Camera Advice - Canon Powershot S1 IS

[Bells of Freedom]

Hi all,
I'm getting more into photography. I've got a Canon Powershot S1 IS. It's a few years old now but it works for a while. I would like to get a lens for it but don't know much about lenses. I want to do really close-up imagery, so I think a telephoto lens is what I need, right?
Also, how do I know what fits my camera? I've been browsing Canon lenses. Do Canon lenses automatically fit all Canons?

Oh, and are there any good photography sites and/or photography tutorial sites anyone suggests? Thanks so much!

[Lilpigboy]

For close up photography you need a lens that has a macro function or is specifically designed for macro photography. I don't think your current camera has the ability to switch lenses. It looks like a point and shoot styled to look more like an SLR camera. You may need to upgrade to a real SLR camera to move forward... And don't think that because you have a Canon now, that means you need to stay with that brand. Look at Nikon and Canon models... Lately Nikon has jumped ahead of Canon so don't short change yourself by automatically discounting a different brand.

If you check out the forums on dpreview.com you can get a lot of good insight from users of all models for each brand as well as reviews for each model you might want to look at.


Hi all,
I'm getting more into photography. I've got a Canon Powershot S1 IS. It's a few years old now but it works for a while. I would like to get a lens for it but don't know much about lenses. I want to do really close-up imagery, so I think a telephoto lens is what I need, right?
Also, how do I know what fits my camera? I've been browsing Canon lenses. Do Canon lenses automatically fit all Canons?

Oh, and are there any good photography sites and/or photography tutorial sites anyone suggests? Thanks so much!

[Bells of Freedom]

Thanks. I thought this was an SLR, but maybe not. I have been checking out dpreview.com but could you make some good recommendations for starter digital SLR's? I'm hoping for the $300-$400USD range.

[Gordon Robb]

Canon Digital Rebel don't know what the current model is. In the UK, I think it is the EOS 450D, but that's not what it's called in the States I'm almost sure. For that price range, great camera.

[Bells of Freedom]

Canon Digital Rebel don't know what the current model is. In the UK, I think it is the EOS 450D, but that's not what it's called in the States I'm almost sure. For that price range, great camera.

I've been hearing about this one. I believe here in the states it's called the Canon Rebel XTi

[Bells of Freedom]

I've been thinking that, although used or online is a good way to go, if one of the stores near me (Circuit City or Best Buy) has an in-store credit card with no interest for a while, that would be the way to go.
Are there any other good digital SLR's I should look for? I've been hearing about Nikon D40's as well.

Also, what's the difference between SLR and point and shoot? Come to think of it, what is the definition of a point and shoot camera?

[Rigel]

A "point and shoot" handles the settings automatically for you (or tries to). Also, they are usually a separate viewfinder from the lens, so you have to compensate for parallax.

SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex. When you look into the viewfinder, you are looking out through the lens of the camera via a mirror in front of the shutter. When you take a photo, the mirror flips up (blocking your view) and allows the shutter to see through the lens. These cameras almost always require you to set the exposure, f-stop etc. They usually (though not always) use interchangeable lenses.

[mac]

A point and shoot camera can be set to manual also. What really defines a P&S is a fixed lense that can not be changed.

As far as the statement above regarding Nikon surpassing Canon, that is a ridiculous statement (do I hear fanboy :)) I think both are just fine and both have pro's and cons.

Have a look at Canon's newest entry level SLR here (http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canon_1000D/)

I have been into photography for over 40 years now and the best advice I received when I purchased my 1st SLR was .. Decide what type of photography you want to get into. Landscape, Architecture, Portrait, Wildlife birds etc

Once you decide you can go two ways, purchase a entry level camera with one or two kit lenses. I myself went a different direction, I purchased a few quality lenses and a mid level body. I purchased two prime lenses, which was almost 10k. The body was around $1300.

Keep in mind, camera body's will wear out, if you look after your lenses, they will never wear out . My advice, spend the most on a quality lens and a decent body to start, then after you become so hooked (and you will) :D as you can afford it, upgrade body's and lenses.

[Bells of Freedom]

Okay, thanks for the replies thusfar, but I need some more advice. My budget has apparently gone up to about $1000 - $1300. I stopped in to Circuit City and was looking at their DSLRs. They've got a deal for no interest on their in-store card so I may be dropping some dough!

I'm looking at these cameras:

Nikon D80
Nikon D90
Canon XSi
Canon XTi

Any advice on these would be great. I would also like advice on lenses, as I'm probably going to pick one up while I'm at it. (I can get no interest a credit card, so I figure why not). I want to do real close-up photos. Is there a difference between a telephoto lens and a macro-close up lens? The in-store sign lists both ??

Nature & urban photography and shooting possibly people/animals

I'm hoping to pick something up this weekend.

