Photographers step inside please

[Tubestone]

What camera do you recommend for someone who's looking to shoot some pictures as a hobby. I have some free time on my side and would like to play with a camera and shoot few pictures. Any recommendation from the experts would be appreciated! Budget around $700-$800

[Gerco]

Buy a used Nikon D2x. Great Camera. http://photography.shop.ebay.com/Dig...32 86.c0.m282

You should be able to find one in your price range. It a pro camera, so you should never really outgrow it. I have owed one since they came out and still love it.

Here is a refurb located on cali for 850... 1 day left on auction http://cgi.ebay.com/Refurbished-Niko...#ht_500wt_1182

[Tubestone]

Originally Posted by Gerco

Buy a used Nikon D2x. Great Camera. http://photography.shop.ebay.com/Dig...32 86.c0.m282

You should be able to find one in your price range. It a pro camera, so you should never really outgrow it. I have owed one since they came out and still love it.

Here is a refurb located on cali for 850... 1 day left on auction http://cgi.ebay.com/Refurbished-Niko...#ht_500wt_1182

I prefer buying brand new cameras because I don't want to get into problems and lot of fixing. The camera looks great tho and it is a pro camera.

[Enjoy Bucks]

i'd say Canon

[Tubestone]

Originally Posted by Enjoy Bucks

i'd say Canon

What model? more details and why

[fatfoo]

I saw some posts on GFY where some people say they got really expensive cameras for $2,000 to make some really high quality films and photos.

I think you can get some really great ones for $700 - 800, too. Search for them in google or visit the websites of the camera stores for more details.

[DBS.US]

Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera, around $559.95

[Deej]

Yep, get one of the canon rebels

[Mr. E]

Canon Rebel T2i if you can find them in stock. 18MP, shoots 720p HD video and is loaded up with just about every goodie the 7D has for half the price.

[DBS.US]

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)$800 on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B0035FZJI0

[Frasier]

spend as little on the camera as possible. You can get nice pictures with something for 400-500.00 and learn everything you need to know to have a great foundation in photography. Exposure, composition, processing

Spend extra money on lens(S)

If you get interested in photography, then in a few years you drop bigger money for a better camera but your lenses are still good.

Lenses rarely depreciate, camera bodies drop like a hot potato every two years.

Good lenses cost more than good cameras.

Nikon or Canon - your choice. It's like honda or toyota, total personal preference. If I needed a first camera to learn with, I'd buy a d40, but I"m a nikon man.

Before you buy any brand, find somewhere to touch it, hold it. See how it fits in your hand. Which is more comfortable for you. THe differences in brands really are not that great. Canon has an edge in telephoto lens with their sweet 200, nikon has the wide angle market covered. But even these differences wont be noticeable unless you are a professional who makes money from shooting. At the consumer end, pretty much all things are equal

[Tubestone]

Originally Posted by Frasier

spend as little on the camera as possible. You can get nice pictures with something for 400-500.00 and learn everything you need to know to have a great foundation in photography. Exposure, composition, processing

Spend extra money on lens(S)

If you get interested in photography, then in a few years you drop bigger money for a better camera but your lenses are still good.

Lenses rarely depreciate, camera bodies drop like a hot potato every two years.

Good lenses cost more than good cameras.

Nikon or Canon - your choice. It's like honda or toyota, total personal preference. If I needed a first camera to learn with, I'd buy a d40, but I"m a nikon man.

Before you buy any brand, find somewhere to touch it, hold it. See how it fits in your hand. Which is more comfortable for you. THe differences in brands really are not that great. Canon has an edge in telephoto lens with their sweet 200, nikon has the wide angle market covered. But even these differences wont be noticeable unless you are a professional who makes money from shooting. At the consumer end, pretty much all things are equal

Thank you for your reply.. can you tell me what kind of setup (lens, etc...) should I get with the D40? I have a decent knowledge about photography and especially in black & white photography. I know about exposure, composition, and few other stuff but i'm not an expert. I tried photography and I like it that's why I want to get a nice camera to play with and "learn". I would like to hear your thoughts and opinions about the lens and other stuff I can get with the D40. SInce you're a Nikon guy, what kind a camera do you use?

