Digital Camera Help!!!!

[thomas]

Im buying a good digital camera for my wife for christmas but I have no idea what is good and whats not.. She wants a really nice camera that takes good clear sharp pics. Probably around 6 million pixils. Heres what Im looking at now.

Sony F717

Cannon EOS ELAN 7

Nikon D70 SLR
(leaning twards this one)


Any input would be very helpful.

[M3EATER - GG '00 WS6 T/A]

Is your wife a photo hobbyist? Has she had a 35mm SLR before? If so, does she preffer what a real SLR can do? The D70 is a real camera and will be used just like a 35mm SLR.

The Sony is a great in-between digital. Will do many of the things that the non-SLRs will do, but can be used like an SLR as well. For instance, you can use the LCD display for framing your shots (The D70, you must use the view finder). I have a Sony (about 4 to 5 years) and the menu is easy to use (don't need the manual to figure out things you want to change), you can frame in the LCD, the folding body/lens comes in very handy .... more than you'd think. I can take shots that I would not be able to if I had to use the viewfinder. The internal programming (how the camera manipulates and saves the photio) is also very good.

That said, I'm shopping for a Canon 20D I want to get back to full SLR.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

"Canon EOS ELAN 7" Is a film body camera.

What do you want it to do?
Questions to answer;
Do you want an SLR "type" (interchangeable lens, screen on back does not show what you are looking at until after you take the picture) or a pocket type (built in lens)?

What are you going to do with the picture? To print on a 8 1/2 X 11 sheet I would recommend no less than 6 meg pixel.

The SLR types one do only pictures. Some pockets will do short movies.

Do you want it to be fully automatic (dummy proof) or do you want it to do special things like shutter priority and aperture priority?

Do you want it to have settings for high speed, scenery, portraits, macro (close up)?

I have a Canon Digital Rebel and love it. But it might not be what you want so let's see what your answers are.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Is your wife a photo hobbyist? Has she had a 35mm SLR before? If so, does she preffer what a real SLR can do? The D70 is a real camera and will be used just like a 35mm SLR.

The Sony is a great in-between digital. Will do many of the things that the non-SLRs will do, but can be used like an SLR as well. For instance, you can use the LCD display for framing your shots (The D70, you must use the view finder). I have a Sony (about 4 to 5 years) and the menu is easy to use (don't need the manual to figure out things you want to change), you can frame in the LCD, the folding body/lens comes in very handy .... more than you'd think. I can take shots that I would not be able to if I had to use the viewfinder. The internal programming (how the camera manipulates and saves the photio) is also very good.

That said, I'm shopping for a Canon 20D I want to get back to full SLR.

Have you seen the Canon 20DA? It's made special for astrophotography. It will lock the mirror up and turn on the back display where of the other Canon digital SLRs will. It has a special filter in front of the CCD to enhance the light or something like that.

http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/astro/index-e.html

[wolfdogs]

keep in mind, anything over 4 or 5 mega pics is not necessary for the internet or photos 10x8 11x15.... just a hint.

I use a Fuji SR has a ton of features and performs up there with digicams costing hundreds more..

i tried to take a picture of it for you...but for reason... i couldnt... LOL

[wolfdogs]

oh, aside from all my fun stuff i post here, heres a serious example, our girl Shelby, 9 year old golden retriever...

[thomas]

Well She wants a very nice camera that take great crisp clear pics. Maybe do something on the side as a hobby but dont want to spend $1000. Im kinda leaning twards the d70.

[wolfdogs]

Well She wants a very nice camera that take great crisp clear pics. Maybe do something on the side as a hobby but dont want to spend $1000. Im kinda leaning twards the d70.

go for it!

[Jeff_in_Atl]

You Should try the Canon and the Nikon before you buy the Nikon.

Here are some pictures I took with my Canon digital rebel. I'm not saying it is better or worse than the Nikon. This is just an example.
http://www.claire-marie.net/105_0553.JPG
http://www.claire-marie.net/106_0652.JPG
http://www.claire-marie.net/106_0667.JPG
http://www.claire-marie.net/106_0678.JPG
http://www.claire-marie.net/107_0708.JPG

[M3EATER - GG '00 WS6 T/A]

Actually, as Jeff notes, if your wife isn't a hard core photo hobbyist and very used to using an SLR .... but you would like to get an SLR .... I'd recommend the Canon Rebel XT as well. This updated version is 8 MP and is a great first step into learning to exploit what a digital SLR can do. And the price is right!

The D70 is further into the land of "I already know what I'm doing and need more camera".

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Actually, as Jeff notes, if your wife isn't a hard core photo hobbyist and very used to using an SLR .... but you would like to get an SLR .... I'd recommend the Canon Rebel XT as well. This updated version is 8 MP and is a great first step into learning to exploit what a digital SLR can do. And the price is right!

The D70 is further into the land of "I already know what I'm doing and need more camera".

I also think Canon lens are better. Most use an ultrasonic motor that focus much faster than the Nikon. Well 2 years ago they did. I'd think Nikon had to do something about there lens. The Canon was also noticeably lighter. I would think Nikon has addressed this by now also.

I would think Nikon does this too but the Canon records the camera setting for each shot in the file properties. Save one of my pictures then right button on the file, click on properties, then summary, then advanced. You'll see all of your camera settings used to take that picture. That is helpful when you are trying to learn how different camera settings effect the picture.

The rebel has a green mode (dummy proof mode) for amateurs yet it will do anything the big boys can do.

[thomas]

I think I just saw a commercial on tv about the rebel xt. Seems pretty decent. im going to look into it. Do you know if it has interchangeable lenses?

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I think I just saw a commercial on tv about the rebel xt. Seems pretty decent. im going to look into it. Do you know if it has interchangeable lenses?

Oh yea. Decent - LOL
http://www.abesofmaine.com/subcatego...ort=3&om=Canon

[thomas]

Oh yea. Decent - LOL
http://www.abesofmaine.com/subcatego...ort=3&om=Canon

Great.. btw nice pics!

[Jeff_in_Atl]

The Canon site was down yesterday so here is the camera from their site.
http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...&modelid=11154

FYI Canon has several lens that are "image stabilizing". I want the 70-300 image stabilizing lens.