[BillS]

For a good mid level camera. I'm in love with my Olympus E510.
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1295
I got mine as a kit with batteries, charger, body and a 14mm-42mm and a 40mm-150mm for about $800. Some of the prime reasons that I went for it are.

As easy or advanced to use as you would like.
Image stabilization is built into the body so it doesn't matter what lens you have on.
Sonic Dust Removal
10 Megapixel
Supports two types of memory. xD and CF. You can have both installed in the camera at one time and switch back and forth.
Battery Life. I've taken 650 shots, with and without the internal flash and still had power.

I highly recommend it.

[Lilpigboy]

Well the Canons suit your budget more I'm sure. Out of those you list though, if I were buying a camera right now I would go for the D90. It's the most expensive one of that group but you get so much more than just a really nice SLR camera, it also does HD video! And you have all the functions available to you that your camera and lenses are capable of while shooting video. So along with doing macro photography, you can also do macro movie making! It's a really good deal and if I were to pick up a second body right now I would definitely go for it. But what you need to do is actually handle the cameras... I don't like Canons because they just don't feel good when you hold them. They feel cheap and just don't feel right in the hand. When you hold a Nikon it just feels like it's a part of your hand... So look at the list of features for each model you want to look at and circle the ones that you want/need/like and then compare the list. Take the top model for each brand that got the most features circled and then go to your local photography shop or retail outlet and see if you can check each one out, see how they feel and go with the one that gives you that warm fuzzy feeling... Although I don't know that I would buy from a retail chain and especially using their in store credit. They take every opportunity to screw you. Instead check out B&H photography online and look into the Bill me later program. I think you get 6 months same as cash for purchases. Just go to the store so you can get your hands on them and check them out then I would buy online from a reputable retailer.

Okay, thanks for the replies thusfar, but I need some more advice. My budget has apparently gone up to about $1000 - $1300. I stopped in to Circuit City and was looking at their DSLRs. They've got a deal for no interest on their in-store card so I may be dropping some dough!

I'm looking at these cameras:

Nikon D80
Nikon D90
Canon XSi
Canon XTi

Any advice on these would be great. I would also like advice on lenses, as I'm probably going to pick one up while I'm at it. (I can get no interest a credit card, so I figure why not). I want to do real close-up photos. Is there a difference between a telephoto lens and a macro-close up lens? The in-store sign lists both ??

Nature & urban photography and shooting possibly people/animals

I'm hoping to pick something up this weekend.

[Bells of Freedom]

Thanks for the link, BIll. I'll check it out.

Lilpigboy,
Thanks for the advice. I am going to look at the D90 tomorrow. I actually picked up a Canon EOS 40D and I'm returning it tomorrow because it doesn't work. It was jamming with the Error 99 code two minutes out of the box. Sounds like 40D's have a problem with this, but I can't even take pics for 30 seconds! It's like Microsoft wrote the camera software.
"Error 99 - Canon's very own Blue Screen of Death"

I'm going to see if I can get a D90 and maybe a macro lens as I'd really like to do macro work. Things extremely up-close are so fascinating:)

Me thinks I'm no longer a friend of Canon's

[CAClark]

Good luck with your choice, some of the statements people have come up with here have been nothing short of laughable. Canon and Nikon both make amazing cameras, and if you're new to SLRs you feel no more or less at home with either brand to a significant degree.

With the 40D, two minutes out the box could just have been battery issues. I had shutter jam issues a week or so ago, and was one of the batteries causing it.

Whichever choice, you'll have a blast.

Cheers!

[Bells of Freedom]

Thanks, Craig. Yeah, I'm not sure what the problem was, but it was consistent. I don't really have any brand loyalty at this point. It just seemed Canon offered a stronger feature-set. But they were offering this camera at an incredible deal, packaged with a $500 lens, and I wonder if that was part of the issue. On a lot of forums the Error 99 issues was pervasive among the 40D, but not the 30D or even the 50D.
Maybe I'll get a slighter cheaper camera but pick up a macro lens! Macro is something I REALLY want to get into!

[Lilpigboy]

There are lemons with every model for every brand so don't let that one instance turn you off the brand if that's what you really wanted. Keep us posted on the situation!

Thanks for the link, BIll. I'll check it out.

Lilpigboy,
Thanks for the advice. I am going to look at the D90 tomorrow. I actually picked up a Canon EOS 40D and I'm returning it tomorrow because it doesn't work. It was jamming with the Error 99 code two minutes out of the box. Sounds like 40D's have a problem with this, but I can't even take pics for 30 seconds! It's like Microsoft wrote the camera software.
"Error 99 - Canon's very own Blue Screen of Death"

I'm going to see if I can get a D90 and maybe a macro lens as I'd really like to do macro work. Things extremely up-close are so fascinating:)

Me thinks I'm no longer a friend of Canon's

[mac]

I own two 30D's and a 40D, never had any trouble what so ever. Again decide on your budget what's best for you. Don't listen to the Fanboy hype, there are several camera makers with quality gear.