What camera should I buy?

[your gecko guy]

In the market for a new camera for my leopards and cresteds and I am tired of my piece of kodak!!! I would like to know what the best of the best is for taking nice crisp close up pictures of these geckos. Thank You!!!

 

[OhioGecko]

What's your price range? I would definately go with a Canon but your price range will determine whether it's a point-n-shoot or digital slr.

 

[your gecko guy]

Around $200

 

[ShawnT]

I recently got a Canon SD770IS for $150. Very good Point and shoot.


Shawn

 

[OhioGecko]

Here is a link to Canon's page with all their latest digital cameras and pricing. You can usually find them for a little lower price then they have listed.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=113

 

[missdragonxo]

i purchased a nikon d40x off ebay a few months ago. i love it

 

[kyahbean]

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=16347

I have the older version of this one, without the image stabilization. I highly highly recommend it as one of the best on the market, especially now that it has the IS built in.

 

[Leonardo]

canon is a great, reliable product that takes care of their customers.
nikons are good for a little while, but in my experience, dont have the reliability canon has.
another good company is olympus, have the tendency to not last as long as a canon, but much longer than nikon. but they are good hardy products for a decent amount of time.

so, i would go with either a canon or olympus.
visit their sites, go to a specialty camera store, or even check out circuit city, staples, or best buy.

also: make sure, make absolutely SURE you get a warranty with it! this is a MUST on ANY digital product you purchase! you never know what might happen with it. without a warranty you are up a creek without a paddle.

 

[fOOlsgOld]

It's a bit out of your price range but I got a Nikon D40x two years ago for Christmas (lol well an early Christmas present, got it in Oct.) and I have been nothing but ecstatic with it. It takes great pictures of my daughter even when she's running around and I can get amazing close ups of the geckos and the detail is just amazing.

Like I said, I've had the camera two years with moderate/heavy use and I've never had a problem with it. Who knows, maybe in a few years it will start screwing up but so far it's been wonderful.

 

[LeoMartin]

For great quality and speed I recommend Nikon or Canon

 

[stewy84]

what to go by?

when you buy a camera what do you compare. I thought you just go for megapixel? could someone explaine what the important thing are for shooting pics of lizards and wildlife (deer tuckeys ect)?

 

[Chewbecca]

Are you looking for a point and shoot, or are you looking for a DSLR (a camera where you switch out lenses, if you'd like, and you have more control over settings)?

I'd go with a DSLR if it's in your budget.

Important thing with gecko/lizard pictures is to get correct (not DIRECT) lighting.
An external flash on a DSLR is good for this because then you can move the flash head to bounce up off the ceiling which creates a more evened lighting.

Geckos can be fast (as most lizards are), so something where you can adjust shutter speed would be great.


If you cannot get a DSLR, and you go with a point and shoot, try taping a piece of index card over your flash on your point and shoot to diffuse the light some.


Megapixels are NOT grossly important unless you are planning on printing poster sized prints.
Most cameras, nowadays, come with plenty of megapixels for that anyway.

 

[stewy84]

What dose a decent DSLR cost? And how would it compare to my kodak ezshare? I can switch it to close up and there is no flash but still not what I am looking for. Can you get a DSLR that is digital? Sorry if thats a dunb ? i know nothing about cameras? only bought one and that was a walmart sale camera. Thanks Dustin

 

[Chewbecca]

They can be quite costly. Depending on what you want to buy.
But, to me, point and shoots cannot even compare, if the camera is in the right hands.
My brand of choice is Nikon (only because that's what I started out with and that's what I know how to use). But Nikons tend to be a little more expensive than Nikon. There are also DSLRs made by Sony, Panasonic, Pentax, and Fuji.

The "D" in "DSLR" stands for digital.

Prices vary on these cameras. You might be able to get a Nikon D40 for under $400.

 

[LG-Geckos]

I´m very pleased with my Ricoh Caplio R& and it´s not very expensive. Lotta is using it too.