Camera purchase for my friend
Aug 9, 2022 07:45:38 #
I'd like to echo Bill_de's recommendation of the Nikon Z50 - It's a great choice for a starter camera. Very capable with a myriad of features she can grow into.
And most importantly the image quality is outstanding.
And most importantly the image quality is outstanding.
Aug 9, 2022 07:46:58 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Sidwalkastronomy wrote:
My friend who's a beginner wants to buy a camera t... (show quote)
With a budget of 1K to 1.5K, she will definitely outgrown it.
I suggest a mid range used DSLR with a moderate zoom in the class of a 24-200. Considering her budget that is about all she can get.
Unless you go like a Sony 6500 with a 24-105, but even that is over her budget.
A used D500 with a 24-120 could be in her price range.
A Canon 7ii series with a used lens could be in her price range.
Something she would not outgrow in a mirrorless in her price range does not exist.
Aug 9, 2022 08:15:43 #
Sidwalkastronomy wrote:
My friend who's a beginner wants to buy a camera that she can grow into and doesn't want to buy something she's going to outgrow....
Her wants are unrealistic. She's trying to bypass the learning process that everyone must go through to arrive at the place they want to be...whether with cameras, audio gear, or pretty much any hobby that involves costly gear.
We learn what we want by buying modest things and learning to use them. We study and we experiment as we develop. Then we move up, cautiously, as we learn. She may come to regret the decision you will have made for her as she learns and develops her own style and wants.
No one else can make these developmental decisions for us...not very well, anyway.
I'd tell her to buy a CHEAP used bridge camera, or perhaps a used, very modest DSLR with a single zoom lens (don't start buying lenses for a system you may not want to grow into).
She has to make the big decisions for herself.
Aug 9, 2022 08:24:40 #
Bayou wrote:
...
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She has to make the big decisions for herself.
...
She has to make the big decisions for herself.
So many people can't do that....
Maybe because when growing up, decisions were always made for them???
Aug 9, 2022 08:42:51 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
I totally disagree.
How many of us have tripods we though were good enough.
Modern cameras can be set at beginner levels and as you learn you explore new features
How many of us have tripods we though were good enough.
Modern cameras can be set at beginner levels and as you learn you explore new features
Aug 9, 2022 08:47:06 #
Sidwalkastronomy wrote:
I totally disagree.
How many of us have tripods we though were good enough.
Modern cameras can be set at beginner levels and as you learn you explore new features
How many of us have tripods we though were good enough.
Modern cameras can be set at beginner levels and as you learn you explore new features
My old tripod is still good enough.
I did put a new head on it, but the tripod was about $65 YEARS ago.
I've no regrets.
Aug 9, 2022 09:07:50 #
Think about something a bit smaller to fit smaller hands. I bought a Canon M6 Mark II which is mirrorless. Ours came with the eye level viewer incase you don't want to use the screen all time. I purchased the 18-200 lens, a polarizer, and a lens hood and an adapter to use EF lenses. Another adapter is available for RF lenses. It's a crop sensor but if you use Topaz DeNoise, you won't have any problems. It does have a built in small flash but don't forget to buy a spare battery.
Aug 9, 2022 09:21:20 #
Sidwalkastronomy wrote:
My friend who's a beginner wants to buy a camera t... (show quote)
You are going to get a lot of opinions and here is mine. I do not think the issue is mirror vs mirrorless. It is what will provide her with the learning experience and practice to understand what photography is about.
I suggest she start with a good used camera and lens kit. There are many available at excellent prices. An excellent used camera, whatever brand, Canon, Nikon, or Sony, can be found that would last her for years. Then if she has developed a deeper interest in photography, she can decide what is best for her and move in that direction.
Just because she has a budget of $1000-1500 does not mean she has to spend that much. Buy a good used kit and then have money left over for accessories, editing software etc.
Aug 9, 2022 09:28:16 #
Rongnongno wrote:
So... To put the question under a different persp... (show quote)
I think you gave her great advice. “Seeing” the picture is often overlooked when beginners start choosing a camera. I suspect there are many people out there who don’t use, and will never use, more than 20% of their camera’s features.
Aug 9, 2022 09:30:24 #
Architect1776 wrote:
R10 gets her into the future and all lenses will be native and grow with her.
