[fraggle_478628]

I know it appears as though all I do on here is ask for advice, so I shall continue in that vein now.

With Christmas approaching, my wife has decided that she would like to get more "involved" with photography, and so, I am tasked with getting her a camera for Christmas. I don't really know enough about the subject to make my mind up without some sound advice...........

I was considering wrapping up my old 300d for her to open Christmas day, and buy myself the new 400d, but I don't think that I would live long enough to use it.

Her exact words were..........." I would like a camera that takes 'nice' pictures, that is'nt just point and shoot, but, also, is'nt so complicated I need a university degree to operate"

I have been looking at some of the Canon Powershot range, but was wondering what advice you kind folk here at Pixalo might have................

And if you really help me, I might send you a mince pie in time for Chrimbo.......

[stepheno]

Originally Posted by fraggle_478628

Her exact words were..........." I would like a camera that takes 'nice' pictures, that is'nt just point and shoot, but, also, is'nt so complicated I need a university degree to operate"

Don't worry about asking questions, that's what the forums are for. From what your wife has said above it sounds as if a bridge camera would suit her. It does depend on how much she is worth but if you can go up to £300 then there are some very fine cameras from Canon, Fuji, Panasonic, Nikon, Sony etc. I would suggest one of the superzooms and then she will have a good range covered.

One other consideration is which memory card. Having a camera with the same card as yours will save some expense in the future. Have a look in our Equipment Reviews and you'll see the main specs.

[stepheno]

On reflection....if you have a 300D chances are you will want to upgrade sometime so why not bite the bullet and do it now?

[Soupdragon]

The best value for money slr (IMHO) is the nikon D50 with kit lens.
That said, if you can find a second hand 350D? they are very small and could eaisily fit in a hand bag if your wife does not want a camera for a necklace, plus, your canon optics will fit it.

[Dabhand16]

Originally Posted by Soupdragon

plus, your canon optics will fit it.

And that is a very good reason to get her a Nikon.

[Whipspeed]

I've got a powershot S80 as a backup to my 20D & it's a really nice little camera, fits in my handbag & also has manual settings when your wife gets more confident. It doesn't take the same memory card, but you can buy multi readers quite cheaply.

[Hacker]

Does anyone else smell a rat, or is it just me? New camera means new handbag to put it in (see post above), new handbag means new shoes, new shoes means new outfit(s), etc etc. See where I'm going with this?

Be careful. Very, very careful......

[Whipspeed]

Don't give all our womens secrets away

[Rob Barron]

I think you need to think carefully about this and definitely not let our brand biases sway you one way or the other. May I suggest a couple of other factors you might want to consider....

Are you going to get good pictures out of a Canon, a Nikon, an Olympus, a Sony....? Of course you are. So which brand you end up with is not going to be a big problem. However, if you already use a particular brand, you might well want to stick with that because you are used to their software, etc.

If you have a Canon DSLR then you are used to using, and have probably got two or three, compact flash memory cards. In that case, it makes sense to buy your wife a camera that uses the same format of card. It will save money because you already have spares and you already have a system set up for transferring photos to your computer etc.

Your wife wants a 'better than point n shoot without being too complicated' camera. Ok, but you knoe your wife better than us so you know whether this interest is likely to last. Has she just suddenly decided she wants to get a camera because she is fed up of standing around waiting for you to get 'just one more shot darling!' or has she already been using a point n shoot digital camera and feels she wants to take the next step up?

If she wants a 'better than.... (you know the rest!)' then what is she going to want when she gets that one and is used to it after a few months? Will she then feel ready to go up to a DSLR? Bearing in mind that all DSLRs are at their easiest point and shoot cameras. You can set it to P or the green box (on a Canon) and she can shoot away just as easily as with a compact. As she feels ready, you can feed in further knowledge so that she gets used to focusing manually, using Av mode, Tv mode, etc. Logically, if this is the case, you should definitely get her a Canon as you already have some lenses so it would be crazy to switch systems and lose a bundle. What do you gain? No brand is so much better that it is worth losing hundreds of pounds if not more and starting all over again. Sure the Nikonites on here will insist their lenses are best and the Canonites will counter that you can't beat an L series. But this is not for us, it's for your wife. We don't count!

Would it really be so wrong to give your wife the 300D? There is nothing to stop you spending some money on an accessory like a lens, a flashgun, or whatever. My wife would think I was mad if I went out and bought a new camera for her when we had a perfectly good one that she could have already. Sure you might need to do some smooth talking to get that 400D you are after but in my experience, partners don't insist on being treated extravagantly, just fairly!

If she got your 300D, she has a fully experienced expert on hand to give her tuition anytime she likes. You know the camera well and can help her with hints and tips whilst also giving her the space and freedom to find things out for herself.

Go ahead and think carefully about this. A new 400D is only £450. A new Canon Powershot might only be half that but is that really going to meet your wife's needs, not just over the Christmas holiday but right through the year? Only you can answer that but remember, this is a hobby that draws couples together and gives you something you can share together. It makes sense to stick with one system that you both know so you can use hers, she can use yours, etc.

I wish you well with your decision making and hope your wife enjoys this wonderful hobby.... and I look forward to that mince pie :o)

Cheers,
Rob

[fraggle_478628]

Thankyou all so very much for your advice. Especially you Hacker lol............ Well, in the end, the wife is gonna get an old 300d with a nice shiny new lens, battery grip, and bow wrapped around it, and I get me the shiny sparkly new 400d............and we both get to share the wonderful 28-135 IS USM lens too.......... so all happy in the end.......
Thanks again folks, and look forward to sharing some piccies with you all in the future..........