Photography

**J1mmy** · March 22nd, 2008, 09:31 PM

I'm looking to get into photography and know very little right now so need some advice on cameras and that sort of thing.

What sort of features should I be looking at when looking for a camera? Should I also consider HD camcorders? (I know that they aren't used for photography, but I miss the video feature in them

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**KarmaKiller** · March 22nd, 2008, 10:04 PM

Hi Jimmy.
We just got done shopping for a new camera. And I made a thread asking for suggestions. I'm not sure if you saw it, but here's a link.
Suggestions on new camera??

We ended up going for the Panasonic FZ-18. And we love it. It's got about 150 different settings, for different pictures.(sunset, candle light, scenery, portraits, sports, pets, etc.) and the pictures turn out wonderful!
I can't tell you what to look for though, my gf is the photographer, not me.

And for the video, it will take as much video as the SD card you have installed will hold.

**ShuckyD** · March 23rd, 2008, 12:16 AM

what type of camera are you looking for? A point & shoot one or a high quality SLR (either digital or film)?

I would recommend checking out www.dpreview.com to learn about the different camera styles, brands, offerings, etc. Once I know what your looking for I will definitely be able to give you better guidance and opinions based on experience.

**J1mmy** · March 23rd, 2008, 10:04 AM

I would like an SLR camera with about 10+ MP and I am looking to spend about £300-400. The only thing I know to look at is the MP, thats all. What other feature do I need to conider.

KK, is that a proper SLR? I've been told SLR can't do videos? Also, do these SLRs do night-vision? Is there anything else they cant do that would benefit me as compared to a normal camera?

**ShuckyD** · March 23rd, 2008, 10:25 PM

Canon Rebel XTi would be a bit higher (i think) than your price range, but it is one of the best true Digital SLR's in that price range.

Hmmm... night vision, no.... i think your looking for a Sony Handycam for that

**KarmaKiller** · March 24th, 2008, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by J1mmy

I would like an SLR camera with about 10+ MP and I am looking to spend about £300-400. The only thing I know to look at is the MP, thats all. What other feature do I need to conider.

KK, is that a proper SLR? I've been told SLR can't do videos? Also, do these SLRs do night-vision? Is there anything else they cant do that would benefit me as compared to a normal camera?

No, that's not a SLI. It's about the best point and shoot you can get though. Although, no SLI..

My GF suggested the Nikon D80. I've read really good reviews about it. My gf said that's the one she would get also.

**J1mmy** · March 24th, 2008, 06:17 PM

These SLR's are really simple as far as functionality goes aren't they? No night-vision?! I think I need to do some more research into these camera's

Apart from MP what other reasons could there be to explain why some cameras are more expensive than others?

**ShuckyD** · March 24th, 2008, 07:07 PM

interchangable lenses, features, brand.... the list can go on

I would really peruse that DPreview site i mentioned above because you will most likely find some very good information in their "Learn" section.

**MadMan2k** · March 24th, 2008, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by J1mmy

No night-vision?!

I think the Nikon D3 with its ISO 25,600 mode, with a 50mm 1.2 lens mounted, would take exception to that.

Little out of your price range though.

If you really want night vision, there might be some manufacturer that makes an IR emitter you could attach to an SLR, and you could remove the IR filter from the sensor to pick up the light from it... what exactly is it you're trying to accomplish?

If you just want to try your hand at photography, the best tool is one that makes it easy to adjust the important stuff. Aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, focus mode.

Some point and shoots let you do this, but the real value of a P&S is the size and simplicity, and the big, complex ones almost defeat the purpose. There's nothing inherently wrong with having a fixed lens, and in the film days there were plenty of great point and shoot cameras that were used by professionals because they matched what an SLR would do at that focal length and aperture, without the size and weight.

Digital sort of changed the rules, though - until great sensors become cheap, they're going to stick the good P&S sensors in complex P&S cameras, and at that point an SLR isn't much of a leap size and price wise.

I shoot Canon because I shoot mainly sports, but I would actually recommend the Pentax K10D because it's so much camera for the money. If you don't need the extensive accesory lineup of Canon or Nikon or the ability to rent lenses that'll work with your body at most rental shops, Pentax is a good choice. They have some good lenses in the wide to medium tele range, and they're just solid tools for general purpose photography.

For the average investment someone starting out in photography would make, you really won't see any clear advantage from any of the brands. It isn't until you start looking at professional bodies and lenses that you notice only the big two actually have any to speak of.

Oh, and most importantly, buy (or check out, but make sure you read it) This Book once you get a camera. Photography is all you. You can't build a hot rod by getting the parts and tools and putting them in your garage, and you can't create art by getting a camera and pressing the shutter button. Excuse my terrible analogy, words aren't my thing anyway

**J1mmy** · April 9th, 2008, 10:15 PM

Thanks for the tips...

So what sort of features should I be looking when buying a camera? For eg, when buying a laptop, there's there harddrive, CPU, RAM, GPU etc, are there any such features to be used in SLR's for comparisons?

As a beginner, I don't really know what I'll be shooting, I'm sure for the first few months I'll just be taking picture of everything and anything to be honest.

