Junebugg71

Hello everyone! My name is Angela. I am from Eastern North Carolina, and just joined UH today. 

I am a "reborn novice", LOL. By that I mean, I took photography classes in college and at the time did very well, but that was 30 years ago and with a manual Pentax K1000. Needless to say, I have forgotten everything I learned in college, and cameras are quite a bit more advanced than what I learned with. 

I want to venture back into photography, and would primarily be taking "everyday" photos of my family. However, I am also extremely interested in macro photography of our beautiful oceans, wildlife, and bugs/insects. 

My max budget is between $600-700.
I would like a camera that is easy to use for a beginner, but also one that I can eventually grow with. Looking at bundles on Amazon, and see some with the 4 pc macro close up kit with +1, +2, +4, and +10 magnification and am wondering if they would work for what I'm wanting to do. Also, in reading from UH, have seen several posts stating that the bundle lenses are no good, and suggest using a STM lens instead of what's included in the bundle. I have NO CLUE what a STM lens is, or what the differences between those and the bundle ones are. Basically, I am LOST, and need input on what camera would meet my needs. 

One last thing....I am a paraplegic and have very weak wrists and shoulders, so a camera that isn't super heavy would also be ideal. 

Any suggestions within my budget range would be MUCH appreciated. 

Thanks!! 😊

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Welcome to UHH Angela, glad you joined us. When you do decide on a brand and model check out used or refurbished ones, will save you a few $$$. Only check out reputable companies like Adorama, B&H, Cameta, KEH or the brands website (Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc). Make sure you are getting a model that is for the U.S. market and not a grey market one. A grey market camera is one that was destined for other markets and some brands, such as Nikon, will not repair even if under warranty. I am sure you will be getting a lot more advice from other members. This is a mostly friendly and knowledgeable forum.
Have fun, learn and enjoy the forum.

Don

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Welcome aboard Angela! Try to visit any camera store, including just the camera department at Best Buy, Sam's Club, etc. Your stated budget will make it difficult to find a new 'kit' with new body and new lenses. From the stores, see if you can handle some different brands to get a sense of the size and weight. The weakness of the bundled kits is you'll get a great / good body and one great / good lens, but a second lens that really doesn't add much. If you'll shop used, you can stretch your budget more. Both Nikon's entry level (D3500) and Canon's (EOS T7i) would be create choices, minus their lens bundles. A lens covering 18-105 to 18-135 from either will be the one lens you need for all your desires until you really want / need a 2nd specialized lens. If you shop an online reseller like KEH.com for their EX or EX+ rated items, you can price any of the ideas suggested tonight. KEH has a 2-week no questions return policy so you can shop their used equipment with confidence.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I actually still have a Pentax K1000. I occasionally shoot film. I have arthritic hands so I am thinking of going to lighter mirrorless cameras like a Fuji MILC. To tell you the truth I don't know what STM means either. I've been doing photography since 1977. Much of the gibberish you read on the UHH is in Canon-ese or Nikon-ese by those who forget there are many brands of cameras and a whole lot of history behind photography and science and general universally accepted concepts. $600-700 puts you into the used market for virtually any DSLR or MILC. I personally see PnS or Bridge Cameras as poor learning tools. You will get more suggestions than you can imagine!

I would not consider bundles. Better to figure out what you can afford, like, and need. And buy those items only. I think you were talking about Close-up filters.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Welcome to the forum.
The K-1000 was a great camera. I borrowed one years ago.
The theory will come back, only the tools have changed.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Welcome. Just have fun. You'll get all kinds of advice. Do a little research. You'll find what you want.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Welcome aboard Angela. Glad to have a reborn join us. Hands on is the key. Go to a camera shop or a best buy type store with a photo department. Hold the different ones in your hands for balance and weight and ease of controls. Your budget is realistic. Look forward to seeing your images on UHH and questions.

