because i enjoy stalking

[Zazi]

Don't listen to chips... he's mean. Anyway, if you're just starting off with photography, a SLR is definately the way to go. IMO, point-and-shoot cameras are just that... point and shoot... You have only a prayer in hell that you'll get a picture to turn out right. SLR cameras, however, almost force you to set everything up the way you want it(you have to focus manually, zoom manually, etc...). The Pentax ZX-60 is a great camera, IMHO, as it is both an automatic SLR camera, and a manual one (it can automatically focus on the subject in the reticule, for example... making it partially automatic).

Again, another good camera manufacturer is Nikon. They make some really high quality SLR cameras as well, but I just prefer Pentax.

[Duff-e]

i did a little shopping around this weekend looking at the prices of slr cameras and ive seen everything from $300 to $7k....what kind of prices should i be looking at considering my current skill level etc? should i go for a digital slr camera or straight 35mm? i really want the flexability of digital but if its going to cost me $500 more and force me to settle for a lower grade camera its not worth it imo.

*edit : i also want to be able to take practice pictures and get better, which is why im so afraid of film (seeing as how each shot is $, even if you dont want it). you could argue that i shouldn't take a picture if i dont WANT the picture but i dont know.....im so confused HELP ME GOD

[Zazi]

Digital and film SLR hybrids are still a little iffy by today's standards, especially with the fact that newer digital imaging chips which effectively double the resolution are due out later this year. I'd stick with a straight 35mm Film SLR, just because. If you're worried about film, buy it in bulk; big packages of film costs a shitload less than individual film rolls.

As for price, it really depends on 1.) The manufacturer 2.) Features 3.) Material 4.) Quality. 4 and 1 tie together, as one manufacturer can be higher quality than another, thus increasing their prices... or something... Stick with something from Pentax or Nikon, though. A lot of features you probably won't need. If you find a SLR camera with red-eye reduction, for example, don't get it; that's a typical sign that the camera MAY use digital enhancements to fuck with the image and how your pictures are taken. Some basic things you'll probably want, are some simple automatic stuff, such as auto shutter speeds, aperature size, etc. Also, a good rapid shot feature is nice if you plan on taking sequence shots(especially handy if you're going to be taking pictures at sports games, for example). One thing that's definately required, though, is flash... but that's a given. Lets see... Most SLR cameras come with swappable lenses... shit, in fact all of Pentax's and Nikon's cameras do. Before you purchase your camera, though, find out what kind of mounting the cameras take(either screw mount or bayonette mount). Personally, I like bayonette mounts more just 'cause they're easy... as easy as Zaphod. Anyway, definately ask that. You also want to check what the maximum shutter speed is. The higher the number, the more you'll pay. I have a max shutter speed of 1/2000, and it works like a charm. I've seen some Pentax cameras go as high as 1/16000, and those cost shitloads.

What sort of cameras were you looking at, and what sort of price range do you have in mind?

[MrH2o]

http://www.dpreview.com

Is that good enought ?

btw i had a Mavica, it was with discs instead of cards, it took great pic, but not many hight quality on a 3,5 disc and not hight mp (1,3)

here is a pic i took btw

my current cam is a Nikon coolpix 5700 and it takes really cool pic, but maybe its to advanced for a amature. however when you look at a cam, look for no less then 3 mega pixels

[Pingu]

http://www.dpreview.com

Best cam site there is... btw Canon is the ruler of digicams~~

[FrieChamp]

Wata takes awesome photos

[Bic-B@ll]

http://www.megaone.com/dcmapres/airshow/airshow03.jpg

clix n drags

i took that liek 2 days ago at an airshow, the colros aren't very great but the canon powershow has a crazy fast shutter spead, i was taking pics of flying prop planes and the props werent blurred at all.

[Guest John Kerry]

w00t.. BA

[zaphod]

http://slashdot.org/articles/04/06/02/004258.shtml?tid=137&tid=164&tid=185

[Guest John Kerry]

OWNED!

[-Stratesiz-]

PLZ... Go for Canon.