Need some advice on a Camera

[Darius11 12]

I always get awesome advice from you guys so here is another thing I need help on.

My GF B day is coming up and I want to get a her a nice camera that is capable of exchanging lens’s. I also want to get a her a nice long rang lens like 70mm-300mm one. She likes taking pictures of flying birds mainly hawks.


Now I am thinking of this
Canon EOS Rebel T2 35mm SLR Autofocus Camera Kit with Canon 28-90mm f/4-5.6 EF III Lens.

Now I don’t know shit about photography. I also found a few lenses but I don’t know what to look for I don’t know what the numbers mean.

And is a lens that is design for a digital camera ok for a regular one?

Any help is appreciated.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[monkycndo 0]

The Photography and Video forum would be a better place to ask this question.

50 donations so far. Give it a try.

You know you want to spank it
Jump an Infinity

[namgrunt 0]

may i suggest a NIKON D70S

with a "kit" lens by NIKOR 70to 300 tel.

you can get the camera body for around $600 and the lens $150

try and find a kit ,thats a body and lens combo .

shop

try competitive cameras located in texas

nikon/canon is same as ford/chev.

what do you want to spend$$$

..

59 YEARS,OVERWEIGHT,BALDIND,X-GRUNT
LAST MIL. JUMP VIET-NAM(QUAN-TRI)
www.dzmemories.com

[tigra 0]

You should go to an old fashioned camera store and talk to one of the salespeople. There are still a few around and the guys that work there tend to be camera buffs. Explain the photography she likes to do, that kind of thing. You might not get the best price at one of those places, but you will get their expertise, meaning you'll buy the right stuff. Some of those 70-200mm lenses tend to be a little limiting- OK to use with perfect lighting conditions, not so good when the light is limited. I *think* the lower the lower number the better- a wide angle might start at 2.8? I used to know what all those numbers meant, but its been so long since I've messed around with my real camera, I couldn't tell you anymore! As nice as some of the digital models are, there's no substitue for the real thing!

[mnealtx 0]

For flying birds, you're going to need a LONG lens. Most 'birders' use a 500-600 mm lens (or longer) to get decent photos. Lenses that size are VERY expensive. Some people use a shorter lens (in the 300mm range) with an extender to get that range.

Shortly after I came back from vacation I posted some critter pics here in Bonfire - those shots were taken at a distance of around 30-40 feet with a 400 mm lens.

Digital lenses are usually designed for a smaller focus area than a film lens - at best, you'd end up with a black circle (vignette) around the outside of the frame on a film camera.

Now, with all that said: I'd recommend a digital over a film camera. You'll recoup the cost difference fairly quickly due to not having to buy film and pay for processing, if your G/F takes a fair amount of photos.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[tigra 0]

Yes, but don't the really good digital cameras with the interchangeable lenses tend to cost a LOT more money? Like in the thousands instead of hundreds? My friend has one- its the shit, but it cost him a small fortune.

[Darius11 12]

I was hopeing to get something nice for under 500.00.


I did go to our local camera place and they offered me a used camera with a regular and 70-300mm lens for 299.99. It was an older Canon slr

I will have to get a case or something as it did not have a box but looked in great shape, but getting used I always feel weird.


Mike-Your right the digital would be the better choice but way more money. I looked at the digital rebel and it was like 899 way out of my range.


Thanks everyone for the advice so far

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[Nightingale 0]

Can't go wrong with nikon.

Find out what she wants. Chances are she already knows. Take her birdwatching and ask "what kind of camera and lens would you need to take a picture of that bird?"

[mnealtx 0]

Yeah, a digital SLR camera is going to cost more than a point and shoot, but also gives you a LOT more flexibility in your photo shooting.

The downside of that of that flexibility is the increased cost of the camera and the lenses.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[mnealtx 0]

If they're offering you the camera and the lens you mentioned in your other post AND the 70-300mm for $300, that's a pretty good deal!

Even if they're not the latest and greatest out there, it's still not a bad setup and your g/f should be able to get some decent shots from it.

One nice thing about SLR's... you can always upgrade the lenses at a later date...

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[namgrunt 0]

I just can't stop myself

camera body..NIKON D200
memory card..2gb
lens nikon 40/400vr
printer EPSON R 1800
flash nikon mod 800

now that would be a good system..wait SIGMA 50/500

..

59 YEARS,OVERWEIGHT,BALDIND,X-GRUNT
LAST MIL. JUMP VIET-NAM(QUAN-TRI)
www.dzmemories.com

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

I just can't stop myself

camera body..NIKON D200
memory card..2gb
lens nikon 40/400vr
printer EPSON R 1800
flash nikon mod 800

now that would be a good system..wait SIGMA 50/500

..

I've heard nice things about the Bigma ... heard you pretty much need a tripod for it, though....

Here's mine:

Canon Digital Rebel XT
Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8
Canon 100-400mm f3.5-5.6 IS
RiData 2Gb CF
420EX flash

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[ffejdraga 0]

Hey bro,

I have an N70 I would sell you. It is a Nikon Film camera, no lens. Good price. Want to by that for your GF?

jeff D-16906

[Darius11 12]

pm sent

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[lummy 4]

Quote

70-300mm lens for 299.99

except that all the canon 70(75,90)-300's suck. They are made very cheaply and use a slower autofocus (micromotor). I was even dissapointed with the 75-300 IS.

If you want to get a GOOD inexpensive lens, get the 100-300. The glass is a little sharper plus the 100-300 uses ring USM which makes it super quick autofocus. I got mine for $150 on ebay.
Along those lines, there's also the 28-105 which is in the same class. Mine cost $125. If you do look at one, make sure you look at the f3.5 and not the inferior f4

Some good reading on Canon lenses can be found here

I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1

[mnealtx 0]

Darius -

If you decide to get the Canon, let me know - I've got a 100-300 that I think is compatible with the film or digital cameras... I'll check in the morning when I get off shift, if you're interested.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[Laurel 0]

I shoot a Canon Rebel XT with an 18-55 (the lens it comes with) and a 70-300. Here are examples of what I have shot with it. I LOVE this camera!!!

.....................................................................
PMS#28, Pelogrande Rodriguez#1074
My Pink M