i've been saving my pennies - Veda House Veda House

It’s time to pick a new camera and it’s time to spend this money I’ve been saving since college graduation. I’m on a mission to find the perfect digital SLR for my needs. I need your help finding the right camera. PLEASE leave a comment, answering the 4 questions at the end of the post.

The Backstory:
I tend to be one of those people who play around on one piece of electronic and then feel the need to move on after a couple years. I’m a big camera gal and over the past 10 years, I’ve gone through 3 cameras…all of them were great. I’m itchy to get my hands on a new digital SLR.

My current camera, Panasonic Lumix LX3 is perfect for easy, no-fuss shooting. The benefit and downfall of this camera is that it has one fixed wide angle lens that ISN’T interchangeable. The camera has great built in settings that allow you to achieve most things. This camera has been perfect for a busy amateur photographer who needs to shoot great quality photos without messing with manual functions. Now that I’m spending a lot of time blogging and shooting, I would like to be able to have more say in what I’m doing. This means I need interchangeable lens and manual settings.

Nikon vs Canon:
I’m not sold on either brand at the moment. I think the final decision will be based on how great of a camera I can get for the least amount of money. Lets say the budget is $1000. I do however feel that buying a camera body and then buying a separate lens will be the best way to get the best setup. Not saying that kit lens aren’t good, I just know there are better out there.

What I want to know:
1. What is your setup? Camera/lens?
2. What do you use your camera for? (blogging, fashion, weddings, etc)
3. How well does the camera/lens perform in low light situations?
4. Would you recommend this camera to an amateur photographer? (I’ve been doing photography for some time, but haven’t used manual settings for years now)

I’ll be putting together a summary of everyone’s comments so I can share with other people who are camera shopping. Thanks for your time, guys. I really appreciate it.

13 comments on “i've been saving my pennies”

I know I’ve given you some input on this already but I’ll answer these for you to see if they help you with your decision.
1) Canon 1D Mark II with a slew of Canon’s “L” lenses, 16-35, 24-70, 70-200, etc., all f/2.8. Also a Sigma 15mm f/2.8.
2)Everything.
3) Performs pretty good in low light. My camera is a slightly older model so new technology has made the newer cameras better in low light. My lenses are fantastic.
4) Probably not. The cost factor isn’t practical for an amateur. Also, the camera is super heavy-duty and includes features that aren’t practical for non-professionals.

1. Canon Rebel xs, usually with the default lens; sometimes the EF 88mm f/1.8 USM
2. my blog
3. tolerably well; it has manual settings which are good (obviously you need to hold it steady/use a tripod); and the flash is crap
4. sure, I’ve never had a photography class & know next to nothing about cameras. the auto setting works nicely & the manual settings aren’t hard to figure out

1. I have a Nikon D3000 and I use the lens it came with, 18-55mm lens and I just recently got the 35 f/1.8 Nikkor lens.
2. What do you use your camera for? Mainly blogging and life.
3. How well does the camera/lens perform in low light situations? The stock lens is all right in low light, you can adjust the white balance super easy on this camera and it helps a lot in dark restaurants. The 35mm is fantastic in low light! A huge help.
4. Would you recommend this camera to an amateur photographer? This one is perfect for that. It’s a decent price and works really well! I know Sherry and John from Young House Love have the same one too. I asked them once what lenses they use for it and last time I checked, they just use the lens it came with!

Hope this helps a little! I honestly did a ton of research when deciding between a Canon and Nikon and there isn’t a huge difference at all. The best advice I got was to pick a couple models you like and go to the store to hold them and take a few pictures. The Nikon felt so much better in my hands then the Canon rebel so I went with Nikon! 🙂 Good luck!

you’re going to DIE, i am using my iphone right now. eventually i will probably get a little pink canon. i use it for etsy pics, vids of the kids and basic family picture snaps. loving the polaroid app. the phone performs like crap in low light 🙂 there is no flash. iphoto editing is my best friend. if it gets really bad i edit in photoshop but usually i just take pics when it’s nice and bright in the house.

1. canon eos xsi. i use a couple of different lenses, primarily a 1.8 85mm lens.
2. everything! party pictures, home pictures, pictures of my dogs, outfit pictures, etc.
3. pretty well, as long as i have a tripod or something to rest my hand on.
4. sure, as long as you learn the basic settings, watch a couple of tutorials, read some books. also, practice!

1. What is your setup? Camera/lens? – Canon 450D with a 1.8 50mm lens.
2. What do you use your camera for? (blogging, fashion, weddings, etc) Blogging and taking photos of my daughter.
3. How well does the camera/lens perform in low light situations? Not too badly actually!
4. Would you recommend this camera to an amateur photographer? (I’ve been doing photography for some time, but haven’t used manual settings for years now) I love my camera… because I know it well and it’s simple. Anything bigger, more complicated would just scare me.

