$400-500 Camera Suggestion?

DocFrankenstein · Dec 10, 2005

Kent Frost said:
Sorry, I don't buy that.

It's ok. If I didn't know what tripods are used for, I wouldn't buy it either. :lmao:

Kent Frost · Dec 10, 2005

PINHOLE:

PHONE:

Images found on google.

Nonetheless, this is a bit of a pointless argument. This whole thread turned into a different topic. Sorry about that.

GrandMasterK · Dec 11, 2005

so, long distance lens?

DocFrankenstein · Dec 11, 2005

GrandMasterK said:
so, long distance lens?

Don't worry about it. Learn to use everything else for now.

GrandMasterK · Dec 11, 2005

still, the knowledge is good.

DocFrankenstein · Dec 11, 2005

GrandMasterK said:
still, the knowledge is good.

You can pick up a lens with OK quality for 200 bucks.

As you want to get closer or as the amount of light diminishes, you have to pay anywhere from 800 to 8 grand for a lens.

What's your budget?

GrandMasterK · Dec 11, 2005

died the second you said 800 to 8 grand.

Rob · Dec 11, 2005

It depends what you call long, but essentially you can't go far wrong with the constant aperture zooms or primes!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...44&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...616&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...52&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...152&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

If that's well out of budget, then there are some other great lenses which aren't quite as bright. Make sure you get IS if it's going to be long and you're going to be hand-holding at any length.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...616&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

GrandMasterK · Dec 19, 2005

ah hem, been a couple days. Anyways, I asked for the camera, the two lenses and a 2GB memory card, so uh, lets hope santa delivers.

Got a question for yah Rob. Statistically normally photographers spend more money on a single lens then they do on the camera they use? Those lenses you suggested are.....making my head spin with those prices. I'm more of an audiophile so when I ever lay my hands on that doe it usually goes into speakers or something hehe.

Rob · Dec 20, 2005

GrandMasterK said:
ah hem, been a couple days. Anyways, I asked for the camera, the two lenses and a 2GB memory card, so uh, lets hope santa delivers.

Got a question for yah Rob. Statistically normally photographers spend more money on a single lens then they do on the camera they use? Those lenses you suggested are.....making my head spin with those prices. I'm more of an audiophile so when I ever lay my hands on that doe it usually goes into speakers or something hehe.

Yes.

In short.

A "pro" as we'll call our gainfully employed photographer will have the tools for the job. Most pros will have numerous bodies probably amounting to slightly less than that spent on the lenses I would guess.

When I'm in pro mode, I carry two bodies one for B&W and the other colour, or just to give me an indoor and outdoor ISO handy. This is really useful for weddings.

All of the big price lenses are specialised tools - they are not something you or I need on a regular basis. Sure we'd love to have the cash to spend on something like that, but they're not practical. You can't leave them anywhere, they are fragile, heavy and theft magnets. A sports photographer needs one as they need to freeze action from a great distance in odd lighting conditions. A big-game nature photographer or bird photographer also. However us normal people are pretty happy in the 200mm and under area.

There isn't much I can't capture with my 180mm f2 Nikkor. It'll enlarge better than a crappy 500mm f8 mirror lens anyway!

Rob