies' But for a Christmas family photo that you want to give a hundred copies away, you are better off having a shop do them.

Even regular copier prints of photos will convey the information but will fade in time, so that's why they have the special ink and paper.

Once you start you will probably end up doing 4 times your original estimated quantity!

My book of loads is full of pictures of nice guns and dead animals, none are the good quality photos. Many are 15 years old and still look good.

Ivan

ETA you can E-mail photos from your phone to your computer and print them that way

 

[AzShooter]

I'm a Nikon shooter but don't hold that against me. I do a lot of photography and am impressed with today's cell phones. I use mine as a backup camera but i love the colors from my digital cameras much better than what I can get with the phone.

The phone pictures look great on Facebook or in an attachment to a letter but printed picture colors are much brighter and sharper from the camera.

I bought my D800e a long time ago and spent a few thousand dollars on it. I bought a used D300s recently for $200. New it was over $2000 and it's still shooting like a new camera. I can even do videos with it.

So, look into used Canons since you already are familiar with them. You can probably use your old lenses.

 

[GypsmJim]

I was president of the photo club in high school, and Advertising Manager of my club in College. Back then it was all B&W and I sold many prints at the University photo shows.

Having said all that, times and technology have changed. All I can give are my present "opinions".

I still have $1000's in Canon 35mm stuff, which hasn't been used in years. I carry a digital camera most times I'm out and about, but if I don't have one with me, my cell phone will suffice.

Current phones have the resolution that most people need. I have used current digital Canons and they take beautiful photos. But I don't use one....why? Because my pocket sized Olympus Stylus has equal MP and does everything a hang-around-neck camera does.

If I go to a wedding or take a cruise, and thus have dozens of pics to print, I send them to a photo shop. If I have only a few 8x10's I print them at home.

My state-of-the-art Epson Printer with Premium Photo paper, IMHO, is as good as a professional studio. That said, what I mean is that I can't see a difference.

My only caveat is that I don't print larger than 8x10.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Yeah, don't be afraid to overlook the refurbished equipment. I bought a refurbed Canon, I think, last summer for his birthday. I saved about $4-500 and got the new equipment warranty. I bought an extension warranty for pocket change. So far I've bought refurbed IPads and the I Phone I bought for one of the girls lasted 5 years.
I'm also on the hunt for a camera for my grand daughter for Christmas. I found one that's not too much cash to spend on an 11 year old.

 

[GypsmJim]

Yeah, don't be afraid to overlook the refurbished equipment. I bought a refurbed Canon, I think, last summer for his birthday. I saved about $4-500 and got the new equipment warranty. I bought an extension warranty for pocket change. So far I've bought refurbed IPads and the I Phone I bought for one of the girls lasted 5 years.
I'm also on the hunt for a camera for my grand daughter for Christmas. I found one that's not too much cash to spend on an 11 year old.

When the first PC was introduced I bought a desktop. When I first went into business for myself and had to travel a lot, I bought a laptop. With unknown profitability and customer base I didn't want to over extend myself, so my first laptop was a refurb. As such it was not a current model and soon became obsolete.

It didn't take long for me to need to buy a new state-of-the-art computer. Cameras are similar. Every time you turn around a better mousetrap is invented, thus you want to upgrade.

For those reasons I don't buy used any more.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

All of the current Smart Phones have excellent cameras.
And you usually have it with you!
I also tried printing Color Pics but finally gave up the ghost!
The long glass is handy for objects far away, especially those you can't move in on.
Most of the time I use the Zoom Kit Lens on my Nikon SLRs.

 

[Faulkner]

I've been into photography since I was a youngun' in the '80's. I made the transition from 35mm SLR over to digital around 2003 in preparation for my first trip to Alaska. I'm on my third Nikon DSLR and have a humble selectin of lenses. I like Nikon gear and you can get a DSLR with lens starter kit for between $500 and $600 that is very versatile and easy to use. About half the time I put my camera in PHD program mode (push here dummy).

I also have an iPhone 14 pro that I take quite a few pictures with, mainly on the job. It takes very good quality pictures up close and with good light. In my opinion, it's not a substitute for or as versatile as a good DSLR.

As for printing, Mrs. Faulkner has a good photo printer that she uses in house to print out photos. She is a very active wildlife photographer and shoots and gives away pictures all the time. She is a multiple county fair grand champion photo winner and each of them she printed out herself on her in home Canon printer.

 

[DWalt]

I own two elderly but low mileage Nikon D90s with a flock of about every Nikon lens anyone could possibly need. But by far, my most-used camera is an older Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 SLR with the 35-420mm (equiv.) Leica non-interchangeable zoom. Even though it has low resolution and a small image sensor (8 MP) by today's standards, it is more than good enough for my frequent use. And that and similar and newer Lumix cameras are dirt cheap on eBay. It simply cannot be beat as a starter digital SLR. It will meet all challenges. If I need prints, which is not too often, I usually go to Walgreens or WalMart to print them. Printing is something I have no desire to get into. I'd also recommend getting a cheap older version of Photoshop. I use PS7, got a copy free many years back, and I have it installed on all of my computers. Unless you plan to become a Pro, PS v.7 will do anything you are likely to ever need. Today's PS is by subscription only and is very expensive.

