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Need help buying my wife a camera

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by FirstGenVol, Nov 15, 2019.

  1. Nov 15, 2019 at 7:15 AM
    #1
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol [OP] Brake Czar

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    My wife wants "a camera" for her birthday. I know literally nothing about cameras. She just wants something nice for vacations etc. No specific types of shots in mind.

    Can I get her a nice beginner camera for around $400 or less? Please send me some suggestions.
     
  2. Nov 15, 2019 at 7:19 AM
    #2
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    How much does she want to carry? I’m no camera expert, but i do get good enough pictures for me out of a cheaper cannon eos rebel. Its bulky tho
     
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  3. Nov 15, 2019 at 7:25 AM
    #3
    Ostrich

    Ostrich One bit me once.

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  4. Nov 15, 2019 at 7:37 AM
    #4
    Boerseun

    Boerseun MGM XP-Series

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    Canon Rebel series are good for beginners to fairly good experts. Best Buy has a bundle available now for pre-black friday deal.
     
  5. Nov 15, 2019 at 7:38 AM
    #5
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

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    My wife was in the same boat a year or so ago. I made the decision to go with Canon as we have had success years ago with them. I also chose mirrorless, simple and from Costco.

    We have since added macro and zoom lenses and have been very happy with the quality of the pics. It's a simple camera that has the capability to do full manual.

    The pics from a dedicated camera are superior to any cell phone, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I've done the comparisons first hand, indoors and out. The camera wins every time. Plus digital zoom on phones sucks. Phones are definitely more convenient as you most always have one on you.

    The warranty and return with Costco is hard to beat. We paid less than the link below and in CDN dollars.

    https://www.amazon.com/Canon-M100-Mirrorless-Camera-15-45mm/dp/B074VQ7L1Y

    As @Boerseun said above, the Canon Rebel series is also well regarded.
    https://www.costco.com/all-digital-cameras.html
     
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  6. Nov 15, 2019 at 7:40 AM
    #6
    Boerseun

    Boerseun MGM XP-Series

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    This is a good deal

    Screenshot_20191115-103851.jpg
     
    FirstGenVol[OP] likes this.
  7. Nov 15, 2019 at 7:48 AM
    #7
    ShreveportTSS

    ShreveportTSS Huh?

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    My iPhone takes better pictures, consistently, than most average users get out of the high dollar cameras.
     
  8. Nov 15, 2019 at 8:37 AM
    #8
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol [OP] Brake Czar

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    That Canon looks promising...
     
  9. Nov 15, 2019 at 8:52 AM
    #9
    McMason

    McMason New Member

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    @FirstGenVol I'd recommend a Sony a6000. Has gobs of features, you have the option to switch out/upgrade lenses if desired, is extremely portable, and you can get them on the cheap right now (under $300 if you are ok with a pre-owned model from Adorama.com) I had the a5100 and took some fantastic photos with it. The a6000 is nicer. The stock kit lenses can be had a low prices as well. Great solution if you think she might ever take a more serious interest in it. You can put on a $79 kit lens or a $13k 600mm f4 monster if you want. Good luck!
     
    FirstGenVol[OP] likes this.
  10. Nov 15, 2019 at 8:55 AM
    #10
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol [OP] Brake Czar

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    Thanks. Question, what are they referring to when it says mirrorless and how important is that feature?
     
  11. Nov 15, 2019 at 9:03 AM
    #11
    McMason

    McMason New Member

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    Mirrorless cameras capture images via large sensor instead of from a reflection off a mirror inside the camera body (the way a DSLR does). It is beneficial because it means the camera can now be much lighter and smaller than one requiring a mirror inside without sacrificing image quality. Some say mirrorless will completely take over the DSLR market eventually, some disagree. Either way, they are definitely not going away. Years ago people complained that there weren't enough lenses available for mirrorless cameras, but that isn't the case anymore. For my money, the portability to quality ratio can't be beat. Carrying around a DSLR can be a pain.
     
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  12. Nov 15, 2019 at 9:14 AM
    #12
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol [OP] Brake Czar

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    That's good info. She had actually mentioned getting a used one so I'm checking out that website. I searched for a lens kit on there and wasn't sure what to kit. Which lens kit would your recommend for that a6000?
     
    McMason[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Nov 15, 2019 at 9:20 AM
    #13
    JimboSlice413

    JimboSlice413 Super Nice Guy

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    My wife started with a rebel many years ago. I don't know too much about them but she was happy with this camera for a while. Reviews are great too. Be warned though, if she ends up liking this hobby it can get very expensive. I just bought my wife a 3,000 dollar lens for her birthday. It's crazy

    Screenshot_20191115-091627.jpg
     
  14. Nov 15, 2019 at 9:27 AM
    #14
    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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  15. Nov 15, 2019 at 9:31 AM
    #15
    McMason

    McMason New Member

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    The primary lens that comes with that body is a 16-50mm, which is nice and compact. The longer range standard is a 55-210mm. I personally don't think you need any more reach than ~105mm for a good walk-around range when shooting people or landscapes (vacation photos). Any E-Mount lens will work.

