Is This A Good Deal/Camera?

[KWAK]

I have been looking for a while for a decent camera that takes great shots - something that will look better than the photographer that I am - but don't have lots to spend on anything extravagant with features I don't know how to use anyway.

Does anyone know if this is a good camera/deal?

FWIW - I mostly take pics of my kids!

Refurbished Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with lens for $350 + free shipping

factory-refurbished Nikon D40 6.1-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom Lens, model no. 25420, for $349.99. Features include a 2.5" LCD, 2.5fps, USB 2.0 connectivity, spot metering, and Secure Digital card slot. A 90-day Nikon warranty applies.

 

[wch]

I have been looking for a while for a decent camera that takes great shots - something that will look better than the photographer that I am - but don't have lots to spend on anything extravagant with features I don't know how to use anyway.

Does anyone know if this is a good camera/deal?

FWIW - I mostly take pics of my kids!

Refurbished Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with lens for $350 + free shipping

factory-refurbished Nikon D40 6.1-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom Lens, model no. 25420, for $349.99. Features include a 2.5" LCD, 2.5fps, USB 2.0 connectivity, spot metering, and Secure Digital card slot. A 90-day Nikon warranty applies.

They are excellent cameras, I have one myself, they take pretty good pics on auto mode or you can play with the knobs and buttons to get the photos to look the way you want them. Lightweight makes a good travel camera (reason I bought one) a good beginner DSLR, be prepared to fork over cash for accessories ( new Sigma 18-200mm = $330)
For a $100 more you can get a new one with full warranty

 

[hvp05]

something that will look better than the photographer that I am

Cameras don't take great pictures, people do.

Where are you looking to buy it? If it's a recognized retailer you can probably trust them. Some guy off Craigslist; may be a bit of a risk.

 

[kom526]

I have what's known as a "super zoom" point and shoot camera and it works great for me. No extra lenses to carry around or buy 12x optical and 48x digital zoom with all the same shooting modes as a DSLR for a lot less. I paid 250-275 for mine and it came with a high speed card reader, battery charger, camera bag and lens cleaning kit with some other little sundry items.

 

[belvak]

I'm waiting for my Nikon P90 to ship. Like hvp05 said though, it's not the camera, it's the person taking the pics. Hope I can learn to use mine and learn to take some great pics!!

 

[aps45819]

I have been looking for a while for a decent camera that takes great shots - something that will look better than the photographer that I am - but don't have lots to spend on anything extravagant with features I don't know how to use anyway.

Does anyone know if this is a good camera/deal?

FWIW - I mostly take pics of my kids!

You'll want something small enough to keep handy to grab quick shots of the kids.
I've got a Fuji FinPix S1000fd
Takes great pictures, big zoom. handy enough so I carry it with me. Costs less than half of those used Nikons

I've had several SLRs. You will need to carry a large bag with various lenses and filters or guess as to what you'll need when you walk off.
Taking pictures becomes work


Don't use the LCD display to compose your shot at arms length, use the view finder.

 

[kom526]

Don't use the LCD display to compose your shot at arms length, use the view finder.

That arms length stuff will lead to bblluurriinngg.

 

[jbr13]

I have been looking for a while for a decent camera that takes great shots - something that will look better than the photographer that I am - but don't have lots to spend on anything extravagant with features I don't know how to use anyway.

Does anyone know if this is a good camera/deal?

FWIW - I mostly take pics of my kids!

Refurbished Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera with lens for $350 + free shipping

factory-refurbished Nikon D40 6.1-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with the Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom Lens, model no. 25420, for $349.99. Features include a 2.5" LCD, 2.5fps, USB 2.0 connectivity, spot metering, and Secure Digital card slot. A 90-day Nikon warranty applies.

For what you are looking for I would recommend going with a nice Point and shoot that has a good amount of zoom, and a flash. This will give you everything you need for one set price. With the D40 you get the 18-55mm lens, that won't be enough zoom, so you will buy a cheap zoom lens like the 70-300mm or 55-200mm and spend between another $139-$229.

Whatever camera you have or buy, the best advice out there is find a book, cd, something to help you learn how to use that cameras features. You will learn that without a flash, in your living room with your kids moving around, you will get a blurry or dark picture with the most expensive DSLR camera in Auto Mode.

Here are some very nice point and shoots to look at. They are great zoom cameras, and have manual modes if you decide to get into that.


Olympus SP-565UZ
Nikon P90
Canon Powershot SX10 IS
Nikon Coolpix L100
Sony DCS-H50

Link to compare these cameras.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...00,nikon_d90,oly_sp565uz,sony_dsch50&show=all


There are cheap places out there that scam you, google the company and look at some review on companies that seem to good to be true.

J

 

[belvak]

Another thing I noticed in looking at various vendors, always check what comes with the camera!! Most places I looked at for the P90 were listing the same price, but not all included the charger, USB and audio/video cables, etc.

 

[kom526]

Olympus SP-565UZ
Nikon P90
Canon Powershot SX10 IS
Nikon Coolpix L100
Sony DCS-H50

Link to compare these cameras.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/com...00,nikon_d90,oly_sp565uz,sony_dsch50&show=all


There are cheap places out there that scam you, google the company and look at some review on companies that seem to good to be true.

J

Panasonic makes a good super zoom point and shoot also. When looking at cameras, check the sensor size and don't get too hung up on MP. Also for editing purposes get one that shoots in RAW as well as jpg.

 

[jbr13]

Something else you may want to ready through is this post.

http://forums.somd.com/photography/143965-what-lens-camera-buy-how.html


J

 

[chipper101]

For what it is worth, I have the Olympus SP560UZ. It is a great camera and it has so many features. I am still learning how to use most of them, but I think it does a pretty good job. I have some of my photos posted in the thread Enough Snow, and also on my site.

 

[jbr13]

Just got a sale flyer in me email from Adorama.com and the P90 and L100 are on sale.

L100= $279 and Free shipping

P90= $399 and free shipping

 

[Dead Eye]

I woill say get a good point n shoot. 100.00 to 300.00 range. A powershot or coolpix anything. Look to have image stabilisation or vibration reduction.

Slr if you want to learn photography. Point n shoot if you want to just get a good picture.

 

[belvak]

Just got a sale flyer in me email from Adorama.com and the P90 and L100 are on sale.

L100= $279 and Free shipping

P90= $399 and free shipping

My P90 is on its way to me as we speak!! I looked around, but ordered from Ritz Camera since they provided free shipping and included:

- Nikon Coolpix P90 Digital Camera
- Li-ion Rechargeable Battery EN-EL5
- Battery Charger MH-61
- USB Cable UC-E6
- Audio/Video Cable EG-CP14
- Strap AN-CP18
- Lens Cap LC-CP19
- Software Suite for COOLPIX CD-ROM Note: Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.

Other places I looked at didn't include the above.