Camera Advice

Snowflake · 07-10-2009, 10:14 AM

Okay, I do not know what I am thinking of this except I do want to do more photography and I want to improve my lousy camera skills.

Anyone have a recomendation for a starter SLR camera (or kit) that will not break the piggy bank? I honestly do not know where to start.

Since I've never taken a photography course, I think maybe I should invest some time and $$ for this as well, if I am serious about learning more about photography. Anyone else even done this?

Ghoulish Delight · 07-10-2009, 10:28 AM

You'll find advocates for all of the entry level dSLRs out there. They're all good quality. Several of us on the board have Nikons and love them, you can find great deals on the older D40 line. One drawback to the entry level Nikons vs. some of the other brands is that the Nikons don't have an autofocus motor in the camera itself, so if you want autofocus it limits your lens selection to more expensive lenses that have the focus motor built in. Personally I never plan to collect a large # of lenses so it's not an issue for me.

Not Afraid · 07-10-2009, 10:40 AM

Costco often has some great deals on the Nikon D's. I love my D 60. The additional lens that I currently covet is the 18-300 VR.

Ghoulish Delight · 07-10-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

The additional lens that I currently covet is the 18-300 VR.

You and me both, babe.

Cadaverous Pallor · 07-10-2009, 11:04 AM

There's also the issue of image stabilization, either in the body of the camera or in the lenses you buy...

Ghoulish Delight · 07-10-2009, 11:08 AM

Nikon calls it "VR" (vibration reduction). Plenty of affordable kits out there that come with VR lenses, but if it's a matter of saving money it's not an absolute necessity. I got along just fine for a while without a VR lens. It matters more on longer lenses (55mm and above), so if you can find a kit with a non-stabilized wide lens and a stabilized long lens that'd be a good balance of cost and features.

alphabassettgrrl · 07-10-2009, 11:14 AM

I haven't researched DSLRs but I'm sure whatever you get will be fine.

Definitely take a photography class- you'll learn a lot about composition and taking good pictures. Maybe some bits about editing. Once you learn the basics, it's a matter of patience and taking a lot of pictures, then evaluating what you took and what could make it better next time.

Beaches, parks, zoos- great places to take pictures and practice. Digital definitely makes it easier: not only can you delete anything that you don't like, but the feedback is instant or nearly so.

Ghoulish Delight · 07-10-2009, 11:22 AM

I keep intending to take a class myself, mostly to learn to make better use of all the things an SLR can do over a point and shoot besides take photos faster (in and of itself a beautiful thing). I have figured out about 3 or 4 settings that understand well enough to tweak and get predictable results, but I know I'm under utilizing the camera's abilities. I'm more interested in that than composition and such since, while good to know, in the end it's subjective anyway. I'd save the "how to take good photos" class for after the "how to use the camera" class.

Snowflake · 07-10-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I keep intending to take a class myself, mostly to learn to make better use of all the things an SLR can do over a point and shoot besides take photos faster (in and of itself a beautiful thing). I have figured out about 3 or 4 settings that understand well enough to tweak and get predictable results, but I know I'm under utilizing the camera's abilities. I'm more interested in that than composition and such since, while good to know, in the end it's subjective anyway. I'd save the "how to take good photos" class for after the "how to use the camera" class.

Yeah, that is wise advice! Realizing my total inexperience with anything other than a point-and-shoot, this will be optimal use of my brainage.

I will check out costco for cameras, too, thanks NA.

Right now we're in fantasy, but I might have a little money to play with and I can either take a fast trip someplace, or buy a new toy.

Alex · 07-10-2009, 11:32 AM

The camera isn't that important. Great photographers take great photographs with disposable cameras. Crappy photographers take crappy photographs with high end cameras.

If you have a camera of any type I'd say focus on that first. The joy of photography is (mostly) in the picture not the technology. If this is just a potential hobby, get the most out of what you have and learn how to take the best pictures possible in terms of composition and whatnot then let that naturally take you on to the next steps as you skill up. And if it turns out you're not really that interested you aren't out the hundreds of dollars for equipment you'll not use much.

So my recommendation would be to take a fast trip someplace with your current camera and do the best you can with it versus buying a fancy camera and using it at home.

07-10-2009, 10:14 AM	#1
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Camera Advice Okay, I do not know what I am thinking of this except I do want to do more photography and I want to improve my lousy camera skills. Anyone have a recomendation for a starter SLR camera (or kit) that will not break the piggy bank? I honestly do not know where to start. Since I've never taken a photography course, I think maybe I should invest some time and $$ for this as well, if I am serious about learning more about photography. Anyone else even done this?
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07-10-2009, 10:28 AM	#2
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	You'll find advocates for all of the entry level dSLRs out there. They're all good quality. Several of us on the board have Nikons and love them, you can find great deals on the older D40 line. One drawback to the entry level Nikons vs. some of the other brands is that the Nikons don't have an autofocus motor in the camera itself, so if you want autofocus it limits your lens selection to more expensive lenses that have the focus motor built in. Personally I never plan to collect a large # of lenses so it's not an issue for me. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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07-10-2009, 10:40 AM	#3
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	Costco often has some great deals on the Nikon D's. I love my D 60. The additional lens that I currently covet is the 18-300 VR.
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07-10-2009, 11:04 AM	#5
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	There's also the issue of image stabilization, either in the body of the camera or in the lenses you buy...
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07-10-2009, 11:08 AM	#6
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Nikon calls it "VR" (vibration reduction). Plenty of affordable kits out there that come with VR lenses, but if it's a matter of saving money it's not an absolute necessity. I got along just fine for a while without a VR lens. It matters more on longer lenses (55mm and above), so if you can find a kit with a non-stabilized wide lens and a stabilized long lens that'd be a good balance of cost and features. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

07-10-2009, 11:14 AM	#7
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	I haven't researched DSLRs but I'm sure whatever you get will be fine. Definitely take a photography class- you'll learn a lot about composition and taking good pictures. Maybe some bits about editing. Once you learn the basics, it's a matter of patience and taking a lot of pictures, then evaluating what you took and what could make it better next time. Beaches, parks, zoos- great places to take pictures and practice. Digital definitely makes it easier: not only can you delete anything that you don't like, but the feedback is instant or nearly so. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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07-10-2009, 11:22 AM	#8
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I keep intending to take a class myself, mostly to learn to make better use of all the things an SLR can do over a point and shoot besides take photos faster (in and of itself a beautiful thing). I have figured out about 3 or 4 settings that understand well enough to tweak and get predictable results, but I know I'm under utilizing the camera's abilities. I'm more interested in that than composition and such since, while good to know, in the end it's subjective anyway. I'd save the "how to take good photos" class for after the "how to use the camera" class. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

07-10-2009, 11:32 AM	#10
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	The camera isn't that important. Great photographers take great photographs with disposable cameras. Crappy photographers take crappy photographs with high end cameras. If you have a camera of any type I'd say focus on that first. The joy of photography is (mostly) in the picture not the technology. If this is just a potential hobby, get the most out of what you have and learn how to take the best pictures possible in terms of composition and whatnot then let that naturally take you on to the next steps as you skill up. And if it turns out you're not really that interested you aren't out the hundreds of dollars for equipment you'll not use much. So my recommendation would be to take a fast trip someplace with your current camera and do the best you can with it versus buying a fancy camera and using it at home.
	Submit to Quotes