For the "surprise" you could always blindfold her and drive her down to the camera store.

Here's an example of why I think it's important for a user to handle a camera first: when the Canon Rebel XT came out, it was a LOT smaller body than its predecessor, or any of Canon's other bodies for that matter. There's almost nothing to hang on to to the left side of the lens mount on them. People with larger hands, like myself, found them particularly awkward to hold, especially with larger, heavier lenses where a solid grip on the camera body was essential.

Now I don't know what the body specifics are of the Olympus, or the D60, or anything else you've looked at... but if she ends up with a camera that's uncomfortable for her to hold, or that the menus and controls are confusing or awkward for her to reach, then the camera won't be as enjoyable to use, and stands a greater chance of being left sitting at home collecting dust.

Of course, you could make sure to hold on to the receipt so she can exchange it if there are any such issues... or how's this for an idea: arrange with the camera store to have the two or three models/packages you're considering, set out together on display, with big red bows on them... tell her you're taking her to dinner or something, and you just need to stop in the store to pick up some film or something... drag her inside with you, where she's then presented with the cameras you've chosen, and she can choose the model/package/system that she prefers.

As for "wouldn't let you buy it for her"... tell her you already bought all of them and you're just getting a refund on the ones she doesn't want :) Or tell her the others are gifts for family and she gets first pick. Or whatever.

^^ Original and awesome lol. Gl to Murdoc.

:eek::eek:

Wow....didn't know Soundy was such a Romeo.

WOW that's some pretty impressive advice right there that's for sure. After looking it over more I'm just going to get her the D60 2 lens package and if she doesn't like that model she can always get something different.

Thanks for all your advice guys I will be sure to post some of the pics up she takes with it!!

So where is this "OWL", and whens the RS free photo tour? =)

here ya go it's all by donation since it's non profit

http://www.owlcanada.ca/

Cool thanks, looks like there is an open house this weekend, will have to try and get out there.

im stuck between T1i and 50D
omg..
fuck
unless i can sell my Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS...

Did you go?

Ha ha nope, I was just scrolling down this page and saw my own post and thought, damn, forgot all about that. whooops

still looking for a descent price on the canon rebel xsi?any price update on that?
or should i juz go with the nikon d60?what do u think guys?need more infos...

Does anyone know of a camera comparable to DMC-ZS3 or DMC-TZ7?

They're the same model , the ZS3 is for the US market and the other is international.

I was thinking D60 or XS, not sure which though. Suggestions?

I went to some stores and held/tested out the feel of how the cameras felt in my hands before settling on the XS. Layout and feel, the XS felt better suited to me. Based on reviews, they're not far apart in terms of quality/performance. You should also consider what your options are if you buy lenses and plan to upgrade to a better body in the future.

Have you done any research, reading up on each, how they compare, what their features are, etc.?

^
I believe nikon lenses will cost more?

T1i
will be in my hands this week or next
someting tells me i I will be dissapointed

Then why are you getting it?

well
more or less regret my decision
im going to wait for the 60D
rumors i've been reading tells me its more complete

Does anyone here have a 5D Mark II? What do you guys think? Is it a huge upgrade on the 40D? Price-wise it definitely is, but from what I've seen of its HD video recording capabilities, I'm very impressed. The quality is amazing for a digital camera.

I've also been exploring the possibility of moving into a full-frame camera and would purchase a 17-40 L and eventually purchase a 24-70 L.

The 5D mkII image quality is an improvement over the 40D, but it it a $2000 improvement? That's a question only you can answer. The video capability is good only because of the lenses that you can use on it. The audio sucks though unless you use external mics, as you can clearly hear the AF motors when they move, and you can also hear a grinding when you focus manually.

You can buy the 5D mkII kit with the 24-105, then buy the 24-70 in the future. Sell the 24-105 at a later date...you won't lose much money.

Totally missed this thread, so here it is reposted:

Hey so I'm looking for a new camera, and I thought I could get some input in from the camera gurus .

Currently I'm using a ghetto Canon Digital Rebel (the first one 300d). Its served me well for the last 5 years but it's really time for an upgrade. What I've basically set my eyes on is a used 40D. My price range is really in the 700-800 area. I've considered the XT, xti, blah blah series but I feel that I should really move up into the xxD range instead.

Main reasons:
Still uses CF cards
Pentaprism vf
Larger grip
Relatively cheap


So what are your suggestions. Is there anything I'm overlooking? And I only really have one extra canon lens so switching to a Nikon isn't out of the question.

TIA
dton13 is online now Report Post Edit/Delete Message

Nah, not really. Have you used one in person, held it yet?

the 40D is probably the most balanced camera of the canon line of cameras
i say this becuz i read somewhere that due to the higher pixel count of the newer models, a nicer lens is needed to produce better pictures, where as in something like the 40D and what you have, the pictures dont come out as soft

Does anyone want to trade their 40D for my 30D? :P