Good luck! x

1. canon 5d with various lenses but mostly 17-40 L series & 50mm 1.4.
2. photography, blogging, life.
3. great. manual setting of course.
4. i don’t think i would for an amateur. it’s pretty expensive as are the lenses and when buying the 5d body it does not come with a lens nor does it have a flash. you would have to buy an external flash if needed and the lenses. it is what most photographers have in their camera bag. we also have a rebel that we do not use. that is probably a better choice. easier to use, more cost efficient, not as heavy, etc. we are huge canon fans, so if you’re choosing between canon and nikon, i’d say go with canon. : ) xo.

1. What is your setup? Camera/lens?
I use a nikon d40x that i bought new a couple years ago and it’s been great to me. i use the lens it came with, 18-55mm
2. What do you use your camera for? everything. life, blogging, shop pics. i use it every single day.
3. How well does the camera/lens perform in low light situations? great. does well in the auto setting but there’s plenty of manual tweaking to play around with.
4. Would you recommend this camera to an amateur photographer? absolutely. i find this camera to be extremely user friendly, and newbie friendly. and as you get more comfortable, you can play around and learn more. but yes, i still shoot a ton in the auto focus setting. just point and shoot. easy peasy.

not sure this exact model is available new anymore? when i bought it, i think i threw down around $700 for it- of course since then, they’ve gotten cheaper and better. i’m in the market for an upgrade, myself!

this may be a good option for you? http://www.crutchfield.com/p_054D3100/Nikon-D3100-Kit.html?tp=263

good luck!

I was strong-armed into answering so…

1. Canon XTI (350D); Canon 50mm 1.8f; Tamron 30-700mm; Tokina 12-24mm; and whatever the kit lens was.

2. Blogging and life in general

3. The 50mm really shines in low-light conditions and gives really good results for such a low-cost lens. If I know ahead of time that I’m shooting in low light, I don’t bother bringing my others. The Tamron is great for stalking or shooting macro photography. I use the Tokina for indoor/architectural photography or when I need to get a lot of the scene into a shot.

4. This was my first DSLR and it has been really good to me and pretty easy to use. The only complaint I have is the crop factor. The XTi is an older entry-mid level DSLR, you’d probably be better off with the XSi model or newer.

1. Canon Rebel Xti // Sigma 18-200mm & Canon 50 mm 1.8f

2. life, blogging

3. The 50 mm is great in low light and gives you the biggest bang for your buck. I highly recommend an external flash. I got mine from http://www.dealextreme.com (along with my remote and tripod… inexpensive and free shipping. woot. woot.).

4. I got my camera a few years ago and knew nothing about photography. I read a couple short tutorials and have just learned through trial and error and experimenting… so yes, very amateur friendly.

1. What is your setup: Nikon D90 + 18-55f3.5 + 50mmf1.8 + 35mmf1.8

2. What do you use your camera for? Blogging/portraits/fashion/everything

3. Low light performance: Not bad at all; there are lots of cameras better now, with higher iso, but the key is in the f-stop. Invest in the right lenses.

4. Would you recommend this camera to an amateur photographer? Yes! I’m not sure how powerful you want to go, but Nikon just came out with the D7000, which looks pretty good. More powerful than the D90, in the same size body.

Good luck Cass!

ps. all those camera images look amazing! how do you do that??

1. What is your setup?
I shoot with three cameras, but the main one I use is the Canon 5D Mark II. I normally keep a 17-40mm lens attached to it and have a Canon 580EX II flash nearby.
2. What do you use your camera for?
There’s my personal project, http://www.withlittlesound.blogspot.com, but I also own a photography company that shoots everything from babes (young and old) to weddings, to products (website and magazine)
3. How well does the camera/lens perform in low light situations?
AMAZING. This was the reason why I decided to go with the Canon 5D Mark II. I’m going to sound a bit nerdy, but the ISO settings have such a wide range that you as a photographer have many more options on how to handle light, and I love low light and natural light so this camera was perfect for me.
4. Would you recommend this camera to an amateur photographer?
Well, to be honest, probably not. If you want a camera that isn’t going to intimidate you, and blow your budget (5D’s start at like $2,500, body only) than go with a smaller, easier, not to mention literally lighter, version, which is the Canon Rebel. That’s what I went to college with and it did great, in fact I started my blog, and my first job, with that camera.

Hope this helps! Can’t wait to see what you picked!

“heart”
Amy

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13 comments on “i've been saving my pennies”

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