I'm going to be looking for a new SLR Digital Camera this Christmas when I'm home in Calgary. I want a camera that takes amazing photos but I don't want to have to study a user's manual for days and days. I was wondering if anyone of you know of a high-quality camera that is user friendly and would be easily used by a novice but have enough options to keep me on my toes. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking to stay under the $1000 range. I want to take shots such as these:





My little Sony DSC-T1 just isn't capable of this quality

konika-minolta DIMAGE series,

Just remember that it's not just the camera that's important but also the environment and its lighting. Head on over the timezone.com. There are a lot of members that post really nice pics of watches (better than the example pics you've posted, even), and some of their shooting environment is simply a white garbage can with bright lighting in the background and a camera (on macro) on a tripd.

Edit:

Here's a TZ member setup:
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=1545792&rid=0

And here's an example of his pics:
http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=1560051&rid=0

I've been shooting with the Nikon D50 since July, love it.

Rick, maybe you could also PM dmc, he his the pro photograph on this site, I am sure he could help you.

i second the nikon, though i have the d70s. great, great camera. the d50 might be a little more user friendly though.

if you want a good budget, user-friendly slr, the canon eos is pretty good and relatively inexpensive.

Rick...I'd have to say look into a Canon EOS 350D or even a EOS 20D. The canon lenses are awesome, I can get those type of shots with my current SLR but it's 35mm and i ain't paying developing costs any more. It's the lens theat can really help in a great shot. But lighting is primo.

I know it's not SLR (and I still don't know what that means), but my 8Mpixel Canon Powershot Pro 1 is a wonderful camera that fills in the gap between point and shoot, and those who want some control over their settings. Goes for $700 or so.

Does some nice macro too,

plus since the image is so big, once you crop you can get even closer.

Thanks for all the suggestions gentlemen.

Dann the term SLR means "SINGLE LENS REFLEX"

and what does that mean exactly?

Hears some info I found to explain:

There are two types of consumer film cameras on the market -- SLR cameras and "point-and-shoot" cameras. The main difference is how the photographer sees the scene. In a point-and-shoot camera, the viewfinder is a simple window through the body of the camera. You don't see the real image formed by the camera lens, but you get a rough idea of what is in view.
In an SLR camera, you see the actual real image that the film will see. If you take the lens off of an SLR camera and look inside, you'll see how this works. The camera has a slanted mirror positioned between the shutter and the lens, with a piece of translucent glass and a prism positioned above it. This configuration works like a periscope -- the real image bounces off the lower mirror on to the translucent glass, which serves as a projection screen. The prism's job is to flip the image on the screen, so it appears right side up again, and redirect it on to the viewfinder window.




When you click the shutter button, the camera quickly switches the mirror out of the way, so the image is directed at the exposed film. The mirror is connected to the shutter timer system, so it stays open as long as the shutter is open. This is why the viewfinder is suddenly blacked out when you take a picture.


The mirror in an SLR camera directs the real image to the viewfinder. When you hit the shutter button, the mirror flips up so the real image is projected onto the film.


In this sort of camera, the mirror and the translucent screen are set up so they present the real image exactly as it will appear on the film. The advantage of this design is that you can adjust the focus and compose the scene so you get exactly the picture you want. For this reason, professional photographers typically use SLR cameras.

These days, most SLR cameras are built with both manual and automatic controls, and most point and shoot cameras are fully automatic. Conceptually, automatic cameras are pretty much the same as fully manual models, but everything is controlled by a central microprocessor instead of the user. The central microprocessor receives information from the autofocus system and the light meter. Then it activates several small motors, which adjust the lens and open and close the aperture. In modern cameras, this a pretty advanced computer system.

Awesome tutorial Mike. That info will help me not sound stupid when I speak with the camera salespeople. Much appreciated. Are you a camera buff then?

Not Really Rick but I've always had an interest in Gadgets of sorts. I do have a strong interest in Photography, and all these Gallery Photos has really got me Motivated. I'm even considering upgrading my digital camera. I would find an SLR to large for my needs now so I'm considering a Canon Powershot S2is.



http://canon.com.au/products/visual/cameras/digital_compact_cameras/powershots2is.html

Look into the Nikon D-50. This camera is a piece of work. The Canon SLR's are cheap plastic feeling, and the Nikon is a lot more sturdy. Look into them online and goto a Ritz store to feel them. You can order them from JR Camera in NYC for cheaper than in the stores.

