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

[ANDS!]

Agreed. It's like buying a motorcycle. Sure you can buy a 3000 Kawasaki Ninja 250 - but there are bigger bikes out there that you will not grow out of in a year, and that WONT be so intimidating and challenging as to retard any actual growth on your part. If I were recommending someone start shooting, I'd have no problem suggesting a D80 or hell even a D300 simply because at the end of the day it will point and shoot like any other camera. When they start to see aperture and iso speed and shutter speed and lighting and yada yada - they wont be disappointed in the fact that "haha - your 400 dollar camera can't do that!".

 

[skyvue2]

And I completely understand that some of the less expensive digitals will make photos every bit as good as the professional ones, but you don't see a lot of pro's shooting D40's.

...and I rest my point...you see PLENTY of intrusive objects in blurry snapshots and very poor compositions (obviously in noob's hands) taken by D300's

 

[eminart]

...and I rest my point...you see PLENTY of intrusive objects in blurry snapshots and very poor compositions (obviously in noob's hands) taken by D300's

And you don't see those when they're using a D40 or a Rebel?

 

[skyvue2]

eminart...of course you do...but just because you are the proud owner of a "Nikon D5000"...it will make you no Ansel Adams, my friend...only experience and skill will...unfortunately, everyone keeps missing the point here. No big deal. We all have our own opinions, life goes on as do our love of photography...whatever you use

 

[ANDS!]

...and I rest my point...you see PLENTY of intrusive objects in blurry snapshots and very poor compositions (obviously in noob's hands) taken by D300's

So let me see if I understand:

Because a person does not fully understand the "rules" (ha) of photography - they should, for their own good, spend 400 dollars on an entry level camera, then when they are comfortable spend 800 on a mid-level camera, and possibly if they need to spend another 1500 on a advanced ametuer non-pro camera - yea, that seems like a swell idea.

it will make you no Ansel Adams, my friend

So THIS is your point. You realize its a lot more clearer than any of the laughing, snide asides you've been making. It still doesn't preclude someone from buying a top of the line cameras as their learning equipment. It just means they will have to be disuaded from continuing to believe that particular bit of nonsense on their part - if they even know who Ansel Adams is.

 

[Antithesis]

Geez!! Wouldn't a Porsche be more impressive? Or even one of those big Benz - that always says "MONEY".

At least with expensive "L" lens, everyone knows it when they see it - BIG UGLY WHITE lens.

It did 10.2 second quarter miles, so I think it's a little faster than a porsche. Actually, faster than any production vehicle and it had a 'subaru' badge on it. Shwing!

did I mention that this thread delivers?

 

[skyvue2]

So let me see if I understand:

Because a person does not fully understand the "rules" (ha) of photography - they should, for their own good, spend 400 dollars on an entry level camera, then when they are comfortable spend 800 on a mid-level camera, and possibly if they need to spend another 1500 on a advanced ametuer non-pro camera - yea, that seems like a swell idea.



So THIS is your point. You realize its a lot more clearer than any of the laughing, snide asides you've been making. It still doesn't preclude someone from buying a top of the line cameras as their learning equipment. It just means they will have to be disuaded from continuing to believe
that particular bit of nonsense on their part - if they even know who Ansel Adams is.

ANDS!
I hardly see anything snide, as you call it, in any of my text. Now the laughing and humor is another thing. It is people like yourself that "just have" to have the best and latest equipment over anyone else, I see plenty of people everyday like this, and to each their own. Some people have that "golden eye" for photography, and some just never get it, and never will...so best have the $400-500 camera that is still a great tool and can be used for snapshots, family portraits and so forth, and still enjoy the camera for the tool it is...instead of spending thousands on something that never panned out for them. See...that is the wasteful world we live in.
...and I am 100% positive, you will have SOME derogative remark to make back to me, because that is simply your nature. But please...keep it cordial and clean..it will save me having to report you for terms of service violation. Thank You.

 

[eminart]

but just because you are the proud owner of a "Nikon D5000"...it will make you no Ansel Adams, my friend...only experience and skill will...

I think the vast majority of even newbies understand that picking up an expensive camera doesn't make them an expert. Just because someone buys a D300 doesn't mean they think they've arrived as the new photo king. Maybe they just want a nice camera to learn on and can afford it?

Edit* Also, a lot of beginners are in the same boat as me. I have a vast art background. Composition is hardly a new idea for me. My area of inexperience is in the technical side of cameras. There's no reason I couldn't learn that on the higher (or lower) end of the camera selection. I'm just saying, maybe all "newbies" aren't as inexperienced as you may think. In fact, some of them may know more about art and composition than some of the "experts" who know which dials and buttons to turn on a camera.

 

[danmass]

But please...keep it cordial and clean..it will save me having to report you for terms of service violation. Thank You.

Haha! This is just ridiculously funny!

ANDS!
I hardly see anything snide, as you call it, in any of my text. Now the laughing and humor is another thing. It is people like yourself that "just have" to have the best and latest equipment over anyone else, I see plenty of people everyday like this, and to each their own. Some people have that "golden eye" for photography, and some just never get it, and never will...so best have the $400-500 camera that is still a great tool and can be used for snapshots, family portraits and so forth, and still enjoy the camera for the tool it is...instead of spending thousands on something that never panned out for them. See...that is the wasteful world we live in.
...and I am 100% positive, you will have SOME derogative remark to make back to me, because that is simply your nature.

