Looking to buy a new camera - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

metallicat · 08-01-2006, 05:25 PM

I am interested in purchasing a Digital SLR, but have no idea where to start. I would say my spending limit is something around $500, but if I can get a great camera for less, I'll take that route.

Can anyone recommend something to me in that price range? Brand name, megapixels...etc

I_H8_Crawford · 08-01-2006, 05:27 PM

Only $500 for a Digital SLR?
You looking for used?

Canon's entry-level SLR is the Rebel XT and it retails for $900 or so, depending on where you shop...

Also, does that $500 include all accessories like carrying case, extra lenses, memory card(s) etc?

the_only_turek_fan · 08-01-2006, 05:31 PM

I got a Cannon A520 on Boxing Day and it has been working great for me. I think with the extended warranty, bag, batteries, charger etc... I got it for about $450.00. If you are not really in need of a camera right away, they will have some decent sales at Future Shop/Best Buy in December.

My camera is 4.0 megapixes and I think that it is good enough.

I_H8_Crawford · 08-01-2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

I got a Cannon A520 on Boxing Day and it has been working great for me. I think with the extended warranty, bag, batteries, charger etc... I got it for about $450.00. If you are not really in need of a camera right away, they will have some decent sales at Future Shop/Best Buy in December.

My camera is 4.0 megapixes and I think that it is good enough.

The A520 isn't a Digital SLR like s/he mentioned s/he's looking for... for around $500 though, I would reccomend going with a decent Canon Digi Cam, not the SLR - if you want to go up to DSLR, save some more money, you won't regret it.

metallicat · 08-01-2006, 05:36 PM

It doesn't necessarily have to be an SLR. If there is something that is excellent for 500 or so, let me know as well.

I_H8_Crawford · 08-01-2006, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

It doesn't necessarily have to be an SLR. If there is something that is excellent for 500 or so, let me know as well.

If you're not looking for DSLR, I'd reccomend going with a good Canon camera - then it comes down to what you want in the camera - do you want a small credit-card sized type camera? A larger one that you can get a grip on and will give you a bit more zoom? What size of picture are you going to be printing out? How much photo editing do you plan on doing?

To start, check out the Canon SD450 or SD 600 for the small guys, Canon A 540 for the mid-size, and the Canon S2 or S3 for the larger cameras.

metallicat · 08-01-2006, 05:45 PM

I'm 90% certain I'm going to NYC in September, so I want something decent. The smaller the better I suppose for travelling purposes, but I don't want something that will get lost in a pocket. Decent zoom would be ideal, and whatever megapixel will be good enough to take nice pictures to keep and possibly print out.

Edit- And I already have a 1GB SD card, so it would need to be able to use that.

I_H8_Crawford · 08-01-2006, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I'm 90% certain I'm going to NYC in September, so I want something decent. The smaller the better I suppose for travelling purposes, but I don't want something that will get lost in a pocket. Decent zoom would be ideal, and whatever megapixel will be good enough to take nice pictures to keep and possibly print out.

What size of prints? 4x6? 8x11? Poster size?
The larger you go on MP affects how large you can print out pics without a loss in quality - it also affects how much you can crop/digital zoom on the picture before a loss in quality.

If you want decent zoom, and not HUGE size (its by no means small however) check out the Canon S2: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0061574&catid=

metallicat · 08-01-2006, 05:49 PM

Just regular photo size, so is that 4x6 or what? That is really all I anticipate using it for.

I_H8_Crawford · 08-01-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

Just regular photo size, so is that 4x6 or what? That is really all I anticipate using it for.

Check out the Canon S2
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0061574&catid=
12x Optical zoom is huge as far as digi cams go; I haven't seen anything larger yet.
And it fits your budget, and is closer to the DSLR type cameras with decent shutter speed, and tons of manual options.

metallicat · 08-01-2006, 05:54 PM

That thing looks awesome! Thanks for the info, really appreciate it.

Futureshop the best place to buy something like that you figure? I have money in my Paypal account, so eBay would be preferable, but whatever...

I_H8_Crawford · 08-01-2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

That thing looks awesome! Thanks for the info, really appreciate it.

Futureshop the best place to buy something like that you figure? I have money in my Paypal account, so eBay would be preferable, but whatever...

It was easy to pull it up on futureshop is all - I think the S2 might be exclusive to futureshop now too, based on the fact that the S3 has been released everywhere else, I dunno though.

Buy from where ever you will get the best deal, only advice I'd give you is definitely pick up some rechargable AA batteries for it! And also get a 1 or 2 GB card for it.

greerb · 08-01-2006, 07:25 PM

I have the canon a540. It's a great camera for about 100 more I wish I got the a700. Both are 6mp. This is my second Canon, I would recomend a Canon to anyone.

Eddie Bronze · 08-01-2006, 07:34 PM

Buying a new SLR is not an easy decision. I've been looking and thinking it over for a couple months now and still haven't decided. If the prices at the stores in Canada weren't so damn high it might be an easier decision. I know there are better deals out there but finding one might be the tough part.

Canada 02 · 08-01-2006, 07:46 PM

Three great sites for reviews and stuff

http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.dcresource.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/default.htm

I like this one

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscv3/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Sony.../frontview.jpg

GreenTeaFrapp · 08-01-2006, 08:21 PM

Here's a used Canon Digital Rebel for $439US plus shipping:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...goryNavigation

B&H is a great place to buy from and they're great for shipping to Canada. You'll have to buy a lens but you could take a look at B&H's site for some inexpensive used lenses.

Here is the Olympus E300 for $400 US:
http://www.adorama.com/IOME300D.html

While I don't have any personal experience with Adorama, they're a well respected online retailer.

You could also look around keh.com for some inexpensive used DSLR's.

metallicat · 08-01-2006, 08:51 PM

Maybe I'll just have to make that my first place to visit...

photon · 08-01-2006, 09:04 PM

If buying in the US make sure you verify that the warranty is transferrable across the border. Last time I researched it was for Canon.

Eddie Bronze · 08-01-2006, 09:10 PM

photon,

Neeper has informed me that it is not for Nikon and that he bought his warranty in the US.

fotze,

Where did you hear there was no duty on cameras from the US? I had a guy email me (from Nikoncafe.com) telling me he had nightmares at the border as they wanted to make him pay customs. I'm hearing two completely different sides on this.

bizrns · 08-01-2006, 09:42 PM

Costco is the place to buy a camera.. Their one year warranty pretty much blows any savings on future shops prices out of the water. I've recently purchased a Canon SD550 which is a pretty fantastic camera with more than enough advanced features. It retails at about $500. I've also bought a $300 pentax waterproof camera from them. It's not as advanced, but takes pretty good pictures and is extremely easy to use... I actually prefer it to the Canon.