Looking for advice on a camera for my daughter

[Tripper11]

Damn they are so expensive, but we're looking for a good starter camera for her. She wants to take a photography class in school and such.

Found this on craigslist : http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pho/2833625505.html and this http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/pho/2792333146.html

Cross posting to photo group

[Paladin]

1. Be Sure To Run Your Question Past The DU Photography Group. (n/t)

[Tripper11]

2. Yes I have...

Just thought posting it here might get a quicker reply as well.

[elifino]

3. Gave my daughter a Rebel for Xmas.

She is very happy with it. Plan to get her a 55-270 lens for her birthday.

[Major Nikon]

6. For a student photographer I wouldn't go that route

The advantage that a DSLR camera has over a camera with an integrated lens is ease in configuration. You can go to aperture priority, shutter priority, manual focus, manual exposure, etc usually by just manipulating one control. Although you can do these things with other cameras, it usually takes more steps which makes it more confusing and takes longer. Another thing that's good to have for a student photographer is a fast lens which means a lens with a low maximum f-stop number like f/1.8 or f/1.4 because a lot of the shots will be taken with available light. It's also easier to focus a camera with a fast lens. You can't get that with an integrated lens camera, at least in any reasonable price range. You can buy a Nikon D70 with a 50mm f/1.8 lens for about $250 on the used market. This would be a much better student camera than most any integrated lens camera at any price. One other plus to going with a Nikon or a Canon DSLR is that the chances of finding another student with the same body that you can swap lenses with is pretty good.

[Major Nikon]

5. Neither seems like a good enough deal to buy from someone on craigslist

I'm no expert on Canon stuff, but a quick check with Adorama revealed this:

http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20468674.html

You get the same deal as the 2nd one you posted and not only is it cheaper, it comes from a reputable dealer that will accept returns and provide technical support if you have a problem. A 50/1.8 lens is a very nice thing to have for a student. I'm guessing you could find one on the used market for $50-100.

Browse the used sections of Adorama and B&H. They both have fair prices on used equipment and both will accept returns for a full refund if you're not satisfied. I've been dealing with both of these for many years and never had a problem with either.

If you want to go Nikon, I can make more specific recommendations. Nikon tends to have more lenses available on the used market for lower prices. Nikon is also better about backwards compatibility for their lenses. With a few exceptions, you can put a 40 yr old Nikon lens on a brand new Nikon body. I have a 30 yr old Nikon lens that I've used to take many of the pictures I've posted in the Photography group.

Don't overlook DSLR cameras in the 6-10 megapixel range. They still take great pictures and they still make great cameras for students. You can save yourself ~$200 or buy better lenses.

[csziggy]

10. Yeah, I'd go through Adorama or B&H Photography

Both are reliable with good prices, both have been around long enough to have reputations you can check on, and both have used equipment with warrantees. I've purchased from both and not have any problem with them, their service or the equipment I bought from them.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

I bought my first Nikon 35 mm SLR from B&H and it was worth calling. The camera was a used body in excellent condition and the salesman helped me put together a really nice assortment of lenses and accessories for a very affordable total.

A few years later I got my Nikon DSLR from Adorama on one of their specials again for a great price - and I am still using that camera with the lenses I got from B&H.

[calikid]

11. Ditto what Major & ziggy said.

I made my living at photography for over thirty years, spending 10's of thousands with B&H and Adorama, without a problem one.
DSLR is the only way to go, saying that, I have a lot of fun using my little point and shoot 12mp right along side my big DSLR. As for the Nikon/Canon debate, they both do the same thing (I'm a Canon guy). The advice below about a fast lens canot be overstated, in fact, I recommend getting a fast lens and then buying what you can afford on the body.

[HopeHoops]

7. Nikon Coolpix - you can get one for about $70.

Don't worry too much about the zoom - but get as close to a 3" screen as you can.

[RC]

8. You don't need a DSLR for a starter camera

A good optical zoom 10X or better. You can do digital zoom in the computer. Do not use it in the camera.
A view finder is a must. The view screen is nice, but can be a little hard to see in the sun. I have a Canon T3i and even that can be a bit hard to see. I normally turn it off to save battery power anyway.
Get at least a 5 mega pixels senser. 10 mega pixels is quite adequate.
If it uses AA batteries, great. You can get those anywhere.

Remember this is a "Starter" camera. Her first camera. When she runs up against the limitations of the camera too many times and decides this camera is not good enough any longer and she will, use what she considers its short comings as criteria for must haves for her next camera. What is a great camera for one person, is lousy camera for someone else. She need decide for yourself, how she uses it, what she prefers to photograph.

Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc are like car companies. They are all good cameras. Brand loyalty plays a part in whether a camera is any good or not.
That said, I have owned Kodak, Sony, Nikon and Canon. I have never really liked any Nikon I have ever used. The best cameras I now own are both Canon. A Canon S95 and my latest, A T3i.

[Tripper11]

9. thanks everyone...

All this information is helping us make a better, more informed decision.