What is with all these beginners with $1000+ cameras?

[milavidal]

Well, I'm a "beginner"myself and fall right under this situation..My first camera was a point and shoot Sony DCSP200, and setitng it to manual mode, I learned many things, spent quite a while learning composition, became a lover of natural lighting, and by learning new things, it striked me to want to learn more about all the "technical stuff". I have been complimented on my "work"but I do know that i am only taking the first steps into photography. It's a hobby that I love, so I recently bought a Nikon D80 and I'm trying to learn.

 

[Latina]

When I decided to buy a new camera I wanted something more than a point and shoot. I did research and talked to other photographers who recommended a canon rebel for beginners and I'm happy I went with it...I like to buy something worth it because I know that when I do something I go all out and so I knew a point and shoot would soon be obsolete for me. That's my reason for buying my camera and still it only cost me $800.

 

[Clikon]

man, i actually reached for my wallet when i was in the camera store today, then thought better of the notion. thankfully.

i now see that b&h has the D40 with the 55-200 (and the 18-55) for 659.95! i almost paid 867 for the same thing at the store! (well, it came with a bag and some DVDs.) I mentioned this in a previous post. But here's what I'm getting at...I'm a NOOB like no other, and here I am laying down my life savings for what I feel is the best value for my current needs.

I see the Hasselblad H3DII-39(MP) is on sale for just under $34,000.00 What do you think of this camera? Does anyone know anyone who owns it?

 

[Clikon]

I don't know why i posted that.

 

[solrac8126]

I'd like to know why all these beginners have super expensive DSLRs.

I've always wondered, what exactly warrants going out and spending 1000 or more dollars on a new camera when you're a beginner?

Not criticizing, just curious... (and a bit jealous )

EDIT- By "1000 dollar camera", I mean just the body, not including lenses and other accessories.

well i read a couple of post not all of them, anyways about your question i think:
There are no real warrants that you'll get better pictures with a 2k camera than with a 200, i was a beginner last year when my p&s died and decided to get a new one, i got the s5is which was a great camera, and has all the manual features than any dslr , except maybe a focus on a lens, i had it about to weeks and sold it to get the one i have right now. Why? i could get into technicals about ISO noise and such. Is not what i want to discuss, even that i know you'll get different result from different cameras (Prices).
Most of people will get the best equipment even if they have absolutely NO info, experience, knowledge, etc. but they have the money. And yes i think you will be "more covered" with "more features" if in the future you plan to do (in this case) photography to a next level.
This is not personal, but i think you asked the question, because you wanted to know what to buy or if you'll get better results with an expensive camera and didn't wanted to ask the same question :mrgreen:

Other thing; "(and a bit jealous )" like you said

I know i guy that has a bag with at least 8k in equipment which he has no clue how to use it, i remembered i thought that day , GOD why i can have that ???? i know I'll give it a better usage!!

But that's life most people will think the same about you, it just depends the social and economical background and life people has.
I know i have at least bought 2 or 3 things a year i don't NEED, but i just had the money, so i bought it, i know most of us have been there.

 

[sabbath999]

I see the Hasselblad H3DII-39(MP) is on sale for just under $34,000.00 What do you think of this camera? Does anyone know anyone who owns it?

When I shot weddings, I shot Hassys. They are simply the best medium format cameras.

While I have no need for a 39 megapixel camera, I WANT one of those Hassys... I don't need to even try it first, Hasselblad has never made a single bad camera model...

They are priced that high because they are worth it.

 

[heatherwilkerson]

I am "pro hobbiest" as many say. I say I am a beginner that is still learning her camera. I got the Nikon D80 after owning two other point and shoot digital cameras and using a 35mm SLR. I am planning for the future. I currently do a few of my friend's and family's portraits. I am also doing a wedding for a family member and they are very aware of my "lack" of experience. Any suggestions?

I think part of it is, that the college students wanting to do photography don't get taken serious if they have a point and shoot.

 

[Battou]

I am "pro hobbiest" as many say. I say I am a beginner that is still learning her camera. I got the Nikon D80 after owning two other point and shoot digital cameras and using a 35mm SLR. I am planning for the future. I currently do a few of my friend's and family's portraits. I am also doing a wedding for a family member and they are very aware of my "lack" of experience. Any suggestions?

I think part of it is, that the college students wanting to do photography don't get taken serious if they have a point and shoot.

...I'll cut ya some slack because you are new, But this discussion is not about the SLR VS P&S, It's about High end SLR's VS low end SLR's. The College students you mentioned is a big part of it though.

