new to photography.

e.lambert · Nov 12, 2012

hi everyone!
After YEARS of wanting to do photography, I have finally decided to move forward with it. i am wanting to start with family and nature shots. i am just curious if anyone can tell me what to look for in purchasing a camera. i currently have a nikon coolpix s230. HORRIBLE CAMERA!!! it was bought by my parents for christmas a few years ago. i tried to take GOOD pictures with it ever since my daughter was born, January 2011, WITH NO SUCCESS!! so, i am wanting to know exactly what to look for or recommendations for a GREAT camera. being that i am a beginner at all of this i would like to keep the price low (as in under $300) IF POSSIBLE... highest i would go is $400.

ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated

THANKS AHEAD OF TIME!!!

<3 Ella

MLeeK · Nov 12, 2012

It kind of depends. Are you thinking to purchase a DSLR or a step before that?
You are in a really rough spot with a DSLR under $300. You can probably find something used under there, but you'll fast need to invest more in at the very least a second lens and flash. Not a bad route to go.
OR you can go with a bridge camera that will have the control of a DSLR with a lens that does everything from wide to mega zoom.
Canon SX40HS or Nikon P500 should come in under there for the bridge cameras.

pixmedic · Nov 12, 2012

you can get some older DSLR's and a lens for that price. maaaaaybe even a used flash. I dont know much about used Canon prices, but i would guess they are comparable to their Nikon counterparts. you can get a used nikon D100 on ebay for well under $200. since it can AF older lenses, you can get some pretty cheap..Heck, we GIVE AWAY lenses here periodically, many of them for Nikon. the D100 would be a good camera to learn on, and you dont need the latest and greatest camera and lenses to take great pictures. you just have to learn HOW to take a great picture. check ebay and craigslist in your area.

e.lambert · Nov 12, 2012

i would love to eventually get a DSLR with multiple lenses. for now i am looking for something that will work ALMOST as good. i will look at the ones you recommended. THANK YOU!

e.lambert · Nov 12, 2012

thank you pixmedic i might just try that... im definitely not against USED, as long as it works like new.

e.lambert · Dec 16, 2012

bringing this post back with a few more questions..

what are some BASIC things i need to look for in the camera i buy.. what BRAND would someone recommend and what type of camera would be BEST for what i want to do. (take my budget our of consideration, i am going to get what i NEED)

snowbear · Dec 16, 2012

e.lambert said:
bringing this post back with a few more questions..

what are some BASIC things i need to look for in the camera i buy.. what BRAND would someone recommend and what type of camera would be BEST for what i want to do. (take my budget our of consideration, i am going to get what i NEED)

As far as brand, Nikon, Canon and Sony make wonderful products; the cameras at the same price point will have roughly the same features. The best thing to do is decide on your budget, then see what can fit. Then go and physically handle them and see what is more comfortable in your hands - try to reach the buttons without looking and go through the menus. This is obviously easier with a new camera, but if you are lucky enough to be near a real camera store, they may have a used model or two.

If you go the DSLR route, ultimately, most of your investment will be in lenses, not the body. You can probably do with the kit lens for learning.

John27 · Dec 16, 2012

I was in the same boat as you, but ended up deciding to hold off until I could invest more. It was an excellent decision. Bridge cameras are certainly good, but, if you want more than that, then you are just going to be spending MORE money, later on to get what you ultimately wanted. FWIW I spent about $800 and got a T1i, a small Canon branded camera bag, an extra battery, the kit lens (18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS) and a couple SD cards. That was a couple years ago, that same $800 could get you a T3i with a similar setup. (Not pushing Canon or anything, I just know Canon, I'm not familiar with the other brands. The same Nikon gear in that price range will be just as good).

Brand doesn't really matter, just pick one and stick with it. Canon, Nikon, Sony, all good stuff. I like Canon, others Nikon, still others Sony. You really can't go wrong. Just pick one and stick with it, because lenses and accessories aren't intercompatible.

I don't have experience with Nikon or Sony, so I can't comment there, but in a $300 range you might be able to find a used Rebel. The Rebel series is Canons most inexpensive DSLR system. There are two main model series of the Rebel, the Tx and the Txi, where x is the 'generation'. I have a T1i, the model below that in the same generation is the T1. Make sense? You can probably find a used T1 or T2 (or perhaps even T2i) in your $400 range with the kit lens, which is a respectable starting point.

If you really want to get into photography (not just taking decent pictures), save up and do it right. If you are just wanting good quality point and shoot pictures (nothing wrong with that either), then some of the bridge camera or $300 point and shoots can do a good job. My little sister has a Nikon bridge camera, and it does a fantastic job at a fraction of the price of a DSLR.

