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HELP! Novice to digital needs your help.


j.e.t

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Hi all. I am new to these boards and new to digital and would

totally appreciate any advice you can give me. I know there is so

much information out there about digital cameras, but since I am

looking for a digital camera with certain requirements, maybe

you all could tell me if it even exists:

 

- at least 3 megapixels

- has the capacity to use external flash, studio flash

- has a video mode (not essential, but nice to have)

- under $1000

 

I have a Canon 35 mm, can these lenses be used on a digital

body? Also, can the Speedlite external flash units be used on a

digital body as well? I am assuming that the only bodies that will

work with these Canon parts would be a Canon body, right?

Would it be wiser to spend a little more money on a Canon

digital camera so I can use my existing equipment with it, or

should I go for something else?

 

Also, I don't live in a big city. Which Web sites have you had the

best experiences with, in terms of price, efficiency and customer

service?

 

THANK YOU!

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Have you looked at Canon's Web sites to see what products they

sell?

 

No camera meets your specifications - no current digital camera

with interchangeable lenses is as cheap as $1000 US. (I

assume US dollars since you don't say what country you're in)

However, a used Canon D30 is edging down in price closer to

that mark and can use all Canon EF mount lenses and EX

series Speedlite flash units.

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Thanks for your response.

 

Maybe I don't need interchangeable lenses. If the mounted lens

has a zoom capacity that is wide enough, that would probably be

sufficient. As for the flash hook-up, that is still important. Is a

Canon digital body the only one that could work with a Canon

Speedlite?

 

So, in general, for that price range about $1000 (US), if I take

away the interchangeable lens requirement, is there something

out there that takes professional quality photos? I would also

like for the camera to have aperture/shutter priority, etc.

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The Canon G1, G2, and the new G3 all work with Canon Speedlights. These are top of the line consumer cameras, with excellent zoom lenses and full manual control. Canon makes add-on wide angle and telephoto lenses. These cameras are certainly capable of pro quality work, though they're not as good as the D30 or D60. However, they cost a lot less- well under $1000, if you shop around. The old G1 is a 3MP camera, the later G2/G3 are 4MP. The G3 just came out. Read the reviews on your favorite camera geek site.
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Does anyone have any experience with the G3? It seems to

have gotten some good reviews.

 

I guess I am not sure which price bracket to go with. Both the

D30 and the G3 seem like very good cameras but are they even

in the same league? Even if I were to purchase the D30, won't it

be obsolete in a couple months? That is a big investment to

make...

 

If I am to stray away from Canon, what other digital cameras out

there can offer the same high-quality?

 

Thanks

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For web pages, none of these cameras will ever be obsolete as they all produce pictures larger than any web page should contain. For prints, try going to a digital camera review site, print out sample images at the size you need, and see if the consumer cameras do what you need.
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  • 1 month later...

I just bought a Canon Powershot G2 and am very impressed with it. I have

had some standard color prints made, and it looks (at 4x6 inches) better than

any 35mm point & shoot. I don't think I'd buy the newer G3 because it's not

that much better than the G2, and at least $100.00 more expensive. You

should be able to find the G2 at B&H Photo or Adorama for around $619.00

US before shipping. This camera will be capable of producing decent 8x10

images for the life of the chip. I think canon has a real advantage in that their

powershot models can use the "RAW" format and go down to ASA 50. using

those 2 settings, (and a tripod when needed!) will give you all the image

quality you'd need for anything but the most demanding work. You simply

can't go wrong with this camera for the money.

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