Newbie seeking guidance

[jfox960]

Hi all, thanks for hitting on my thread!

1 - Budget $1000
2 - have nothing
3 - will be used mostly for taking pictures and videos of my soon to be son
4 - no photograph skills at all (other than the love i have of taking photos. all i have is my phone but im addicted to taking pics of everything). Some Photoshop experience. Very high tech skill level (build my own computers, servers, etc. so able to learn very quickly)
5 - 50+ hours of research done so far which is clearly not enough. (read every thing on this page Digital Photography Tutorials )

I wont bother asking the "best camera for my budget question" as there are an abundance of those. Instead I want to ask as a person new to photography, instead of starting out with a $1000 camera should I start out with something cheaper? As a newbie, will I even notice the difference between a $400 camera and a $800 one? If not, what would be a good starter camera that I can learn on? I have 2 months before my son is born and have that much time to learn as much as I can. I plan on reading through as much off this page as I can before then as well.

Thanks for your time and input!

 

[Big Mike]

Welcome to the forum.

My advice would be to look at the line between DSLR cameras, and non-SLR cameras.

A DSLR camera will have a larger image sensor than most cameras below that line. This can be very beneficial to getting better images, especially in certain situations (low light and thus high ISO). A DSLR camera is part of a system, so you can change the lens or add accessories like a flash or a battery grip etc. This makes it a better long term investment because you can upgrade your kit, part by part. Most non-SLR cameras tend to become worthless (in terms of resale value) when they get old.

A non-SLR digital camera will usually be cheaper and will usually be smaller and lighter. This isn't to be overlooked. If your camera (& bag) are too big/heavy to have with you when you need it, what is the point? So if you don't want to have to haul your DSLR around, a smaller compact camera may be a better option.

The line is a bit blurry lately, with 'mirrorless' cameras becoming popular. They have interchangeable lenses like a DSLR, and some of them have larger sensors...but they are still rather small and light. But the last I looked, they still aren't any cheaper than entry level DSLR cameras.

So my advice to you, is to figure out if you want a DSLR or not. If you want to have photography as a hobby, something that you can really dig your teeth into and become better at, then I would most certainly recommend a DSLR. But if you just want something to capture your family moments, then a compact camera might be good enough (heck, a decent camera on a smart phone could be good enough).

If you decide on a DSLR....it really doesn't matter much which you choose, they are all pretty good. I'd look at the entry level models from Canon & Nikon. Maybe look at what initial accessories will also fit into your budget, like a second lens (a fast prime lens) or an accessory flash.

 

[CameraClicker]

Pictures and videos....

The cameras I use are much different than those my wife uses. We have different needs/expectations, and different tolerance of complexity.

Still photos with shorter lenses don't really need image stabilization. Use a shutter speed that's fast enough and it freezes the shot. Movies need image stabilization so you can hand hold the camera and move around while recording. You won't want to watch a movie that is not smooth.

Recent models are all much better in low light than those of a few years ago. If your abode is dimly illuminated you may want to pay attention to low light performance.

Visit a well stocked camera store. Purchase a memory card or two. Try out everything in your price range, take both still photos and short movies. Make notes about which cameras felt best in your hands and which had the most logical controls and menus. Take your memory cards and go home. Load the files onto your computer and look at the photos and movies.

After the exercise, you will have a firm grasp of which ones suit you. Have your spouse go through the exercise too, you may both want to take photos when the other is away at work.

 

[shaylou]

Remember that you are buying into a system that you can add to in the future. So staying with the big names will give you a better selection in the long run. I would consider a kit that comes with a body and lens. Try not to get caught up in gimmicks or what I consider things that are not very important like touch screen (don't get that at all). I would stick to something in the lines of a T3i and that would give you some money left to buy a flash (i'm thinking for kids in doors you are going to really need this) and memory cards, remote and even a cheap tripod to get the group shots with you in there as well. As far as buying a 400 vs 800 camera I would say there is not going to be a lot better image quality but there will be some options that will separate them for sure. There are other cameras that fall into this range but if it was me I would start with the kit and if you really like it you can add a nice lens down the road. Hope that helps.

 

[rudimaes]

For taking pictures and videos of my grandchildren I use the Panasonic FZ200. A good allround camera with all the features
to learn photography but also an excellent automat.
Better, but much more expensive is the Panasonic FZ1000. (with this one you can make movies in 4K)
Rudi

 

[BluffCity]

If you can push your budget a little I would look at the Fuji x100s. It takes great pictures indoors and out. It is very compact. It will also give lots of opportunity to try different setting and experiment. You can't really buy additional lenses but you can get a wide angle and telephoto adapter. I recently purchased mine so I can almost always have a camera with me.

 

[Arthur53]

When trying out cameras in a shop. Test the feel / fit of the camera in your hand are the controls in the right place, easy to reach. Is it too heavy or light.

 

[Ido]

When in doubt and your head almost explodes from the research, just get a Nikon D3300. It can do basically anything and everything pretty well.
Though if you want smaller lenses, you should either pick up one of the Sony RX100 models (which don't have interchangeable lenses), or the Olympus OM-D E-M10.

But as Arthur53 suggested, going to a local camera store and handling the cameras is the best way to find the one that's right for you.

 

[Virgil]

Check out the nikon d3200. It comes with a decent zoom, kit lens. I think they run about $500.00. Its a great beginners camera with 24 mp and it has pretty much everything you need to get u going. My girlfriend has one and she gets some really nice pictures with the kit lens..

 

[jazza]

If you can push your budget a little I would look at the Fuji x100s.

 

[Ido]

If you can push your budget a little I would look at the Fuji x100s.

Being limited to a fixed prime lens is a killer for beginners. And the OP mentioned video, which should rule out any Fuji pretty much instantly.

 

[pthrift]

I'd think about the nikon 3300($600 on amazon with 18-55lens) , the sb300 flash( $150 on amazon); and your choice of either the 35/f1.8 or the 50/1.8 (either one is about $200)


Now I'm sure cannon has similar options but I have never used any of it so I don't know the model numbers.

I think this will absolutely keep you happy for quite some time & if you decide later on that you do still want the $800 camera instead of the $400 one; the only thing you need to buy is the body only so long as you stick with the same brand

 

[Designer]

How to Buy a Digital Camera - A 9 Step Guide - Digital Photography School

Best camera 2014: what camera type should you buy? | News | TechRadar

Digital camera buying guide | TechHive

 

[jfox960]

Thanks to everyone who responded so far. All input is helpful.

To expand a little on my needs. I have an older house and the lighting is very poor, especially in the winter. That being said, as pthrift put in his list, would a standalone flash be important to get as well?

 

[pthrift]

I personally think that that flash made as much of a difference in my indoor shots as anything. I could turn the iso back down and get photos to look like I wanted them. I bought the 35/1.8 before I had a flash and even with that lens wide open I found myself needing more light or more even lighting for folks to not look like they were in a cave

I also thought that the built in flash on my d5100 was worthless. I really think I'm better with no flash at all than what's built in...just something to consider