Yeah, you are right, they won't get taken seriously with a P&S, However they "absolutely need" little more than a SLR. There is no need for a student to have luxories built for professionals who need to put their cameras in the line of fire for their shot.

Me personally, I would take a eight year old with an AE-1 and a fleet of lenses far more seriously than an eighteen year old with a 30D with kit lens.

When one is looking to learn, having the most options available is more important than having a body that can take a hit or two. With P&S cameras becoming more advanced, the real difference between the SLR and P&S is clearest with the ability to change lenses. The other atributes of SLRs are being met/or catching up to in some form or another with manual controll over the P&S camera wile at the same time SLRs are being dummied down to include all the auto abilities of the P&S cameras.

 

[crotograph]

If you can afford it, buy it, is silly. If you can understand it, buy it, is more to the point. Photography is not just a camera and lens at any price. Rather, it is an art that delves into understanding of the technical formulae of light and how to paint it. Most, starting out, have a long learning curve. The learning curve is the absolute joy of trial and error. Now that digital is here it is completely do able. Film is way to expensive to experiment with now.

I never advise my students to buy an expensive camera. Just buy something used and go from there. Or, rent a camera and see what you can do with it and how well you understand what the menu is telling you as to exposure. Ebay is a prime example of folks that have purchased way over their experience and knowledge. For that matter, so are a lot of websites that portray the photographer as a pro. The camera doesn't make the pro. The camera is only a tool for the knowledge of the pro.

 

[snowalker]

Hey, nice point of view )
Good question. The things are like this: big income + curiosity
My opinion...

 

[cofphoto]

I haven't read any of the replies but I'll just put it this way:

- Our average customer spends about $1,000 on their order. Why not pay that same $1,000 on a camera, so that you can take them yourself, and shoot as many pictures as you like?

- A 5x7 print costs $0.39 at Walgreens, why spend $50 on one?

- I just spent $1,000 on photographs and it only took my Photographer an hour to take them. So I just paid him $1,000 an hour!

These are all things that we know are not true, but these are the thoughts of much of the general public. That and the fact that for $30 - 50 you can take a three hour "seminar" and learn everything that you need to know about being a Professional Photographer.

 

[Alex_B]

I am one of those beginners spending much more.

still it did not help.

 

[Sirashley]

I'm a super noob, got my Sony a200 in May. I got it from Dell for 539.99, then I had to buy another lense, Beachcamera.com Tameron 28-200 for 89.00. Then a bag from adorama which was 59.99. Lucky me, I have a mac so GIMP was free. A couple of UltraII 4gb flash cards later (34.99 each from Costco)and I am at a grand total of $759.95 for my entire setup. I thought I did pretty well...

I am a broke Noob with an easy to use camera that doesn't overwhelm me and so far, has produced great results for me... I just couldn't justify spending 1000+ on the camera, when as you can see, the accessories add up too... Just my two cents...

 

[cofphoto]

Oh and in my city there is a local Photographer who goes on the news and tells people that they can get professional photos by, and I quote "Spending $750 at Costo on a camera and going to www.MPIX.com to get professional prints" including a mounted 16x20 "for about ten bucks".

 

[JerryPH]

Meh, someone needs to plant two feet firmly in reality for a moment. If someone with less than a year's experience thinks that they can "out shoot" a pro and their professional equipment, more power to them. Personally, I just think that someone is missing the boat... and I *do* mean that they totally missed the boat.

If you believe that you can out shoot a professional with a $750 Costco bought camera and an account at MPIX... go for it, because you can make TONS of money... seriously... go put all the local pros out of business and then make a mint.

BTW, do you have some info on that "$30 - 50 you can take a three hour "seminar" and learn everything that you need to know about being a Professional Photographer" seminar? Because *I* would be interested... as would just about every other person on earth that can hold a camera!

(where is that avatar of the rolling eyes when you need it??)

Dude, seriously... in 3 hours, a professional instructor would be challenged just to explain BASIC CAMERA FUNCTION to a new camera owner... much less how to exceed the capabilities of a PROFESSIONAL!

As for MPIX... just to show you the level of NON-credibility he has... the lowest price for a 16 X 20 on their site is $13.99 and that is UNmounted. If that idiot cannot even get something so simple as prices that are publically posted and available on the net straight... how accurate is the rest of his info?

This coming from one of those noobs with WAY more than a thousand bucks in my equipment.