So I don't get it. Say I will never obtain this "golden eye" you speak of. Is my purchase of the higher end camera (in terms of your price figure of $400-500) not going to be just as efficient in taking the photographs that I love? Your post seems kind of contradictory in that sense. Or you are insinuating that no matter what, it is a waste of time, money, or both?

This whole topic is just silly. Why does anybody else care so much about what other people spend their money on?

 

[skyvue2]

Of course the camera will be more than efficient in taking the images that you love. It just seems to me that because I own a Nikon D40 and me myself am a noob and learning, it is being made out that I am a fool for purchasing such a "low end" camera and that I cheaped myself out of so much...this is just silly. I have thoroughly enjoyed the camera I own and have taken some incredible images with it. If you never get that "golden eye" for real professional photography,but love the images you have taken anyway...then that is all that matters. You are absolutely correct danmass. If you are a millionaire, then it truly wouldn't matter what you spent your money on (yachts, Ferraris, mansions etc.etc) and I bet you...silly little cameras would not be anywhere near the top of your purchase list.

oh yes...I wouldn't find anything funny about being reported about violating TOS on a forum...they do delete accounts for that. I keep things clean and cordial...I expect the same. I have absolutely no issue with debating, even elevated debates...but if people get nasty or personal...then we have a problem.

 

[CanAm]

Agreed. It's like buying a motorcycle. Sure you can buy a 3000 Kawasaki Ninja 250 - but there are bigger bikes out there that you will not grow out of in a year

Please, for the sake of human lives, never become a motorcycle salesperson.

With motorcycles, it's far safer if you start small and learn how to handle that kind of power before you step into the bigger bikes with the bigger engines.

A small mistake with a D300 won't cost you your life.

 

[danmass]

Of course the camera will be more than efficient in taking the images that you love. It just seems to me that because I own a Nikon D40 and me myself am a noob and learning, it is being made out that I am a fool for purchasing such a "low end" camera and that I cheaped myself out of so much...this is just silly. I have thoroughly enjoyed the camera I own and have taken some incredible images with it. If you never get that "golden eye" for real professional photography,but love the images you have taken anyway...then that is all that matters. You are absolutely correct danmass. If you are a millionaire, then it truly wouldn't matter what you spent your money on (yachts, Ferraris, mansions etc.etc) and I bet you...silly little cameras would not be anywhere near the top of your purchase list.

Ahh yes I understand where you're coming from and in response, if my love for photography stays where it is currently at, than you betcha a "silly little camera" will be at the top of my purchase list.

The way I look at it is if I envision a top of line end result in my mind, than I want the top of line equipment to help me project that into another's eyes. This is not always the case, as I'm sure many photographers get their top of the line vision with lesser models. However, this would be my main reason for going with higher end equipment. Furthermore, by working with my top of the line visions I am introducing - to myself - new learning methods to adapt to technically (about what the camera can do) and personally (how I can better my visions). I would also want a camera to adapt with me, thus another reason I (myself) would go for a higher end model.

But I know I am only contributing to the useless, melodramatic plight that is this thread.

 

[skyvue2]

Thank You CanAm.

For the record...CanAm has agreed to NOTHING discussed here...only a logical observation made about motorcycles. There is a logical approach to becoming skilled and experienced to most everything in life...you start with either small or mid-line and move up as your skills grow..because if your skills do not grow or interest is lost (the great American impulsiveness in each and every one of us), then we are stuck with something we spent way too much money on and have absolutely zero interest in. I am sorry folks...it just makes sense.

 

[skyvue2]

danmass...bottom line...like you said, this plight of a thread is really getting old. My only statement is simply get good at what you do with a great entry level camera, then spend the extra money a couple years down the road for the dream camera you always wanted, because you know in your mind and skill level, you can fully utilize everything the camera has to offer because your skills will be so much better than they are currently (back to that experience thing). Then...keep the entry level camera as your back up, or travel camera.

No more...no less.

 

[danmass]

danmass...bottom line...like you said, this plight of a thread is really getting old. My only statement is simply get good at what you do with a great entry level camera, then spend the extra money a couple years down the road for the dream camera you always wanted, because you know in your mind and skill level, you can fully utilize everything the camera as to offer because your skills will be so much better than they are currently (back to that experience thing). Then...keep the entry level camera as your back up, or travel camera.

No more...no less.

Yeah, I get it. If that works for you.

I don't want to pay $500 right now, get good enough to purchase a better model, than shovel out an even more $1,000 or whatever. I don't work in stages like that. I might as well spend the $1,000 now and grow into the camera. The higher end model should undoubtedly offer the same features as the lesser model anyways, right? In the end I'm sure as you grow you'll use all the features accessible to you no matter what stage of skill level you are at. That's what makes sense to me.

Thus this unfortunate thread - everybody projecting what works best for them as the 'right' way to do it. Happy shooting!