So, I want to start messing around with photography as a hobby. Ok, I've gotten that far lol I know I don't want to spend a lot on a camera b/c I don't know if this is something that I'm going to be passionate about for a long time. I'm kinda looking for a camera to start off with, try a couple lenses, and see if I like it enough to invest more into it. I was thinking something like this:



http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-Easyshar...1-16[/img]

any thoughts? recommendations?

 

id spend a little more and buy a used nikon d40 off ebay, you wont regret it!

 

what does the d40 offer that the kodak doesn't? What features would I want/not want that make the camera worth the extra $?

 

faster shutter speed, better exposure, better colors, research and compare the cameras on popular photography

 

D40 will be a better starter camera if you are just looking to try out photography, but also will grow with you for a long, long time if you get serious. Not much upgrading you can do to the Kodak. I'd even go as far as looking at the D50, but that might be more than you want to spend.

Grab a used D40, spend $100 on a 50 mm 1.8 lens and have fun. Minimal investment, will take incredible pictures, and will give you a lot of room to learn and grow. If you decide it's not for you, you can sell them for close to what you paid.

My 2 cents.

 

thanks for the info guys! really helpful

 

Poke around this guy's site:

http://kenrockwell.com/

He is a really trusted voice in the photography community and highly recommends the D40, even over his $5000 cameras at times.

 

wow, great site. Thanks

 

Its not just about the d40 with more features and stuff than that kodax.. Its about the Nikon brand, remember when you get into the hobby you will be spending more on the lenses and accessories.. Nikon and Canon makes more and good lenses, so that means more options and better platform for upgrades.. Also remember you're not always a newbie, you will be going bigger one day so start with the make that you will be using till the last.

I personally have a canon body to start me off and its been awesome. People will then start that Nikon vs Canon debate but in reality you cant go wrong with the two, its a matter of preference. You have more in photography to worry about than debating canon or nikon.

 

Very good point.

As you get serious about photography, the camera bodies are cheap in comparison to everything else you have to buy. A professional quality lens will easily cost you over a grand, and when you have a bunch of them, the $800 for a new body seems cheap.

I'm a Nikon fan, for no other reason than my buddies shoot with it. You won't hear me bash Canon, but won't hear me suggest them either.