calling all photographers

Edited: 8/11/2006 9:39:38 PM by civichic

what kind of photography are you planning on doing? Basic Family, candid, and truck pictures, or for something income related?

If you are just wanting a basic point and shoot for stuff around the house and for you to look at then I'd recommend the camera I bought last year a Sony Dsc-H1, the make the H2 now with a nicer brand of lense and an extra MP... however like baha said, if you want real high quality you might wanna save up and get an SLR... the Cannon 5D and some of the other cannon cameras seems to be everyones Cameras of choice. When I wanted to get my first one I just went to a non commission camera store and talked for hours with the sales people looking at picture examples, talking about all the different uses I had for the camera and getting a feel for all the different Cameras and since they weren't making commission they helped me pick out what was best for me at the time.

Hope that helps!

Here's my advice... Don't get tied up in the numbers hoopla of all the new camera's. It takes much more than a high dollar camera to take great photo's. Learn how to use the features you have and how to post process first. I guarentee you that I can take a better picture with a $300 point and shoot camera than someone who knows hardly nothing about it but has a $3000 DSLR setup.

Nothing wrong with getting a decent DSLR to start out with but don't spend a lot on a camera that will be way above your current level. You can get a decent entry level DSLR with kit lens for under a grand now. Take a look at the Canon Digital Rebel or the Nikon D50, both great starter cameras. But if they are out of your price range I wouldn't hesitate to get a Canon point and shoot setup.

I currently shoot with a basic Digital Rebel DSLR w/ vert grip and dual batteries. Usually have my EF 17-40 f/4L mounted on it with Hoya CP but often also shoot the EF 70-200 f/4L or EF 50mm f/1.8

For lighting I just use a Canon Speedlite 550ex with either a stoffen omni bounce or lumiquest soft box.

btw, mine was down to like $399 now i think when i saw it at Circuit City the other day.

Originally posted by jancecustoms



Edited: 8/11/2006 9:39:44 PM by jancecustoms

I use a Kodak EasyShare DX6490 for my show coverage since 2005. I got the camera for $400 at wal-mart. It's 4MP but it does the job fine. You can get a 6MP for around $400 at Wal-Mart too.

Show Coverage Examples







I have the 6.1 MP and i love mine.. very clear pictures

I have a small point and shoot 6.1MP Kodak Z760, easy to use, love the hell out of that little thang.. lonts of features and and setting and once you get all the manual settings figured out you can do just about any style of photography you can dream up, even the video is fairly good. I got a tube adapter for a fisheye and and another telephoto lense some fillters and other stuff, got about $290 into it with all the other odds and ends ive picked up for it.. an di got a coulpe of minoltas that are good as well.. Im not a pro by any means but as long as you can learn how to use all the features and set one up for diff situations, any decent brand of camera will do a phuckin awesome job...

my girl does it with Kodak EasyShare Z7590 Digital Camera

I would buy as nice as you can afford because what happens if you get serious a few months down the road( that has ahappened to alot of us lol)and you dont have a camera with alot of needed features.Try a good revue website like consumer reports they have a really good section on digital camera,and they explain everything.Look for what features you as a minitrucker will need like vibration reduction for those super crisp night shots of dragging without using a tripod.There are alot of great cameras out there with a buil in zoom lens that will be great for shooting show coverage,dragging,family events,and what not.If you do plan on getting serious in the near future(within a year or so) it would be a waste to lay down 500.00 dollars for a non slr camera,but just remember you purchase doesnt stop at the 900.00 basic kit because you will soon be one of us addicted slr owners who cant wait to get the next big lens lol.Good luck with your purchase,and if you have any more questions let me know,and remember this post was just my opinion,and its not what camera you own its what you do with it after you get it so just have fun.

as a freelancer (just like every other minitrucker)i think that this is one of the best for me. easy to develop film to get them to the magazine quickly

look into the nikon d50 or the d70 spend a little more get alot more. just bought the d70 and its amazing...great quality and unbelievable details in the pics. sure ya gotta have a clue about how to snap a pic, but the d50/d70 have point and shoot modes til ya learn all that it can do.

I got a Nikon D1X and I sware I get lost trying to use this thing lol..

D50 and D70's are priced right .. if your serious about photography get an SLR..

I just got nikon cuase the money was right..