pamelaj

Hi there, thank you for your time and advice in advance. I have loved photography all my life, but now wanting to take it seriously and take professional portraits of families on the side, ......preferably - not do weddings, too stressful, not ready, even though I have been asked to, I know my limits! I have been researching and watching tutorials for a couple of weeks, very overwhelming for me, but learning and grasping slowly, so very much to learn, how to use manual and editing is what I need to learn the most. I have a point and shoot Sony, which I love and so many tell me to please start taking pics, even have a few clients set up for practice, but I am no where near where I need to be professionally, I just know how to pose subjects and be aware of location, for I used to own a boutique and would go on countless photo shoots with our local professionals, so I have learned a lot on the subject and posing side. With all that being said, my family and I are going to Biggs Camera in Charlotte on Friday just to see and feel all the cameras out there and what they have to offer. My Sony, for an old point and shoot does extremely well, but I see that everyone mostly talks about Nikon and Canon, does anyone shoot professionally with a Sony and find that it does everything they want it to do, or should I invest in a Nikon or Cannon? My niece let me borrow her very inexpensive Canon and I do not like it, my Sony takes better pics every single time! Budget, preferably under $1000 for everything or even less, may just look and then try to buy used elsewhere, advice on this would be great too, love you guys and thanks for letting me in your little circle of learning, I will be here a while...lol.....I think a long while. This is a pic I took of my beautiful daughter for her graduation invites, I like it, but now that I am doing research, I see that I could do so much better with a better camera and better editing, just used my Sony point and shoot with old editing that was already on my computer in JPG.......I still don't even know how to shoot and download in raw, but I am going to learn! Never even heard of it till a few weeks ago! So please be kind....lol

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Don't get hung up on UHH people with their bias. You are doing the right thing by going to a camera store and getting hands on "Feel" and ability to ask questions. A camera is nothing more of a tool for you to be creative.
I would make sure that the camera brand you choose has the ability to shoot in RAW. That is important to get the most out of your image in Post Processing. Welcome Pamela to UHH

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Welcome to the forum.

Raw is just another image file type that you would download from the camera. They use special editors (Canon uses DPP) to work with them. Just another format, but usually affords more control in editing than JPEG. Some over the counter software will also handle various manufacturer's raw files. I shoot saving both raw and JPEG files. (Raw for editing and JPEG for viewing in Windows Explorer.) Both Nikon and Canon are great, so is Sony. It would be best if you can hold the camera you may be interested in purchasing and see how it fits and that the controls are comfortable for you to use. Canon and Nikon seem to be the most popular, but you should go with what "feels" right and meets your needs.

Great portrait shot by the way.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

Please do not take my advice with hurt feelings, but rather as an honest assessment and my personal opinion. If you wish to reach into the photography world with serious desires to make a profit, then you need to raise your budget. It will take about $5000.00 to start your journey. I am experienced with Nikon, so I will refer to Nikon equipment, but you need to realize that Canon and others are just as great. If you start with an entry level camera, such as a D3xxx or D5xxx style cameras, you may be able to stay within your budget, and they take great photos, but you will outgrow them within 6 months to a year, and will need to upgrade them, costing you more investment. If your budget is not flexible, I would recommend a D5300 to start with, earn some money and gain some experience, then upgrade in the future. If this is the way you decide to start, buy only FX lenses as you add to your lenses.
When you have decided that this avenue is for you, and you have made some money at what you are doing, then you need to look into upgrading your camera body to a full frame camera. I would suggest a Nikon D750, d810 or d850 for great cameras to think about. This is the reason for only buying FX lenses, they will work on DX bodies and FX bodies, but DX lenses do not work well on full frame bodies.

pamelaj

Thank you so much!

pamelaj

Thank you so much!

pamelaj

Sounds like very sound advice, thank you so very much!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

In the first place, you are doing very well with your Sony p&s. That is a very good portrait.
Lots of photographers use Canon and Nikon, not meaning that other cameras cannot do the job. Pentax, Sony, Olympus and Panasonic are also wonderful cameras. Olympus, Sony and Panasonic fall within the description of mirrorless cameras. Mirrorless cameras, usually lighter and smaller than dSLR bodies have excellent interchangeable optics if you want to go mirrorless.
I have bought referb from Cameta Camera. They are known reputable dealers and offer a one year warranty in their refurbs. Roberts Camera in Indiana is also a reputable dealer and they offer a six months warranty on their used gear. I am sure you can get a very good to excellent used body with a lens from them for around $1000 or less.
Take a look at what Biggs camera has and check the used bodies they could have. An old camera that has a reasonable low milage and works is as good as a modern one. You do not need lots of bells and whistles to make good shots.
Google Cameta and Roberts. Their customer service is excellent.
Good luck.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Hint: If you hit "quote reply" for the comment you want to reply, we will know to whom it is directed.

davefales Loc: Virginia

Welcome to UHH, Pamela. Your first posting tells me you are well along in learning how to make money: posing and composition. There are lots of photographers who have great equipment but who are not "artists".