With the 18-150mm gets her in for a little over $1,300 and it is light, hyper fast AF and many pro level features she can grow into for a starter beginner camera price.
With the 18-150mm gets her in for a little over $1,300 and it is light, hyper fast AF and many pro level features she can grow into for a starter beginner camera price.
Trying to purchase something that will suit our needs in the future is often a losing proposition. With today's rapid rate of technological advances, things we purchase today will be outdated in 2-5 years. Who knows what photography will be doing in 5 years much less 10?
I think many people spend way too much trying to think too far into the future. Best to purchase what meets your needs today and in the near future. You will save a lot of money and still be able to do what you need to accomplish.
Aug 9, 2022 09:33:56 #
She can't go wrong buying a Canon in that price range. Below are more links than you probably want, but some of them may be useful. How about refurb or used? She can get more camera for the same price. I bet she wants new, though.
http://www.complex.com/style/2014/03/buying-a-digital-slr/
http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/buying-advice/buying_guides/choosing-a-camera-type-advice-to-help-you-buy-a-camera-2-12271
http://lifehacker.com/5822098/how-to-choose-the-perfect-camera-for-your-needs
https://www.techradar.com/news/what-camera-should-i-buy
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-best-camera
https://www.dpreview.com/articles/3531791126/2017-buying-guides-best-cameras-for-every-kind-of-photographer
https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/digital-camera-buying-guide/
http://www.complex.com/style/2014/03/buying-a-digital-slr/
http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/buying-advice/buying_guides/choosing-a-camera-type-advice-to-help-you-buy-a-camera-2-12271
http://lifehacker.com/5822098/how-to-choose-the-perfect-camera-for-your-needs
https://www.techradar.com/news/what-camera-should-i-buy
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-best-camera
https://www.dpreview.com/articles/3531791126/2017-buying-guides-best-cameras-for-every-kind-of-photographer
https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/digital-camera-buying-guide/
Aug 9, 2022 09:34:08 #
Red6 wrote:
Trying to purchase something that will suit our ne... (show quote)
Six months after I purchased my T1i, the T2i came out. Oh well.
(Still using my T1i
)Aug 9, 2022 09:58:00 #
Sidwalkastronomy
Loc: New Jersey Shore
I would never recommend a used camera to a new email. I like the backup of a manufacturer and their support. I would buy used myself but I would go that route
Aug 9, 2022 09:59:22 #
dbrugger25
Loc: Raleigh, NC
I am 77 years old. I began my journey with a Kodak Brownie with a bulb flash when I was very young. When I was about 12 my father trusted me to use his Rolleiflex twin lens camera. It had no interchangable lenses and I could only adjust shutter speed, aperature and focus. I learned well and took huge numbers of acceptable, a few great and many junk photos. My feet substituted for a zoom lens.
I now have a Canon R5. It is a fantastic camera and I have five lenses. It does almost all the work for me.
My point is, that the process of learning photography required the engagement of the photographer. The equipment helps a lot but, even with all the highly advanced equipment I still take a huge number of acceptable, a few great and many junk photos.
The biggest advantage is that, now, I don't need to buy and process film and develop prints; and I can take huge numbers of photos, but the quality ratio has only improved a little.
I am still learning to be a photographer and will always be learning.
I now have a Canon R5. It is a fantastic camera and I have five lenses. It does almost all the work for me.
My point is, that the process of learning photography required the engagement of the photographer. The equipment helps a lot but, even with all the highly advanced equipment I still take a huge number of acceptable, a few great and many junk photos.
The biggest advantage is that, now, I don't need to buy and process film and develop prints; and I can take huge numbers of photos, but the quality ratio has only improved a little.
I am still learning to be a photographer and will always be learning.
Aug 9, 2022 10:11:19 #
I also recommend going to a store and looking at what is available. In addition to a camera store, there is Best Buy and other retailers that might have them to pick up and hold in your hands.
Ergonomics for an individual/specific camera model are very important IMO and more important than a particular brand. If the camera is "uncomfortable" in her hands or in use, it is money down the drain and may even turn her away from photography.
Same goes for the camera menu system and manuals. What works for me may not work for someone else.
Ergonomics for an individual/specific camera model are very important IMO and more important than a particular brand. If the camera is "uncomfortable" in her hands or in use, it is money down the drain and may even turn her away from photography.
Same goes for the camera menu system and manuals. What works for me may not work for someone else.
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