Intersted in Headshot Photography and HDR but have no idea what camera to buy?

GummiBearsAreAwesome · Apr 8, 2011

I wanted to start with photography as a hobby but I dunno what camera to buy? If used on ebay that's fine with me. My budget would be the 300-400 range. But I'm confuse by which camera to get and what lens????

My main interest would be HDR images. I'm a bit confused on how they are made though something that would let me make stuff similar to this:
High dynamic range - a set on Flickr

Also, I was hoping in the future I can be good enough to be a headshot photographer.

What would be the camera to practice on? And lens that best for headshots/landscapes? I'm just not sure. Right now I just want to find the most suitable camera to practice with.

Also color profile? Would it be adobe rgb?

thanks.

WesternGuy · Apr 8, 2011

Well, I guess the first question, is do you have any equipment now? I am going to assume from your post that you don't...so I am not sure about US prices ( I am north of 49), so I cannot advise you on that too much, but I would definitley shop around - don't buy the first camera you come across, nor the first version of a given model that you decide on, particularly if you are going to buy used. I suspect, however, that $300-$400 is not going to buy you anything significant for a new camera...I just checked B&H and the "Rebel" type Canons are going to start at around $500 and up and that is just for a body - no lens. I suspect your budget limits you to a Point & Shoot for a new camera or possible something used, but I will let you check that out on ebay...Point & shoots come with a fixed lens, however they often have some limited zooming capabilities...

As far as doing HDR images, just about any camera will do, you just have to have some ability to take multiple exposures some overexposed, some underexposed and one properly exposed for the lighting conditions. As well, you will probably need a tripod and a remote shutter release to do HDR with any reasonable hope of success, although I have done a few handheld. You will also need some software to process your images, such as Photoshop Elements or Lightroom, although new cameras often come with some software that can be used to process images - not sure about the used ones - could be a condition of your sale(?), and you will need some additional software to process your images to provide you with an HDR image. A lens that is good for landscapes is probably not that good for headshots and vice versa, although there are probably some compromises that can be made, for example, if you decided on Canon equipment, then something like the 24-105 or 70-200 woud be decent lenses for landscapes - wide angle and short to medium telephoto, and you could use something in their zoom range around 85 to 100 for headshots, but you will not get these with the camera for your noted budget amount. You may want to re-examine your budget, in light of what you say you want to do and the reality of what a basic DSLR and a lens or two will cost - and don't forget the software.

Regards,

WesternGuy

Edsport · Apr 8, 2011

Maybe you'll get a 350D and 18-55mm lens. It's a great camera for starting out...

SlickSalmon · Apr 8, 2011

WesternGuy pretty much spells it out. For HDR you need a dSLR that can auto-bracket a minimum of three shots at a maximum of 2EV increments. If you're looking at a used camera, it may only be able to auto-bracket in 1EV increments. If that's the case, it will need the ability to auto-bracket 5 shots rather than 3. If you're planning on displaying images on the web, you don't need much resolution; if you're planning on printing, you do. Color profile depends on your choice of output, as well.

HDR requires two pieces of software: 1) an HDR processor, like Photomatix and 2) a post-processor, like Photoshop or something like it. You'll also need a computer to run it on with a decent monitor to view the images. A 'kit' lens in the 18-55mm region is fine for starting out and will do HDR as well as head shots. Although hand-held HDR is possible, and I do it all the time, a tripod eventually becomes necessary as does some kind of remote shutter release. Even with all this, modern photography is more about technique than tools.

KmH · Apr 8, 2011

You do not need a camera that can auto-bracket to make HDR's, you can do the needed steps manually. It can be handy, particularly if anything in the scene is moving. Also, most good HDR's require many more than 3 exposures, and few entry-level cameras can auto-bracket more than 3 exposures, if they can auto-bracket at all.

For HDR the dynamic range of the scene determines what EV steps you will want to use. Generally, the smaller the EV steps used the more accurate the HDR.

Making a good HDR is a lot more complex and time consuming than many people realize. Usually, the better your image editing software and image editing skills, the better the HDR you can make.

SlickSalmon · Apr 8, 2011

Although not required, auto-bracket makes HDR a lot easier. It's not true that most HDRs require more than 3 exposures. This subject has been discussed to death in the HDR Forum, and I don't want to get into it here. However, I agree that HDR is more complex than most people realize, and it requires solid image editing software and commensurate skill.

ghache · Apr 8, 2011

fory 400 you can probably find a d70s in really good shape. ive seen one on kijiji this morning for 350 with a 18-70 lens.

bazooka · Apr 8, 2011

On your budget, I think you could do it. You'd be making compromises for sure, but.

First off, buy used. I don't normally recommend getting a kit lens, but with your budget, it's all you'll be able to get. Find an XTi with 18-55mm IS kit lens... $350. Tripod/head $100. All used. That would be enough to get you started on landscape and ambient light portraits. It's a bit over your budget already, but I really wouldn't go less than that, or you'll really just end up being unhappy.

rehab · Apr 8, 2011

Canon rebel XTI and done...

Photomatix gives free trial and you can use that time to save dinero.

as for photoshop, its like 60-70 dollars some places for express.

CF card will be 10-15 dollars.

GummiBearsAreAwesome · Apr 9, 2011

software wise I dunno how to use them yet but I have them on my pc already. Photomatix and noiseware. Photoshop as well...

I didn't want to go crazy since this is my first time going back to slrs. How about 400-600 range? (I rather keep it in the 500s the most) For lens and camera. Don't count memory sticks or tripods. I hope no one would mock me but I got this vivitar tripod that belongs to this telescope set. It's surprisingly not that bad. If I need a tripod, I would like to use this one.

What camera is recommended? Based on my goals, what lens would be best? Auto Bracket sounds intersting enough, what would be a good camera with that feature? What about megapixels?

I don't like compromises, what kind of features would that be? I'm willing to invest more, if it's really benefitial.

Thanks.