Profesional photographers around? need an advice about a semipro/pro dig camera

[Nacho-RT74]

My parents and myself are interested to get a GOOD camera on $400-500 rate ( if less, even better ) to home but one what my brother ( who is drugs adicted ) could use to help on leave the drugs. He is on the good track, but need the last push and leave the leisure time. He took some Photo lessons long time ago wnating to be a profesional photographer, but using film cameras, so needs an upgrade being films are not available anymore on the same way than before, and when you find them, become VERY expensive.

A friend of mine ( who is a profesional on the area ) told me a GOOD semipro or first step pro camera it copuld be a Nikon D60. It looks a little bit hard to find a new one of this, so I found the Nikon D3000 on same rate and more less same specs.

what other options do you think will be a nice Camera for this ? other brands ?

IF he makes to leave COMPLETELLY the drugs and some other addictions, the Camera will be the final prize for him! ( and then If I have luck will buy another one just for me LOL ) but he has to show us he derserves it!

[nvrbdn]

A very easy but really good camera that I've found and use is the Canon Rebel XSi.  I have a few
different lenses that I use, but it works great for portrait photography, and I've also used it for
up close animal/bug/nature type photography.  It's not hard to get the hang of and takes beautiful
pictures.

[mikepmcs]

You are on the right track. Nikon D series as in 40/60/90/200/700 are all superb examples.  It will be tough getting into one for that money though unless he plans to use the lenses that come with the camera for portraiture or still photography. You can add the faster lenses if he is going to shoot wildlife, sports, etc....but one lens will cost more than the camera. I'm not saying this to scare you, it's just the way it is. The Nikon 3000 and 5000 aren't what I would consider for professional photography but very nice for a hobbyist.

[Nacho-RT74]

ok, nice...

well right now we are not THINKING ON LENSES, because that will be accesories that he will deserves later if he does.

whats the main diff between a D3000 or D60 to makes it more "pro" against a "Hobbyist?

sorry even sometimes I can read specs I can't understand them completelly

Ok, Canon Rebel XSi... will look for that one. Some other ?

By now I found an nice priced D3000 Kit

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140432815702&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

A camera with what cames form the original box is really enough BUT IF CAMES ON A NICE KIT offered by a seller/dealer  ang good priced, we can't let it go!

[mikepmcs]

it appears the 3000 is extremely close to the d60 and is a good choice for an entry level dslr in your budget. 
here's a side by side link comparing the 2 nikons we are speaking of and hands down beats that brand x camera.
looks like the 3000 might be the way to go for you.
the 3000 only lacks a couple of the features of the d60 and to be truthful you probably won't need them for now anyway.  It will be a great camera to start out with and get used to the functionality that is common to most dslr's.

http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Nikon-D3000-vs-D60-vs-Canon-Rebel-XS-1000D.shtml#compared

[Nacho-RT74]

wow, is amazing there was already a comparision between those! LOL

[jeryst]

I have a Pentax K20D, and love it. They have been replaced by a newer model, so price has gotten much lower.

The nice thing about it, is that you can use any Pentax lens ever made (some require a cheap adapter), so you can pick
up very nice lenses at yard sales and flea markets for next to nothing.

[Nacho-RT74]

I never though on Pentax... Neither Sony or any other. I always think on the most popular on Cameras... Canon, Nikon, and Minolta ( it looks Minolta is not anymore on DSRL camera business )

made a search and I can't find any comparision chart or poducts about Pentax. Not even on its own website. Just found the K-X and K7 there

what it looks very interesting about them, is they use AA batt, easy to find around if needed.

