best camera for the lowest price
Aug 6, 2014 06:19:36 #
Hi there. I am relatively new to photography. I have a very tight budget. What I need is a camera that will allow me to take various types of photos including portrait and sports photos. I was thinking about the Nikon d3100 because it is entry level so I would be able to use it to learn and the price seems right on EBay. Any insight anyone could provide would be great. As I said, my budget is very tight at this moment. As in 275.00 or less. I know I can't get much but I am hoping that by patience, luck, and eBay I may find something. Thank you in advance!
Aug 6, 2014 06:39:43 #
You could have had my Canon T-3, with 2 lenses for close to that. But it's too late now. Good luck.
Aug 6, 2014 06:43:16 #
twinhearts wrote:
Hi there. I am relatively new to photography. I ha... (show quote)
Consider refurbished, rather than used. Unfortunately, adding a lens to the body pushes the price $54 over your limit.
http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=d3100%20refurb
Aug 6, 2014 07:22:58 #
Be careful of what you buy new or used on ebay. Especially if it's being advertised as new and the price is too good to be true. It maybe gray market & won't have a US warranty.
Aug 6, 2014 08:26:29 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
twinhearts wrote:
Hi there. I am relatively new to photography. I ha... (show quote)
You might want to consider a point-and-shoot, with a viewfinder and manual controls. Once you've learned it's capabilities and limitations, you will be experienced enough to make a wise decision when ready to move up to a more versatile camera suited for the type of photography you want to do.
Personally, I would never consider Amazon or Ebay, although many here do. Here are 3 pages of what's available in the $200-300 price range from a reputable dealer:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Point-Shoot-Digital-Cameras/mnp/200/ci/8612/N/4288586279/mxp/300
Welcome to UHH, and enjoy your quest.
Aug 6, 2014 08:37:23 #
twinhearts wrote:
Hi there. I am relatively new to photography. I ha... (show quote)
Snapsort is a web site where you can plug in your criteria, look at the results, then compare the results with competing cameras side by side.
http://www.snapsort.com
Aug 6, 2014 15:41:08 #
You could look for a Nikon D70 with a lens that should be in the 200 range. This camera will give you a learning curve, and yet be able to give decent pictures set on the automatic settings. It is only 6 megapixels, but don't let that be too big a negative. You can get nice results with the D70 and also 11 x 14 prints without any problem.
Aug 6, 2014 21:53:05 #
twinhearts wrote:
Hi there. I am relatively new to photography. I ha... (show quote)
Check out the Sony alpha line...I had an a230 and it was a great learner camera, all the older Sony Alphas use Minolta a-mount lenses which can be found on eBay pretty cheap. Here's a kit that includes two lenses in your price range... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-alpha-A230L-10-2-MP-Digital-Kit-w-18-55-100-200-lens-a100-a200-/261554123775?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item3ce5d733ff
It only has a 2gig card, I'd upgrade that to at least an 8gig class 10. A SquareTrade warranty is available and/or pay with PayPal, if anything is wrong with it, PayPay will get your money back.
Note: the A230 doesn't have live view, you have to use the viewfinder. The LCD shows the tech specs of the photo and a brief, low resolution, quick look at the shot you just took. Don't panic when you see the picture on the screen..it will look terrible, but once you download it to the computer you will be pleased.
Or here's the A330, it has live view...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-DSLR-A330-10-2-MP-Digital-Camera-/151374306952?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item233e9c9e88
I found both of these on the first page of a quick search, there are lots more to choose from.
Good luck in your search!
Aug 7, 2014 01:35:00 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
twinhearts wrote:
Hi there. I am relatively new to photography. I ha... (show quote)
The D3100 is a great entry level camera. In the past couple of years, two friends ended up with it, and both are very happy.
It is about $275 used at KEH, one of the better stores for used photography equipment. You would then need a lens to start with, like the 18-55mm, which would be another $70-100. A cheaper option would be a used Nikon D80, an older camera but it still takes excellent pictures.
