Camera Suggestions

[alfsauve]

..... and leaves you money for extra batteries (a must) and a lot of high speed, high quality SanDisk memory cards (don't leave home without them).

So many choices.  Another great one by BAC.  

And he brought up important points.   I can't tell you how many times when I visited the Grand Canyon I heard other people saying how they were out of space on their cameras.   Once in a life time and they didn't bring spare cards.   And buying cards on the road is expensive.  

Also, a spare battery.    Though with the newer cameras the batteries do pretty good, especially when you don't use flash or  preview the pictures for too long a time.   I took a spare on out cruise last summer but never needed it.    Of course, we spent a fair amount of time on board and could recharge a couple of times a day.

[BAC]

You don't need a spare battery until you don't have one.  

I can't recommend SanDisk memory cards over all others highly enough.  I've never had a SanDisk go bad.  Plus, they are marketing geniuses!  Do you know how many people think SD stands for SanDisk?  BRILLIANT!

Don't skimp on accessories!

[sledgemeister]

+1 to that,

also are you wanting to get long distance shots   as the $$$ is in the lenses

Not to mention when you get a couple lenses the weight really starts to add up when ya walking around. After you walk 5 k with Camera, 2 lenses, spare battery, flash etc the suckers get heavy!

[jnevis]

I have been using a Nikon D70 for a WHILE and really like it but found I didn't want it for everything.  On vacation type trips I use it for most of the shooting at an atractoin.  Last summer we went to Williamsburg and I used it exclusively at Colonial Williamburg, but not at Busch gardens or just wandering around town.  For that I use a point and shoot Nikon (I forget the model).  I also take the PnS with me on travell when I don't have a specific destination in mind, like when I go to LA for work.  I just throw it in my pocket and go.  I have been known to carry both with the PnS a backup in case the batteries crap out or I fill a card.  I usually carry the D70 in a Maxpedition VersaPack.  It holds both lenses, extra batteries/cards, and flash (along with other "essential devices": flashlight, multi-tool, pocket gun/ammo where legal) and isn't instantly recognizable as a camera bag.  The one drawback is it doesn't havet hepadding of a dedicated bag.  I also have a backpack i got MANY years ago in Oz that the bottom is a camera bag with padding that hold other "stuff."

The oldest is getting pretty good with a camera and spends more time with my D70 than I do now.  I'm looking into getting a D3100 for Christmas and I'll give her the D70.  The advantage that the Nikons have is lens compatibility.  I can use teh D70 lens on the oldest's E and F series 35mm bodies and vice versa.  You may loose auto-focus doing that but it's better than not getting the shot at all.  Firend at work just picked up a D3000 at Best Buy as a kit for around $1000 that included a 28-55, 55-200 lenses, bag, card, and the insurance plan.  the D3100 has a better processor and pixel rating but is about $2-300 more for the same package.

[BAC]

I have been using a Nikon D70 for a WHILE and really like it but found I didn't want it for everything.  On vacation type trips I use it for most of the shooting at an atractoin.  Last summer we went to Williamsburg and I used it exclusively at Colonial Williamburg, but not at Busch gardens or just wandering around town.  For that I use a point and shoot Nikon (I forget the model).  I also take the PnS with me on travell when I don't have a specific destination in mind, like when I go to LA for work.  I just throw it in my pocket and go.  I have been known to carry both with the PnS a backup in case the batteries crap out or I fill a card.  I usually carry the D70 in a Maxpedition VersaPack.  It holds both lenses, extra batteries/cards, and flash (along with other "essential devices": flashlight, multi-tool, pocket gun/ammo where legal) and isn't instantly recognizable as a camera bag.  The one drawback is it doesn't havet hepadding of a dedicated bag.  I also have a backpack i got MANY years ago in Oz that the bottom is a camera bag with padding that hold other "stuff."

The oldest is getting pretty good with a camera and spends more time with my D70 than I do now.  I'm looking into getting a D3100 for Christmas and I'll give her the D70.  The advantage that the Nikons have is lens compatibility.  I can use teh D70 lens on the oldest's E and F series 35mm bodies and vice versa.  You may loose auto-focus doing that but it's better than not getting the shot at all.  Firend at work just picked up a D3000 at Best Buy as a kit for around $1000 that included a 28-55, 55-200 lenses, bag, card, and the insurance plan.  the D3100 has a better processor and pixel rating but is about $2-300 more for the same package.

Not quite true about the Nikon bodies and lenses.  You not only lose AF with the older lenses on (some) low end bodies, but exposure control.  Many of the new bodies don't have the mechanical connection to the lens for aperture control.  Additionally, the oldest Nikon lenses should NEVER be mounted on modern bodies, as they will damage the camera.  Since many of the new lens designs are completely electronic in their communication with the camera, and lack an aperture ring, they cannot be used on older camera bodies.

[Sponsor]

[mkm]

Thanks so much for the info Scott, BAC, Alf and everybody else.  I knew this would be a good place to ask.  Where else on the internet can you get such a wide diversity of useful knowledge?

Thanks especially to setting me straight on what's likely best for what I need with my skill set.

I really wish I had a good place to check out a variety of different cameras, especially some of the ones Scott suggested.  On that note, I'm probably going to lean towards the Nikon P500 as it may be the only one I can get my hands on in person without driving 2ish hours.  The price is really nice too.  I'll probably go fondle it a few times and think about it for a few days before I fully commit.

Thanks again!

[Big Frank]

Where is a good place to buy besides a camera shop?

[BAC]

Where is a good place to buy besides a camera shop?

Best Buy can be a good place if you've done your homework.  But don't expect to get the service or expertise you'd get at a camera shop.  I've heard many Best Buy employees tell customers things that were flat out wrong just to get them to buy their (the employee's) favorite camera, which wasn't what was best for the customer.

In Michigan, if you're close to Traverse City, Muskegon, Grand Rapids, or Lansing, I'd highly recommend paying a visit to The Camera Shops or Marks Photo.  I know all those guys very well, and they really value customer service.

P.S.  If you decide to purchase at Best Buy, make sure you check their online price first.  They often have a higher price in store, but they will honor the online price.  Weird, but true.

[BAC]

Thanks so much for the info Scott, BAC, Alf and everybody else.  I knew this would be a good place to ask.  Where else on the internet can you get such a wide diversity of useful knowledge?

Thanks especially to setting me straight on what's likely best for what I need with my skill set.

I really wish I had a good place to check out a variety of different cameras, especially some of the ones Scott suggested.  On that note, I'm probably going to lean towards the Nikon P500 as it may be the only one I can get my hands on in person without driving 2ish hours.  The price is really nice too.  I'll probably go fondle it a few times and think about it for a few days before I fully commit.

Thanks again!

Good choice on the P500.  Up until a year or so ago, I never would have recommended a Nikon compact camera.  Quite frankly, they were crap.  But they sold like hotcakes because of the Nikon name and Ashton Kutcher.  Over the past year or two, though, they've really put out some impressive small cameras (like the S8100 and P500).

[alfsauve]

Best Buy can be a good place if you've done your homework.  

I be wary of Best Buy only because of their return/warranty policy. 

There are a number of on-line retailer that you can find a sale, or package, price most any week.  Even a pro-A/V place like B&H photo has good deals sometimes.