looking for a digital camera

[dshawls]

since i got this awesome bio cube, i figure im going to need a camera to take pictures of it. i have a feeling most of the shots will be macro shots. the thing is im not looking to spend an arm and a leg. i saw another person on here whos name i cannot remember who had a picture of some green zoos and he was using a point and shoot camera. i dont want to spend more than 200 if i can help it. im not savvy with cameras at all, so advice on how to use them as which would suit my needs is welcome. ive heard canon is good for close up shots, or any DSLR :P

[erikharrison]

check on www.newegg.com they have all kinds of nice lil cameras. If you have around a grand, then you can talk about dslr..... as far as advice on usage, look at the sticky in the photography forum, it rocks.

[dshawls]

since visiting newegg, i decided that i want a camera now, not later. so i called my bank and established a small 500$ line of credit to finance my photography endeavors. now, i dont want to blow the whole 500 on a camera, it just gives me alot more leeway when i decide what im going to buy and what lens i want with it.

another perrson on here stated he is using a cybershot h2. ive been researching that camera and the reviews are pretty favorable. ive also been looking at the canon powershot S3 IS. the only thing is i cannot locate a combo deal on ebay for the canon. i found a deal on the h2 on ebay for 370 plus shipping and it comes with 2 lens, a tripod, 2 gig memory card and more. the canon deal i found is 340$ but it doesnt come with 2 extra lens. since these are the types of cameras im looking at, can anyone chime in and suggest a camera along those price ranges? the reason im looking at the h2 is because a person on here has an avatar that is real clear and the camera he is using isnt a DSLR, meaning it doesnt cost an arm and a leg :P

canon, ive heard, takes really good close up shots.

[dshawls]

or perhaps something like this. id need lessons though, because i dont know anything about DSLRs

http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-EOS-10D-6-3-MEGAPIXEL-PROFESSIONAL-DIGITAL-CAMERA_W0QQitemZ260114730006QQihZ016QQcategoryZ107 906QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

this is roughly the same price as the h2 and S3 im looking at.

[erikharrison]

It looks like that one does't come with a lens. They get pricey. As much if not more than that camera.

[dshawls]

ive really got my eye on this bundle

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-CyberShot-DSC-H2-6MP-DIGITAL-CAM-2GB-KIT-DSCH2_W0QQitemZ280110509427QQihZ018QQcategoryZ1078 98QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Brett Wilson]

Watch out for cheap import versions of our cameras, they usually dont come with warrantys and i've seen a lot of people complaining about the cameras they get on ebay.

dpreview.com has lots of info, they have forums as well.

[brewercm]

Sent you a PM.

[erikharrison]

yeah, get one off new egg.

[dshawls]

i will definatly keep you in mind brewer. the ones on ebay that im looking at claim to be new in box never opened. i did notice that the 10d i was looking at did not include a lens so im no longer considering that. im not sure if i really want to delve into the DSLR world. im thinking the cybershot might be the one for me if i can get one that has a few lens and extra memory for a good price.

like i said though im open to suggestions. i dont have to go with any patricular brand, but i do want something like the cybershot that has alot of good reviews on the net.

[FireWater]

I recently purchased the Sony dsc-h2 and have been very happy with it so far. I have no clue what I am doing with the camera yet, but so far I have been snapping pics of everything with good results. I would check Best Buy or some local stores before putting all the faith in E-bay. I got mine for just above $250 and 10% off any combo of accessories that I wanted at that time @ Best Buy. Plus, once you register your camera with Sony they give you a one time deal on accessories through their website also. I have the camera, bag, tri-pod, 2g card, and a tele lens all for about $350.00 and I dealt person to person. Just my experience and hope it helps.

[dshawls]

firewater,

you got the camera local you say? the combo deal im looking at on ebay comes with 2 lens. i dont think ill use a wide angle lens, but ill definatly put the telephoto lens to use. which best buy did you get your camera at? im assuming they all carry the same stuff huh?

[FireWater]

They should carry the same stuff. Best buy will also price match so if you find it cheaper somewhere else show them. I purchased my tele lens from Sony direct. You might come out a little more by buying it at a store, but the quality of the accessories appears to be better than the stuff that you linked to on e-bay. I can only tell you what I did and what worked for me though- it is your money.

[kirkandkhristi]

Hmmm. All of this discussion is quite interesting as I have really been wanting to upgrade my EOS Elan 35 mm to a DSLR body. I already have the lenses and the flash. $380 for the body is actually a pretty good deal. Now I am going to have to start checking out ebay.

[dshawls]

i think im going to order the h2 off of newegg and purchase the lens from sony or a sony dealer. im a little wary of ordering high priced items off of ebay that say they are new. newegg has never disappointed me, so im sure this time wont be any different.

[tony]

the 10d is about a 5-6 year old body, that really isnt a great deal. i see deals on XTs in the $500 range.

IMO a SLR isnt something you jump into without knowing what you want to do

grab a point and shoot for now to get your feet wet and then see if you grow into an SLR camera. no point in spending that kind of money if you arent going to use the features

if you have particular questions drop me a line, i worked for canon usa for 4-5 years.

if you do a search you can find some informative posts ive made in the past regarding some of the cameras mentioned in this very thread

good luck and post pics when you get said new camera :D

[dshawls]

i decided on a cybershot h2 i found at best buy for the same price as newegg. even got a 1 gig sony memory card on sale for 29.99.

once i read the manual and the sticky thread in this forum, i will start to post pictures.