Tony.mustang

Hi, as you can see their Are both sides to your question regarding which camera to choosei would also suggest you go on the internet and type in review both canon and Nikon I think this will also lend value to your decisions

Tony.mustang

Hi, as you can see their Are both sides to your question regarding which camera to choosei would also suggest you go on the internet and type in review both canon and Nikon I think this will also lend value to your decisions

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

You might find visiting a photography club in your area helpful. Most clubs encourage new members/visitors. You will be able to speak with others about their equipment and suggestions for "getting started". Photography is an expensive and challenging hobby. Most people are very friendly and helpful. We've all been there.
Mark

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

This is excellent advice!

fudney Loc: Seymour, TN

When I was in your spot, about 6 months ago I looked at only one brand and only did a little research, but God smiled on me and I bought a very good camera with some good kit lenses. Now that I look back on it I guess some things in the back of my mind from my film days must have influenced my decision.

One of the most important things you may find out the hard way, will be the availability of stuff for the camera you buy. I try hard to not be forgetful, but still fail miserably. Recently I went to Florida, for the first time. I brought my camera, for which I had purchased two additional batteries and an additional charger. I had all my batteries charged before the trip and was as prepared as could be to get some pictures of my sister. her new home, and her new State. When I got there the batteries in my camera were dead, still have not figured out why that happened. Even the one in my battery grip was dead. That left one spare, so I thought I was good. No, The third battery was not in the bag, neither were either of the chargers. So I called a couple of stores and found a charger at WalMart. Does it get better than that, no.

The moral of that story is that you need a camera that is in wide enough circulation to be able to get things you need for it, when you need them. My camera was one of the top two brands and had been around long enough so that things are readily available for it. As has been already stated, most any modern digital camera will take a great picture and some at double or triple the cost will give you a slight margin more for your money. Plus since the manufacturer of my camera had not changed the lens mount much in many years, many older lenses for older models of my brand camera would still work. This opens up a world of cheaper used lenses to me.

You can use any brand you choose. If something unforeseen happens, you do like I did, you drop a lens, something essential falls out of your camera bag, etc.. You still have readily available options.

You will always have people here boosting their brand loyalty. Why not they spent a considerable amount of their funds and time making the decision they made. I have in the past bought the latest thing, only to find out that I could not get accessories for it.

I bring this up as a consideration for you, because you will probably be hooked by this new hobby. Once you are, you will want this or that item, to enhance your photography. Buy into the wrong system and you might find your camera abandoned, because the company went under, the new zippy lens mount does not work with your camera and your old lenses are obsolete for the newer model camera you want to buy. Stick to the top brands and popular models when you start out, this will be Canon and Nikon. It is a sad reality but they both have more to offer and more aftermarket accessories made for them than all of the other brands out there. I have always bordered on having little or no money for this hobby so I have always had a very practical approach to it. If you have great bundles of money you have much more room to experiment than I do.

What ever you choose, have fun, and enjoy the heck out of your images. When you get into PP after the purchase you will have even more fun.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Decide your 'top dollar' your budget will allow. This will narrow the field considerably. Then, go handle the camera(s) you think you may desire and see if they 'fit'. Both brands you mention are good. My preferance: Canon. (Why? Because that's what I own, and enjoy using).

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Great question! This reminds me of someone I knew in business, meeting with an Internet web site designer for the first time in 1995. He said, "We know we *need* a web site. But, um, what is that?"

Well, if you don't know what it is, how do you know you need it?

Before you go shopping for cameras, know what you want to photograph! That should shape your decisions as much as a hands-on trial of several different bodies and lenses.

Different gear is suited to different uses. Some cameras perform best for sports action and wildlife. Others perform best for portraiture. Others make excellent video, which might be a factor for you. It's a huge factor for me, as I want one system to do everything.

