Camera for beginner?

[mardock]

Hey everyone!
I just joined this forum and i like it.
I've already got some questions, so here they are. I'am interested in photography, so i went out and bought a canon point and shoot digital camera and it was absolutely great.


As a beginner in photography, what the best camera for beginner like me? I'm not looking to spend thousands of dollars right yet but i was looking for something more like $400 or less
Any suggestion?

 

[ChrisedwardsHT]

Welcome to the forum...
This question has been asked a million times here, have you searched through the forums at all?
$400 for a body AND lens? What are you looking to get into? What photography interests you?

Have you also looked into anything about composition, lighting, etc.. ?

 

[johncam]

Hy Mardock! Just like you, I am also new in this forum
I think a used DSLR is the place to start, since you'll be able to grow with it and can sell it later for about what you paid for it. If $300-450 is your budget, you can probably find a used 20D, XT, or XTi body for about $250-300, and a used 18-55mm IS lens for another $100. You might also find a new Rebel XS + 18-55mm IS lens kit for $450 or so.

Thanks!

 

[Rick58]

I don't know if plugs are allowed on the forum, but I currently have, on eBay, an entry level Sony a230 with a kit 18-55 and a Sigma 70-300 along with extras starting at $200. It takes excellent photos and everything is in excellent condition. I only moved to Nikon so I can use my existing lenses. It's entry level, but still has menus I've never played with.

 

[timor]

Why don't you start with a bridge camera ? Like Fujifilm Sl or HS series. They are excellent cameras with a lot of features equaling or bettering low end slr. There are disadvantages like fixed lens, but there are also benefits like no dust on the sensor. And this way you will have a brand new equipment with a warranty and no hidden issues.

 

[otto0713]

Welcome to the world of digital photography. Most of us, like you, have come from the simple point and shoot cameras and realized early on that this was something that was fun and rewarding. Back in the day, we shot film cameras which were slow and hard to deal with. The film had to be developed and we would wait days for our exposures to be processed. We took prodigious notes just to remember what adjustments were applied during an "exposure" so we could replicate the shot later on. Still, many of us hung in there and with the advent if "free" digital pictures and instant results, really realized how bad it had been. I have several shoe boxes filled with photographs from this era. At about 20 cents apiece, I've vested thousands of dollars in these almost "keepers".
Your first DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera is a major decision. There are two major players out there, Nikon and Canon. If you use windows on your PC, you probably like to have more control of your environ; I suggest Nikon. If on the other hand you favor the Mac operating system, I would sway you towards the Canon system. They are not compatible, ( Nikon lens will not work on a Canon and vise-versa) so you should weigh your decision carefully. Whatever you decide, remember, its expensive and difficult to switch (lenses and gear are expensive and not interchangeable).

Start with a simple DSLR and a curious nature to find your niche; whether that being portraits, landscapes, astral, people. places or things, they are all rewarding. I suggest looking at the Nikon D3200, D5100, or the Canon EOS Rebel series t3i or t4i they are all equally qualified to open the doors for your interest. Get involved with this site, as there are many people who contribute their expertise in the many areas that digital photography envelopes. Keep it real simple and read the users manual. Don't get discouraged or frustrated-if you have a problem understanding something just ask. Soon you will be helping others who, like you, have decided to take up this rewarding and enjoyable hobby.

 

[imagemaker46]

Your best bet is to head to a good camera store, tell them what you are looking for and the price range. See how the camera feels when you are holding it, if it feels good in your hand then consider that one, if it doesn't feel right, it never will.

 

[texkam]

Get a used Rebel XS and a 50mm 1.8 (or similar setup), then learn how to really use them. Shoot in RAW. Don't learn the auto settings first. Learn to shoot in manual first. Learn why things happen and how to manually adjust to get what you want. Learn to be smarter than your camera.

 

[Yantropov]

Welcome to TPF!

Ok so first of all you have a Canon P&S looking to upgrade... right?!

As some members posted, if you decide to buy "new" equipment, you will get an entry level DSLR w/ kit lens for approximately $400-500 which is a decent way to begin. Quality/price at this level is very similar between Canon and Nikon.

If you decide to go Canon, they offer the Canon T3 with the 18-55mm lens for under $500. If you choose Nikon, there is the Nikon D3100 with 18-55mm kit lens.

