Looking for advice on my first camera!

Jake2959 · Oct 16, 2014

Hey guys! First post here.
Anyways, I am looking to get into photography! However, I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the information out there, and I am having trouble figuring out what type of camera would best suit my needs. I was hoping that if I tell you a bit about what I would like to do with it, you guys could help make suggestions.

So I would love for it to be versatile, but my main focus would be outdoor photography. I love to hike and backpack. I am looking for a way to capture and share all the fantastic things I see on my journeys, with others! I am not overly concerned with weight (I am in above average physical shape), but something super unwieldy would be nice to avoid. My price range is somewhere between 500 and 1,000 dollars.

Hope you guys can help me out, and I look forward to being a contributor on the forum!

Heather Koch · Oct 16, 2014

A price range like that can get you a lot. You mentioned not worrying about weight, so I would look at the entry to mid level cameras either by Canon or Nikon. Have you previously used one or the other? Preference?

Jake2959 · Oct 16, 2014

Heather Koch said:
A price range like that can get you a lot. You mentioned not worrying about weight, so I would look at the entry to mid level cameras either by Canon or Nikon. Have you previously used one or the other? Preference?

My friend had a Nikon D5000 that I like a lot. I never have used a canon thought.

Heather Koch · Oct 16, 2014

Okay then I would go with Nikon, since you are used to it and comfortable handling it. I actually had a d5000 myself but quickly grew out of it. I own a d7000 right now and swear by it. Looking at your budget you can afford that body $500-$600 and a nice lens or two to go with it.

dennybeall · Oct 16, 2014

If you look at the most current model of Nikon middle level cameras, such as the D5300 or D7100 and then price the one that was replaced, such as the D5200 or D5100 or D7000, you'll find you can get a better lens, such as a 18-140 instead of the 18-130 and still fit in your price range and get a good camera.

BrickHouse · Oct 16, 2014

Getting a nikon d3200 would allow you to get a 35mm f/1.8 and the 85mm f/1.8 from Nikkor as well for right around $1k. You would have a great kit to start with and grow from.

Designer · Oct 16, 2014

Nikon mirrorless:

Nikon 1 Cameras | Interchangeable Lens Cameras from Nikon

Annnd.... You're welcome.

Heather Koch · Oct 16, 2014

I was thinking about the Nikon 1 but have no experience with it, nor have I heard much about it.

I love this site, or check amazon!

Refurbished Nikon D7000 Digital SLR Camera 16.2 Megapixel Body Only - Refurbished by Nikon 25468 B
Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR Lens - USA Warranty W/FREE Filter Kit 2179 F

Amazon.com : Nikon D7000 16.2 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm Lens (Black) : Slr Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo

The d3200 would also be a good fit. Again it all depends on what you want. Compare cameras on www.snapsort.com

And once you find you camera body check out Over a million full-size sample photos from SLR and mirrorless cameras combined with different lenses for examples photos of all kinds of lenses.

Jake2959 · Oct 16, 2014

Thanks for your input! I see that the D7000 is weather sealed and the D5000 is not, so that may be a nice feature to have if I do a lot of hiking with it. Thanks for giving me a good starting point for my research!

Designer said:
Nikon mirrorless:

Nikon 1 Cameras | Interchangeable Lens Cameras from Nikon

Annnd.... You're welcome.

I actually just got back from Best Buy (I wanted to get a feel for the size) and I loved the size and weight of the mirror less cameras! I am not sure if they had the Nikon, but I was looking at the Sony ones. How would a mirror less camera limit me? Obviously its more portable, but I assume there has to be some big down sides.

Edit: After doing a bit of research I don't see many downsides to the mirror less camera. It looks like the major downsides are that accessories can be a bit harder to come by and aren't as universal, and obviously the mirror less camera lacks a view finder.

I feel like the upsides of having a more compact and light model far outweigh these downsides (assuming the picture quality is truly equal).

Is there anything else I should know? As far as Mirror Less vs DSLR?

Jas101 · Oct 17, 2014

One thing I haven't seen mentioned in this thread yet is to select the camera which feel right for you. Meaning, go to stores, handle the cameras, do some test shots and see what feel the best in your hands.

For example when I was buying a camera 3 months ago I wanted a D5300, but I found out that it was much heavier than I expected, as well as having only one control dial which didn't feel right for me. In the end I chose a mirrorless Olympus OMD m10.

most of today's cameras offer very good IQ anyway, so things like handling and size are arguably more important as you will take more pictures if 1) you have your camera with you, and 2) Feel comfortable when using it.

rudimaes · Oct 17, 2014

The Panasonic FZ1000 is an excellent allround, bridge camera.Very fast, 16xzoom(25-400mm), easy to use and can even take 4K video.
Rudi

Jake2959 · Oct 17, 2014

Thanks everyone for your help! I settled in on the Sony a6000. Its a mirrorless with an electronic viewfinder! Felt like the best of both words, and it is still light and compact.

Heather Koch · Oct 17, 2014

Let us know how you like the a6000, I've heard a lot about that particular model.

rudimaes · Oct 18, 2014

Yes, the A6000 is an excellent MILC. Very fast focus.
Rudi

Village Idiot · Oct 18, 2014

IMHO, if you're looking at light weight mirrorless cameras, Olympus has the best overall system. Their lenses are small and the OM-D is a great camera, but at that point you're going way over your budget. IIRC, the OM-D is weather resistant and you can find a used one for about $600. For only being a m43 sensor, the quality is great and the primes are light, sharp, and small. But you pay for those lenses. The two primes I had for mine were about $700 for both. You can get adapters that will let you mount older cheaper manual focus primes and zooms, but they're manual focus. This could be an issue depending on what type of photography you do.

The Sony mirrorless cameras a great quality wise and have a larger sensor than the Olympus cameras, but the lens selection is lacking. A lot of people use other brand lenses on them via an adapter, but then you're carrying around a heavier lens. A lot of Canon photographers love the $1,600 full frame Sony mirrorless because they can use their lenses on it and still AF with them, but then you have a tiny camera with a huge lens.

And of course if you want all the features of a DSLR, suck it up and buy a DSLR.