Camera Selection

I think the rx100 2 or m3 would be a better choice, Its the highest rated camera in its class, http://www.cnet.com/products/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-rx100-ii/
It shoots raw has the zeiss lens ..I love the camera!

Best Buy has a great deal right now on a 24mp Nikon D3200 slr camera with 2 lenses and a camera bag for only $ 499.00.

Check it out on their website and read some reviews. I have used Nikon for years and have been very satisfied with their products.

As Mel says - that Nikon "kit" is a very good deal. It is my camera of choice. With 24MP there is plenty of "room" to crop to get exactly what you want/need. Both lenses, even though "kit" lenses, when stopped down one or two f-stops, have a very nice "sweet spot."


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~ Bill
~ US Pictures .com

Is this Nikon lens, 18-55mm VR zoom lens with 3x zoom, good enough to shoot off a tripod ?????

Shooting a 24" X 36" subject

I sold three of these this month with that exact lens - night shot on a tripod on a misty evening...



It is the "sharpest" lens available? No. Is it good quality and affordable? Yes



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~ Bill
~ US Pictures .com

Thanks soooo much Bill. I've had a love for photography for 45 years. Loved shooting that 35 mm Pentax K-1000 with the meter in the view.

Looks like I'm ready to get wet all over here.

The question now is, I can get the Nikon 3200 from WalMart for 449.00 with the standard lens and for an addition $50.00 I'll get the second lens and a bag from Best Buy.

What will the 55–200mm f/4-5.6 lens be useful for ?????

55-200 mm covers a lot of range. From normal view to telephoto.

Personally most of my work is done with a 17-40mm, 35mm prime or 50mm macro (on a full frame camera).

I have owned both of those lenses and would recommend the Nikon kit with the 2 zooms. Later you could add a 50 mm (or 85 mm) prime if you want the best possible sharpness. The 55 - 200 is a very useful lens as it covers the range all the way from full length portraits to decent telephoto length for birds and wildlife.

When out and about I "usually" have the 55-200 mounted. Here are some recent shots with that lens:





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~ Bill
~ US Pictures .com

I use Nikon D3100, I have a Nikon D3200. for photographing your paintings - either will do - and perhaps what you are looking at will be fine. As well as a good camera - lighting and being perfectly perpendicular to your art is the most important.

Jeff...for your $ 500 budget requirement, my thought was the Nikon D3200 with 2 lens was a really great deal.

And as Bob and Bill have attested to the quality of the 18 - 55 and the 55 - 200 lens, this kit would surely meet your needs. The 24mp sensor will allow up to 6000 x 4000 pixels in size which will enable some large prints here at FAA.

I believe the Best Buy deal at that price is good all this week, not sure after that.

B&H normally has the best prices but this seems to be a steal http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Nikon+D3200+kit&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Have used the Nikon D3200 for two years, 40,000+ clicks later and it is still doing great. Went with a 55-300 lens and came with a 18-55. Great camera for the price. I got mine as a factory refurb and would gladly do it again at National Camera Exchange.