best starter camera....under $500

[bankwalker]

ok i think it is time. i was at best buy the other day looking at cameras. they have a nikon d3000 with lense that i really liked for $499 on sale. i want to get a nikon, just becasue i love thier products. but i am open to other makes.

what i am looking for is a camera that i can take pics of animals 300-500. something that i can start off with and upgrade if i really get into taking pictures

i dont need to buy new by any means, but knowing what i should look for as a quality camera is what i want to know. more then likely i will buy used, and try and buy a package deal with lense, etc

thanks

[ML_Hunter]

The lowest end Camera I would really recommend for what you want to do would be a Nikon D-90 which should run around $1000.  And if you were saying you wanted to take photos of critters at 300-500 yards...Plan on spending about $12,000 for a lens and no, that's not a typo.  If you want a lens that is over 300mm your going to spend big bucks.

I would recommending getting together with someone who knows cameras and the two of you go down to a camera store to look at features and get what you need.  SLR cameras are spendy, but a good setup will last you a very long time! 

[Hornseeker]

Seriously, if you want to get "started" and take good pics at animals long range...and close... you want to get the Canon SX30IS. Its a point and shoot that will amaze you. Panasonic makes some good models as well, FZ28 being one of them, FZ100, etc... But I'd go with the Canon.

LIke mentioned above, if you want to do wildlife with a DSLR, you are looking at spending say $600 on a body and another $1400 min on a lens that will get you close. The 100-400 is only a $1500 lens...that would be a great way to start. However, you are good to go with the little canon POS, SX30IS...

Let us know what you decide to do!

[uplandhunter870]

ill throw another vote out there for the point and shoot megazoom type digis.  i have the sx20is from canon its my first "real" camera.  it is really easy to learn and a great starter type camera

[jackelope]

Megazoom point and shoot unless you want to drop huge huge money.

[Bob33]

Don't get fooled by "megapixels". That's primarily marketing hype.  The two most significant factors are (1) sensor size, and (2) lens quality.  Take a look at the following diagram.  Point and shoots all use the smallest sensors.  A 14 megapixel point and shoot with a tiny sensor will not produce anywhere near the quality of photos of a 5 megapixel camera with a larger sensor (like an SLR).

[smg id=10157]

[bankwalker]

when you guys say point and shoot........do you mean a camera with a built in lense?


how would this camera be???

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/digitalcamera/coolpix/performance/p100/index.htm

[Bob33]

Image sensor 1/2.3-in. CMOS; total pixels: approx. 10.6 million

Compare that to an SLR like the D90 on the sensor size chart above.
Image sensor CMOS sensor, 23.6 x 15.8 mm; total pixels: 12.9 million; Nikon DX format

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/digitalcamera/slr/d90/spec.htm

[ML_Hunter]

Bankwalker, reading my last post I realized that I sounded like a real @$$ and did not mean to sound as such.  I don't want for you to get discouraged!  Photography is a ton of fun and give me an excuse to but out in the woods year round. 

To answer your question about a Point and shoot camera, yes they are going to have built in lenses.  Problem...there a just a TON on the market.  Image sensor is a big key in purchasing a camera for wildlife photography.  Another thing you will want to look at is the lens diameter.  Make sure its going to be able to pick up light in low light situations and in shaded areas.  I carry both a DSLR (Nikon D200) and a point and shoot (Sony something?).  The point and shoot is nice for often it does not take a lot of set up time.  I do however take the majority of my photos with the DLSR. 

Ps. If your point and shoot can use a remote shutter release...bonus points!

[Hornseeker]

Bottom line is guys, he cant afford a DSLR with any glass... I will guarantee you, that he will have more fun with a 10X, 12X, 20X or 35X lens like some of the POS's have than with the 28-55mm lenses that come with a DSLR kit.. At least in My Humble Opinion... Could be wrong I guess.... that makes for a weak guarantee huh?

Bank...I spend a lot of time out and take a lot of pics... I have a great time with my S5IS..which is 12X zoom and 8 mp... Low light DEFINITELY challenging for these cameras when you start zooming. But that is true of the SLR's also...unless you drop the 1500+ on a lens...

[bankwalker]

ML hunter.....no worries i didnt take it as anything other then being straight to the point. 

frankly i am not wanting to get super into photography. im more so looking for another reason to get out into the woods and scout. so buying a camera is the perfect option.

[elksnout]

I looked long and hard between new and used. Posted a few questions on here and read many posts too. I ended up buying a used Nikon D40X and love it. Got the camera with a couple of lenses for 450.00 off Craig's List. Takes super pictures and got me into digital photography without breaking the bank. Camera was hardly used. My thought process was that this would be my " learning " camera until I got really good and knew my way around so to speak. I honestly can say that at this point I will just get better lenses and keep on using the body. That's what I think anyways.

[bankwalker]

I looked long and hard between new and used. Posted a few questions on here and read many posts too. I ended up buying a used Nikon D40X and love it. Got the camera with a couple of lenses for 450.00 off Craig's List. Takes super pictures and got me into digital photography without breaking the bank. Camera was hardly used. My thought process was that this would be my " learning " camera until I got really good and knew my way around so to speak. I honestly can say that at this point I will just get better lenses and keep on using the body. That's what I think anyways.

that is kinda what i was thinking. buying used....and if i liked it i would just buy better lenses as i get better.