Question about buying a camera? Advice needed

[ernest3000]

Hi, I want to start taking pictures but I am new to photography and don't know what kind of camera to buy so as a beginner, what would be the best camera to buy?

[DavidW]

Let me (gently) throw the question back to you by asking what sort of pictures do you want to take?

If it's just family snapshots, then a digital compact may well be ideal. That could be a good starting point anyway. Spending thousands on a digital SLR outfit won't instantly make you a better photographer - in fact, it will probably just add in a lot of technical confusion at a time when you should be concentrating primarily on the pictures you're taking.



David

[Mike Smith]

There are as many answers to your question as there are cameras in the world. You need to figure out what you want to do with your camera and then make an informed decision from there.

If you read through this site and other photography sites, you'll get an idea of what cameras are available and what each one of them can do that the others can't.

Don't go overboard in buying new equipment until you have a good idea of what you want and what equipment will best suit your needs. If you intend on making a serious hobby out of this, buy equipment that you can grow into. It's frustrating to find that your skill with the camera has surpassed the ability of your camera.

If you buy a digital camera, keep in mind that you will have to buy some editing software to get the most out of your pictures.

[Titus213]

1DsMKII? You can always grow into it....:lol:

The advice already given is excellent IMO. If you hate computers or even find them frustrating you probably don't want a digital SLR right away.

[ernest3000]

Let me (gently) throw the question back to you by asking what sort of pictures do you want to take?


The pictures I would like to take would be of landscapes and other people mostly. Basically emotive type photography.

There are as many answers to your question as there are cameras in the world. You need to figure out what you want to do with your camera and then make an informed decision from there.

If you read through this site and other photography sites, you'll get an idea of what cameras are available and what each one of them can do that the others can't.

Don't go overboard in buying new equipment until you have a good idea of what you want and what equipment will best suit your needs. If you intend on making a serious hobby out of this, buy equipment that you can grow into. It's frustrating to find that your skill with the camera has surpassed the ability of your camera.

If you buy a digital camera, keep in mind that you will have to buy some editing software to get the most out of your pictures.

I was planning on making a long term hobby out of this. Thanks for the advice though. I'll browse through the site and see what camera would be best for what I'm trying to do.

[AjP]

start with 20D if you will outgrow it, can get Mark II later and use 20D as second cam

[VegasGeorge]

I think the 20D is too expensive for an absolute novice. You do, however, need an SLR, not a point and shoot convenience camera or even a prosumer digital. That is, if learning about photography is one of your goals. I would look at the Canon Digital Rebel if I were you.

[Roach711]

I would second the Digital Rebel recommendation. You can pick up the original DReb with the kit lens new on ebay for around $650. A good P&S camera is only a coupla hundred less. An even better choice depending on your money situation might be a good used 10D. It's still a very capable camera and doesn't have the limitations that come with the Dreb.

Beware! hanging around this forum may be hazardus to your bank account!

[Snapman]

Welcome to the forum and the fun :)

A 300D with 18-55 kit lens would be an excellent start, although you might also consider a 350D which is a newer model but more expensive. I wouldn't advise a beginner to start with a 20D or higher unless you're either a millionaire or are certain that you want a DSLR and will stick with the hobby. Start with a kit lens which you could later sell on eBay if you want something better, as you probably will. If you do consider a 10D, remember that it can't be used with E-FS lenses such as the 18-55 kit lens.

David :)

[Andy_T]

Welcome to the forum :D

You might give us some indication as to the budget you have set aside for it...

Also, whether you would prefer
...to have something compact you could take with you at all times or
...if you are willing to lug around a big bag for the sake of perfect results...

Best regards,
Andy

[ernest3000]

Welcome to the forum :D

You might give us some indication as to the budget you have set aside for it...

About $300-$500

Also, whether you would prefer
...to have something compact you could take with you at all times or
...if you are willing to lug around a big bag for the sake of perfect results...

Best regards,
Andy

I was looking for a camera I could carry around wherever I went just to take pictures at random

[Andy_T]

Ernest,

thank you, that clarifies it a bit.

Both the budget and the wish for a compact camera to take with you suggest one of Canon's 'small digicams' or maybe one of the 'G series' models (although the latest models might be a bit over the budget you set).

There are definitely a lot of very good Canon cameras available to choose from - If you don't get any answers here ('Talk about photography' is maybe not read that often), you might browse the forums I mentioned or even ask the question there.

Best regards,
Andy

[mikeymike]

The canon S1 is a great camera and way with in your budget. Go to bhphotovideo.com and look around at there point and shoot digtal Camera's they are about the cheapest around. I got my dad the S1 and he loves it. He takes his everywhere he goes. It does have a few things that it does not so well like low light photos are not that great but most point and shoot's have there bad sides.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I think the 20D is too expensive for an absolute novice. You do, however, need an SLR, not a point and shoot convenience camera or even a prosumer digital. That is, if learning about photography is one of your goals. I would look at the Canon Digital Rebel if I were you.


Also too complicated, no?