Camera Question for you photo-wizards

[PureSound15]

Of course I would like to buy a Rebel, or a Nikon of the same status but I just can't afford it right now with the holidays comin up and all. BUT, I would like to buy a nice camera to shoot some deer with (I'm not going to shoot anything unless it's big, so I might as well spend all that time in the woods taking pictures).

First: Does anyone have any used cameras for sale?

Second: If I buy new, I think my best bet is the Canon S2 or S3, as they both allow me to interchange lenses and 12x optical zoom is what I need. Is that the best bet for around $350? Of course one might say not to expect 10lbs of sh1t in a 5lb bag but New Egg has the s3 for $349.95 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16830120043

What do you all suggest?

Thanks,

Ryan

[Slow Joe]

I'm a fan of the Panasonic Lumix I had an FZ20 and have an FZ30 now... (I think those are the models, I'd have to double check) Very nice camera though...

[PureSound15]

Thanks Joe. Yet another option to consider, I'm sick of my Canon Powershot a250 :goof

The fz50k (10 MP) goes for $545 on newegg, that's not horrid... I guess I better spend less on kelly for christmas :shades

[Slow Joe]

I have an FZ30, it's a great camera! 8mp, and it's a bit less expensive than the FZ50, but if you're keeping it for quite some time you'd mightas well pay the extra...

EDIT: I'm retarted I already said I had an FZ30 :rolf Oh yeah one of the drawbacks of the FZ30 is lack of power zoom, but I like it better w/o actually...

[Slow Joe]

Oh and if you'd want to play with my camera and you're in the area don't hesitate to ask...

[johnny--2k]

Go with the cannon. I have no complaints so far with my Rebel, that or a Sony.


Speaking of Sony, I have a 4.2MP Sony wiht a bunch of accessories that I'm trying to get rid of for like $75 if anyone is interested.

[jbiscuit]

TRY TRY TRY and buy a digi rebel or a Nikon D50. The jump in quality is well worth the extra few bucks.

[wikked]

Second: If I buy new, I think my best bet is the Canon S2 or S3, as they both allow me to interchange lenses and 12x optical zoom is what I need. Is that the best bet for around $350?
Ryan

12x optical rox :)
I took these out the window at the Auto Show in March. (with an S2)

http://wikked.com/images/s2is-norm.jpg
http://wikked.com/images/s2is-zoom.jpg

Someone was selling an S2 for like $250 on here.

[jamest]

As yellow wagon said really do try to scrap up the cash for a rebel, rebel xti or Nikon d50. If you are looking at buying used or new check out KEH.com. They have a new Rebel XT body for 600.00 or you can buy used for less than that. Throw in a slightly used lens and I would say you can get a complete setup for around $800.

[johnny--2k]

you can get the rebel xt for $800 new now at CompUSA with the 18-55 kit lens. 799.99 if I remember correctly from the last time I was there.

[PureSound15]

Alright, I've decided to just wait until my tax returns to get a camera, so the Rebel will probably be what I get.

Thanks for the advice guys.

[jamest]

If you are going to wait till spring, I would suggest then picking up a Rebel XTi. It is 10mp instead of 8 from the XT. In addition it comes with a larger screen on the back. Probably by then you'll be able to get used or new kits from $800-$1000.

[PureSound15]

Yep, that's what I was planning on doing. I'm probably going to get the Xti, a filter pack, and maybe a x3 lense or so. I'd like a fish-eye and maybe a few other things but I need to get the basics down first. The other day I had 2 bucks goin at it about 100 yards from me and I couldn't even zoom in enough to be able to tell what they were doing in the picture :crying

[Cleveland Dave]

save money to invest in a telephoto lens as well. then u should have no problem zooming in on them.

[PureSound15]

That's what I've been looking at, I just need to do research to find out what makes a good telephoto lense "good." Of course on ebay there are packages with a bunch of lenses, I'd only be worried that they suck. I don't want to spend a lot of money on a camera and then downgrade it with shatty lenses.

I'd like to be able to see snot bubbles from 100 yards away, hense the S3 being attractive with the 12x optical zoom. I've had a lot of wildlife shots that would have been awesome with a zoom lense.

[Cleveland Dave]

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

and if ur looking for some decent prices
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=FbkYGJDmYy!-1518007608?O=mainbanner&A=FetchChildren&Q=&ci=989

[PureSound15]

Thanks a lot for the links, Dave.

[jamest]

Here is one thing to keep in mind. I would suggest looking at dpreview.com. Not only does it provide great reviews on cameras but has an excellent glossary of terms that you should get to know since you are going with an SLR.

Secondly remember that the numbers given on lenses (70mm-100mm, 80-400mm etc) are based on a 35mm reception area (ie film or digital). With the digital rebel XTi (Let's assume you bought it) the sensor is not a full 35mm size therefore when picking out a lens the magnification will be greater due to the smaller chip. Therefore, lets say you bought a Canon 70-200mm telephoto lens, one I would recommend. When I use it on my Mark II it is a true 70-200mm lens due to the 35mm chip in my camera. Now when you put it onto your rebel it will provide the magnification of a 105mm - 300mm lens due to the smaller sensor. This is called Focal Length Multplier. Keep this in mind when purchasing lenses. The case when this isn't true is when the lens is labeled digital or digital lens, then the focal length will be "true" because it is designed to cover only the area of the chip. I think this will explain it better than my rambling response.

http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Optical/Focal_Length_Multiplier_01.htm

[PureSound15]

Jesus, I guess I have a lot more to learn than I thought, thanks for the link. I guess before I buy anything (other than the rebel), I'll just post it and make sure I'm not buying something I don't need.

Thanks again,

Ryan

[Cleveland Dave]

i was checking out the new canon s3 IS coming out 11/27 looks really nice for 350 on crutchfield.com maybe ill pick up one i love my rebel but its sometimes too bulky to take out with me everywhere and telephoto lens can be super pricey....and with a 12x zoom = to 36 mm to something like 436 mm that would be very nice when u think about getting similar in a SLR...700-800 for the body and a decent zoom could run 400-2000+.