If you want a suggestion..try looking at the below camera locally.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1501346-REG/panasonic_dmc_g7wk_lumix_dmc_g7_mirrorless_micro.html

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

Welcome to UHH Angela. As others said, check out some different models at camera stores or Best Buy. See how they feel in your hand, their weight, controls, etc. In your price range, you may want to consider used. Check out KEH Camera or MPB. Both of them are well regarded, you get 2 weeks I believe to try it out, and they both give 6 month warranties on what they sell. Another choice would be a refurbished camera from Nikon or Canon.

Good luck.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Welcome to UHHs. We all will give you suggestions, but it will be your job to sort them out to your needs. My suggestion will save you the most in size, weight, and cost with very little other drawbacks since you are a "beginner". Both Olympus and Panasonic have cameras that easily meet your needs. My suggestion, once you get everyone else's suggestions too, is to go to a good camera store in your area and look at the Olympus E-M10 mrII or mkIII with the 14-42 f3.5/5.6 kit lens. They should come in at $500 or less. Panasonic will also have a similar set up and similar cost. The advantage with the 4/3rds systems is that any manufacture's 4/3rds lens will work on 4/3rds camera for all basic functions. This opens up your lens choices to more than 100 lenses. Enjoy getting back to photographic seeing and taking photographs.

BJW

Hi Angela
Welcome back to photography.
I own and use several brands from heavy DSLR to light pocketable compacts. Given your physical limitations, camera and lens weight will be an important consideration. For that reason, you should consider a MFT ( micro four thirds) which are very light and compact. I have the Panasonic Lumix G85 which is very easy to use. It has a vast array of available lenses. Image stabilization in camera and in native lenses is excellent. The camera’s fully articulated rear screen will be very helpful to accommodate difficult angle shots. Image quality is excellent. The G85 has now been upgraded to the G95 but I don’t believe it’s a major improvement. The G85 is well within your budget, the G95 just under $1000 if you want to splurge. Have fun!
BJW

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Take a look at the Olympus site OMD 5 or 10 are light weight and packed full of great in body abilities.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

OK, you want a basic camera that you can grow with.
So, there we go, I have listed a Nikon D7000 with a starter zoom lens for $275.00
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D7000-16-2MP-Digital-SLR-Camera-Shutter-Count-32103-18-55-mm-DX-Lens/123910838848?epid=206841209&hash=item1cd9a95a40:g:BH4AAOSwHppdgkTT
A much better close up macro lens than using diopters, which have a very shallow depth of field.
I has listed a Nikon 60 mm 2.8 D macro lens for $210.00
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NIKON-MICRO-NIKKOR-60MM-1-2-8-D-AF-DSLR-LENS-with-62MM-CIR-PL-FILTER-BOX-CAPS/233339951274?hash=item36542518aa:g:0SwAAOSwM65dervY
And to round out you starter system, a nifty fifty for some speed for $69.00
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1311.R7.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xnikon+50+mm+1..TRS0&_nkw=nikon+50mm+1.8d&_sacat=0
So, your total out lay for a Nikon D7000 and three Nikon lenses would be $564.99
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Richard Engelmann Loc: Boulder, Colorado

STM = stepper motor, a fast and quiet (for video) lens focusing motor.

davidb1879

Re: Junebugg71: (beginner camera) I would suggest a Panasonic Lumix FZ300. It has a very good lens with a 2.8 aperture over the whole legth of the lens. The lens has a zoom range up to the 35mm equivalent of 600mm. It shoots raw and JPEG. It has an excellent macro mode. It can be used as a beginner camera using auto mode or P mode, but has very many special features that enable you to gradually learn advanced features. The image quality is very good. It weighs about a little over one pound. You can order it from B & H . It is $400 new. B & H has a 30 day "no questions asked" return policy. With my very best wishes, Davidb.

wetreed

I agree with the previous post that suggests you look into the Nikon 3500. This camera fits your budget and is very high quality. The lenses that come with the bundle will serve you very well or you could upgrade to the Nikon 18-140. The Nikon 3500 bundle is very light and user friendly. This the perfect camera you can grow with.