An age old question

[Raizahblade]

I'm a 30 year old man that I think is hitting an early midlife crisis... Okay not really but I am looking to get into a new hobby. I picked up motorcycling a little more than 4 years ago but then I was a single man. Now I'm a married family man that just does not have time to ride like I used to. So in the near future I am going to sell my bike and I have been for some reason really looking in photography as it is something that I have always thought was cool but I have stayed away from it due to my perceived notion that it takes great skill to master. Well I decided with the birth of my son that I wanted to learn how to shoot good pictures for 2 reasons. 1, I want to capture the greatest moments of my son's life and 2, I want to do it without having to spend hundreds of dollars every season hiring a professional to do it. Anyway to get to the point, I have been doing research because I hate to part with my money and not get the best that I can get.

Originally I was looking at the 60d but after talking to a photographer that I currently work with he suggested the 4Ti. At the same time I have another photographer buddy that said that thoughout his career (he is an Air Force photographer who uses govt equipment) and said that due him being a creature of habit he'd continue with Nikon when he bought his own equipment. After looking in to it I ran across the Sony A 57 and the Nikon D5100. At first glance the Sony appeared to be the ideal choice based on the price and the quality of pictures seemed to be on par with the other two, however I have been reading several posts on this site and articles throughout the internet over the past few days that have led me to believe otherwise due to the lack of potential of growth and due to the fact that I have never heard Sony's name in any serious Camera discussions.

So in the interest of not wanting be that noob who pops onto the site just ask which brand is better, I'd rather pose a different but similar question to all of the pros, amatuers, and wannabees.

Which brand did you decide to go with and why?

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[Infinite_Day]

Did you look at the D7000? Better performance and ergonomics than most of the other cameras you listed. Do you want good video capability? Are you going to shoot more than photos of your kids? A lot of things come into play. Really, you can't go wrong with any body but if you intend to progress with the hobby I think most people will tell you to start with a solid mid-level body you won't get tired of quickly and then invest in some really good glass. A body you will replace - good glass is an investment and will last for a very long time if taken care of. Lenses tend to be more important at the end of the day than the body and that's where your money will really go. Also consider a good flash. That's just my two cents - the more skilled among the forum shall soon chime in....

Oh, and I shoot Nikon. I just like the feel of their cameras better and the way they work. I would strongly suggest finding a store - even Best Buy - where you can handle various bodies and see how they feel to you in-hand.

[Raizahblade]

I actually did look at the D7000 but not very long. I didn't know if that would be that much of a significant leap from the D5100. I don't know if I will use video that much but I'm sure that since it's on the camera I will use it at some point I just don't know if I will use it that much.

A flash is another subject I have questions about but that will be another thread.

[subscuck]

but I have stayed away from it due to my perceived notion that it takes great skill to master.

I don't know that I would say it takes great skill to master, but there is certainly a learning curve there. It does take time and patience, but the good news is, there are resources to help you. Whatever you choose for gear, look into "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson, or Scott Kelby's "The Digital Photography Book" series. You need to have a strong understanding of the mechanics to get through the curve, and Peterson's book is probably the best place to start.

You also mentioned flash, and I would say put that on hold til you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals. Flash is another animal all it's own, and trying to learn the basics of exposure and flash photography at the same time is probably a little more on your plate than you need.

FWIW, I shoot Canon because that's what I used in the film days, so for me the choice was based on the Canon glass I already owned when I bought my first DSLR.

[Designer]

..I have stayed away from it due to my perceived notion that it takes great skill to master.

Which brand did you decide to go with and why?

Most of us will never "master" photography. It is a hobby from which I receive some satisfaction.

Back in my film days I used a couple of different versions of Minolta. Moving into DSLR, I researched the available system components and decided make the leap to Nikon.

You are investing in a system in which components will work well together, but not very well with other makes. Consider the entire system, read the reviews, hold some cameras, take a deep breath, and jump in.

[Derrel]

Designer's got it right. It's a life-long quest. Canon,Nikon,Sony, they ALL have enough good gear to make a complete kit. Pick one. LEARN it. Use it.

[Raizahblade]

You are investing in a system in which components will work well together, but not very well with other makes.

This is the reason what I decided to back off of the idea of the Sony. At one point I was sold but like the cheapskate that I am, I decided to do more research and decided against it! lol

I guess my verbage "master" was a bit strong of a term but I knew that it would take a great deal of time to learn the several phases of photograpy meaning pre and post shot. But this is something that I don't have to leave my family to do and still have some fun with! Back to the research phase I go!

[Raizahblade]

Designer's got it right. It's a life-long quest. Canon,Nikon,Sony, they ALL have enough good gear to make a complete kit. Pick one. LEARN it. Use it.

That is my ultimate goal! I'm the kind of guy that is good at a lot of things but I am a master at none. I want to have a skill set that is superior to others. I don't have to be a pro I just want to produce great results!

[Parker219]

I have stayed away from it due to my perceived notion that it takes great skill to master.Which brand did you decide to go with and why?

Wow, if you dont think it takes great skill to master, then that is the first thing you need to learn. Anyone can put the camera on auto and take a picture. That doesnt make a photograph. If you want to "master" photography, it takes great skill, hard work, research, time, effort, patience, thick skin, and about a hundred other things.

Start taking picture with whatever you get, post them for feedback on this forum, and see how long it takes for 20 other people to ALL say that you have even 1 photograph worthy of being called taken by a master.

[Raizahblade]

I have stayed away from it due to my perceived notion that it takes great skill to master.Which brand did you decide to go with and why?

Wow, if you dont think it takes great skill to master, then that is the first thing you need to learn. Anyone can put the camera on auto and take a picture. That doesnt make a photograph. If you want to "master" photography, it takes great skill, hard work, research, time, effort, patience, thick skin, and about a hundred other things.

Start taking picture with whatever you get, post them for feedback on this forum, and see how long it takes for 20 other people to ALL say that you have even 1 photograph worthy of being called taken by a master.

Did you not read what I wrote? I saud that I stayed away due to the great amount of skill that it takes to do... I'm no fool, almost all crafts that one pursues takes a great deal of skill to do properly.

[SCraig]

The bottom line is very simple. Sony make make some good gear, and I'm not taking a shot at the Sony fans, but the reality is that there are only two true contenders in the camera market: Nikon and Canon. Probably 90% of the photographers around today are shooting one of those two brands. The one you choose is pretty much up to you because they are, in fact, pretty much equal in every respect. For every amazing shot taken with a Nikon I can show you an equally amazing shot from a Canon. For every amazing shot taken with a Canon I can show you an equally amazing shot from a Nikon.

The difference is not in the cameras but in the abilities and knowledge of the person behind it. Put a good camera, regardless of brand, in the hands of an experienced photographer and you will get excellent shots. Put the best camera made in the hands of a rookie and you'll get, at best, mediocre shots.