Advice for a new camera (pics added)

[Arteman]

I've never got in to photography much as far as learning the technical aspect of it, but have always been one of those people that has to take pics for everything that's going on. Rather its hunting pics, wildlife, kill shots, etc, or birthday parties, kids sports, family get togethers.  Anything that I think has a meaning and should be remembered I'm taking photos.  I want a professional quality camera but don't want to spend 8 to 10 grand getting one.  Been checking today on cams and came across the new Nikon D800E and was wondering if anybody is familiar with this camera, and if it would be a decent enough camera from taking pix of high speed sports to far off wildlife with a little bit of professionalism?  Thanks for any help, I know there is many talented photographers on the site that are good at what they do, so thought id ask here.

[6x6in6]

I think you meant Nikon's D800E, yes?

[Arteman]

I think you meant Nikon's D800E, yes?

Yes, my bad.  You are correct, I meant nikon.   

[6x6in6]

I think you meant Nikon's D800E, yes?

Yes, my bad.  You are correct, I meant nikon.   

I'll delete my posts if you delete yours, since you edited your OP.
For the sake of humility of course.   

[Arteman]

It's all good, just goes to show my amount of knowledge on the subject    I was looking at both types of cameras because they seem to make a lot of low end affordable cameras and were the two brands I see a lot.  However, i was looking at their high end models for better quality.  Reason being, I took some pics of some bulls this weekend and got fairly close, but the detail is very dull in the photos and I was maybe 40 to 50 yards away.  I'll post the pics.

[6x6in6]

 
I bought my daughter for x-mas the Canon Rebel.  For an "entry" type level of DSLR camera, I was quite impressed with the quality and how user friendly it is.
I bought the Mrs an Olympus a few years back.  Nice camera but jeez, it's got so many bells and whistles you need to go to school to learn how to use the dog gone thing.  We just leave it on Auto and take the picture taking for dummies route.  LOL!!

[Arteman]

Ill call this guy Trashy Five.  Close enough i could have thrown a saddle on him, but crappie cam.

[wall of wood camp]

I bought a Nikon D5000 at costco that has been a great camera.  it came with two different lenses and takes some pretty darn good quality photos.  My wife takes pics of our kids and many others and always gets asked if they are professional pictures. dont have anything bad to say about it.

[Arteman]

Thanks guys, ill look in to all those cams.  Also ill keep trying to post these pics, haven't had this problem before.

[Arteman]

Trashy Five...

[Arteman]

Also another Bull I took pics of was this 5x4 with a killer third on his left side, but his right didnt grow a second eyeguard and what should be his third grew in pretty low.  Nice looking Bull though.

[Wazukie]

when it comes to photography, its really not about what camera body you have.  Yes, the D800 would be nice, its the newest of the Nikon line but its starts at $3000 just for the body.  To take the pic's, especially wildlife, its more about the glass you have rather then the body.  If its Nikon you're looking for, I'd go for a new D7000 or a used D700 and invest in a decent lens.  As for Canon, I'm sure a canon shooter will chime in.  Good luck with what ever you buy, but shoot lots of photo and learn good technique.

[huntnnw]

any of the experts on here will tell u lens lens lens lens lens.

[Arteman]

when it comes to photography, its really not about what camera body you have.  Yes, the D800 would be nice, its the newest of the Nikon line but its starts at $3000 just for the body.  To take the pic's, especially wildlife, its more about the glass you have rather then the body.  If its Nikon you're looking for, I'd go for a new D7000 or a used D700 and invest in a decent lens.  As for Canon, I'm sure a canon shooter will chime in.  Good luck with what ever you buy, but shoot lots of photo and learn good technique.

Thanks Waz, typically would a person only need one lens for taking most photos?  I really need to start reading and learning this stuff, or just go buy one and learn by using one I guess. 

[popeshawnpaul]

No offense, but the new D800 camera is way too much camera for you given some of the statements and sample images.  You won't get much better quality with a better camera if your lens isn't that great.  Focus your money on the lens first as that would improve your photographs.  You wouldn't use 90% of the capabilities of that camera.  It is the equivalent to buying a Ferrari, putting skinny wheels on it, and not knowing how to drive the car much.  Get a nice entry level DSLR.  Any entry level camera could make a cover shot for national geographic quality wise.  When you are ready for a 36 megapixel advanced camera, you'll know it.  Unless you have money to burn, then just do what you want.   