I would go with the Nikon D50. Its a great camera and really user friendly. Unlike the D70s which I have. I love photography.I have had slr's for a while and I know how to use them. It would take some reading to use the D70s, but not the D50. My sister uses it and she is the best photographer. LOL

The smart money is on Canon equipment right now.

The Nikon D50 is a good price, but it uses SD memory. If you ever plan on upgrading to one of the larger cameras, it's all Compact Flash and you'll have to reinvest in memory all over again.

The best deal on a DSLR right now is the Canon Digital Rebel XT (350D in the EU, or Digital Kiss N in Japan). There is no other camera on the market that can compare to it in terms of picture quality for the dollar.

There are people that complain that the Rebel is too small and doesn't handle nicely compared to a D50/D70s, and to that end, there is some truth. But it's not all that bad. I'm used to giant, professional cameras like the Canon EOS-1Ds and 1Dmk2 that are practically carved out of a block of magnesium. I find the Rebel's size refreshingly compact, especially as a travel camera. I also have a Rebel XT that gets used as a beater camera, being lent to friends most of the time, and frankly, it probably sees MORE abuse than my daily use gear. Its "cheap feeling plastic body" is holding up just as well as the water-resistant, rubber gasketed magnesium alloy bodies of my 1-series bodies. Don't fool yourself — the Nikons are equally as plastic.

I used to be a Nikon shooter in the late 90s, but switched to Canon once it they emerged as the clear leader in the marketplace. Today, they're head and shoulders above the competition in terms of diversity of product lineup, lens choice, innovative technology, and picture quality. The Nikon system is still stuck in the 1950s with the F-mount and the archaic mechanical coupling for aperture and focus control.

An interchangeable lens DSLR is in an entirely different category than even your best compact point-and-shoot style cameras. A larger imaging sensor yields images with much less noise, better shadow detail, and truer color fidelity. With the price of the Rebel almost the same as that of a high-end point-and-shoot, I would only consider the former.

With regards to your desire to shoot high quality tabletop product photos, you'll need a true macro (i.e., close-up) lens. For the Rebel XT, buy the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 macro lens. It's relatively inexpensive (about USD$400) and will let you go to 1:1 magnification, I believe. This means that you will be able to fill the viewfinder frame with an object the size of a penny.

That takes care the camera. The lighting, on the other hand, is a craft that will take a lot of practice. Shooting reflective objects is one of the most difficult things to do well in commercial photography. There are entire photographers whose careers are based upon their specialty at shooting reflective product such as silverware and jewelry.

The most basic technique is to first place your object in a light tent, or an enclosed area that is completely surrounded by white on all sides. This will eliminate all reflections when lit properly and cause the reflective object to look flat and lifeless. The photographer then "flags" off certain areas with black foamcore or strips of fabric inside the light tent to create the contrasting black/white areas to give the reflections specular highlights and depth.

The suggestion above about looking at a watch enthusiast site is probably a good one. The lighting technique will take a lot of practice and careful study to learn what makes a good, professional-quality photo. The equipment, however, will be your immediate and most important decision.

In short, buy a Canon. :D

Well, there we have it. I think I know what camera I will be picking up and the close-up lens thing sounds great. I imagine I will spend countless hours trying to get that "perfect" photo. I am pumped! Thanks to everyone for their two cents.

Rick...You're Pumped! I'm salivating by what Dave has said. Screw that point and shot stuff I'm in for a 350D - PERIOD!
I've got my old 35mm camera on ebay now

Alright Mike, we can start our own club! Here, check out this review. Do a little poking around, you can learn a lot about our next purchase:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/rebelxt.html

Be sure to check out the drop down menu at the left of the screen for more info. Looks and sounds awesome.

BTW Mike, Rebel XT sounds tougher than 350D!

Rebel XT sounds like a weak ass Screen printed t-shirt you find on Muscle Beach at Venice Beach!

350D sounds like a Grumbling V8 in a Chevy.

Ok now I'll go check out that Review....

Ain't no chevy ever had a bunch of numbers for a name mate! You must have had a grumbling V8 confused with a whiney Mazda rotary engine or something. Any more lip out of you and the club idea is off!! You got it?

Macro's fun. I still need to get the macro lens for my camera, but the built in macro is not too shabby. But if anyone should know it's Dave, so do as he says.

Thats a Glowing review. Well I'm now 100% decided thats the way to go, so i'll keep my Powershot s400 and get the 350D (the better name) for the real photography. The tuff part is the Finaces, with my US trip around the corner, I'll have to wait a while but it'll be worth it.

I'm going to pick it up when I'm back in Calgary (freezing my ass off) in a few weeks.