I want to buy a nice camera to take pictures of things at concerts. Lights, people, the bands playing, etc.

I'm an amateur photographer just jumping into the pool. Can anyone give me some advice on some camera's I should consider? I'd like to spend under 300, but if I can't achieve what I'd like to do with 300, I'd spend up to 400.

Thanks!

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Wheelhouse

First of all, I am a Canon girl all the way. I just have a tendency to prefer their products and I love the pictures their cameras take.

If you want a legitimate nice camera, do not get a point and shoot. You should get a nice entry level DSLR; however, that may be a problem for your price point.

Let me dig some more info up.

Invest in the lenses, man. It's all about the lenses.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

get a slightly older Cannon EOS digital rebel XT or XTi...should be within your range on ebay plus extra money for lenses etc.

You don't want to plunk down for a 40D or something like that if you're just getting started.

EDIT: oh...and what Fly said

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I'm reading about the lenses and finding out more and more as far as that goes.

I need to be able to take the shots quick. Many of them will be of lights.

I'm thinking wide angle would be ideal. Possibly Fisheye. I don't know.

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Wheelhouse

yeah, if the camera is a SLR or DSLR, it's all about the lenses and filters...everything else being more or less equal.
In digital land the megapixel race has slowed way down.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

disposable camera. wal mart, like 7 bucks man.



im all about wide lenses. something about them i really like. obviously, im not a camera dude, but isnt 400 a little low? i mean for the average person, thats damn nice, yeah. but for someone in photography? no offense, of course.

dont listen to me though, i dont even have a camera, i just use my crappy blackberry. oh how i hate you so much, blackberry.

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a 10MP DSLR can easily be had for $400...maybe even down in the $250 range for the body only...the lenses are a different story

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Hold my beer and watch this...

How about this Sony Alpha?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... ps-sellers

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Wheelhouse

I can't speak for Sony SLR's...FWIW, all the hard core and professional photographers I know are firmly in either the Canon or Nikon camps.

It's like Ford vs. Chevy with those people.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

I love photography, but it can be a damn expensive hobby. I know this sounds lame, but I feel like you have to have the "eye" for photography. I've seen people who have expensive DSLRs and lenses that cost thousands of dollars and they can't even take a decent picture. But if you're going to get into photography, definitely worry less about the body and invest in the lenses. Especially since you said you want to take pictures on a fast shutter speed.

I've always been a Nikon fan for what it's worth.


or Mac vs PC.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

aye, I'd definitely recommend getting the "last" generation of DSLR body (in the 10MP range) from either Canon or Nikon.
It won't break the bank and you don't need the latest and greatest.


indeed

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Hold my beer and watch this...

Most of the ones sold on eBay that are used were well taken care of as well. I noticed that when I was searching for a deal on mine. I got my Rebel XT brand new with the kit lens (even though it's not that good, but it works for beginners) for $400 just as the new XTi had come out. It's 8MP but it takes beautiful pictures.

Not only can it take pictures quickly, but it can fire up really quick, too, so if you're like OMG NEED PIC NAO! it turns on and can take a pic in a second.

I went and played with a Samsung NX10 at my local camera store, and I was really impressed.

It's not a true SLR, but it shoots pretty darn fast -- faster than I'd even need at this point -- and it has a ton of nice features like the automatic zoom during manual focus to help you make sure your focusing is solid.

The best part is, it's a $700 camera that they're willing to sell to me at $479.00.

Take a look. Let me know what you think.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/NX10/NX10A.HTM

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Wheelhouse

nice looking camera. A couple of red flags when I read into the tech specs.




If you have any desire or think you may get serious about photography, that is a huge limiting factor. Not necessarily "bad", but definitely limiting.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

You're already over-budget. Just saying... stick with your guns man. You can get what you want in your price range.

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What else should I consider, and where can I get it for that price?

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Wheelhouse

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Hold my beer and watch this...

I don't know... I'm not crazy about buying used. It's a lot of money to drop on a camera without a warranty or some sort of protection from failure.

Plus, after I buy lenses for those cameras, I'm close if not at the price of the brand new samsung with a lens.

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Wheelhouse

If your heart is set on the Samsung, then listening to us won't do you any good.

Personally, I think Nikon and Canon are top of the line and I don't really trust much else. I could understand your reservations about buying used, but I've had my Canon for 3 years (pretty much on the nose) with no issue. You can even buy a warranty from squaretrade.com for used items from eBay.

http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/learn- ... anty-buyer

Here's a deal closer to the price of your Samsung that comes with a solid lens to get you started:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5 ... S_SLR.html

I've bought a lot from B&H, they're a solid retailer.