Gettin Mr Wonderful a Camera for Christmas

If there's a Wolf Camera store nearby, see if they're offering classes. You could also "window shop" at various camera shops to get the information needed on what to try.

Also, there's the old standby: Consumer Reports.

I have a Canon Rebel XTi and I absolutely LOVE it! I had the regular film Canon Rebel before I bought this one and all my old lenses still work with my new camera, so if he is into photography you might want to consider buying whatever brand he seems to be more partial to... especially if he has other lenses. Another thing to consider is the Nikon D90. It's the only SLR on the market that also does video, which is super-cool!

My friend and I both have Canon SLR's and love them. They take amazing pictures and there is no time delay at all. I have another friend who has a Nikon SLR and is equally happy. SLR prices have gone down so much since I got mine 2 years ago. You may want to consider only using around $900-$1000 for the camera and then get him some different lenses and an awesome flash! I shopped around but ended up purchasing from Best Buy. You can play with them there too.

I just got a Nikon D60 digital camera and it is amazing. I am a point 'n' shoot kinda gal, also - but this gives me professional results. The camera runs about 700. THEN I got a Nikon zoom lens 70-300mm which was another 6-700. and that is AMAZING. I use it to take pics at my girl's soccer games- I can literally catch them as they kick the ball or jump in the air. It is a VERY fast lens. I have also managed to "stop" a hummingbird's wings with it. So much fun. And I just know the basics- someone who actually knows what they are doing would have a blast with this combo. Also very easy to load pics onto the computer- overall I could not be happier.....

We purchased a Canon Rebel XTi several months ago from Wolfe camera online and have taken many great pictures with it. If he is really into taking pictures with different size lenses I would get the two basic lenses you need such as one regular and one telephoto. When we have a special occassion or vacation where we will need a fancier and better picture quality type lens we rent it www.lensrentals.com. Hope this helps.

My husband is also into cameras and photography. He's loved photography since he was young. He currently has a DSLR Olympus, but easily says that Nikon is the best out there. The D in DSLR simply means a digital SLR. From watching my husband drool over cameras for the last ten years, my advice to you would be to let him tell you what he wants. Ask him to show you how to use his current camera and ask him what makes it better than the other ones out there. Ask him if there are cameras out there that have better options for those features that he likes. It might not be as much of a surprise, but if he's like my husband, the surprise aspect might not matter as much as the thrill of having a "supersized" camera. My husband was like a little kid waiting for Christmas to get there faster. Good luck!

My husband is a photographer and we only use Canon equipment in our house. The D-10 & D-20 model's are amazing. Your going to pay a lot more but the quality of the camera will shine as well as the images it captures. I great place to visit is Ritz or Precision Camera, the folks are helpful and they have a large selection of SLR camera's and accessories.
Best of luck-

M. H.

I love photography and have been a keen photographer (amateur/pro) for quite a looong time.
If he is serious abou it the best bet is either a Canon or a Nikon, I am vary partial to Nikons but so is every Canon aficionado so it´s is really up to him, what does he have? try to go the same make as that way he can use the rest of his lenses...or , ask him outright what does he prefer!
My dream one is a D90, the very new one from Nikon, body only should be around 700+ or so... include a Nikon VR zoom lens 28-200 for another 600 and a flash speedlite not the very expensive one... and you are all set!
Hope this helps any, ah! and look for a reputable place to buy them,as protection plans are a MUST!
T.

Nikon and Canon are the two leaders in this area.

Nikon just released the first SLR with VIDEO!! It's in your price range. It's the NIKON D90. Plus the lens kit that comes with it... 18-105 is the perfect lens size for almost all outings.

I've done tons of research over the past years on cameras. The D90 (former D80) is an excellent SLR - and now that it has video - there's nothing else like it!!

This is the leader in camera reviews. VERY nice site!!

Nikon D90 Preview
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond90/

Sample Photos
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond90/page14.asp

P.S. - I'm jealous!! This is what I would want for Christmas!!

Does your husband have any SLR cameras and lenses already? I had an old Canon Rebel with a couple of zoom lenses...so I went to Best Buy last year and checked out the Digital SLR cameras from Canon. I ended up buying another Canon because the "old" lenses still worked perfectly with the digital SLR...so I didn't have to buy any new lenses. Also...look for packages...at the time Best Buy was offering a package that gave you a free 210 zoom lens...so I ended up with another zoom lens anyway. :)

Oh...one other thing...not sure what other stores offer...but Best Buy has a protection plan you can buy...so that even if you were to drop it in the water at the lake or something...it would be covered 100%!

Get a Canon Rebel Digital SLR...it will be great for his hobby, but easy enough for you to use.

Guys (mine at least) are so picky about your toys. He might well prefer to pick his own. Can you give him a fancy wrapped IOU for the camera instead of having it there? Will you get your feelings hurt if he exchanges it? I usually end up with a specific list from Mr. Practical from which I choose what I want to get him. This appears to go with Y chromasome. Maybe when you're in a store where they have them you could steer him over to the cameras and see where that leads. Good luck with this.

Get a Cannon. They are the best. Wouldn't buy anything else. I recently got the Rebel XTi. It takes great pictures and I love it. In the $800-900 range without extra lenses and other extras. I shopped around and bought mine at Sams Club instead of the camera stores. They have a bundle package online that is a great deal. Good Luck.

Not sure if there is one in seabrook but see if you can find a fry's electronics. I also am a dumby when it comes to electronics and camera's but I find the people at fry's can help you get what you what and in your price range. you just go into the camera department and tell them what your husband wants and ikes and they can help you fix him up and if ain't just right he can exchange it.

My husband is very into photography as a hobby. He has a digital Canon Rebel (a newer model) and all the bells and whistles. I agree that men are very picky about their toys, so you may do better getting him a gift certificate to Best Buy, Frys or Circuit City. Also Ritz camera is a good place for accessories, but tend to be more expensive on some of their products.

If you want a good camera, you can't go wrong with a Nikkon brand. I have a friend with a degree in photography and I have learned alot!! Nikkon takes the BEST pictures and has so many features. They make all different kinds,the top of the line Nikkon is around $2,000.00 but it's for people that are well experienced. They make a D90 Nikkon that's around $1,000.00. It has alot of features but it's also easy to operate. I hope I've been of some help. Let me know how it works out.

H.
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Look for the Nikon camera that is on a TV commerical with Ashton Kuthcher. It has a touch screen and face i.d. so all pictures should turn out great. Pretty much idiot proof.

I have a nikon D40 and I love it. It's a DSLR, but it's one of the entry level ones so it's very user friendly. It's also below $500 now I think, it was over $600 when I got it. Go to a camera shop and play with a few, that's what we did and it helps.

If you're going to spend that much money and he already knows what he wants, create a neat little gift certificate for him and let him buy it himself. That way, he'll get exactly what he wants, and he'll know you wanted him to have the very best.

I agree with what a lot of people are saying. I have another fun idea for you. You could buy a toy camera or get a picture or something and then make a date with your husband after Christmas to go buy one together. That way he could pick the camera he wants. It might be a fun way for you to both extend Christmas together.

If you want the actual camera under the tree maybe make sure the camera can be returned. That way if he would prefer a different one, he could exchange it. If you go that route, go with the Nikon or Canon. They are both great cameras. If he already uses one of those cameras, most people like to stay with the same brand.

Hope that is helpful.

Best to go to Wolfe Camera and they can tell you everything you need to know. Good Luck