Shoot!
My camera was stolen.
Oh, wait you guys already knew that. 🙂
My camera was stolen, which means that I need a new one. I had a Nikon Coolpix 7900 which was a very nice camera. It took some lovely pictures all across Africa, Ireland and the US over the last few years. The battery cover latch had recently broken and I was contemplating that I’d probably need a new camera in another year or so; it’s just become a little more urgent of a matter.
So, now I’m trying to decide which one. Ah, life’s decisions.
The 7900 is no longer made, so going back to my old camera really isn’t an option, unless I want to track down a dubious ebay auction (um, no). Which is okay. I liked the landscapes, but unless the light was perfect, portraits were always of low quality and he flash washed everything out. Plus it was super eager to turn on the flash for everything, even when there was plenty of light which drove me nuts.
So, something new then, and boy, am I torn.
Logically, I should just find a replacement. There’s some very pretty, new Coolpix that take some gorgeous, clear pictures.
But…
There’s a part of me, a big part of me, that really wants to get into photography. I like taking pictures, getting just that right shot with the right colors and contrast. I remember being in yearbook as a freshman, positioning myself underneath the basket on the basketball court to get the perfect shot of the ball swishing through the net. Then, I knew absolutely nothing about photography; I learned a little about developing film and exposure and focusing (not enough about focusing as evidenced by the blurry yearbook that year… but the layout was awesome!) that’s it. I know a little more now, but only a little; I’d like to learn more.
I was under the impression that the digital SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras cost thousands of dollars. And they do. The really good ones do. But there are some other options out there. Like this Nikon D40, which is basically marketed as a SLR on training wheels for those who are just starting to learn. It’s smaller, lighter, and according to all of the reviews takes gorgeous pictures and it’s almost affordable. Emphasis on the almost. And by report, I’d probably need a good point and shot camera in addition, anyway, because you don’t always want to be carrying around fancy equipment to capture those blasé moments. So I’d probably have to get 2 cameras and that just makes my pocketbook hurt.
Anybody out there have any opinions? What kind of camera do you use? Do you like it? Would you buy it again? Should I splurge (modestly) on a hobby or save my pennies for that garage door that needs replacing and paying back those student loans?
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*cheated*
I know someone who has a D70 – excuse me, had a D70 until it was stolen at Potbelly’s because apparently his priority was on the milkshake he was buying. Ahem. What I mean to say is, I’ve seen it and seen it used and it was gorgeous; I’m sure the D40 would be a great choice, especially if you’re looking to get into photography but don’t want to spend the thousands of dollars most digital SLRs cost. And it should have a point and shoot type automatic option as well (I’m not familiar with the D40, but that’s my suspicion), but there’s still the – you can’t exactly put it in your pocket for recording-not-art sort of purposes problem.
I love Nikon myself…I have an FM10 (film SLR, though I don’t think they’re being made anymore, and lots of camera companies offer great automatic SLRs) and I love it a lot. I know there are people super loyal to Canon, though; my photography teacher had one he loved too. My dad had a Nikon Coolpix for a while – an older version than you had, though, which probably plays into the fact that while they’re really nice cameras and I’ve seen them take gorgeous pictures there’s something…I never thoroughly loved, I guess? I noticed the flash problem as well. And older digital cameras can be better with some color schemes than others, which bothered me, but that’s not really relevant here.
Anyhow.
I clicked the 35mm film ticky box not because I knew anything about photography really before digital cameras were even invented, ftlulz, but that’s what made me really fall in love. Everything that goes with 35mm film…there’s nothing else like it – resolutionwise or experiencewise. (That does mean there are a lot of things that are harder to access, so if you don’t really want that… The expenses keep building up, really. I was lucky to get a lot of things free at my high school – that must make me sound ridiculous, haha – and it was still expensive.) If you don’t have access to a darkroom or you don’t want to learn how to develop film, it might not be worth the price to you – especially given that getting film developed elsewhere is so expensive, and even more expensive if you want it done really well.
It’s really worth it, IMO, to have a good camera you really like to use, as long as you’re interested in more than “look see this happened!”, like you are. 🙂 I’m biased about this particular hobby…but I say it’s special, anyway.
A digital camera can get you color or BW or sepia a) without chemicals and b) without you paying more than once, so that’s probably what you want. I just couldn’t resist clicking. 😉 And if you want to start getting further into photography, a digital SLR that isn’t the price of a small apartment (/exaggeration) sounds like the perfect way to go – a little bit of almost everything and options for doing everything yourself as well as for limiting what you have control over. And smaller+lighter (I just read that; I win :P) is even more win. So you should weight the first click of mine in your poll more than the other two (the other two of mine, I mean, of course)!
Sorry for all the rambling – I love to talk about cameras and have really missed it lately; I didn’t mean to torture you in your comments as a result. I wish you luck, though! I’m interested to hear what you decide and how it works out for you.
I knew I shouldn’t have made it as a checkbox!
Thanks for your opinion, Ari. This was exactly what I was hoping for, the personal stories of what’s worked for you. 🙂 I am leaning towards the D40, for the reasons that I listed, but then when I think that I probably ought to get the smaller, stick in your pocket camera as well, it makes the D40 seem very frivolous and I have a harder time talking myself into it.
