Camera Advice

Ok so I'm biting the bullet and getting a good camera. Mostly I want it for taking good pictures of my jewelry but of course it will be used for taking pictures of Hannah.

I've been looking around a bit (although really don't know what I should be looking for)

I've come across the nikon D40 and the Nikon CoolPix P80. can someone help me with what the difference is between these cameras?

I want something that is user friendly, easy for me to learn how to use effectively. I don't really need a lot of bells and whistles like lens' and such I just want something that will be easy for me to use to improve my jewelry photos.

HELP... I don't have a clue

Well, to give you a visual, all of HBH's Cleo and Beagle photos are taken with a D40, IIRC. The Coolpix is ok, but honestly, if you're going for a little pocket camera, I would recommend a Canon Powershot over a Nikon Coolpix. Sony's Cybershot does a good job too.

But for the detail you are wanting for your jewlery, I would go with a D40. You'll love the faster shutter speed for getting pics of the dogs and Hannah as well.

I suggest the D40 too. Plus when Hannah is on the move the zoom and fast shutter speed will work good. And the regular lens it comes with does pretty good macro shots.

Someone directed me to Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ when I was looking for a camera. It helped me figure out what I wanted. I ended up with a Canon Powershot.

OK I was leaning towards the D40... but the lower price tag on the other one got me thinking hahaha.

Now is the D40 easy to learn to use? I mean I'm not going to have to take a class or anything just to learn how to use it am I? I need something pretty user friendly lol I tjust sounds so complicated

The nice thing about DSLRs is that you can learn to do some advanced things and take great pictures, or you can shoot completely in manual mode and still take very nice shots

The D40 is a great camera, though I recommend you read some reviews first. What's great is you can progress from Auto (press the shutter button) to A or S modes and then into manual. With A you choose which Aperture setting you'd like and the camera adjusts everything else to match it. It's the same with S where you adjust the Shutter Speed.

Anyway, won't confuse you too early! DSLRs are really fun if you learn how to use them!

I meant to say you can shoot completely in AUTO FOCUS and still get very nice pics--not manual (manual would be if you were actually focusing and doing everything yourself

I'm starting to do the research now for this as well...sounds like we're in a similar boat.

This website has been PRICELESS to me: KenRockwell.com

He does some amazing things, showing how a lot of the expensive stuff isn't worth it at all to the average consumer, potentially saving a lot of money. His recommendation over and over again is the D40, and the more I read by him the more I like his logic and reasons.

If the camera is mainly for taking pics of your jewlery I would go with the D40... the reason I like smaller pocket cameras better is because I mainly use them for traveling and HATE carrying a huge camera around on vacation. I like something I can drop in my pocket but can still take good shots... I use a SONY cybershot.

The P80 is NOT a dslr. You won't be able to change lenses later on. It's a fancy compact camera. If you want easy to use but a bit more flexible and don't plan on ever advancing then it's probably a decent option but read some reviews. I don't know that much about it.

The D40 is a dslr. It will let you get new lenses later on. You will have a lot of flexibility and will be able to advance. It will also start you onto the learning curve to more advanced cameras if you want to do that later. This camera does not have autofocus in the body so it is limited in which lenses you can use (if you want AF). So when you buy lenses (later) you'll need to make sure they are compatible. Don't worry about that right now. The lens it comes with is obviously compatible and will be fine for your jewellery and indoor pics of hannah and the pups as well as closer outdoor pics.

basic cheap point and shoot digi...thoughts?

my digital is dying slowly, its an older Kodack and while i love it, its slowly starting to fade...the battery isnt securely in there anymore (the latch broke) and occasionally the lense wont open when its turned on, and now ive aparently lost my connection cable which will cost a good $40 to replace because its an older camera with an odd connection...

to top it off its rather bulky.

im looking for a SIMPLE, easy to use camera, im not a photographer, i take pictures of my dogs and the occasional flower lol ease of use is key.
im also looking for something small and compact...i like the size of the sony cybershot and similar.
i dont need all the bells and whistles, im never planning on going the manual route (i have enough other hobbies).
i also want something thats cute...yes shallow as i am.

i like kodak because there EASY, the software is easy to use and cool for editing, the camera is easy to use, and dl'ing pics off the camera doesnt take an IT degree.
pictures have always come out nice (not professional but clear and colors are nice)

im thinking about
Kodak M1063
its a 10.2 MP with a 3x (to 5x) zoom. good reveiws as a beginner/intermediate point and click with image stabalizers and facial rec with blurr reduction (i have a slight shake)
2.7" high res LCD with up to 1000iso
with a good number of pre set "scene selections"
its got all the same basice features of my current camera which i realy do love...but its smaller with better megapixels and zoom...
and of course it comes with a rechargable Li-Ion battery and charger (which have great life)
right now ive got acess to a special deal to get a nice case and a 1 gig SD card with it for $140 inc shipping.

id like to stick with the kodak for a few reasons
1: familiarity
2: ease
3: i have the kocak compatible plug and play photo printer...all i do it pop my camera on top and choose the pictures... (im not sure if you can use it with other cameras direct from the camera...and im not sure i want to have to drag out all the wires and plug stuff in when i want to actually print pictures...i like being able to just drop it on there press a button and go.

ive also been debating the Sony Cybershot...
theres 2 models im considering
S950
this one would end up costing me $130 plus shipping and id then have to buy a new sd card and case.
10.1 MP
4x (8x) zoom
2.7" display with a 3200 iso, blurr reduction and face recognition
easy shoot with a bunch of different scene selections (not as many as the kodak, blurr reduction facial rec ect...
and again Li-Ion rechargable.

or

S980
this one would bump it up an extra $20 from the other cybershot and the only difference being 12.1 megapixels.


im a little worried about a 3200 ISO producing too much noise in the images, in good light my little current old kodak produces nice clear pictures and its got a fairly low ISO but its grainy in indoor with less than ideal lighting (im assuming because the ISO is too slow?)

gah, sooo many numbers and words, i r confuddled.

(and the nikon D40 is SOOO out of my range lol)

Recommended Cameras

Highest recommended is the Canon SD series...and I would agree. I've had SO many problems with Kodak as far as taking even half-ass decent shots. My dad has one of these, English has one of these and they are AMAZING and pretty easy to use.

sooo sorry about that!not trying to hijack honest!

note to self...dont let jasper help type...i thought i was in a new post.