Best camera for the buck?

[Funkmasta]

I know there are quite a few photographers in here... help a brotha out.

I am looking to get a new camera in the next few months (By May), and have a budget up to $1000... What is my best bang for the buck going to be? I PLAN to get a used camera off of ebay or Craigslist to optimize my dollars spent.

At this point, I am considering either the Leica Digilux 2, or the Panasonic LC1 (basically the same camera. the panasonic is about $100 less expensive, but also seems harder to find).

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_lc1-review/index.shtml

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/leicadigilux2/

Which other cameras should I look into?
Functionality and Performance are my two biggest concerns. Everything I own gets well used (except the M3s) 8) , so I need a camera that will hold up well.

TIA

[YAN-3]

i say go Nikon or Canon, all others seem like toys compared to the big boys. a 20D or D80 i would say is your best bet. and if your looking for a great camera, thats awesome for a bigginer, ask TJ and im sure he'll agree alos, the Canon XTi or the new Nikon D40 are the perfect cameras for a one how knows the basics and wants a camera that will be able to do what he needs/wants and then some. I of course would say the Nikon but if your looking for speed, its no secret, Canons are faster. although more expensive and well, honestly they feel kinda cheep in your hads, too much palstic.. TJ ring in bro, let him have another view of things

[asubimmer]

yeah I would say nikon but a lot of people still like the canon's

[mrsleeve]

I am Minolta man look into a D7, Only draw back is 6.1mp. Although since Konica/Minolta sold the rights to their DSLR's and image stabilization tech to Sony. Sony quickly released the Alpha a 10mp DSLR, myself I would stay away from a High end Sony camera (lots of bugs and cheaping out in my experience)

So I guess I would say go with my second choice nikon with the cannons coming in a close second.

[YAN-3]

NIKON FTW!!!



Key features

* 6 megapixel DX format CCD (1.5x FOV crop, as D50)
* Nikon Image processing engine (as D80 / D200)
* 3D Color Matrix Metering II, 420 pixel sensor (as D80 / D50)
* New Multi-CAM530 three area AF sensor
* ISO sensitivity range 200 - 1600 plus HI 1 (3200 equiv.)
* Custom Auto ISO (selectable maximum ISO, minimum shutter speed)
* 2.5 fps continuous shooting (as D50), unlimited in JPEG
* No status LCD, new LCD monitor based status / settings screens
* Help suggestions on LCD monitor (eg. scene too dark, try using flash)
* Large 2.5" 230,000 pixel LCD monitor
* Bigger viewfinder view (x0.8 magnification, 95% coverage)
* Short shutter lag and viewfinder blackout
* Support for SDHC (SD cards over 2 GB in capacity)
* In-camera retouching
o D-Lighting (shadow / highlight enhancement)
o Red-eye reduction
o Trimming
o Monochrome
o Filter effects
o Small picture
o Image overlay
* USB 2.0 with PTP and Mass Storage device support
* Very compact, light body (smaller, lighter than D50)
* Improved menu user interface (as D80 / D200)
* New EN-EL9 Lithium-Ion battery (7.2V, 1000 mAh)
* New 'Version II' AF-S DX 18-55 mm kit lens

[Digitalwave]

I've got some preliminary input here.

First off, out of all my camera gear, my camera body was one of the only things I bought brand new. Why? Because I hate a gut feeling that I wouldn't know what I was getting into with a used SLR body. You never know how many shutter actuations are truly on the camera, and shutters don't last an eternity. I just felt much more comfortable buying a new body with a warranty.

However, are you even considering SLR's or you just want an advanced point and shoot? The answer to this question will bank entirely on the rest of my advice, so I'd like to hear more on exactly what you are looking for before I comment any more.

[Jean]

Spend $500 on a rebel xt or xti body and the rest on a good lens.

[Digitalwave]

You can get used XT's that cheap but not XTi's.

[Jean]

You can get used XT's that cheap but not XTi's.

You can buy a NEW XT body for about 500-600 now days.. I love mine even though I paid 900 for a kit a year ago...weak.

[Funkmasta]

I've got some preliminary input here.

First off, out of all my camera gear, my camera body was one of the only things I bought brand new. Why? Because I hate a gut feeling that I wouldn't know what I was getting into with a used SLR body. You never know how many shutter actuations are truly on the camera, and shutters don't last an eternity. I just felt much more comfortable buying a new body with a warranty.

However, are you even considering SLR's or you just want an advanced point and shoot? The answer to this question will bank entirely on the rest of my advice, so I'd like to hear more on exactly what you are looking for before I comment any more.

I could go either way. I have a lot of learning to do, but at my current skill level, advanced point and shoot is plenty. I am currently using a DSC-S85 (which I love), but the adjustments on it are just too choppy.

If I get a point and shoot, will I outgrow it quickly? Will a jump to an SLR catch me offguard? I have a couple friends that are good photographers, that have offered to help me out as well.

If SLR is only going to frustrate me for a couple weeks, maybe that is the way to go?

[Digitalwave]

DSLR's (at least entry and mid level) still have auto modes, so they can be as easy to use as point and shoots. The main reason a lot of people stil to p&s's is that 1) they are smaller, and easier to handle for long periods of time and 2) in the long run, they will always be cheaper since there are far less accessories to buy. For instance, my XT body was $740 when I bought it, but I now have close to $6,000 in my gear. Now, this stuff isn't necessary for casual shooters but since I get paid to shoot pretty often, I have been forced to upgrade a lot of my equipment to pro-level stuff in order to truly get the shots I am being paid to get.

The good thing about DSLR's are that you can still maintain a good budget (say $1,000), get some great equipment, but you still have the option of expanding and upgrading down the road as you get better and you have more money to spend! With a p&s this isn't really an option at all. In the SLR world, its more about the quality of the lenses than the megapixels of your sensor. That's why I can still use pro-level lenses with my XT body and hang with the big boys. Although I still plan on buying a better body (probably the 30D's replacement when it comes out), I will hang onto my XT as a backup body.

Another good thing is that if you need it to be light and compact, an XT or XTi with a basic wide angle zoom lens and no other accessories is very reasonable as far as size and weight goes. However, my camera bag now is somewhere between 20-30lbs with all the stuff I have and its a bear to lug around, and my arms get sore only after 20-30 minutes of shooting with my biggest telephoto, since I still need a good tripod and monopod. You can see that lens in my avatar. I also have a better grip on my camera.

As far as brands go, it comes down to loyalty most of the time. I grew up around Canon so I stuck with them. Nikon definately has a great product line. They both have ups and downs. For instance, I prefer Canon's CMOS sensor to Nikon's CCD sensor. Nikon, on the other hand, has built in wireless flash controls and Canon doesn't. Nikon's low end bodies are beefier than Canon's as well. Nikon's kit lens is probably better than Canon's.

I would say rule out the new entries to the market though, such as Sony Alpha, the Minolta Maxxum 7, Panasonic's DSLR, etc. They all have much more limited factory accessories (lenses, flashes, etc.) and aftermarket support because they haven't been around very long. Canon and Nikon's lines have been around the block and have been proven over and over again, and for at least a few more years the VAST majorities of pros will still be shooting Canon and the other majority will be Nikon, with a few here and there using the newcomers.