Friday, July 11, 2008

Ready to Shoot Someone

With a camera, that is! I'm really getting antsy to buy a new camera and I need advice! I LOVE all the beautiful photos I see on so many other blogs like this one from 3 Peanuts...



and this one from The Shooting Allens...



They're so crisp and the colors so vivid. I used to have a cheap little Kodak camera which actually allowed me to take some pretty great (I thought) pictures:





Unfortunately, that camera found itself inside a pool and never worked again.

I then purchased a Canon Elph. I have NEVER been able to get that camera to take good pictures. I've tried all different types of settings. The pictures come out OKAY if I never zoom. When I zoom, however, they're grainy and dull. I have to photo shop almost everything. VERY frustrating, especially when I'm trying to photograph things to sell on EBay.

SOOO, I'm looking at buying a Nikon D60 and I need input from you all! I know it's not the top tier of the Nikon cameras, but I don't really know if I need all that. I really don't want to spend more than around $700 to $800. You can see the Nikon D60 here
It seems like what I'm looking for...the price is definitely right. Does anyone have a good recommendation?

Thanks!

15 comments:

momof3 said...

I have heard that the Nikon D40 is the best for the everyday photographer. It has all the features you need for great pictures. I am going to treat myself to one for my birthday

alanaransley said...

I have the Nikon D40x, and it takes great pictures. It's the most expensive one I could afford, and it does the job. It came with one lens, and I bought a zoom lens, so I am all set. It's easy to use, and the photos turn out great. The most recent photos on my blog (and linked Flickr account) are taken with that camera.

Good luck with your purchase!

Jenny said...

I have the Nikon D40 and love it!!! I think you'll be even happier the D60.

Anonymous said...

I think your beach picture is adorable!

I'm coveting a better camera as well, though I must say, my little Cannon gets the job done 90% of the time.

Neil said...

Just found your blog and love it! I have a Canon Eos Rebel XTi - it's fantastic and just enough for taking amazing pictures, but not venturing into that next price level.

kelly bee said...

I am crazy about my Nikon D40. You can see photos I took with it on our recent trip on chickenbusdiaries.blogspot.com.

Kelly Bee
www.beehivefive.com

Calista said...

I have the nikon d50 which they don't make anymore (the d40 and the d60 replaced it) and I absolutely love it!! I have always been told the camera body isn't as important as the lenses and perhaps the flash you use. Definitely get the d60 camera body and invest in a really good lense and you won't be disappointed, your pictures will come out beautiful and you won't need photoshop anymore, except to maybe crop and turn to black and white. Hope that helps!!

CarolinaGirl said...

This beautiful lady http://www.waitingforsophie.blogspot.com/ just did a post for her daughters b-day and at the end she had a litle something to say about her camera. Love your blog.

Maridith said...

I have the Nikon D40 and I LOVE it. For $600 it comes with 2 lenses. Wonderful pictures. I just got it so I don't have any pictures up on my blog. M

k e r r y said...

I have the D40 and it's great - if you are a more advanced photographer you will probably enjoy the D60 ... have you looked at http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

Allison said...

I love my D40x. I have an additional zoom lens and a bigger flash. It goes with me everywhere and I LOVE it. The D40x is all you will need. If you choose the D60 look into taking some classes so that you can utilize all of it's features.

Lindsey said...

I just got the D40, and I LOVE it. There really is no need for something higher unless you are going to do professional ones. I got mine at amazon for $448 on sale 3 weeks ago.

The 5 Bickies said...

I have one of the earlier Nikon's, the D70. I love it and love the photos I can take but do wish I had another more compact option to carry more easily. I am sure they have more options available to you now.

Mrs. Limestone said...

I have the Nikon D50 and love it. Its not the highest end but it does a beautiful job for an amateur like myself. I can set it on automatic or I can lay with all the settings.

Ultimately, any SLR you get is going to get you better photos because you won't have that shutter lag that happens with point and shoots.

Just one word of caution: TURN OFF THE FLASH! So few photos look good with the flash on.

Gigi said...

I have the D40X and find my photos to be very inconsistent. Sometimes the photos are great and some times they are terrible. Take a look at my blog for what I am talking about. I can't figure out why they are so out of focus. Wish I had purchased the D60 or D80. Also, after I bought the D40X I found it cheaper with a much better lens-so I had to return it and buy the other one.