As far as brands go, various people will hate me for saying this, but they're ALL pretty good right now, and it boils down to *personal choice of what is best for YOU and your needs.* You can head over to www.dpreview.com for some really detailed test reports of the more popular cameras and lenses, but you should also go try them, and look for other forums, and read as many comments from users as you can.

It might be the best brand on the planet, by someone's tests, but if it does not feel right in your hands, or work naturally for you, will you want to use it?

In my own 46 years of serious photography, I started with Canon, switched to Nikon a year later, and used Canon, Nikon, Yashica, Bronica, and Mamiya in my film days. Each had distinct advantages and annoyances.

Since digital came out, I have used both Nikon and Canon. I prefer each for different purposes. From my perspective, Canon bodies have better handling, menus, and ergonomics. Their computer tethering software comes with the camera, free of extra charge. I like their pro quality lenses, but I like Nikkors just as well. And I like certain Tamron lenses on both platforms.

Nikons tend to have better sensors, hence better low light performance, but I seldom use ISOs higher than 3200. In my experience, Nikon gear tends to be more rugged, but that's not a huge factor for me any longer.

These days, I'm a HUGE fan of Panasonic's Lumix GH4, and the entire family of Micro Four Thirds lenses, especially the Lumix "Holy Trinity" of 7-14mm f/4, 12-35mm f/2.8, and 35-100mm f/2.8. Leica makes some primes for this camera format, too, and inspired many of Panasonic's designs, so lens selection for the m43 format is excellent.

The primary advantages to the GH4 are size, bulk, and weight savings, coupled with the very best video performance of any camera in its price range, and excellent still photography performance. Unless you are a sports and wildlife still photographer, or for you, life begins in "available darkness", you don't need APS/C or DX or "full frame" cameras. Micro Four Thirds is gaining popularity quickly, and has significant appeals to those with small hands, large travel budgets, and a need to avoid bulk and weight.

Probably the best advice I can give you isn't about equipment, though, since that is a highly personal choice. It's about learning, the importance of understanding the basics of photography, and how that knowledge can help you capture anything with confidence. What ever you do, read your camera manual!

Consider the following:

ISO, shutter speeds, and f/stops control exposure. Change one, and you must change one of the other two to compensate, as the sensor needs a specific amount of light to capture a "correct" exposure of any subject. ("Correct" can be relative to your interpretation of the scene.)

Camera meters are calibrated to see the world as reflecting 18% of all colors, equally (photographic gray). Point them at white, and they will provide readings that underexpose. Point them at black, they will provide readings that overexpose. Point at an average scene, or a gray target, and you will get correct exposure.

Cameras sense the color of light and set white balance the same way. Point them at white, black, or gray, and they see color correctly. Point them at red, and they set a scene balance of cyan. Point them at green, and the scene balance goes magenta. Point them at blue, and the scene balance goes yellow.

RAW and JPEG capture modes have entirely different purposes. RAW provides the potential to extract the best quality from an image later, in software. JPEG uses the camera pre-sets to process a scene from RAW to a finished file in the camera. It provides instantly usable images, but only if you discipline yourself to pre-set the camera properly! My advice? Always apply that discipline, even when using RAW, and you will always come away with images you can use.

These are but a small sampling of concepts that need your consideration as you learn. This is a good forum. But there are many others. Consider joining a local camera club or Meetup group to learn more.

Above all else, once you get some gear, use it! You'll learn as much from your mistakes and experience as you will from reading, studying, and listening.

canon Lee

Welcome. Both Nikon and Canon are good cameras. It is the photographer that takes good pictures. It is also important to know what you want to photograph and also to think about the future. Camera bodies get upgraded but lenses are collected ( and are a once in a lifetime purchase) according to the type of photography you are interested in. As to the camera body, consider either full frame or APS-C before purchasing lenses. Study up on zoom lenses to see if you need a "fixed aperture" lens. To cover all the bases you need WIDE, LONG FOCAL, as well as PORTRAITURE. Consider Zoom lenses too. If you choose Canon then I recommend a good all around zoom EF24-105mm F2.8/4 L If weddings/family are your thing, then this is perfect. EF70-200mmF4/L prefect for sports/birds . ( The new EOS7D MKii has been upgraded for sports shooting). If you are thinking of earning money( sometime in the future) then think ahead about what you will eventually be shooting and buy for the future. I do not recommend buying based on a low budget, but save till you can afford the right equipment. It is not a good thing to buy and then in a little while post it on CraigsList for sale and lose 50% of your investment.

