I currently have an Olympus FE170 6.0 megapixel which so far has treated me well. I've had it for a few years, and just over the past 6 months or so discovered the wonders of the different settings it has. I've managed to get a few photos come out that have been frame worthy. While its a good little point and shoot camera I want something a little more. The one thing I really don't like about my current camera is that it is sooooo slow. I can't shoot anything in motion. And I'd like my photos to be a little more crisp...a bit more definition if you know what I mean.
I've always enjoyed taking pictures but never really put any effort into it, until recently. I'm not claiming to be a pro or anything, I'm far from it. My dad who has a good artistic eye has really liked some of my photos. My parents have suggested they'll get me (or will help me get) a new camera for Christmas.
What I'm looking for is something that will take clean photos, isn't too technical (but more than just a point and shoot), has some decent settings, more zoom ability and is quicker so I can shoot some in motion shots.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I particularly like the Canon cameras (I've had a few Canon 35mm, non-digital) and have had good luck with them. How are their digital cameras? I just saw an ad for the Canon Rebel...any thoughts? Anything I should definitely stay away from?
I'm open to a new camera, or a secondhand one (you know, get a better quality camera for a lesser price). What I don't want, either way, is to spend a ton of money.
I'd be super greatful for any tips, tricks, or advice.
The slowness you're experiencing is called shutter lag (not to be confused with shutter speed). Making the jump to a DSLR will pretty much eliminate any shutter lag so you don't have to worry about it if you're looking at the Digital Rebel line.
Canon's Rebel line is a very good entry level choice - not that Nikon isn't but I'm a Canon user and therefore not very familiar with Nikon. Knowing that you have experience with Canon 35mm film cameras, I would encourage you to stick with Canon - while it won't be exactly the same, you'll probably find the functionality familiar.
It's difficult to recommend anything specific until I have a general idea of your budget. I know you say you don't want to spend a ton of money and knowing that you're looking at the Rebel line gives me an idea of your budget but what are you not willing to spend more than? What is "a ton of money" to you?
From what you've said about zoom, it sounds like you're going to need more than just the 18-55mm kit lens so you may need to spend less on the camera than what you planned in order to get another lens. Remember, with DSLR's, the focal length or "zoom" has nothing to do with the camera itself.
Also, looking at your current camera, your focal length range is 38-114mm. Try not to think in terms of "zoom" anymore - the 18-55mm lens actually has the SAME zoom that your current camera does: 3x (divide big number by little number). But as you can see, they cover a very different focal length range. For example, even if you got a lens of 18-114mm, this would double your zoom from what you have now to about 6x - but only on the wide angle end, not the telephoto end. If you're looking for something on the long end, look for a lens that ideally goes up to 200mm. If you give me a better idea of your budget, I can recommend some stuff - especially since you're willing to buy used, you'll have more options.
I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around spending $600 or more for a camera, though the more I've looked online the more I realize that is likely what I'm going to have to spend. I guess I didn't realize just how expensive these things can be. I'm not looking to buy right now. I'm shopping and comparing for the time being. I'm thinking a purchase will happen after Christmas. I was hoping to keep to $500, or less which I'm now realizing may be a stretch. I just had no idea there was such a leap from "regular" cameras to these price wise. My current camera I won at a staff party. My first digi cam I paid about $240 for...so I guess I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around having to spend $350+ more.
And to be honest I don't know the first thing about cameras. I push a button, plug it into my computer VOILA - picture. Thats about the extent of my knowledge.
Most of what I have been taking pictures of lately have been nature shots: flowers, trees, leaves....that kind of stuff. And that is mostly what I will likely continue to photograph, but would like the option of doing other things as well, like my brother's hockey games.
I was at a horse show recently and got some OK still shots. Anything of the horses moving.....forget it. The slowness was soooo frustrating. I would be so happy to just get rid of that aspect.
I am willing to buy used assuming I'm not getting taken for a ride. Like I said, I don't know the first thing about cameras so would have no idea if I"m getting a good deal or not.
Well, you can get a DSLR and kit lens for $500 or less, especially if you buy used. The trouble lies in the fact that you wanted more zoom/telephoto out of the lens.
If you got this additional lens, it would push your budget over $500 but you should still be able to keep it under $600 if you buy a used camera.
But knowing that you're mainly shooting nature like flowers, trees and leaves, I don't think you really need that much zoom/telephoto. I think you could happily shoot with the kit lens for the time being and save up for a telephoto in the future or even better, a macro (macros are great for nature, they allow you to get up real close and make something very small look very big - great for flowers and leaves, check out this one I did of a leaf: http://www.photoshop.com/accounts/b20692211cd24ea3b514f75a2ddc0d64/px-assets/41e25b86f7524fef88d94a16ae300614 ). So I would encourage you to forget the additional telephoto lens for now and check out the XS with the kits lens and also keep an eye out for older used cameras with the kit lens.
However, I think with the hockey, you're getting a little ambitious. I won't get into the details because it may just overwhelm you but trust me when I say it's not cheap to get a telephoto sports lens that works well in low light/indoors.
Prices of DSLRs have actually drastically come down in the last few years. When I bought my first DSLR, the least expensive option was still about $800-900, I think. So in comparison, $490 isn't that bad. Plus, you have to remember some compact cameras are actually just as expensive as a DSLR! The G11 for example is $500 on Amazon - technically $10 MORE than the XS. So there is pretty much no price jump between compacts and DSLRs, you've just bought on the low end of the compact range so it seems like a big jump.
In the meantime, with your current camera, if you half press the button it will prefocus and drastically cut down the shutter lag. The downfall of this is that if your subject moves out of the focus range, it will have to refocus which will cause shutter lag. BUT with something like horse show jumping, you can prefocus on the jumps before the horse gets there and there won't be much/any lag when you actually take the picture.
When I mentioned hockey i wasn't looking to do pro photos or anything. Just some decent shots of my brother playing. I'm quite happy to pay the photographers at the tournaments to get the good shots of him. I do realize that is an ambitious goal, however it is something I'd like to do eventually. However this will likely be his last season playing so it may not happen, which is fine. I am completely content to keep shooting nature stuff. It doesen't move, too much, and doesn't complain when I take too long to get a shot I like!
I've been told to stay away from the kits. Any reason why? I'm completely OK with using whatever comes with the camera for now, then saving up to get a better lens down the road. I'm just wondering why I've been told to stay away from the kits.
I'm not looking to go pro with this. This is more of an ambitious hobby than anything right now. But who knows what might happen down the road.
Love 