[Hornseeker]

From what Ive gleaned from Pope, Bone and many others on other forums that shoot DSLR's... Pope just hit the nail on the head. Like Pope said, if you flat have the money to burn, then yeah...get the big dog body AND some sweet glass. But if you dont have money to burn, get a lower end entry level body and buy a $2000 lens... or two 

[Wazukie]

Art, I think if I were you, I'd find a used D90 with a kit lens.  Learn how to use it well.  Take lots of photo's, read the manual .  Search the web for do's and don'ts ask lots of questions.  But most of all, do not expect to get pictures like some of the ones on here (Bone and such). IT takes a long time to become proficient, but do not get discouraged as you are learning.  When I go out shooting, I take hundreds of pictures and get very few that I feel worthy of posting or even printing.  Once you figure out what kind of photo's you want to take, then decide on what lenses will fit that criteria.  I've seen some incredible photo's come from old D50's and just a 70-300 lens.  When you here people say that the glass is the most important thing in the mix, next to technique, they mean it and many have learned that through experience.  As for Canon, I am not familiar with their stuff as I am a Nikon shooter.  Maybe a 30D or 40D?

[Arteman]

Thanks guys for all the input, the cam I used for those photos was just a 150 dollar cam I think 8 mp I got at Target that tags along in my pack when I get out.  Sometimes the opportunity arises where I wish I had a cam that could really zoom in and take great pics, mainly with my kids sports, but like these bulls I had to belly crawl about 50+ yards just to get within 40 yards of them and on top of that had to use the digital zoom to really get a photo, with it feeding towards me.  Be nice to just sit back and start snapping photos.  I didn't realize that the 800e was like one of the top dogs in cam world, thought maybe professional photographers had a whole different league of cam brands I knew nothing about.  Also thought you just buy the cam and go, clearly not the cam for me if I have to pay 2,500 for the body then have to turn around and buy expensive lenses as well.  I'll lower my standards considerably as I am no professional, just want professional looking photos.  What really got me going on this was the photos my kids leagues took of kids and their teams that I could download off the net at the end of the season, and how much better they were with just the subjects in focus, even way out running bases and such.  Thanks guys for the tips.

[Arteman]

And with that I'm already learning, ill focus more on a entry level cam and get some good lenses.   

[ollie]

canon t3i is a good start $749 i believe ?. upgrade the lens and take a class is the best way to get somewhat good at shooting .

[huntnphool]

 Pope is spot on! I would buy pre owned as well and sink the money into quality glass rather than the kit lenses.

[Hornseeker]

If you go the T3i route, you can get the body for like $500... then buy a thousand or 1500 dollar lens (like the canon 100-400 for wildlife)... then buy the nifty fifty, then buy some sort of wide angle zoon for a couple hundred.$2500 max and you'd have a sweet set up...at least in my opinion.

Keep us posted on what ya do!

[boneaddict]

Get a Canon....20D, 30D, 40D ........... probably will do just fine.   If you want to photgraph your kids sports, then a 2.8 200 IS.   Sky is the limit on glass.  How deep are your pockets?   Bad thing is.   Its a big enough payload that you need to be dedicated to pack the camera and the glass.   Hap ans stance shots are a thing of the past.   You still need that P/S.

Everyone always kids me about why I don't have my camera with me all the time.   

[Arteman]

Thanks for more advice guys, I really do appreciate it.  I'd like to try and get something before this years baseball games start, ill for sure let you all know what route I go.  Sounds like there are plenty ot options.

[huntnnw]

Keep your eyes open on Craigslist ...I Just picked up a Canon 30D..for $325

[Arteman]

Keep your eyes open on Craigslist ...I Just picked up a Canon 30D..for $325

Seen your thread, from some of the statements it sounds like you got an awesome deal.   

[6x6in6]

It's a long ways away from you, but.....
http://bellingham.craigslist.org/pho/2820429910.html

[Wazukie]

It's a long ways away from you, but.....
http://bellingham.craigslist.org/pho/2820429910.html

Way to much for a D50 and the rest of it.

[Smokepole]

Well I agree with Pope and Bone & some others.  You can get great pics from an entry level dslr.  They have all the bells and whistles, just not as heavily built as the pro cameras.  The Canon 20d, 30d, 40d weren't entry level, just older models.  If you can find a 30 or 40 with low miles, you will love it.  You can get good at dslr photography with a kit lens at first.  Learn about shutter speeds for different applications and depth of field.  Play around with the thing.  It's not that hard once you have it in your hands & you can experiment.  Then when you start getting good, you'll want the best lenses you can afford.  Go for it.  There is no glory in point & shoot.    

[Wazukie]

Well I agree with Pope and Bone & some others.  You can get great pics from an entry level dslr.  They have all the bells and whistles, just not as heavily built as the pro cameras.  The Canon 20d, 30d, 40d weren't entry level, just older models.  If you can find a 30 or 40 with low miles, you will love it.  You can get good at dslr photography with a kit lens at first.  Learn about shutter speeds for different applications and depth of field.  Play around with the thing.  It's not that hard once you have it in your hands & you can experiment.  Then when you start getting good, you'll want the best lenses you can afford.  Go for it.  There is no glory in point & shoot.    

Except for the Nikon F 1 V1, awesome little camera!

[bubbagin]

The thing to remember is that the body is replaceable  but the lens is an investment.Go with  agood used nikon D 200 and then invst in a quality lens perhaps a  for wild life a 150-500 telephoto