Aug 7, 2014 07:45:03 #
Donkas1946
Loc: Southern NH
I have purchased most of my camera equipment, save for one body, o my local
craigslist. I trust that more than EBay as you get to meet the person and try out the equipment before buying. Especially lenses. You also get to haggle. I have saved thousands and have been taken advantage of, yet anyway. So good luck!quote=nicksr1125]Be careful of what you buy new or used on ebay. Especially if it's being advertised as new and the price is too good to be true. It maybe gray market & won't have a US warranty.[/quote]
craigslist. I trust that more than EBay as you get to meet the person and try out the equipment before buying. Especially lenses. You also get to haggle. I have saved thousands and have been taken advantage of, yet anyway. So good luck!quote=nicksr1125]Be careful of what you buy new or used on ebay. Especially if it's being advertised as new and the price is too good to be true. It maybe gray market & won't have a US warranty.[/quote]
Aug 7, 2014 08:37:26 #
twinhearts wrote:
Hi there. I am relatively new to photography. I ha... (show quote)
You might consider a Nikon J1. It is cheap right now and is apt to become even cheaper when the V1 gets into the stores; you can probably pick up a new one with two lenses in your price range and it would be a good learning camera. You likely will want to upgrade in a few years but you will have learned what you want and what you don't care about in a camera.
Aug 7, 2014 08:40:53 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Consider refurbished, rather than used. Unfortunately, adding a lens to the body pushes the price $54 over your limit.
http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=d3100%20refurb
http://www.cameta.com/index.cfm?fa=display.search&page=1&keywords=d3100%20refurb
Ditto, refurbished is an excellent choice. Save up a few extra dollars and go with what Jerry suggests, as this is a great deal and will meet your starter needs.
Aug 7, 2014 10:12:54 #
twinhearts wrote:
Hi there. I am relatively new to photography. I ha... (show quote)
First things first. I'm very hinky about Ebay. It has become a dumping ground for all kinds of scams. Some people have very good luck with them. Others... I've heard so many sob stories.
I'd recommend, as was earlier, the Canon t3 or perhaps the t3i. These are both above your budget but you're correct, you won't get very much with your budget.
There's no such thing as cheap quality... it doesn't exist in anything you buy. So... think quality - think expensive.
Aug 7, 2014 10:39:23 #
kpassaur
Loc: Valrico FL
Go on craig's list and do a seach for a maximum of $275 and see what comes up. Then check out the specifications. If it meets your needs then meet with the person and check it out first hand before purchasing. If you this you can find some real deals, good enough so that you can play with what you purchased and sell it six months later and put money in your pocket. That's how got just about all my stuff. The last one was a Canon 60D with a 28-135mm, a 50mm 1.4 and an old 28-90 and a backpack for $700. All with boxes and virtually new. The body had less than 4000 clicks on it. I sold the backpack, body and 28-135 for $695 so I have $5 into a 50mm 1.4. and the old 28-90. Deals like this come up usually around once a month where you can make a quick hundred or two. With ebay there are to many chances when buying a camera body.
Aug 7, 2014 10:46:10 #
You can get a refurb Canon T3 with a 18-55mm lens for $252 with free shipping and a 1 year Canon warranty.
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras/eos-rebel-t3-black-ef-s-18-55mm-is-ii-lens-kit-refurbished
I would have suggested the refurb Canon T3i with that lens for $336 but it is currently OoS.
You mention being interested in sports photos. Unfortunately there is no budget way to capture quality sports action with a DSLR because a lens required will set you back a minimum of $1,500 right there.
You could try a super zoom point and shoot like a Canon SX50 which I think are around $400. But those present a separate set of issues for action photos.
Be careful of ebay in general for this type of gear.
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras/eos-rebel-t3-black-ef-s-18-55mm-is-ii-lens-kit-refurbished
I would have suggested the refurb Canon T3i with that lens for $336 but it is currently OoS.
You mention being interested in sports photos. Unfortunately there is no budget way to capture quality sports action with a DSLR because a lens required will set you back a minimum of $1,500 right there.
You could try a super zoom point and shoot like a Canon SX50 which I think are around $400. But those present a separate set of issues for action photos.
Be careful of ebay in general for this type of gear.
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