Camera Advice Requested, Please

[millerguide]

Hello,
I am new to these forums. Many years ago, I studied photography, even going so far as developing my own photos in a darkroom. However, having since forgotten most of what I learned (haha), I feel like a beginner again. So, I need to buy a camera for professional-level food photography, as well as some landscape and building photography. These photos will be for a culinary guide and food/travel magazine.

I am looking for a good, solid camera. I do not want to go cheap, but obviously I do not need a really expensive, top-level one either. I am looking at the Canon EOS T5i. Can anyone tell me if this is a good idea, or offer some general camera-buying advice? Thank you!

 

[ruifo]

Welcome to the forum!

If you don't want to go cheap, and want to do professional work, one could think you should go way beyond the entry level T5i. The. Nikon D5300 and the D7100 are also great choices at this level of crop sensor cameras.

For a better understanding of your needs, and give you better advice, please let us know what your budget is.

 

[millerguide]

Welcome to the forum!

If you don't want to go cheap, and want to do professional work, one could think you should go way beyond the entry level T5i. The. Nikon D5300 and the D7100 are also great choices at this level of crop sensor cameras.

For a better understanding of your needs, and give you better advice, please let us know what your budget is.

Thank you for the warm welcome. Yes, the budget is the main limiting element. I would like to spend no more than, say, $900.

 

[jaomul]

I'd say any modern dslr would do. Pro is usually hard wearing but food is usually photographed in a nice controlled environment. Your lens choice is important, your lighting is very important. You will have to consider your lighting budget

 

[millerguide]

I'd say any modern dslr would do. Pro is usually hard wearing but food is usually photographed in a nice controlled environment. Your lens choice is important, your lighting is very important. You will have to consider your lighting budget

Thank you. What would you recommend in terms of lighting?

 

[ruifo]

Here some suggetions...


_______




Nikon D5200 (body only - no lens): $600
Nikon D5200 DSLR Camera 1501 B&H Photo (Body, Black) D5200 27 Reviews


OR


Nikon D3300 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens: $600
Nikon D3300 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Black) 1532 B&H Photo


OR


Nikon D3200 Digital SLR Camera With 18-55mm Lens: $480
Nikon D3200 DSLR Camera with NIKKOR 18-55mm Lens 25492 D3200 at B&H Photo


[Any of these bodies will do the work. The D5200 is better, the D3300 intermediary, and D3200 lower, but still very good, with 24 MPix]




+


Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G Lens: $200
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Nikkor Lens 2183 B&H Photo


AND/OR


Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens: $220
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens 2199 B&H Photo Video


[I would buy a fast aperture lens, as well, either the 35mm 1.8G or the 50mm 1.8G, once they will really help you to creat the "professional look" in your shots, with whichever body choice. The kit lenses can give you a hard time for that, although you could still do it]



+


Vivatar Wireless Flash for Nikon: $135
Vivitar DF-483-NIK Wireless TTL LCD Flash for Nikon DF483NIK B&H


[You will need an external flash light, and I'd recommend a wireless one to help you better with this kind of work]


+

MeFOTO BackPacker Travel Tripod: $140
MeFOTO BackPacker Travel Tripod (Black) A0350Q0K B&H Photo Video


[A tripod would be recommend for this kind of work, and this option here is the one I have: light, compact and get heavy equipment with easy, up to 4kg, which is more than you will need]

_______


Or something similar.



Altogether, this pack here would give you a $955 budget:
Nikon 3200 with kit lens + Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens + Vivatar Wireless Flash + MeFOTO BackPacker Tripod

That would be enough for your work.

 

[millerguide]

Thank you!

 

[Ido]

I wouldn't rule out a compact system (mirrorless interchangeable-lens) camera. These are smaller than DSLRs, yet offer practically the same image quality. The biggest benefit to using a DSLR is its AF system, which fares much better at tracking autofocus than most compact system cameras. But since food and buildings don't run away so fast, you shouldn't be worried about that.

The two best options for the money are the Olympus OM-D E-M10 and Sony Alpha A6000, both cost roughly $800 with a kit zoom lens. I usually lean more towards the Olympus, but I may be completely biased, as my experience with the OM-D E-M5, its older sibling, has been spectacular.

Don't buy any fancy lighting equipment just yet. Take the time to learn about it, and see what's going to work best for you.

 

[millerguide]

Thank you all very much for the advice.

 

[IzzieK]

Anyway...all that above being said, welcome to the forum...

 

[Mike_E]

As always, pick out the lens you need and get a body to fit it.