Since you have spent so much time with professional photogs, you had to have learned that lens quality is more important than body capabilities, probably why you were disappointed with your niece's Canon. For portraits you will probably need a quality 80-120mm lens. You are on the verge of committing to a family of lenses that will marry you to Nikon or Canon or Sony (fine choices available.)

You do not seem to have used a DSLR much, so you need practice before committing to big purchases. I would recommend a relatively inexpensive kit with lenses (you can stay under $1000) with the understanding that you WILL make a major investment once you are comfortable with the processes. That may happen quickly, so you can give your starter camera to your niece. Learn how to use the DSLR in A, S, P and M modes. You will become frustrated with digging thru menus and want a body that lets you set from buttons on the body itself.

UHH offers lots of friendly advice. Just ask.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

Welcome to the Hog Pamela, enjoy.

repleo Loc: Boston

Welcome Pamela.
Since you like your Sony so much why not stay with the brand. Sony makes a full range of cameras from the very affordable A6000 right up to the fully professional A9. You will find a mirrorless system to be the easiest transition from a P&S. The mirrorless Sony A6000 and the Sony 35mm F1.8 lens would make a great portrait combo within your budget while you develop your skills, portfolio and clientele. Add the 50mm 1.8 later for a bit more variety.

Many professionals have stepped 'down' from their bulky Nikon / Canon gear to the A6000 or its A6300 and A6500 upgrades in favor of the lightness and compactness of mirrorless systems.

However, as said above, if you want to really go professional you will probably need to up your budget eventually. The Full Frame Sony A7iii would be a good target to shoot for and combined with the Sony 24-105mm F4 G zoom would give you a versatile set up with the image quality of a bag of prime lenses. The Sony 85mm f1.4 GM is considered to be a top class portrait lens if a little pricey.

Good luck and post often.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Hi Pamela -
I have been shooting since I was very young, 12 years old when my dad gave me his old Kodak Renina II, and like you started to turn semi pro at the urging of friend and a neighbor who asked me to shoot my first wedding for them (the wedding came after I switched to digital). When I did switch to digital I had to relearn and teach myself everything but it was well worth the effort. Although digital photography operates on the same principals as film - i.e. the triangle of aperture, shutter speed & ISO I had to learn a new workflow to store files, and then work in post processing software (Lightroom & Photoshop for me).
Since my switch to digital I have always been a Canon guy and other than considering a smaller walk around like a Sony or Fugifilm mirror-less system the Canon is my go to system. My Sister in-law, a very good Semi-pro herself, shoots Nikon so it's all personal preference. A Canon guy will say buy Canon and a Nikon guy will say buy Nikon... you get the picture.
I will say this. I have met more and more photographers switching or adding Mirror-less systems to their bags. They take outstanding photos, are generally smaller and more compact and I think may be the new future for many photographers. So if you really want to stay with Sony then check out those systems. My only beef with Sony products is they are not always the most robust systems out there (Fragile). This may have improved - I'm just a little hesitant even though I would love to shoot a new a7r III. You may want to look at the Sony a7 Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera with 28-70mm Lens that is on Amazon right now for under 1K. Whatever you do - no more point and shoots. You have to have a system with interchangeable lenses. Also note that all glass (Lenses) are not equal. Good lenses create great pictures so be prepared at some point to invest in glass.
The way I would do it and have done it in the past is use that $1000 as a down payment for a more pro package from BestBuy (they can order anything for you if it's not in store and they price match). Then just make low interest free payments on the balance for usually 12-18 months on the equipment. I have done this several times when cash was tight. Either way, at some point, you will eventually have to make the investment to further your photography career. I'm not selling BestBuy just stating that this has worked very well for me when I didn't have the cash to slap down.
I hope this was helpful and good luck.
P.S. Not to many members include websites for there work - If you would like to see some of my work click on my profile an find the link.

pamelaj

Oh my gosh, you all have been over and beyond Helpful!!!! Thank you, thank you, I am going to print this off and put in my photography folder for our trip on Friday......I so want to stay with Sony and hopefully I will and I will take all your advice to heart when purchasing, for this is a pretty big deal for me in ways you will never know.....okay, trying to not cry here, just can't thank you enough for your wonderful guidance and I am so happy to be a part of this group. Many blessings to you all!

pamelaj

Thank you, I am thrilled to be here!