Hi, NHew to APF, have camera disaster

[gupp]

Hi, I see some people I know here. I hope the rest won't think I'm too rude for just jumping in with a question, but I'm at full panic right now.

My name is Rhonda Wilson. I write a monthly column for TFH. I need to get photos this week and my camera just died. I knew that I was going to need a new one anyway, but now the need is very urgent. I'm terrible about knowing about camera equipment.

I was hoping if I told you all what I had, and what I like and don't like about it, and my price range you might be able to make some suggestions. I'd like to be able to just go down to Best Buy or somewhere tomorrow and pick one up.

What I've been using is an old Sony Mavica MVC-FD90. I've loved it. It's done everything I expected it to do. It's surved me well. I would love to be able to just find something just like it but upgraded a bit. I am tired of only being able to take 5 photos on a disk. At least that won't be a problem with the new one. Until it crashed the only real problem with it for me was the biggest picture it takes is only 1104x1472.

It has manual focus I can take clear pictures of reasonably small images. It's easy I don't have to know much about cameras. Sorry I love the aquariums. I can write html but I only learn those things I absolutely have to. I like working with live things and quite honestly, I mostly know what they're saying but I can never remember the lingo. So you really have to treat me like a child on this.

Now I also have SLR that I know even less about, well 2 but we won't get into the other one, which is very nice but 30+ years old and even more complicated. The one I have is a Nikon FM10. I got it let it sit in a box for a long time, then used it intensely for a short time then let it sit in a box for a long time again. In fact I bought some new lenses to get better close ups, just before I put it away and I've never taken them out of the boxes. I understand I can get a digital camera that I could use these lenses with which would be very handy. I really love the big screen on my digital camera, sorry hitting that age where my eyes are giving me a bit more grief. :)

I also love the fact that with my digital camera I can take photos of my tanks that will turn out with just tank lights over them. I hate taking slides. It's so hard to get enough light in to the tanks to get the photos I want.

I take photos of small things and close ups most of all. Small fish, inverts, close-ups of tiny plants and animals. I do take family photos but most of my biggest need is taking shots of my aquariums. I don't want to go much over a thousand. Lower is better. I don't want extra bells and whistles, I can hardly stand the ones I have already. Simple is best as long as I can get manual focus good close up shots that are good enough for publication.

Any suggestions would really be appreciated. Please remember my limitations on camera lingo. Make and model number suggestions would be great. Thank you,

Rhonda

[phishphorphun]

Hey Rhonda.

It sounds to me that you would be a perfect candidate for a new Nikon D70s. It's a great DSLR that you may be able to use some of your old Nikon mount lenses with. Depending on the lens mounts, you should be ablt to use them all in manual focus and/or autofocus. Metering may not be available. Again, depending on the indvidual lens. It also fits into your budget.

If you visit our Hardware forums "Nikon Only" here, you will see many threads about the Nikon D70, D70s, D50 and the new D200.

Good luck, sounds like you may need some after your recent bad luck.:lol:

[Ibn]

Welcome to APF, Rhonda. Glad to see that you came over from TR and sorry to hear about your mishap with the camera.

As for what you can pick up for that price range almost immediately, take a look at the Nikon D50. You should be able to pick it up from Best Buy ($700 with the 18-55mm lens); the 2 lens kit (18-55mm & 55-200mm) just showed up at a nearby Costco for $799 recently. The camera should be able to fill the needs that your P&S was providing and then more.

If you have a bit more time and have 2-3 days, then consider the D70 (from www.buydig.com) with the 18-70mm kit. It's going for $842 right now from them and will hit your doorsteps in 2-3 days with their conventional shipping methods.

Other than those two, all that you would need is a memory card and you're all set to go.

Also, take a look at what lenses you already have from your FM10 days. Most Nikon lenses are compatible with digital bodies, as long as they're AI or newer (don't try to mount a non-AI lens onto a digital body).

[gupp]

Thanks sorry I'll post in the right section. I was just a bit flustered. My camera decided not to work while I was at the school I volunteer at. We have a couple tanks up there. The kids are doing scrap books and I was supposed to take some photos of the tank and a girl I had missed the last couple times I brought my camera. Well no photos. Frustrating for the kids. One of the teachers took some but I don't think the'll turn out as well. I had started reading the d70 threads.

[paradise]

Rhonda, Welcome to APF!!!! Finally :) Dont worry about asking questions, as many as you need. Also if you'd like I will give you a press badge, so that you can see the Press Area, a special place for people in the press where you can request articles and share info on the Press with others. It's only visible to those that are "invited".

[gupp]

Hi, thank you, yes that would be very nice. What a day. Yes I should have come long ago. I certainly could stand to learn how to use my camera, and maybe even become familiar with the appropriate terms. :lol:

[paradise]

Done, Rhonda. You should see it on the bottom of the forum.

[hir0]

Rhonda welcome to APF. I am sorry to hear about your camera. Please, if the decision comes between a nikon d50 and d70 do yourself a favor and go with the D70 if you are planning on doing fish photos. It will make life a lot easier later when you invest in an external speedlight - since the D70 has built in commander mode. It will allow you to trigger the flash over the tank.