New to the Forum: Rookie Photographer Needing Advice

Aj86 · Nov 16, 2012

I am a rookie photographer but looking to get into it more. Need advice on a good starter camera. I plan to shoot landscapes and photos of people mostly. I have been doing some research on cameras and I think I like the Canon Rebel T3. Problem is that I don't have the funds to just go out and buy a camera of this price plus at this point in time as a rookie it is hard to justify doing so. Looking for advice on a camera that may be in comparison or maybe other options everyone thinks I should look at. I know I want a camera that is digital and has the manual focus lenses. I have looked at a few used cameras. One is a Panisonic FZ30 for $150 to start with. Any input on this or other suggestions are welcomed. Thanks everyone.

Aj

jwbryson1 · Nov 16, 2012

khalis · Nov 16, 2012

i think canon or nikon are better then panasonic

KmH · Nov 16, 2012

The Canon T3 is Canon's most basic, entry-level DSLR.

Any basic entry-level camera brand or model will be a good place to start, since they all have pretty equal performance and features.

DSLR's like the Canon T3 allow lens interchangability. A lens suitable for shooting landscapes is often not so good for shooting people. So, DSLR owners usually have more than 1 lens.
Bridge cameras like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 don't support lens interchangability, and at $150 would be a suitable camera to start with.

But the key to getting started is to get a camera. Any camera that you can afford.

Robin_Usagani · Nov 16, 2012

This is your best bet. Good luck! This hobby is addicting. See link below.

Sony

tirediron · Nov 16, 2012

Robin_Usagani said:
This is your best bet. Good luck! This hobby is addicting. See link below.

Sony

Actually, I'm going to suggest Pentax. IMO, the most under-rated of the semi-major players, and the best value for the dollar, AND they don't make up their own standards for things like flash shoes!

sm4him · Nov 16, 2012

You say you ARE a rookie photographer--so, do you already HAVE a camera of some sort? Because, as KmH points out, it's really, really hard to be a photographer at all without one!

I'm going to assume you have NO camera at all, and have simply borrowed cameras before to know that it's something you want to do. If this is a wrong assumption, it could change my advice.

My advice--if $150 is really all you can afford, and you don't foresee that changing anytime soon--get a Canon Powershot, the best one you can get for what you can pay.
I used a Canon Powershot for years before I could finally afford to make the leap to a DSLR. If you're TRULY a "rookie" there is MUCH you can learn and do with even a basic point-and-shoot. Composition is SO critical to good photography, and you can work on that with ANY camera. Additionally, decent point-and-shoots like Canon Powershots allow you to shoot in manual mode, so you can begin to learn to do more than stick the camera in Auto mode and point, and shoot.
I managed to win several photo contests (judged contests, not popularity contests...) with my little Powershot, so I know from experience how much can be done with them.

DSLRs are great; I love having one, and I can do a lot more with it than I ever could with the Powershot. BUT--if all I had was $150, I could spend it on a Powershot and still be perfectly happy with the results I'd get. There will be plenty of time ahead of you to get the DSLR--but even if you get a cheap, used one, next you'll need/want another lens, then an off-camera flash, then a better lens, then...it NEVER stops. And it AIN'T cheap!

EDIT: I'm recommending Canon Powershots because of MY experience with them--I'm sure the cameras suggested by Robin, or tirediron, or others are just as capable, or more so. Point is, don't sweat it! There's plenty of decent options out there--get one, learn with it, then when you can afford it, upgrade.

Aj86 · Nov 16, 2012

So is everyone recommending I go with the pantisonic? Or is there a place on here for classifieds that maybe i would have other possibilities?

sm4him · Nov 16, 2012

Aj86 said:
So is everyone recommending I go with the pantisonic? Or is there a place on here for classifieds that maybe i would have other possibilities?

So, did you not actually READ a single reply?

jhodges10 · Nov 16, 2012

sm4him said:
So, did you not actually READ a single reply?

Yeah, this is the section about tripods right?

I would never spend $150 on a "pantisonic" as a knockoff it should be a lot cheaper.

Aj86 · Nov 16, 2012

Noted... Guess the need thing to do is just spend a little more and get a rebel.

Robin_Usagani · Nov 16, 2012

DID YOU READ MY RESPONSE? I have a feeling you don't do so well at the school.

jhodges10 · Nov 16, 2012

In all seriousness the first question you need to answer for us is whether or not you have a camera now and if so what is it? You could look at buying used or refurb equipment and get a decent beginner camera if you don't have any camera right now.

pgriz · Nov 16, 2012

The things work on forums is that you ask a question, people respond with ideas and suggestions. Then you read their responses, thank them for the information, and ask a followup question if the answers were not clear, or if you have a need for additional information. People respond, and a conversation happens which hopefully get you closer to the answer you are looking for. If your response has nothing to do with the answers already given, then people can start thinking you are not serious in asking the question, or you don't understand the answers, or you don't care about the answers. This can reduce the motivation of people to respond to your posts.

If also helps if you put in your post the efforts you already expended in trying to reach a solution to whatever question you may have. Then people reading your post can orient themselves to your actual situation and not waste time speculating about what you might or might not have or want.