What are some decent cheap photography cameras?

[Tracey Lyn (:]

Ok, so I want one of the cameras professionals use with the big lenses and the stand. The pictures turn out better, and I think I'd like to possibly have a career in photography when I get older. I dont want any of the handheld small lense cameras. So, to tell you the truth I have no clue what the camera names are so links would be great I'd be taking pics of mainly wildlife and animals, and some people. I want one for my birthday. My mom usually spends around a 100 dollars on me, but would prob be willing to spend more if it werent like another hundred more. So its gotta be cheap, but somewhat decent. I'm only 13 so i dont need anything super professional. Just one that takes better and more far away pics than a small little digital kodak one >.<

PS: I would prefer that it is digital cuzz it would be cheaper and way easier that way. Thank ya

 

[Alex]

I recently bought a Nikon Coolpix L100 and it is an awesome camera. I would also love to get a professional DSLR such as the Canon 50D which is around $1500. You will not find a professional DSLR for $100. My camera is a professional point and shoot. It has 15x zoom and 10 megapixels. I got mine for $230 but you can probably find it cheaper now. It seems like you need to learn a lot more about photography before you get a dslr anyways. For example, you are the one taking the pictures, not the camera. I have won numerous awards with pictures I have taken with just a simple point and shoot camera. I was the division winner in digital imaging at the Orange County fair a couple of years ago and that camera I took that picture with was 7 megapixels with 5x zoom. Back then I got it for $170 but today that same camera goes for about $100. Try searching around for the types of settings you want such as megapixels, zoom, iso settings, etc. A $50 point and shoot take pictures just as well as a $1500 dslr as long as you know what you are doing. Good luck!

Btw, fhotoace, in the long run I do think that 35mm cameras are a lot more expensive than digital cameras. The reason being because of the cost of developing the film and buying the film. Also, you aren't able to view the photos you take with a film camera so if you accidently mess up, you can't reuse that spot on the film roll. I worked with Film slr cameras for 3 years in high school and I loved developing it myself and when I took a good picture, man was it a good picture. But in my opinion, digital triumphs over film.

 

[fhotoace]

The above answers address your question quite well. You do have an alternative, but you will have to be disciplined enough to learn how to use a 35 mm SLR without wasting film. First the camera you can buy for under $150.

Look for a 35 mm SLR camera with standard zoom lens on craigslist. Once you have one, learn how to use the light meter and take your time to compose and expose the film properly before you press the shutter release.

Digital is not "cheaper" nor is it easier. Here is why. As you can see a good 35 mm Nikon or Canon SLR with standard zoom lens at under $150 is far less expensive than even the least expensive DSLR, but about $400 and two, all fully adjustable cameras are equally difficult to learn how to use since the only difference is one uses film and the other uses a sensor.

 

[midnightmoon]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz30/

This camera is sort of between the little point and shoots you are talking about and a professional dslr. It does not have interchangeable lenses, but it does have quite a zoom on it. It has a full auto mode, a full manual mode, and a couple of modes in between. It doesnt come with a tripod but can use one.

The link is to a review of the camera. With a quick search I couldnt find a new one, but ebay has a few used ones for 200-300.

I suggest this camera because it does have the full manual mode, and because its a good camera and a cheaper route to go until you find out if you are seriously interested in photography. Most of the professional type cameras in and of themselves are expensive, and become more so as you need to buy multiple lenses and other accessories. (to give you perspective, I have almost 2000$ into my dslr and lenses)

 

[Candid Chris]

Dear Tracy- Your dreams and reality need a little bit of tweaking. I understand your wants but sorry there is no camera on this planet for $100 to match your wants. (Okay, maybe a freak estate sale ).

 

[KK [is just being KK]]

At your age and lack of experience and knowledge a simple point and shoot is all you need. You can learn to take amazing images on a point and shoot. Think the camera is the one producing solid images? Think again. The camera is a tool that you must learn to use properly. A DSLR does not produce great images without the work of the person behind it. It's up to you to know how to take a good picture.

And for the record, $100 will NOT get you a nice camera with interchangeable lenses. Add another $400 to that and you can get an entry-level DSLR with a kit lens. However, considering the hint of spoiled brattiness I'm detecting I don't think you even deserve it just yet.