    Here's the OEM 16-50mm on eBay in "perfect condition" for $80:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-E-PZ-...t-Camera/163944716646?epid=133854779&LH_BIN=1

    ...and here's an OEM 55-210mm for $120 if you do want that extra reach:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Very-Clean...ns-30603/113951436480?epid=217344586&LH_BIN=1
     
    This site contains affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
    #15
  16. Nov 15, 2019 at 9:33 AM
    #16
    fisherman951

    fisherman951 MT dreams

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    Cannon rebels are nice but so darn bulky. We have the Sony A6000 now
     
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  17. Nov 15, 2019 at 10:17 AM
    #17
    TundraMcGov.

    TundraMcGov. Your friend. Your foe. Not yo Ho.

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    I'm piggy backing on this to simply point out that the iPhone XI is reported to be the first "cell phone camera" that will rival SLR (large digital true cameras such as Canon and Nikon) for true, pure, quality.

    That said I love my Nikon D90, SLR style, though it is 10 years old. Today Nikon offers a D5600 that would be comparable. Take a look around various events that have lots of photographers. The majority shoot Nikon.
     
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  18. Nov 15, 2019 at 10:31 AM
    #18
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    Some stuff
    not true. you'll see more big white lenses than nikon black but it really becomes a religious debate. kinda like apple vs windows, ford vs chevy, mgm vs pansy white...

    i'm a canon guy from when i first started this career 20 years ago. i'm not really a mirrorless fan because they don't fit my hands. the bodies are way too small for me to hold comfortably. that being said, canon's M50 and M100 are little hot rods. i would also recommend the fuji XT100 or the XA5. fuji is making great cameras right now.
     
  19. Nov 15, 2019 at 10:33 AM
    #19
    smslavin

    smslavin Behind a lens...

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    Some stuff
    look at KEH for used gear. service is great and the quality is superb.
     
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  20. Nov 15, 2019 at 11:06 AM
    #20
    jtaco11

    jtaco11 New Member

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    id just borrow one on 1st trip see if its something you would really use or carry. most current cell phone takes pics just as good nowadays. for starters dslr canon eos rebel t6 or t7 Amazon has bundle w lens, memory card, battery, case, accessories, etc btwn $450-500. a simply I<3U don't work for bdays anymore? LOL
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2019
  21. Nov 15, 2019 at 11:10 AM
    #21
    Gotyour6

    Gotyour6 New Member

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    No, it doesn't.

    Take a picture of the HUGE moon at night or a sunset.
     
  22. Nov 15, 2019 at 12:14 PM
    #22
    TundraMcGov.

    TundraMcGov. Your friend. Your foe. Not yo Ho.

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    More sideline photographers shoot with cameras that run on Mobil 1. :crapstorm:
     
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  23. Nov 15, 2019 at 12:24 PM
    #23
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

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    I'm a Canon guy, have used them professionally and personally for years. I won't get into whether they're better or worse than Nikon or any other brand, I'm just familiar with Canon, so I'm comfortable with the platform.

    The bigger question for your wife's camera is not the brand, but rather how she's going to use it. Any camera with interchangeable lenses (DSLR or mirrorless) is going to be bulky -- like carrying a second purse. Is she going to commit to carrying that around everywhere she goes?
    There's an old photographer's saying: The best camera is the one that's with you. That's to say the best camera in the world won't do you any good if you left it back in your hotel room, or in the trunk of your car because it's too bulky to carry around, or you're afraid you're going to damage it.

    If I was going to purchase a high quality "walking around" camera, I'd go with something in the Fuji X100 series.

    Read a great no-nonsense, real world review here by Ken Rockwell, who is a pro photographer. In the summary, he mentions a few other cameras that might be a better match for your wife depending on her needs, expectations, and commitment.
     
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  24. Nov 15, 2019 at 1:11 PM
    #24
    ShreveportTSS

    ShreveportTSS Huh?

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    Read my post again.
     
  25. Nov 15, 2019 at 1:14 PM
    #25
    ShreveportTSS

    ShreveportTSS Huh?

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    This is true, but most average DSLR users don't have the skill or put in the time to learn to use their cameras, yet they do very well with their phones.
     
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  26. Nov 15, 2019 at 1:30 PM
    #26
    Vince

    Vince New Member

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    Fujifilm - FinePix XP140 16.4-Megapixel Waterproof Digital Camera - Yellow
    $199.99
    Best Buy
    (170)

    Bought my wife this camera she had one of those big lens cameras that you put over your neck I ended up holding that boat ancor so I bought this it is water, sand proof also it takes good underwater pic kid tested mother approved and it takes great pics. Check it out.
     
  27. Nov 16, 2019 at 5:00 AM
    #27
    Gotyour6

    Gotyour6 New Member

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    I read it and most average users try and take pics but fail and just delete the pictures.
    If they could run in the house to get a better camera to capture that moment they would hence why the OP is looking for a camera for his wife.
    Not a phone
     
  28. Nov 16, 2019 at 5:15 AM
    #28
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    I've been kicking around selling my Nikon D3000, has the 18-55, 55-200 lenses, and a few other goodies. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.
     
  29. Nov 16, 2019 at 5:41 AM
    #29
    FirstGenVol

    FirstGenVol [OP] Brake Czar

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    I appreciate all the responses. I ended up ordering her a used Sony a6000 that still had the original box, manual and strap. I'm sure she will like it.
     
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  30. Nov 17, 2019 at 4:10 AM
    #30
    tvpierce

    tvpierce Formerly New Member

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    She will. That's a great camera.
     

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