Help upgrading to more professional camera.

[SpideryPhotography]

I’ve been dipping my feet into urban exploration for quite some time. I really want to upgrade from my old drug-store digital camera to a more professional camera, but I’m struggling to figure out *which* cameras would work. I know I need something that is good with high-contrast lighting as well as dim light, but I have problems searching for these functions.

Price is also an issue, but I’m willing to get a slightly older model used. My day job is a teacher – I don’t have a lot of extra money.

Any suggestions?

 

[tirediron]

What is your budget? Dealing with "tricky" lighting is definitely a case where spending more money yeilds better results. The ability of say the D4s in extreme lighting situations compared to a D3000 is huge. That said, the D4s is a $6000 body, and probably not practical for most...

 

[robbins.photo]

I’ve been dipping my feet into urban exploration for quite some time. I really want to upgrade from my old drug-store digital camera to a more professional camera, but I’m struggling to figure out *which* cameras would work. I know I need something that is good with high-contrast lighting as well as dim light, but I have problems searching for these functions.

Price is also an issue, but I’m willing to get a slightly older model used. My day job is a teacher – I don’t have a lot of extra money.

Any suggestions?

Well suggestions are going to vary a lot based on budget. Also, what sort of distances are involved? You need to consider not just the camera but the lenses as well. For dim lighting fast glass will make a big difference, but fast glass and telephoto gets expensive, very quick. So if you can stay with something in the 50 mm range you can usually get the fast glass you need without killing your budget.

 

[SpideryPhotography]

Sadly, my budget is in the low hundreds. I would love to be able to spend more money on it, but with my low-paying job and college loans it's going to be something I need to save for.

Where's a billionaire philanthropist when you need one?

 

[Designer]

Start looking at used digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR). You ban probably find multiple deals on a an entry-level camera and one lens for the "low hundreds". Try to get a good brand name so that you can get a second lens for it someday. Meanwhile, there are some free editing programs that will enable you to make adjustments on your computer. Just getting started is the first step.

http://www.keh.com/?gclid=CJet0seszb4CFQJqMgodbSIAEw

http://www.adorama.com/c/used

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Used-Department/ci/2870/N/4294247188

 

[manaheim]

Low hundreds could get you a Nikkon D200 (used). Very nice camera, very capable.

 

[TCampbell]

The issue you are struggling with is "dynamic range". The technical attribute within the sensor is called "well depth". Camera makers typically do not publish their "well depth" (astro imaging sensors typically DO publish those specs).

In any case, sensors which are physically larger tend to do a much better job collecting light and being sensitive to even tiny amounts of light than cameras with tiny imaging chips. This is because not only is the overall chip larger... but each "photo site" on that chip is also larger ... more real-estate means more photons can land on it. You can think of it as a "light bucket" and a bigger bucket captures more light than a small bucket.

I'm not sure how much "low hundreds" means... a "refurbished" Canon T3 with an 18-55mm lens (that's the most basic DSLR that Canon makes ... and buying refurbished means it's even less expensive) is $360. See: Canon EOS Rebel T3 Black EF-S 18-55mm IS II Lens Kit Refurbished | Canon Online Store

A refurbished Nikon D3200 with an 18-55mm kit lens (technically the most basic Nikon DSLR is the D3100 but for some reason they only package a refurbished version of this with two lenses and that drives the package price up to over $700... so you can actually get a D3200 for less) is about $400. See: Refurbished D3200 Nikon HDSLR Camera | Digital SLR Camera from Nikon

A refurbished camera (direct from the manufacturer) actually does come with a warranty.

What it will not come with (and is essential) is a memory card... but those are very inexpensive.

These are both entry-level DSLR bodies... but will likely be quite a considerable upgrade in comparison to a cheap point & shoot that you may be used to using (especially with regard to how quickly they focus and shoot.)

 

[goodguy]

My advise is get a Nikon D3200 with its basic kit lens 18-55mm
This should be about 500$ new or if you look for it used you probably can get it for much lower.

 

[hamlet]

Sadly, my budget is in the low hundreds. I would love to be able to spend more money on it, but with my low-paying job and college loans it's going to be something I need to save for.

Where's a billionaire philanthropist when you need one?

I see the dilemma you are in. If you are responsible enough and you can cut back on your living budget then i would suggest you buy the d7000 with the 18-105mm with a payment plan. Say $50 a month until you have paid off your gear, there are stores that don't ask for any interest and you only pay for what you have bought over time.

 

[Steve5D]

Low hundreds could get you a Nikkon D200 (used). Very nice camera, very capable.

Agreed.

My brother's been using his D200 for years...

 

[manaheim]

I would also personally recommend avoiding any of the four digit cameras under the D7000 level. In my opinion, you're far better off buying an older camera at a higher tier, than a newer one at a lower tier. Just get one that has been taken care of and/or not used very much. There are TONS out there as most people don't use their cameras as much as they expect.