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07/12/2009 12:23:31 PM · #1 |
| Hello to all, I would like to have some suggestions please. I am looking to upgrade from my basic Casio- Exlim digital camera to a more professional one... I am still very new at photography, but I have enjoyed it since I was very very young. I have considered Canon and Nikon because they seem very popular, but there are so many models out there it makes my head spin! Also, I am going to take a beginners photography class at the local college to freshen my memory of the basics, so I want a decent piece of equipment to work with. Any suggestions or advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance!! |
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07/12/2009 12:41:06 PM · #2 |
| How much do you have to spend? And what are your favorite photographic subjects (eg. wildlife, landscapes, people, macro, etc)? |
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07/12/2009 12:47:14 PM · #3 |
| Im expecting to spend a few hundred, I dont want to go too crazy until I learn more and get better at it, as of now I like flowers,people,beach/sunsets... a little bit of everything. |
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07/12/2009 12:52:26 PM · #4 |
| get a canon rebel, they are so much fun and relatively cheap these days. i prefer the xti |
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07/12/2009 12:57:23 PM · #5 |
You can definitely get what you want in that range.
For about $500-700 you can get an entry level DSLR such as a Rebel XS or an Olympus E-620. All good cameras. On the used market you can often find a steal of a deal and have some left over for accessories. I paid $327 for my Rebel XT (EOS 350D) a little over a year ago. My next upgrade will probably be to a used 40D when someone else is upgrading to the latest and greatest.
I've occasionally seen 3-4 year old DSLR's going for as little as $250, body only |
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07/12/2009 01:02:43 PM · #6 |
Get the cheapest Nikon or Canon DSLR that you can find a deal on......you really cannot go wrong.....base the choice on which one seems the most comfortable and easy to understand/use.
Try and wrangle the closest thing you can to a super-zoom with the body that won't cost the farm, like an 18-135, so you don't have to try and constantly decide that you have the wrong lens on the body, and shoot, shoot, SHOOT!!!
Try not to make the mistake of turning into an equipment junkie right out of the gate......that gets stupid expensive really fast......get to know your camera so well that you replace it when it falls short of what you ask it on a regular basis.
Took this hack three years to get to that point, and my upgrade wasn't even to a new camera so much as a better one of the same vintage that I was familiar with.....
Most importantly, have fun.....8>)
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07/12/2009 01:14:48 PM · #7 |
| IMO it all depends on why you're considering a new camera. Did the old one wear out or is it that you are wishing for options it doesn't have? The jump from the camera you have now to a DSLR is a long one. There are a lot of interesting cameras in the $400-500 8MP range & if you are considering brand loyalty you could get a 'pro-sumer' camera with the brand name you like, shoot it for 2 yrs or so & then move up again. Invest in good PP software, of course, & you'll want to consider upgrading/changing your file storage system, & get a new backpack, too, all very do-able. It's good to dedicate yourself to your favorite thing by getting more serious equipment. Go for it! |
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07/12/2009 02:54:09 PM · #8 |
I went the progressive route that Pixelpig is suggesting. Started with a point and shoot (Nikon 4300) wanted more without getting to big and complicated so I went with a prosumer with a bigger zoom range (Konica Minolta A200) and used that until I felt I was ready to go further and aquire a DSLR. I got some great results with the A200 (including still two of my four highest scores here) and it was easier to use and carry around than a DSLR. Whatever you do decide to do, go take a look at them and hold them in your hands. Do you like the way it looks/ feels? If not, you may not end up using it much.
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07/12/2009 03:23:28 PM · #9 |
| Wow everyone has given me great advice.. The reason for my upgrade is that for one thing I feel like a darn tourist when taking pics!! but mostly i would like somthing with options for lenses so I am more in control of what my pics look like. I have Photoshop CS2 on my computer and VERY SLOWLY learning different features. To those of you that have DSLR vs. "pro-Sumer" What are the major differences? I think to take the second photography class at the college I have to have a DSLR and access to a version of photoshop. |
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07/12/2009 04:13:18 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Lgraber6109:
I think to take the second photography class at the college I have to have a DSLR and access to a version of photoshop. |
I understand the requirement for PS, if for no other reason to keep a semblance of consistency, but I'd question the requirement for a DSLR.
Ask why.
If it's for the ability to swap lenses, they may expect you to buy lenses as well.
NOT a requirement for learning the essentials of photography......(Says he who never took a photography course in his life!)
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07/12/2009 04:26:27 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
but I'd question the requirement for a DSLR.
Ask why.
If it's for the ability to swap lenses, they may expect you to buy lenses as well.
NOT a requirement for learning the essentials of photography......(Says he who never took a photography course in his life!) |
On these points I have to agree with Jeb. Some of my best and highest scoring shots have come from my Powershot S5. Perhaps the professor feels if they allow any camera, people may show up with point and shoots that are lacking needed features for the lessons.
Looking at a review of her current Casio at Steve's Digicams, it does appear to be a lacking manual mode or semi automatic modes such as Aperture and shutter Priority. That will be a serious limitation.
Message edited by author 2009-07-12 16:33:26. |
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07/12/2009 04:42:49 PM · #12 |
My first Canon (at the time, it was the Pro 1) did not have an interchangeable lens, and I learned so much from it before I jumped into the void of the DSLR. I got comfortable with settings and the ability to control things or use the presets (which you also will have on an upper end dslr). I know other camera manufacturers have them too. My sister uses a Fujifilm and raves about it because she can whip it out and take amazing shots without fumbling around with a heavier camera. Her photos have been found on her blog and people are buying them and she's being used throughout her city for the shots she takes with it. (Alot more than I can say about mine LOL)
Find something that won't intimidate you. As you learn (and can afford more) then you can broaden your scope. It is an ongoing process. ENJOY IT!!
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07/12/2009 11:22:01 PM · #13 |
A "prosumer" camera will give you most of the features of a DSLR with a single, non-changeable lens. The one on my A200 was about equal to a 28-200mm lens on a full frame camera. Maybe since part of the class is to teach and use Photoshop they want people to have a camera capable of shooting in camera raw format but there are point and shoots (like the Canon G10) and prosumers which can shoot in raw or as YoSpliff points out it may be certain features the camera is likely to have- again those can be found on some point and shoots as well as most prosumers. Ask your teacher if you can.
The three highest images in my profile were each taken with a different camera. My highest- a point and shoot- followed by my DSLR and my prosumer camera 3rd- the type of camera does not necessarily mean one will take better pictures than the other. A recent blue ribbon winner in one of the challenge was taken with a phone camera.
One advantage to "looking like a tourist" while out shooting can mean more natural reactions from people. Pull out a DSLR with a long lens and watch people either try to pose or hide from you.
Message edited by author 2009-07-12 23:23:07.
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07/13/2009 02:00:41 AM · #14 |
| this reminds me when i first upgraded from a fully-automatic point-n-shoot camera (the type where u only get to select whether u want the flash ON or OFF) and my photographs took a downturn because i was trying too hard to use the camera and be a "photographer". finally i'm humbled by the camera and stopped taking artistic photographs. now i take crappy photos that nobody wants to see. |
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07/13/2009 07:06:06 PM · #15 |
| //www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=14257 I have been condisering this one.... I have been looking and taking the advice given from you all and until I find something better I will start saving up and prob by then another one will come up. But gives me a goal :) thanks again for all the great advice |
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