[venus]

I would go with the canon also, I have 3 canon cameras, the 40D, 7D and the 5D mark 2...
lenses are easy, good all around lenses the canon 24-70 (f/2.8) and thecanon 70-200 (f/2.8)

these lenses cost more then the canon rebel tho, but they are really good. you canalways use the one that comes with the camera, but ..well.. it is what it is.. I never took mine out of the box.

Oh ya...check out my photography site www.hopeparr.com
its not a pay site..just a photography site.

[Tubestone]

Originally Posted by venus

I would go with the canon also, I have 3 canon cameras, the 40D, 7D and the 5D mark 2...
lenses are easy, good all around lenses the canon 24-70 (f/2.8) and thecanon 70-200 (f/2.8)

these lenses cost more then the canon rebel tho, but they are really good. you canalways use the one that comes with the camera, but ..well.. it is what it is.. I never took mine out of the box.

Oh ya...check out my photography site www.hopeparr.com
its not a pay site..just a photography site.

Each lens cost around $1200.. Is there any lenses cheaper than that? The thing is i want quality lens but at the same time I don't want to spend $2000 for the whole set yet (lens and camera)

[aniloscash]

I have a Nikon. and it takes great pictures but I wish I got a canon. The Nikon although it can take 10 pictures a second it just doesnt work that way. Sometimes when I'm trying to get a picture it doesnt go and I have to wait and I miss the shot. Canon also has a really great hd camcorder for about 499.

[digitaldivas]

I only shoot with canon. Photo and Video. Best machines God ever made.

[Tubestone]

Originally Posted by digitaldivas

I only shoot with canon. Photo and Video. Best machines God ever made.

What do you use and what do you recommend?

[digitaldivas]

I started off with a first generation rebel when they first came out and that camera went through hell, when it gave out last year, I switched to the D50 and I love it. Only use 3 lenses, fixed 50, original 18-55 and 28-135.

Second generation rebels should do fine, it will give you alot of room to experiment on the manual settings as well as getting to know and setting up your white balance. All around 500. The 18-55 factory lens is a pretty versatile lens if your starting out. Should do you right.

For Video, I use the HV30 for HD, it does a great job. I use a 2x telephoto attachment sometimes and 0.5 wide angle macro other times.

If your into video, the old ZR series is still pretty solid. You cn pick them up for under 350 bucks. It is tape, however, not cards. The HV30 is Canons last hurrah as far as tape from what they have said. You can find refurbished H series cameras for a fair price, under 650 if you look around.

Lighting system is simple 1500 watt tungsten light kit with 2 soft light boxes in studio or just the kit when traveling. Slik tripods are pretty fab too. And not as flimsy as others imho.

Hope that helped

[digitaldivas]

proper white balance and ISO is key, hardware side. Lighting, of course, but for the non grain look, know your ISO. And to avoid the weird color hues, proper white balance is key. You can work it out in photoshop when you begin, but as you get better and get to know your camera more, it should become an extension of yourself when shooting eventually.

[baddog]

Canon Rebel EOS T1i - I love this thing. Does hi-def video too.

[Konkan]

I`m using Nikon for around 10years.Now I have D300. More than everybody needs. Try Nikon. They are cheaper than Canon, and better.

[sexypond]

You can get all the information about camera here

http://www.dpreview.com/

[shimmy2]

nikon d40 and canon gl1, auction shopping you can get both used for around $1000. whatever you first cam(s) are you are going to break them under heavy use, abuse, travel, and pov so dont spend much out of the hole. i have gone through 2 or 3 of each of the above myself.

tips: dont use offbrand tapes (like maxell) as they have different lubrication etc, i jammed the carriage of my first canonGL1 this way and bugged it up... and for your still cam dont rely on the strap that comes with it. get a heavy duty strap. those motherfuckers will break at the wrong time and there goes your lens... and now you also got a stuck shutter on your cam body. also dont buy "new" cameras from soniccameras.com or any other discount online "new" camera store. they are grey market imports and when you break your shit like me the first time, you will find nikon wont honor the warranty card of a grey market camera with a "usa warranty card". if you gotta buy new get it from a real retail store.. but then again, why buy new anyway

[JP513]

Nikon D5000 with an 18-55 VR lens on as a kit. Look no further.

[Gerco]

If you go nikon, pick up the AF-S Nikkor 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6 G ED DX VR Lens.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm

This is the Lens I keep on my camera for everyday shooting. It covers 90% of what your ever going to shoot.