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That Nikon looks lovely. It looks like an analog SLR, so you’d probably get much of the same feel from it. I guess there is something to be said for 35mm and learning the process but for that big of an investment, I’d go with digital.
My 35mm SLR broke down a couple of years ago, and digital is so much easier that I didn’t replace it. I wish I could get a digital SLR because I miss it and the kind of control I had with it. But I’ll probably be replacing my digital point and shoot with another similar model. If you want simple and cheap, Kodak Easyshare is the way to go. 😉
It’s a very pretty camera. And from what I’ve read of the reviews, most people, even professional photographers really love it at well.
Digital has really revolutionized photography. I was reading some of the criticisms of the D40, that it only autofocused with certain lens. Um, guys, just a few years ago, there really wasn’t much that autofocused, you did it all manually.
I’ll keep the Kodak camera in mind.
Thanks for the advice!
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Although only a competent amateur, I have four cameras–an old Minolta 35mm point-and-shoot, a Nikon N65 SLR, a Nikon CoolPix 4300, and the Nikon D70.
Unless you’re really looking to get into serious photography, I can’t imagine not wanting the convenience of a digital. It took me a long time to bite the bullet and buy the digital SLR, because I loved my N65. It takes beautiful pictures. But once I made the leap, I really haven’t looked back. The D70 *also* takes beautiful pictures, and I can take over 500 of them without having to spend the money to develop every single one. Obviously, you know the advantages of the digital–you had one. And even though the D70 is bulky (compared to a cute little point and shoot you can slip in your pocket), I still use it almost exclusively, because the quality of photographs is *that* good.
I actually need to get the flash fixed, unfortunately.
But anyway…I undertook a fairly extensive photography project last year. If you would like to email me at angelgracie77@gmail.com, I can link you to it. It’s under my real name, so I’m not comfortable doing it here. But it would allow you to see some of the results I’ve gotten with the digital SLR.
Wow, that was…verbose.
emailed!
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Hmm, I got my Canon PowerShot SD850 IS (I think it’s like an Elph thing- but a good one) last year and it is pretty impressive and super smart. For just a little thing to carry it takes some pretty impressive and sharp pictures. But man I don’t pity you because as much as I love photography, I hate going around and trying to find something that is best for my needs. So good luck!
I’m sooo indecisive as a nature, so it’s been difficult.
I haven’t tried out the Canon Powershot, but I’ll keep my eyes open.
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D40! That’s what I have. I’m by no means a proper photographer, but I love it to pieces. (And it’s what I use to take pictures on my photo blog.)
Eveleen! Those pictures are gorgeous! Wow.
I’m pretty much 99% convinced that I’ll be getting one myself. 🙂
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The Nikons and the Canons are pretty much both great, according to my photographer friends – some like one, others the other.
Personally, I like something really compacy, and I really like my Sony. You’re a really good photographer though, so a more sophisticated camera would serve you well.
I think I’m a Nikon girl myself. I’m just more familiar with it.
And thanks! I really do love to do it, it would be great to have some kind of creative outlet.
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I just bought my D40 about a month ago and it is absolutely wonderful. It steps up your game from a point-and-shoot tenfold and gives you so much more control over your shots without having to spend almost a thousand dollars. I have the kit lens (18-55) and a 55-200 telephoto both non VR and I’ve gotten tons of amazing photos. There’s a lot I have yet to learn about my camera that will give me even more precision.
The thing about the D40 is that it only accepts certain types of lenses, and if you want more room in that option you have to go up to the D80. However, the lenses available to the D40 are perfectly useful and good in their own right, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. 🙂
Edited to add that the D40 is really lightweight compared to the D80 and even the D60. You barely even notice it hanging around your neck.
Exactly what I want to hear!
I’ll probably end up buying the same lenses as you, so I’m glad to know that they’re getting you the pictures you want.
Who did you buy it from? Did you end up getting any warranty packages (Best Buy was trying to sell me one, not sure it’s a good idea or not). Does it come with a neck cord or do I need to figure that into the purchase? Do you have any kind of protective case?
I’d love to see some of your pictures, if you’re willing to share.
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I bought it from Ritz Camera, and got a deal on the package (it came with a kit of instructional DVDs and a standard Nikon bag*). They also had a promotion where I could get the 55-200 for only $50 so I had to jump on it. The camera does come with a neck cord that is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to string. Maybe I’m stupid, but I had a heck of a time with it. I ended up having to use a needle to string it through… 😀
I also bought a film for the screen – I think they came with like 8 of them for maybe about 10 bucks, so it was pretty reasonable.
I did get a warranty through Ritz; because of budget constraints they let me do a 1 year at first which I can then renew. I think it was about 70-something dollars (for the 1st year only) and it covers ALL damage, including accidental. So, while I’m still insanely careful with it, I feel a bit better if anything should happen to it.
*About the bag, I got it because it was a part of the bundle and it made sense to. The bag itself is pretty lame. I mean, it does the job, but it’s bulky and doesn’t fit everything into it without a bit of smooshing. I’d definitely suggest a case, but maybe not this one.
I’ll send you a message with a link to photos.:)