Now some here are stuck on one brand of camera for many reasons. Put the camera in your hands and get a feel for it. Cameras are a personal thing. Many camera stores will rent you a camera so you can spend a week-end checking it out.

jsmangis Loc: Peoria, IL

We come to the Hogg. You will get as many differing opinions as to what is better. My advice to you is to go to a local camera store and try out the different brands for yourself. If you don't have a camera store close to you, you can do the same thing at Best Buy, Costco, Target, or any large box store that sells cameras. You won't get the personal service, but at least you can hold each brand and see which one feels the most comfortable in your hands. You can also see which one is the easiest for you to use the controls and navigate the menus. This is a very personal choice, and you are the only one that should make it. Do not let anyone persuade you to pick brand "N", "C", "S", or "P". Each one has it's strengths and weaknesses.

CEJ Loc: Cresson,Pa

Go to you'r local camera shop in you,r area and try the diffrient
cameras on for size so to speak Nikon Cannon ect. dose not matter, they all take great pictures. You are the most important part of the proses a camera that fills wright to you is important to heavy you tire , find the camer that fits you well and have fun, welcome to the Hog

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

When asking a question like the one you posted, I think of a story I heard here on the Hog. I guy walked barefoot into a shoe store. He told the salesman he needed a pair of shoes. The salesman asked what size? The guy replied "I don't know." So, the salesman measured his foot, and said "Size 10." The guy said "I don't like size 10." The salesman looked at amazement at the guy, then pulled out a pair of huge shoes, and said "Here size 15. They will go on your feet, with room to grow." So, you're looking for a camera, probably very basic. I'd suggest you look into a camera with built in lens that will zoom. Since I'm most familiar with Canon products, I'd look at a Canon Rebel SL 1. You'll be buying a entry level DSLR, it is light weight, accepts any Canon EF, or EF-S lens, has a reasonable amount of megapixels in the sensor. (18 MP) shoots video, (HD) shoots 4 frames per second, reasonable low light capability with max ISO at 12800, and can shoot full manual, to fully automatic. It uses SD cards for memory. Keep in mind this is a starting point. There are lots of Canon EOS cameras, but the SL1 will teach you all the basics, you can learn about how to take just a picture, and let the camera do all the thinking for you, or make all the decisions yourself, in full manual. I would suggest you get a copy of Bryan Peterson's book "Understanding Exposure" That book will give you much of the information you'll need to take excellent photos. Then you can move on up to a more featured camera. You'll need a lens for the SL1, I'd suggest you look at the EF 50mm F1.8. It is the cheapest lens in the Canon line up, but is a great lens to learn with. Good Luck.

B

gessman Loc: Colorado

If you value the rest of your life, "Run, Forest, Run!!!"

Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

onepictureatatime Loc: St. Louis, Missouri

reevescm011552, as you can see there is a lot of very strong feelings towards each of the brands of cameras. All the major brands are good. Do the research and figure what works best for you and fits your budget. Most of all, enjoy what you do with what you have.
Have a good day.
Tim

GaryI Loc: NY & Fla

Do yourself a favor and get a bridge camera, one with a lens selection that fits your needs.

That way you can play around without spending too much money, and discover what you like.

I use a Canon G15 (G16 newer model) for indoor and closer, low light situations. And a Canon SX50 (SX60 newer model) for nature and daytime where light isn't really an issue. Neither should cost much more than $400-500.