To round out my kit I also have an 8mm fisheye that I use for 360 for panoramic. http://www.peleng8.com/ (I plan in getting sigmas in the future but the pelengs a fun cheap lens to play with) I also have had the nikon 10.5mm fisheye (sharp and clean but expensive)

For close up work I have a Nikkor 105 Micro lens. I have the version that came out right before the VR option. Wishing I would have the VR option and might sell mine to move to the newer lens at some point.

For shooting events I use to use the 70-200 VR http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70200vr.htm Very expensive lens but does give you options at 200mm that you just can't do with any other lens due to it's low 2.8f. (I sold mine after a year with it as I just couldn't justify the expense of the lens with how little I actually used it, the 18-200mm took it's place somewhat altho it can't handle as low of light conditions but honestly with a good tripod that becomes less of an issue.

Keep in mind that the Nikon does not use a full frame sensor. (Some of the new ones do) what this means is you have a 1.5x magnification on all your lens. so you 200mm becomes a 300mm etc.

Another lens I think everyone should own is a really fast prime. I have the 50mm 1.4 which on the d2x becomes a 75mm... I also have a Sigma 30mm 1.4. On the d2x the 30mm becomes a 45mm so very close to the 50mm your looking for for 1:1 photography. Also have the 1.4f means your able to shoot in some very low light conditions.

I have other lens I keep in my bag that do nothing but gather dust at this point. The ones I've listed are the ones I found I use on a regular bases for my type of shooting. I do a lot of commercial shooting for products and business locations that are used for mainstream websites and with the kit above have not ran into anything I couldn't shoot.

[Frasier]

Originally Posted by Tubestone

Thank you for your reply.. can you tell me what kind of setup (lens, etc...) should I get with the D40? I have a decent knowledge about photography and especially in black & white photography. I know about exposure, composition, and few other stuff but i'm not an expert. I tried photography and I like it that's why I want to get a nice camera to play with and "learn". I would like to hear your thoughts and opinions about the lens and other stuff I can get with the D40. SInce you're a Nikon guy, what kind a camera do you use?

Lens is really a matter of what you want to shoot. A kit lens is a good place to start as any as the telephoto will give you a little flexibility in where you stand. There is no point at this time to invest a lot of money in expensive 2.0 or 2.8 lenses until you get a better idea of what you really want to do. A good 'one lens' solution for a beginner is a 18-105 or 18-200. You might also consider something like a 18-270 tamron instead of the nikon lens. It's not a high quality lens but it gives you a heck of a range and is 70% of the quality of what a lens from a major manufacturer offers at less than 50% of the price. For the pictures you start off taking, you wont know a difference. Later, you will tho and thats when it's worth spending 1000+ on a good lens. You wont find it necessary to move from a cheap tamron 18-270 to a nikon 18-200, there is that little difference. A cheap consumer grade lens from a third party is 'good enough' till you buy pro lenses.

Definatly get a 50mm 1.8 prime. This is the lens that will teach you how to take good pics. You will be able to really experience depth of field and be forced to learn how to make your particular camera auto focus perform so you get those perfect focus shots on shallow depth of field. For less than 200.00 this is the absolute best lens you can buy and you will keep it forever, thru any camera upgrades you make.

I shoot a d90, it's a great value right now if you want to spend that much on a body. I wouldnt recommend a d5000 over it ever.

[DamnGoodRatio]

Originally Posted by Mr. E

Canon Rebel T2i if you can find them in stock. 18MP, shoots 720p HD video and is loaded up with just about every goodie the 7D has for half the price.

Yet I have shot with both and you can feel the quality of the 7D vs the Rebel.
I will always recommend the 7D hands down over the Rebel . . .

[AaronM]

Originally Posted by digitaldivas

I only shoot with canon. Photo and Video. Best machines God ever made.

Make up your mind. How can you say you only shoot with Canon then turn around and say you replaced your Canon with a Nikon?

Originally Posted by digitaldivas

I started off with a first generation rebel when they first came out and that camera went through hell, when it gave out last year, I switched to the D50 and I love it.

Unless you meant 50D not D50....Not sure though as pretty much anybody who owns a DSLR knows the correct model number.