Buying used equipment is also an option but make sure you inform yourself well and try the product before buying it.

Deciding between Nikon or Canon will be important because once you start investing in one of those brand, most likely you won't change down the road. So my suggestion is for you to go in a store and try both brand and see how they "feel" in your hands. Both offer great product.

 

[panblue]

As a beginner in photography, what the best camera for beginner like me? I'm not looking to spend thousands of dollars right yet but i was looking for something more like $400 or less
Any suggestion?

A second-hand DSLR and a couple of lenses... Nikon D70, 28-70 Nikon lens, 70-300 Tamron lens. That might cost you about 375-400. Pick up an cheapo 1980s OEM flash with a 'bounceable' (tiltable) head from a thrift store for $10, a 4GB SD card and you are set.

Try those pawn-broker store chains that give you a 90 day warranty.

 

[panblue]

I don't know if plugs are allowed on the forum, but I currently have, on eBay, an entry level Sony a230 with a kit 18-55 and a Sigma 70-300 along with extras starting at $200. It takes excellent photos and everything is in excellent condition. I only moved to Nikon so I can use my existing lenses. It's entry level, but still has menus I've never played with.

I agree that the A230 and the Sigma could be worth considering, but Sony's kit lens 18-55 is the worst kits lens I've used (both A series and NEX), in terms of colour aberration and the barrel distortion at 18-24. Nikon/Canon kit lenses are much better. All the same, once you have that A230 body, there are many good Minolta lenses that will mount..but c/w CanoNikon, the Minolta-As are less common.

 

[swiftparkour94]

Welcome to the world of digital photography. Most of us, like you, have come from the simple point and shoot cameras and realized early on that this was something that was fun and rewarding. Back in the day, we shot film cameras which were slow and hard to deal with. The film had to be developed and we would wait days for our exposures to be processed. We took prodigious notes just to remember what adjustments were applied during an "exposure" so we could replicate the shot later on. Still, many of us hung in there and with the advent if "free" digital pictures and instant results, really realized how bad it had been. I have several shoe boxes filled with photographs from this era. At about 20 cents apiece, I've vested thousands of dollars in these almost "keepers".
Your first DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera is a major decision. There are two major players out there, Nikon and Canon. If you use windows on your PC, you probably like to have more control of your environ; I suggest Nikon. If on the other hand you favor the Mac operating system, I would sway you towards the Canon system. They are not compatible, ( Nikon lens will not work on a Canon and vise-versa) so you should weigh your decision carefully. Whatever you decide, remember, its expensive and difficult to switch (lenses and gear are expensive and not interchangeable).

Start with a simple DSLR and a curious nature to find your niche; whether that being portraits, landscapes, astral, people. places or things, they are all rewarding. I suggest looking at the Nikon D3200, D5100, or the Canon EOS Rebel series t3i or t4i they are all equally qualified to open the doors for your interest. Get involved with this site, as there are many people who contribute their expertise in the many areas that digital photography envelopes. Keep it real simple and read the users manual. Don't get discouraged or frustrated-if you have a problem understanding something just ask. Soon you will be helping others who, like you, have decided to take up this rewarding and enjoyable hobby.

Not trying to be a smartass, but why would you recommend a T3i and not a T2i? The only major difference is the swivel screen, I'd recommend getting the T2i to save around $100 for a newer lens or accessories if needed, unless this person has spina bifida as I do and the swivel will come in great use

 

[johncam]

Your best bet is to head to a good camera store, tell them what you are looking for and the price range. See how the camera feels when you are holding it, if it feels good in your hand then consider that one, if it doesn't feel right, it never will.

I agree, you better ask directly to the camera store and you can try out the camera before buying. Seller will give you advice as well teach you how to use a camera that they recommend.

 

[gryffinwings]

The Nikon D80 is in that price range and it should be pretty good, I'm shooting a D200 and the pictures from it are pretty good, I enjoy shooting it.

 

[otto0713]

B&H has already discontinued the T2i while Amazon keep selling their remaining stock with some being returned for electronic failures. It is true that the T2i's screen is better than the T3i, and they both, along with the latest T4i, have been rated at a 77% on DP camera review. Any one of these Canons would be a great starter.