Opinion on a beginner camera

[Babs]

Hi!

Firstly, I think you should have a think about how and when you're going to use your camera. While you may be quite happy hiking half a day to get some stunning wildlife or nature shots, I think it's more likely you'll be using your camera closer to home - for shots of friends and family, sports events, maybe gigs, etc. While you may well want to get into the technicalities of photography, I think you're also going to want to just rattle off some snapshots to upload on to facebook (or whatever the next cool networking site is that us oldies don't know anything about ).

It also sounds like you're funding this yourself, which I think is great. But if we're realistic, whatever you buy now is going to be "old technology" in 4 years time when you're heading off to college or to the world of work. Also money is precious - to everyone! But moreso to you when whatever you buy is going to make a huge dent in your funds which isn't easily replaceable. It's not like you're earning money and saving a couple of hundred dollars a month. So I think it's even more important that you think carefully about what camera you want to buy.

On that note, I think it's essential you get into a good reputable camera shop and have a look at some of these cameras. Pick them up and handle them. Think about where and how you're wanting to use them. If you're big into skating or gigging or hanging out with your friends, is the camera you pick going to be able to be used in those situations as well as challenging you a little bit and make you learn? How much time are you willing to devote to "study" and reading up on photography?

I can understand why people are saying you should go for a DSLR because they ARE more challenging and more "future-proof" (as much as anything is), but I would think carefully about that. FWIW personally I think a bridge camera may be a better option for you. It would let you rattle off some snaps while at the same time letting you learn a bit about the process of photography and expand your horizons a bit. THEN in a year or so, if you really love photography you can get a p/t job and start saving up a bit of money to fund your hobby.

You may find you absolutely love photography and want to take it at college for instance, in which case any camera you buy now will be obsolete by then anyway. You may find you love photography as a hobby, again, in which case you'd be wanting to upgrade whatever gear you buy now. Or you may find it doesn't grab you as much as you thought it would, but you've still got a good camera which you can use as a P&S when you want to.

As I say, I completely understand why some of the others are saying to go down the DSLR route, but I'm not convinced it's the right route for you.

Try and find someone in an independent store you can go and chat to and, as I say, have a think about where and when you're going to use your camera. There has to be a good independent store in NY!! Maybe someone can recommend some?

 

[Mbnmac]

Also, go to a store and hold some of these cameras.

Only reason I went with nikon over cannon was due to the feel in my hands, the nikon was a nicer fit and I liked the layout, of course the cannon could be great for you, don't make a blind purchase just cause of what some annons on the internet have said, even though the rebel would be nice either way

 

[Ajlista]

Hi!

Firstly, I think you should have a think about how and when you're going to use your camera. While you may be quite happy hiking half a day to get some stunning wildlife or nature shots, I think it's more likely you'll be using your camera closer to home - for shots of friends and family, sports events, maybe gigs, etc. While you may well want to get into the technicalities of photography, I think you're also going to want to just rattle off some snapshots to upload on to facebook (or whatever the next cool networking site is that us oldies don't know anything about ).

It also sounds like you're funding this yourself, which I think is great. But if we're realistic, whatever you buy now is going to be "old technology" in 4 years time when you're heading off to college or to the world of work. Also money is precious - to everyone! But moreso to you when whatever you buy is going to make a huge dent in your funds which isn't easily replaceable. It's not like you're earning money and saving a couple of hundred dollars a month. So I think it's even more important that you think carefully about what camera you want to buy.

On that note, I think it's essential you get into a good reputable camera shop and have a look at some of these cameras. Pick them up and handle them. Think about where and how you're wanting to use them. If you're big into skating or gigging or hanging out with your friends, is the camera you pick going to be able to be used in those situations as well as challenging you a little bit and make you learn? How much time are you willing to devote to "study" and reading up on photography?

I can understand why people are saying you should go for a DSLR because they ARE more challenging and more "future-proof" (as much as anything is), but I would think carefully about that. FWIW personally I think a bridge camera may be a better option for you. It would let you rattle off some snaps while at the same time letting you learn a bit about the process of photography and expand your horizons a bit. THEN in a year or so, if you really love photography you can get a p/t job and start saving up a bit of money to fund your hobby.

You may find you absolutely love photography and want to take it at college for instance, in which case any camera you buy now will be obsolete by then anyway. You may find you love photography as a hobby, again, in which case you'd be wanting to upgrade whatever gear you buy now. Or you may find it doesn't grab you as much as you thought it would, but you've still got a good camera which you can use as a P&S when you want to.

As I say, I completely understand why some of the others are saying to go down the DSLR route, but I'm not convinced it's the right route for you.

Try and find someone in an independent store you can go and chat to and, as I say, have a think about where and when you're going to use your camera. There has to be a good independent store in NY!! Maybe someone can recommend some?

Well, at this point in my life, i cant dedicate everything to photography, cause i do have studies, and lots of exams
I do skate with my friends, and sometimes ill bring it, maybe catch some good pictures
Also, i do love hiking, i go with my mom alot upstate, my aunt has a house there, and we go alot
Also, i dont use facebook, haha i dont understand it really
As for the job, my parents arent letting me get a job till i turn 16
Aparently they dont want me to be "distracted" By a job -_-
I would like to get as serious as i can at the time being with photography
Thanks,
Anthony

 

[Ajlista]

Get the rebel... the bigger sensor size is the main reason why it's so much better. Trust us on this one. :thumbup:

Okay: )

 

[enzodm]

I re-propose my post because the last of every page is the least seen of all:

Well, personally i dont have a job, im 14,
...
And i do want to get serious with it. And not just take pictures here and there

Ideal age for learning!
From cameras you linked here, it seems to me that you do not know the difference between DSLR (like the Rebel) and compacts (point&shoot, bridge, like the other two). If you go DSLR, it becomes essential to know how photography is made, and how is made your camera; if you do not like that, you might as well decide to just take pictures here and there with a compact camera, spending much less.
So, as you are saving money, my advice is to do soon a first small investment in a photography book, to understand functioning before buying. By the way, this will help you in discovering the fascinating part of photography.
I'm not able to suggest you a specific book, as I am on the other side of the ocean, with different options. Some other forum member will certainly suggest the right reading.