[AaronM]

Originally Posted by Konkan

Try Nikon. They are cheaper than Canon, and better.

If that were true then the majority of pro photographers would be using Nikon like they were doing back in the days of 35mm...And they are not. Taking Medium format and such out of the picture, MOST pro shooters use Canon.

I used to work in a photography store and was trained as a Nikon Advanced System Specialist. I preached Nikon for YEARS. However, Canon puts out a better digital product so when I went digital, I went with Canon.

Nikon is significantly more expensive than Canon... anyone thinking otherwise is a fool.

I personally shoot Leica these days, the new f/0.95 Noctilux is simply magical. A bit out of your price range though.

[DBS.US]

Nikon or Canon, Get a better lens, extra memory card, extra batteries, and I love the vertical battery grip.

[asl]

Get a rebel and a 50 1.8 for that price. That will give you a nice camera to start with !
Primes are the way to go if you want some fun with photography and controlling the depth of field !

[UnUnited]

Originally Posted by baddog

Canon Rebel EOS T1i - I love this thing. Does hi-def video too.

My suggestion as well, around $650 - $750 depending on where you buy , Great camera in the Rebel series that can do HD video as well.

[candyflip]

I just picked up a Canon 50D and two non-kit lens (Canon 50mm 1.8, Tamrom 18-270) for just around $1400. I think I got a deal.

I just wanted something to take some nice photos of my kids with and I have already succeeded in doing so.

[Tubestone]

I'm aiming to get the Canon 50D it will cost around $1100.. what kind of lens should I buy with it? I need an everyday lens that can have potential for regular and far range.. would Tamrom 18-270 do the job? If not.. what is the best lens for everyday use?

[digitaldivas]

Originally Posted by AaronM

Make up your mind. How can you say you only shoot with Canon then turn around and say you replaced your Canon with a Nikon?




Unless you meant 50D not D50....Not sure though as pretty much anybody who owns a DSLR knows the correct model number.

I have a nikon as well as an olympus and pentax. I don't recall saying anything about replacing anything. I only shoot Beautifulfeetonline.com with Canon.

...Your going to give me shit over a typo?!? Can you be a hater anymore? I mean really, how old are you, fucking 12?

[Kolargol]

Originally Posted by Equinox

f/0.95

I can see why so pricey.

[candyflip]

Originally Posted by Tubestone

I'm aiming to get the Canon 50D it will cost around $1100.. what kind of lens should I buy with it? I need an everyday lens that can have potential for regular and far range.. would Tamrom 18-270 do the job? If not.. what is the best lens for everyday use?

That Tamron has a big range, so it's pretty useful for most situations. The Canon 50mm was definitely worth picking up (cost under $100).

I'm VERY happy with both lenses and the Canon 50D.

[AaronM]

Originally Posted by digitaldivas

I don't recall saying anything about replacing anything. I only shoot Beautifulfeetonline.com with Canon.

...Your going to give me shit over a typo?!? Can you be a hater anymore? I mean really, how old are you, fucking 12?

I'm wasn't hating, I was asking for clarification.

Not my fault you "typo-ed" nor my fault that you can't recall telling us you replaced your worn out Rebel for a D50. (Nikon)

"when it gave out last year, I switched to the D50"

I mean really, how old are you, fucking 94? Alzheimer's must be a real bitch.

[JayAllan]

I have been shooting full time for 20 years. By far the best advice in this thread is from Frasier. I would add that I don't recommend getting off brand lenses like Tokina and Tamron. They just don't last and the savings is not that much.

Nikon VS Canon is simply a matter of choice. They are essentially the same. Once you choose though you will want to stick with the same brand as the glass is the main cost. Start with fast lenses if you can afford it. 28-80mm or 80-200 Zoom depending if you are more shooting people or landscapes.

Also look here..

http://howtophotographnakedwomen.com

[justinsain]

Originally Posted by Tubestone

I'm aiming to get the Canon 50D it will cost around $1100.. what kind of lens should I buy with it? I need an everyday lens that can have potential for regular and far range.. would Tamrom 18-270 do the job? If not.. what is the best lens for everyday use?

Not sure if that $1100 includes tax but you can get one here for $929. Might save you $170
which you can put towards a lens.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/SL...2/N/4294538181

Very reputable dealer as well