Camera gift for the wife-need help!

[TDiNooB]

Hey Vortex, I need some help! Im looking to get my wife a nice camera. She is not an expert photographer but really enjoys taking pictures. My question to you guys is, what is a good "starter camera" and what kinds of thing should I look for. Also, if you are in the Seattle area and have a camera that you would be willing to sell, I would probably be intrested in buying yours.

Thanks for your help and advise!!!

PS- Its an anniversary / 1st Baby(due in August) gift.

[ohsnappe2]

i got a contax t2 for 250

google it...just a lil bit.

[Mk1Racer]

You need to give us some idea of what your budget is. Does your wife have any experience w/ an SLR camera (either film or digital)? Liking to take pictures is one things, being into photography is another. For getting pictures of your (soon to be) new baby, I would recommend a DSLR, just because there is a lag w/ a P&S from when you press the shutter to when the camera actually takes the picture. You will also need a reasonably fast (low f-stop) lens, as a lot of the shots will be indoors.

I would suggest sticking w/ either a Canon or a Nikon. Not that there's anything wrong w/ a DSLR from Sony, etc., just that Canon and Nikon have been around for a long time, and you will have a better selection of lenses available for either of those bodies.

I don't know much about the different Nikon models (I'm a Canon guy), but something like a T3 or T3i would be pretty nice. But again, it depends on your budget.

[xlynn]

how much you want to spend....

[TDiNooB]

Experience with anything other than a standard P&S digital: None
Budget: $1000

Are there any options in the DSLR category, that have good video quality or should I just stick with a non video option?

Thanks for the assistance!

[Basscase]

Experience with anything other than a standard P&S digital: None
Budget: $1000

That's quite the budget for zero DSLR experience.

Are there any options in the DSLR category, that have good video quality or should I just stick with a non video option?

Thanks for the assistance!

http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/p...55mm_is_ii_kit

Boom. Done.

[Mk1Racer]

That's quite the budget for zero DSLR experience.

http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/p...55mm_is_ii_kit

Boom. Done.

Actually, if you go through the CLP, and send in a broken/old Canon camera, you can get the following for <$1000 (before tax)

T3i body
18-55 IS kit lens
430 EXII Speedlite
50 f/1.4

[ry_guy]

Think you can pony up a little more for something you can grow with?



My recommendation.

[peoples_car]

Damn it, Ry_Guy. I've gone so far out of my way to avoid any pictures of the OMD since the week after it debuted and here you go posting pictures of its sexy self right here in this thread.