Also, are there any digital camera's that produce the same quality as an SLR?

Do you think it's wise to also take some time out to learn how to use Photoshop properly as a photographer?

**J1mmy** · April 11th, 2008, 06:20 PM

I think I have found a winner or two, in my price range; Sony Alpha A200 & Canon EOS400D

http://www.trustedreviews.com/digita...on-EOS-400D/p4

http://www.trustedreviews.com/digita...Digital-SLR/p1

**ShuckyD** · April 11th, 2008, 08:27 PM

I would take the Rebel Xti (400D) anyday. If you wait a couple weeks (dont know about UK) but Canon is releasing (has released) an Xsi model called the Canon Rebel Xsi (450D) which will incorporate a larger sensor than the Xsi (12.8MP) and it is looking sweet, I may actually be picking one of those up rather an a 40D or 5D Mark II (not out yet) in the near future.

**J1mmy** · April 12th, 2008, 05:32 AM

Though according to that review, the 400D has inferior image quality as compared to the A200. What are your reasons?

Also, I think (but don't know when) the A300 is going to be released in the UK.

Will the Xsi be within my price range?

**M_Six** · April 12th, 2008, 11:46 AM

This is a really good site for info. Remember, when it comes to image quality, the lens is the most important thing. The lenses are far more expensive than the camera. You may end up changing camera bodies every few years, but you'll keep the lenses. That's why it's crucial that you find a good camera body line to stick with. Lenses and camera bodies are not always interchangeable.

If you've never owned a high end camera before, you may want to start out with something like the Panasonic FZ18 and learn about digital photography before you spend major bucks on equipment you may not use. The FZ18 will always make a good second camera, so it's not a waste of money, and you can learn the basics of photography without spending a fortune. Then you'll have learned enough about photography and settings and features so you'll be in a position to make your own decisions and not rely on people like us.

BTW, all these images were taken with the FZ18. It's a great camera.

**J1mmy** · April 12th, 2008, 02:35 PM

Interesting...

I've seen the Panasonic, though it isn't a true SLR is it? I'm also going to sticking with my camera for a good 3-4 years before I look for a new one. I'm sure within about 6 months - a year I would have learnt the basics and begin to use my knowledge to taker better photos. As far as lens are concerned, I may not even purchase lens for about 2-3 years, I think that'll depend on how much I know and whether it would be worth me buying more lens. Though, I think Canon has a nice lens range over Sony (400D vs A200).

**M_Six** · April 12th, 2008, 05:05 PM

SLR stand for single lens reflex and has a mirror that reflects the light from the lens through the viewfinder. The lens then swings up out of the way so the film or CCD can be exposed. In that respect yes, the Panasonic is a true SLR. However, the lens is not removable and there are no "hands-on" focusing or arperture rings. You can focus or set the arperture manually, but it's done electronically via the camera body. In other words, focus is motor driven.

If you're set on getting a full dSLR kit, then Canon is a great brand. They make superb lenses and have a huge assortment of them. Just be ready for sticker shock when it comes time to buy a lens. Many cost way more than the camera itself.

**MadMan2k** · April 12th, 2008, 06:07 PM

No, the Panny isn't an SLR - there's no mirror that flips up when you trip the shutter. It's got a viewfinder, but it's electronic, and it uses the main sensor. When you take a shot, it starts recording the light from the sensor into the buffer and saves it to the card.

Out of those two, in my opinion get the Canon and don't look back. But I still stand by my recommendation of the Pentax K10D. It might be hard to find a new one now, but it's a few steps up from the Rebel series and probably about the same money.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk10d/

A used 30D would be a great choice too.

**Rootstonian** · April 12th, 2008, 06:55 PM

My step-daughter is in her final year at college; joint degree in Communications, Music and Graphics.

Her first class was with the old-school SLR (non-digital) black and white. Then went on to color class with same camera. And developed all shots.

She just did some shots here last weekend with the loaner unit from shcool...Canon 10 megapixel digital (forget the lens that was on it). Probably about a $1,300 camera.

She is going to cash in some US savings bonds from day one to finance her camera purchase for her career. Are you at the stage you need a $1000 camera or should you start from scratch?

There's a lot more to photography than the camera (lighting, framing, composure, lens speed yada, yada). You can take a People magazine shot with a disposable camera and can take a piece of crap picture with a $2,000 digital.

**M_Six** · April 12th, 2008, 07:54 PM

I stand (or sit, as is the case) corrected. MadMan2k is right, the FZ18 has no flip-up mirror. Sorry for the error.

**J1mmy** · April 12th, 2008, 09:27 PM

Furthermore I can also get a £45 cash back on the Canon. The thing is though, I have used a Sony imaging device before, and it's relatively easy to use. But are you guys picking the Canon because of this reputation in camera's?

Root, my camera is only going to cost about $600, probably the cheapest price for a very decent SLR. One of the reasons for me not choosing the Panasonic is because it doesn't have those SLR facets. So if I was to go down that road with the FZ18 first, my next camera would be somewhat a new toy to me, a proper SLR.

By the way, the Pentax is way out of budget...