 

[riverrat38]

The new smart phone camera functions give very good results. No need to apologize for poor cell phone photos anymore. If you have one; I don't, and won't. My phone is for emergency calls only, and doesn't have a screen for photos. No flip cover either, just senior folk sized buttons.
I bought a Fuji film X100 S camera at the recommendation of Ken Rockwell, and like it very much. Its is a pocket size camera, with a fixed lens. The lens is very high quality. It looks rather like a small Leica rangefinder camera, but the controls are mostly for different functions.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

73,
Rick

 

[outta_ammo]

I use my iPhone 15 Pro Max with the Halide app for everything. Always with me and will deal with anything I point it at.
Back in the day, I was an SLR and Kodachrome guy. This is MUCH better.

 

[JohnRippert]

I prefer Canon DSLR cameras and have the model and lens I am going to point out. Looking on Ebay just now I saw a couple of used Canon 50D bodies for around $100. I also looked up the Canon 18-135 IS USM lens, which is the same lens I keep on my 50D backup camera for around the house and in the garden outside. Saw a couple at around $150. For $300 bucks or so you can get a really good and capable body/lens combination. If you wanted to get more magnification later there are 100-300 zooms that would fit the bill for that.

 

[wood714]

I started looking at the RebelT7

My use will be occasional picture taking and family photos of the grandkids. I've realized I have very few pictures to leave my kids. Most all are on my iPhone. Which leads to my next question.
Printing photos. Is it better to buy a photo printer or use a photo print place? Will a standard printer work or does it need to be a photo printer.
So the final question would be, should I spend the money on a digital camera,or should I just keep using my iPhone. These pictures were taken with my iPhone and an example of my photography interests.

Cell phone pictures are great for posting online. I've never printed one out thou. When you open a cell pic up in a image editor like Photoshop, that's when you see the real difference between a cell pic and a DSLR pic.

I shoot Nikon, but the Canon Rebel would suit your needs most well with the 18-55 kit lens. Amazon has them for a little over $400. You'll get good images just shooting on auto mode, but if you learn to shoot full manual mode you can get most great images.

As far as printing I have a good HP printer and stacks of glossy image paper, but I found it cheaper and better quality to have prints made from my website SmugMug.

If you're printing color photos, you'll need to make sure your printer and monitor are in sync...calibrated to get the same exact color you see on your monitor to your printer.

 

[DWalt]

Yes, the new cell phones now come with built-in cameras having features and images as good as most free-standing digital cameras. I have an older iPhone and seldom use its camera, But the few times I have used it, the images turned out well. My wife uses her iPhone camera much more than I do. I expect that free-standing cameras now have a near-term expiration date.

Speaking of technology marches on, I recently read something to the effect that DVD movies will be obsolete by sometime early next year, i.e., the big box stores will quit stocking them for sale. Just like what happened with VHS tapes. No longer any customers for them. Everyone is going to streaming. I have noticed that many of the local stores which had Redbox DVD vending machines now have them removed. I never saw why there was much of a market for selling DVDs. There can't be very many people who view them more than once or maybe a few times. Renting makes more sense.

 

[AzShooter]

I do a lot of 13 X 19 prints and can tell the difference between my Nikons and my Phone. Resolution has come a long way but it's not quite there yet plus I can't get the colors as crisp as with the Digital.

I use DataColor to check my monitor every month so what I see on my monitor is exactly what I see in my prints.

I've only had one print done at Sam's Club and I can do better but I can't do them as large, it was 34 X 26 and is pretty good.

I just got in 200 sheets of photo printing paper. Just changing paper makes a difference. I can even do canvas on my Epson. Ink gets kind of expensive, $100 covers all the colors and black and last months.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Was just looking at some of my prints.
Some look pretty good!
Like these two.
I was just messing around with a couple of pics.

 

[chief38]

I used to buy digital cameras but soon stopped. They are very quick to become obsolete and today's iPhone cameras are so terrific that unless you are a professional and take pictures for publications, a dedicated digital camera is really not needed. I have taken really great pic's with my iPhones and now they are even better!

 

[DWalt]

The problem with digital cameras is that they reached their technological pinnacle over 10 years ago.. Very, very few photographers aside from top level pros have any need for all of the bells and whistles now available, such as 60 MP image sensors, to justify using today's latest expensive digital camera offerings, so what's the reason to avoid using a good condition used Nikon, Canon, Pentax, or what have you cameras that were cutting edge in 2010 for 1/10th or less of the price of a new supercamera? It's simply overkill. And older used digital cameras are available cheap everywhere. Just look at eBay and Craigslist. If you must live large, spend the money on a high quality new lens instead. Someone mentioned Ken Rockwell's website earlier. It is probably has the most complete information on older cameras and lenses and some not so old. This location discusses the Nikon D90, and I have two N90 bodies. It came out in 2008, and is one of the better choices in a used body for a discriminating buyer living on a shoestring. Nikon D90 When I bought them, the shutter count for both was very low, like less than 5000. And for a Nikon, 5000 is essentially new, as the expected life is about 100K. I paid $100 for one and I think $85 for the other. One of them I use exclusively for copying and stills of small objects like cards, coins, and stamps. And of course guns and cartridges.

 

[JcMack]

Except when you're a Luddite like me. I have the proper cable but I can't transfer pictures from my phone to my laptop computer to save my life. My computer refuses to accept pictures from my cell phone.

Once you install cable from laptop to cell phone make sure
you go to USB transfer in setup on phone and able up file transfer.

 

[Faulkner]

I'm seeing a number of folks buying into the "iPhones are just as good as . . . " real cameras. Up close, they can indeed hold their own.

They're not once you get past spitting distances. It's the glass that makes the difference at distance.