-------

Note about Nikon D60.

it is just me or it looks there is NO REASON to substitute it for the the D3000 ?something like a downstep?, very small, but still. There is one detail I like a lot of the D60 and is the LCD will automatically turn off when you focus through the visor ( at least is what specs says )


-------

editing once again... found these discussions:

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/would-you-choose-k-x-vs-d3000-vs-xsi-814294/

http://forums.photographyreview.com/showthread.php?referrerid=244759&t=59321

[Nacho-RT74]

interesting website:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php

aplying some filters:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php?search=1&manSearch=0&resSearch=5&lcdSearch=3&storageSearch=0&priceSearch=3&cameraTypeSearch=2&zoomSearch=0&lcdTypeSearch=0&underwaterSearch=0&batterySearch=0&submit.x=26&submit.y=9

[Nacho-RT74]

and:

http://www.neutralday.com/pentax-k-x-vs-nikon-d3000-entry-level-iso-comparison/

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091107054244AAevIYC

it looks the K-X beats it up ? more Fps shooting and Pixeles, more ISO range, live view

something like in between the D3000 and D5000

http://www.neutralday.com/pentax-k-x-in-depth-review-much-better-than-just-entry-level/

shame is fixed LCD, that would be the COMPLETE beat out!

wondering about a batteries life comparision between them!

[Nacho-RT74]

mmm, yes I'm replying myself LOL

it looks WE HAVE A WINNER!

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PENTAX-K-X-SLR-CAMERA-3LENS-4GB-HUGE-MONSTER-KIT-KX-/140432816655?pt=Digital_Cameras

if you don't think that, please post


Note appart

it looks Pentax has a NICE semipro ¿? camera too...

with MEGAZOOM http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PENTAX-X90-SUPER-ZOOM-CAMERA-4GB-SDHC-X90-USA-KIT-/140438543022?pt=Digital_Cameras

or for some special uses like nature close ups without giant lenses use.

( or girl next door spying LOL... what would say Marty McFly about that ?)

[jeryst]

I never though on Pentax... Neither Sony or any other. I always think on the most popular on Cameras... Canon, Nikon, and Minolta ( it looks Minolta is not anymore on DSRL camera business )

Minolta was bought out by Ricoh, who was then bought out by Sony.
So the Sony Alpha is really a Minolta and uses Minolta lenses.
They have a killer DSLR that has around 25 MP, but it is very expensive.

That is a good Pentax camera. I'm not sure about where the K-X falls in line, but the K-7 replaced the K20D.
They have a huge forum (pentaxforums.com) with a lot of great people, monthly contests, etc.

Gone are the days when camera companies put out a new model, and it survived for many years.
Digital cameras are now like PC's. By the time you get one, it has been replaced by another model - lol.

[Nacho-RT74]

yes I have been noticed. It's imposible to be updated at all...

also noticed about the K-7 being the K20D substitute... but It looks that one is out of the US$ range we can afford right now.

will check some Sony cameras, but on the dcresource website the only Sony came out to float was also out of the range

[jeryst]

yes I have been noticed. It's imposible to be updated at all...

also noticed about the K-7 being the K20D substitute... but It looks that one is out of the US$ range we can afford right now.

will check some Sony cameras, but on the dcresource website the only Sony came out to float was also out of the range

You can still find new K20D cameras for sale, and at a very good price.
It is a killer camera that takes fabulous photos, and has an almost infinite number of settings.

As far as the LCD on the back, I never use it for taking photos. I've been using 35mm for the last 30 years, so
it is more natural for me to look through the viewfinder. I just use the LCD to check the pics after I take them.

Also, an LCD screen is great on a point and shoot camera because everything is automatic on them, and they are
very light. But on a DSLR, once you add a big lens, flash, extra battery pack, etc, they start to get very heavy, and
trying to hold them out away from you to look at the LCD while also trying to rotate the zoom collar, make adjustments, etc, is just
not that practical.

[Nacho-RT74]

Jeryst, just checked, and yes the K20D is still available new, but still out of the range. Thery are around $700-800

[Nacho-RT74]

K-x at home! is incredible how easy is to use! ( and loooks great in navy blue! not black just like the rest ),



and I love the LIVE VIEW option!!!!

but now it is on hands and still without any real experience and just playing is AMAZING how just the 18-55 lense is simply NOT ENOUGH to work and play a lot. Of course way better than any regular camera, but still not enough to BE a photographer even a hobbiest

looking forward for a bigger zoom lense ( 50-200 or 55-300 ) BUT still need to learn