Camera people - help me spend money

[Misty Cato]

My birthday is coming up and my parents gave me $500 toward the purchase of a new camera. They know me too well because as my mom was leaving she said, "don't spend it on the kids or put it in savings - you'd better have a new camera next time I see you." So now I'm under orders :) We could supplement this with another $100-200, so what is the best I can get in the $500-700 range?

[Traci Reed]

You could probably get a Rebel XTI for that..i wub mine :)

[Kim]

This site is awesome and has great deals....

http://soniccameras.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=760_1243&products_id=5488&osCsid=2cf3f8b26989761a1c6fdd9d10d7bec1

[Traci Reed]

Here's an Xsi for $635

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Camera-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B0012YA85A/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1230768724&sr=8-1

[jessica31876]

defenitely the Canon Rebel XSi!!My birthday is coming up and my parents gave me $500 toward the purchase of a new camera. They know me too well because as my mom was leaving she said, "don't spend it on the kids or put it in savings - you'd better have a new camera next time I see you." So now I'm under orders :) We could supplement this with another $100-200, so what is the best I can get in the $500-700 range?

[lovely1m]

Canon Rebel XSi!!!!! :thumbup:

[jessica31876]

seriously the rebel XSi is my dream one day. I want to get a laptop first though but eventually get the XSi...the best advice I can give you is to go and actually feel the cameras in your price range. I found that Ritz Cameras is an awesome place to go. The salespeople are pretty knowedgeble (usually LOL) and they are patient. Plus if you purchase there they give you free classes with the purchase of an SLR camera

[BrattyMeg]

I too say a Canon XTi or XSi up to you!

[NettieB]

Misty - I'd really encourage you to go to Kenmore Camera (http://kcamera.com) and repeat what you just posted verbatim. Great place, great service, and you will be taken care of by a photographer who knows the product. I've walked in there with my "research" done, clutching an ad price, and walked out with a much better camera twice, to no regrets.

[WalkersMommy]

I love my Canon Rebel XTI. The new version is the XSI and at Costco near my home they have a great deal with the camera, a zoom lense, and a memory card for around $800 i think :D

[ColleenSwerb]

Def go to a camera store and check out the different models :)
B&H has a few D80 kits for around $800.

[Laura_A]

I have the Rebel Xsi and LOVE it!! I think if you shop around you can totally find one within your budget. We got mine for $720 in September, but we're limited to the PX... we don't have to pay tax there though. Anyway, YAY... and when's your Bday?

[kscwgirl]

Yay for your mom! That's awesome!!

I would get this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542180-REG/Canon_2756B003_EOS_Rebel_XSi_a_k_a_.html), and this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002BA_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html) lens. :)

[Kara]

I'm a Nikon girl myself, and I'd vote for a Nikon D40 along with both the 18-55 mm kit lens and the 55-200 mm VR lens. I'm very happy with it. I'd probably throw in an external flash, too - that's on my wish list but not yet purchased.

My dream camera is the D90, but alas that's not in my price range. :) I did see a lot of deals at Costco last time I was there, and you can't go wrong with the XSi either. :)

[sjford0419]

I would check out Dani's blog (http://www.designbydani.com/blog/?p=1476)!

She has a camera for sale with a battery grip, kit lens and two batteries!

[lovemy4kids]

B & H has a good deal on the Nikon D60 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/543638-REG/Nikon_9609_D60_SLR_Digital_Camera.html). Comes with the 18-55mm VR Lens & 55-200mm VR Lens, plus free shipping.

Or they also have it with just the 18-55mm VR Lens (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542463-REG/Nikon_25438_D60_SLR_Digital_Camera.html).

Love my Nikon D40x, but if I didn't have it I'd go for the D60. (But now that I've had mine for a year I'm totally lusting after the D90, which won't be happening any time soon.)

I agree with others who have said you need to go and try them in person to see which one feels best to you. That's how I ultimately made my decision between Nikon and Canon. Hard to go wrong either way. After all of the research, it comes down to that gut feeling. Have fun shopping! :)

[my3hens]

Im a canon girly so I would say go with the xsi (Insert evil smiley here LOL) but really I agree go in and feel em both up and pick what suits ya best sweety!

[CA Dreamer]

Misty
Wow, that is some gift! You are a lucky girl!!

When you go shopping, don't feel like you have to get the kit that comes with the camera. Some stores will substitute lenses with the camera body for the kit price--even mailorder...I think B&H will let you do this. There is also Adorama. Abes of Maine and Cameraworld.

And, yes, like the ladies said here, I would go in to a store(even if you are not buying there) and feel the cameras. For weight(you don't want it to feel like a toy in your hands--or too heavy) and also to make sure that the controls make sense to your hands--if that makes any sense at all!

I have a Canon 40D and love it. I started with a 20D and upgraded last year. I have had Canon SLRs since 1980, and for me, all the controls were the same and I can even use some of my film SLR lenses, so I stayed with Canon. I have friends who have the higher end Nikon and love them too. Good luck with your choice! :w00t:

[kim21673]

I am a Nikon Girl so I would have to say the D80 ;) (you can get some sweet deals on it since it was replaced by the camera I have..the D90. :thumbup:

I would go and hold a few cameras. See what fits well in your hands. You can't go wrong with a Canon or Nikon.

I had a D40x and loved it but I outgrew it very quickly. I just sold it and upgraded a few months ago. I will add that I really want to go into photography and start a business so I needed to upgrade to a camera that had more lens choices. The D40x and the D60 are GREAT cameras for a mom who loves to take super pictures of her kiddos and wants a very fast camera!!!

[Angie4b1g]

I'll sell you a barely used Canon 40d. :D