I need to buy a camera in a few weeks so would appreciate a speedy answer. I will use it mainly for outdoor pictures (day or evening), so I don't want it to be too heavy. I would like at least a 28-105mm.

I want the automatic and manual focus capabilities; eventually, I will take a course or two, so I don't want to find out later that my camera can't handle some features that more serious amateurs would want.

I was shown a Canon Rebel G 2000 which seemed fine, but I am concerned the plastic parts will be a problem, especially if it gets bumped a little while hiking, etc. Should I be concerned? I also would like the ability to change film mid-roll which is not a feature for this model.

I would prefer to spend around $400, but if it is worth spending a little more (bigger bang for the buck), I would go for it.

Thanks for any help you can provide, Deanna

-- Deanna Frizol (frizol@hotmail.com), November 18, 2000

Answers

I'll second Jim's suggestion for an Elan II. I've owned an Elan IIe for about 4 years now, and it has been absolutely reliable. Ergonomics are wonderful, and even better with the battery pack.

As for lenses, I've never used the 28-105, but it does have a very good reputation. I have the 28-80, and while it isn't as bad as a lot of people say, there is a reason it is so cheap. If you think you will be doing much wide angle work, the 24-85 is also an option. Since getting it, I have been impressed with it.

Be sure to get a flash when you have the money. The built in unit is fairly weak. It is fine for fill flash and closeups of flowers and such, but don't expect to light up a room with it. I have the 380EX that was introduced with this camera, and it is about all the average person needs. If you think you might need a lot of flash power, the 550EX is awesome and provides all of the 380EX's functionality, and then some. It is heavy though.

Jim mentioned spot metering. If this is important to you, keep in mind that the Elan series and lower don't offer true spot metering. It does offer a partial area, which is like a large spot. I haven't found this to be a problem, but then all my AE-1 had was center weighted metering, and I did fine with it too.

-- Brad Hutcheson (bhutcheson@iname.com), November 19, 2000.

The Canon Elan II is a better choice for a beginner. It offers good ergonomics, the features you're going to want and good manual control. It does mid roll rewind with the leader out as well. The Nikon N80 is a good choice as well, but most Nikons wont do leader out rewind. Not sure about the N80 though.

The problem with cheap bodies (Rebel, Nikon N65, Minolta HTsi etc.) is the rather poor set of controls. Nobody complains about them being unreliable, they're just not as easy to opperate in manual modes, so you don't learn as much. They also hold you back when you want to experiment with things like spot metering, flash exposure compensation & film speed adjustments. The Rebel has a lot of features for its price but it does things like combining spot metering with exposure lock, or averaging metering only in manual mode only. You can't have one without the other. Like all low end cameras they are deliberatly crippled to entice you to buy higher up the line. They're not bad cameras and even though the Rebel feels cheap, it actually has a good reliability record. The plastic body handles bumps very well, perhaps better than the metal bodied ones.

I think the beginner is far better off with a mid range camera than a low end one. The Elan II is being discontinued in favor of the Elan 7 so the price for it is getting quite good.

Canon's 28-105 USM is a great lens but the 28-80 USM that they put in the kits are cheap junk and not too sharp either.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), November 18, 2000.

I second the recommendation of the Canon ELAN II. A friend of mine, who had never even had a pocket point&shoot had to get a camera for a project. On my suggestion, she got the ELAN II and started taking pictures after spending an afternoon reading the owners manual and playing with the camera. Today, @ 2 years later, she is still happily using it and has gotten quite interested in photography as a hobby. With an SLR, you will also have to consider what lenses you want, depending on the kind of photography you get interested in. You might want to start with a 50mm f1.8 just because it is small & light, very good quality and CHEAP. Then consider a not-too-long zoom, like a 28- 105, or whatever. Whatever you get, enjoy it; after all, that's the point, isn't it?

-- ed nicholson (thenicks@prodigy.net), November 19, 2000.

My wife and I owned a Rebel for nine years. It went through some headers with me, and was not "babied". It now belongs to our daughter. Rebels are tough and solid. THe controls on the Elans are faster, but if budget is tight a Rebel 2000 will serve quite well. IT has everything you actually need for an effective camera. The Rebel G on the other hand is an older model and lacks many refinements of the 2000. IT also lacks depth of field preview, the most essential feature of an SLR. Avoid any Rebel other than the 2000.

-- Tony Spadaro (tony_tony_tony@my-deja.com), November 23, 2000.