Just curious, but what is it about the Nikon Coolpix that you didn't like? What were the issues with the image? Maybe if we know what exactly you expect to get, we can know what you need. For example, one thing a lot of people don't like about point and shoot cameras is, when using flash, they get bright washed out faces and dark muddy backgrounds. They see DSLR images and think the DSLR cured it. Well, actually, using the on-camera flash and firing in full auto mode will yield the exact same result with a DSLR. A DSLR, combined with the right settings, and an off camera flash or a hotshoe flashed bounced off of a wall (indirect lighting) will give you the soft consistent lighting you see.

Ultimately though, it sounds like a DSLR is what you are looking for. I wouldn't, in your shoes, spend any money until you are ready to go that route. The kit lens on the major brands are very good. They will serve you quite well for a long time until you are ready for better glass.

table1349 · Dec 16, 2012

To the O.P. After reading your post I am going to make a bit of a different suggestion than the ones made. Frankly, the Coolpix you mentioned is not a bad camera at all. Most of the time when someone complains about their gear, especially being a newbie to photography, the fault lies with the photographer not the gear. So before you go buying a bunch of gear do a couple of things.

First, R.T.F.M. for your Coolpix and learn to use it.

Secondly, read this tutorial. Digital Photography Tutorials All of it. There are lots of other similar resources out there, but this one is good and it is free. Once you understand the physics of photography, for that is what the mechanics are about, you will be able to do two things. Get good shots with the gear you have and have an idea of what it is you want to move up to.

KmH · Dec 16, 2012

Everything you need to know about buying a camera | The Verge

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/...-forum/267492-info-those-new-photography.html

nycphotography · Dec 16, 2012

I'd suggest an LX5 or LX7 or G12 or P7000. Snappy cam AND a real camera, all in one. That's all you NEED to get into real photography. it won't be ALL you need forever... But it will definitely get you a LONG WAY. And I've done "real shoots" w/ the LX5 when out and about in locations that "forbid" photography but allow snapshots.

Or a different suggestion:
Amazon.com: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1K 16 MP Micro 4/3 Compact System Camera with 3-Inch LCD Touch Screen and 14-42mm Zoom Lens (Black): Camera & Photo

BUT THIS IS MANDATORY:
The Basic Book of Digital Photography: How to Shoot, Enhance, and Share Your Digital Pictures: Tom Grimm, Michele Grimm: 9780452289550: Amazon.com: Books

Why the Gx1? Because it CAN BE almost exactly like an old manual film 35mm.
Use it as is. Then when you find an old manual lens... Maybe an MD (minolta) 50mm f1.8. Or an AIS (nikon) 85mm f2.0. Then you get a $15 adapter and you're off an running in the old photography as a craft and an art direction.
Or you can get f2.8 zooms from panny or olympus (but those are $$$, just like Nikon and Canon) and you're off an running in the photography as a modern art and craft direction ;-)

But THAT'S if you're STILL interested in photography. If it turns out you're only interested in taking pictures, the LX5, G12, P7000, GF1, or GX1 won't be a bad choice... and will supplement your s230 well.

Prometej · Dec 18, 2012

There is no need to buy an DSLR today. Such cameras as Samsung NX or maby sony NEX can give you the quality of the picture as the DSLR.

The Samsung will be even more functional than the beginners DSLR like nikon d3200. Samsung have a relatively large assortment of optics. You can buy it with small lens 30/2 for everything.
http://mdata.yandex.net/i?path=b0512112824_img_id4471853063227702003.jpg

If you want optical zoom or possibility to do choice:
Lenses| B&H Photo Video

KmH · Dec 18, 2012

It's not just about the quality of the photo.
It's also about camera capabilities/features/functions like off camera flash control, high frames-per-second rates, metering and auto focus options, and other features DSLRs offer.

Prometej · Dec 18, 2012

KmH said:
It's also about camera capabilities/features/functions like off camera flash control, high frames-per-second rates, metering and auto focus options, and other features DSLRs offer.

And all of these characteristics are good in Samsung NX.

e.lambert · Dec 27, 2012

Thank you everyone. I am sorry i did not reply for a while. My family and I went out of town for a few weeks. My wonderful Husband got me a Nikon D5100 and he enrolled me in a Photography course at our local college! I am really excited but Kind of lost at the same time. We know the professor of the class so I called him. He has the same camera (along with about 5 or 6 others) so he is going to teach me a lot of different things. I hope to make the most out of my learning experience and to go even further in my learning. Thanks again to everyone for their input. It is GREATLY appreciated!
-Ella