WTB- Camera with good optical zoom

[Rhettley]

Not looking for a professional set up. We have a digital Kodak Easyshare that takes decent "regular" pictures but isn't good for zoom and is useless for night time shots outside unless they are really close. We want something for half way decent zoomed wildlife photos and to take zoom or night pictures at concerts or of the kids at sporting events, etc. I'm hoping to find a decent used camera at a fair price, preferably under $200.

[silverking]

Check out bhphoto.com and look in their used camera department. It's one of the huge stores in NYC and they take trade-ins all the time. I've bought several cameras from them and have always been happy with their prices and service. A lot of folks trade every year and B&H inspects and rates the trade-ins, so you can expect good reliability.

I'm a Canon man myself and for what you're describing, I'd suggest a Canon Rebel with a variable zoom lens. I shoot a 28-105mm lens for my magazine work and it handles most situations. If you go with Canon (or Nikon), the lenses are interchangeable, so if you do get into serious nature photography and want a super telephoto, you don't have to buy another body.

[Rhettley]

Good site Silverking. Thanks.

Gonna have to scratch the idea of a camera for now though unfortunately and stick with the point and shoot. We've spent too much on Christmas already and there's more stuff to get.