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I need help choosing a camera.

Really need help choosing a SLR camera...?

  • I'm looking to buy my first SLR digital camera. I'm completely clueless as to what to go with. I'm on a budget, I only have 1,000 dollars at the very most to spend. So nothing over that. Some specifications: I want a camera that has manual focus. I am going to be using this camera mostly for portraits. I have four huge photo shoots coming up (three of which are senior portraits!) and I want to have the camera soon, so I need to make a wise decision fast- also, I'm really poor, so please don't recommend a camera that's going to need to be replaced in a couple years.. lol. Right now I have a little compact Sony CyberShot DSC-W200. It works well but its not good for portraits, because it can never focus on people's eyes. I want to be able to really focus on the eyes so they can pop. Anyway, any advice will be helpful! Thanks! Oh, and by the way: I would be using this camera for artistic purposes and not "to keep memories" or whatever. Just so you know, if that helps you at all. =]

  • Answer:

    D90 or less expensive D80, and think about a standard 50mm lens, it will not be expensive since you only need a AF lens without built-in motor, both D80 and D90 have motor inside of the body.

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All dSLRs can do manual focusing. Most digital lenses have very small focusing rings. If you use an older lens (non-digital) you may find one with a large focusing ring. Camera bodies come and go but you are supposed to keep using the lenses. Choose your brand wisely. Consider the Pentax K2000 (~$600). It is a small, full-featured dSLR that you can use with one hand. You can buy it with a kit lens (18-55mm) and an external flash (when the built-in flash is not enough). The advantage of Pentax is that it has not changed its mount for the longest time ever since it jumped from screw to bayonet. Even then, all 135 film format lenses and older digital lenses can be used on the new bodies although some may need an adapter and some will lose auto functions. If you wish to shoot full manual, then it won't be a problem. Dirt-cheap Pentax compatible lenses are plenty at eBay and flea markets. To be able to use one right away, make sure the lens has a Pentax-K mount with an auto-manual switch.

keerok

I would really reccomond the Nikon D90, it's a bit over your price range at $1,159 but hear me out. The Nikon D90 is fully customizable with a manual focus AND it comes with a 18 to 135 mm lens. PLUS it also shoots 720p HD cinematic quality video!! Like all DSLRs the D90 has full custom manual controls including aperture priority, shutter priority etc so it'll easily work for your artistic purposes. I have the older Nikon D80 and it takes the most amazing pictures even for a novice like me, I don't even know how to use half the settings and buttons but it's such an easy camera to use and it takes amazing pictures. I also bought the D80 with the included Nikor 18 to 135mm lens and it's a very versatile lens, you won't regret getting the D90. Good luck!

pe7ern0rth

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