I Would Like to Start Learning: General Advice Please (Bonus: Poll)

[Bebulamar]

Do research and try to learn as much as possible about cameras without buying a cameras. It would take about a month or so. Then you check them out at the stores. Don't ask other for recommendation.

 

[Dave442]

Congratulations on picking up the camera body.
I think a trip to that local camera store along with your camera body to pick up a used lens would be fun.

 

[Blue Hour]

Hi Dave442,

Thank you so much indeed it would but it will have to wait I am unable to walk at the moment after a rather stressful day at the doctors. If the condition persists then I will have to contact my MS nurse and worst of all I'll have to arrange a friend to stay here and wait for my camera! Blast...

That's a great avatar Dave I find those birds very intimidating in real life and that shot really captures it. Thanks for your comment.

Regards,

Blue

 

[PJoneil]

Hello Everyone,

In an attempt to keep this post short I have written some information about myself and why I would I wish to start taking photographs on my profile. If you wish to have a look before posting please feel free. Link

I enjoyed taking photos when I was younger; I did so up until the age of about 10 or 11 and then academia became an ever increasing part of my life. I did go on to do art at school and can paint and draw (at least for now) but could not afford a good camera at the time. Now I can and would like to start taking pictures again that I have the time and money to spare.

Coming from a point and shot instant camera circa 1999 I know nothing about cameras. No one in my family did and I've never been taught anything about them so I will need to teach myself everything. Obviously I've already started but if anyone knows some good resources either physical (I like having the book) or online/CDs etc it would be a huge boon.

Finally I need the equipment; I am in need of a new computer - I was thinking of a "MacBook Pro" - and had the money for this anyway. On camera and lenses I would spend maybe £1000 at first for the body and kit lenses perhaps?

I have no lenses at the moment as I've never owned a DSLR. I have tons of storage hard drives, memory cards etc so that's all covered.

I forgot to say there is a store near by where I can buy pre-owned camera bodies in very good "like new" almost condition for very good prices. I've been in once or twice and the couple who run the store seem nice buy my meekness gets the better of me and I leave without asking questions.

I also need software...

I know will never go professional I know that but I like to have the best I can have without going OTT. Not to show off but I like quality it's not about the price or anything. I want to be sure I get the absolute best end product I can and I know that's mostly the lenses but every little helps right?

I apologise I could not keep this short. Feel free to ask me questions either openly or via PM I'm always happy to talk to anyone and thank you for your time.

Regards,

Blue

I know from my own experience I really enjoyed my popular photography subscriptions plus their books they put out every once in a while. There is a lot of information in that magazine. Plus if you get the subscription online it's pretty cheap.

 

[charchri4]

For what it's worth I stepped into the world of DSLR photography knowing nothing about 2 weeks ago and besides the awesome help I have gotten from this forum I found this video series very helpful.

Photography course - YouTube

It's sort enough to not overload my brain but complete enough to feel comfortable pushing the shutter button.

Note: I have no connection to them or enough knowledge to know how accurate they are.

 

[JohnSw]

Hello Blue,
+1 on the John Hedgecoe books, another really good book is "Exposure" by Peterson. I recommend it highly. As an earlier poster said, it's the camera you have with you. All of the modern DSLRs will take much better shots than a beginner is capable of. The only advantage of the Nikon/ Canon over the others is the massive amount of lens options as you grow as a photographer. The D7200 will serve you well. And last but not least, welcome to TPF!

 

[beagle100]

View attachment 109706 In m. Canon 30D, two of them were at $169, Canon 20D at $129. I snapped a shot with my iPhone and its terribly scratched lens... I ended up buying the mostly obscured Tamron 28-80mm lens for $19.99.

I find most pawnshop camera prices to be unreasonably on the high side

 

[Blue Hour]

Hello PJoneil, charchri4, JohnSw & beagle100

I apologise but I must be brief I am feeling rather sore and tired today. I will try my best to answer you fully later on when I hopefully will feel better. Until then I want to thank you and everyone for your comments and advice it has been a great help to me and I'm sure to others who will read this thread.

Kind Regards,

B.

 

[sm4him]

Congratulations on the new camera purchase! Hang with it and you will love that D7200!
I'm late to the advice party, because I've been sick and not watching the active topics this week--looks like you did buy used. My cameras are both used and I've never had an issue with that. As long as the purchase is from a reputable company/person, it's a good way to save some money and get a little more camera than you could afford to get new.

So, now you need lenses, at the least, and books and other learning tools. Sounds like you have at least one Hedgecoe book now, I agree with JohnSW above, look into Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson as well.
Another GREAT bit of reading material: The camera manual. If your used camera didn't come with one, find it on the internet and download the pdf. There is really NO better way to learn how to use YOUR specific camera.

Lenses: Do you already know, for sure, what you want to shoot? I liked Derrel's suggestion early on--get a Nikon 18-55 VR lens and something telephoto, the 55-200, or even better imo, the 70-300. The 18-55 and 55-200 are considered "kit" lenses--eventually, you may want to upgrade them. But they are good lenses for the price, and they will give you a range that will allow you to shoot pretty much whatever you want. Then, as you learn, you'll see what focal lengths you really need--you may find that you almost never shoot over 100mm, or you may find you never shoot under 40mm. At any rate, the point of those lenses is to give you a wide range while you learn--but if you really get into the photography, you'll want to plan to upgrade to better-quality lenses at some point (but by then, you'll have a better handle on which lenses would be useful to you).

While learn the technical stuff--don't forget about the artistic part! Composition is a critical part of a good photograph--study photos you like and ask yourself specifically what it is you like about them; study the "rules" of good composition (although, as the pirates, they aren't so much rules as "suggestions...")

Most of all--have fun!! Take a few shots and post them on TPF.