Brand new to photography, from northern Michigan, US
May 20, 2017 17:13:34 #
I'm 20 living in northern Michigan (lower peninsula that is) and have been wanting a nice camera for the last few years. After realizing photography is SO much more than a simple hobby, a sense of being overwhelmed happened. Now I am doing all that I can to research my first camera options, and all that I can do with a beginner's camera.
May 20, 2017 17:19:44 #
What camera do you have now and how do you think it limits your current exploration? Welcome to the Hog.
May 20, 2017 17:21:51 #
May 20, 2017 17:29:48 #
I have been into photography since I was 13 and now I am 84 years old. If I were starting all over again today I would go for a used Panasonic Lumix LX5 or LX7. These are Panasonic's Advanced Compact cameras from several years past and can be found in great condition on eBay for the neighborhood of $125 and $225 respectively. Do a Google search for specs and reviews to see how they may meet your beginner requirements.
May 20, 2017 17:30:29 #
May 20, 2017 18:04:43 #
Welcome to the forum.
I'd recommend that after you narrow it down to a few cameras, go to the store and handle them to see how they feel. Make sure that you are comfortable with the controls and their location. One camera may "fit" better, and you will enjoy using it more.
I'd recommend that after you narrow it down to a few cameras, go to the store and handle them to see how they feel. Make sure that you are comfortable with the controls and their location. One camera may "fit" better, and you will enjoy using it more.
May 20, 2017 18:13:42 #
I actually have a budget around $500 and plan on having whatever I buy for years to come if that makes sense.
May 20, 2017 20:19:51 #
Being totally new to photography, have you thought of taking any beginner classes, possibly at a community college? If so, maybe you would want to talk to an instructor to see what would be a good camera that you can grow with, for at least a few years. A sales person may be able to get you started, but how much of his advise is going to be tainted by his commission? Not saying it's bad to take advise from a salesperson, but they quite often have a tendency to oversell you a product. There are a lot of good cameras out there, and your budget, if buying new, will get you in on the ground floor (That's where I am dwelling). Nikon for instance has a two lens kit (D5500) for $599.00. This is the camera I have. It seemed to fit my hands a little better, and for me the menus were a bit more intuitive (Though I still get lost looking for certain menu items), than the T6i Canon.
As Longshadow said, go to the store, and see how they feel in your hands. See how hard or easy it is to change settings while in your hands.
Oh, and by the way, welcome to UHH, from a fellow Michigander (Lansing area)!
As Longshadow said, go to the store, and see how they feel in your hands. See how hard or easy it is to change settings while in your hands.
Oh, and by the way, welcome to UHH, from a fellow Michigander (Lansing area)!
May 20, 2017 21:09:45 #
mackphotos
Loc: Washington, DC
Welcome to UHH. You will get plenty of advice and learn a bunch here it's a great community.
May 21, 2017 05:39:55 #
May 21, 2017 07:52:09 #
May 21, 2017 08:18:02 #
Tom G
Loc: Atlanta, GA
delkeener wrote:
I have been into photography since I was 13 and now I am 84 years old. If I were starting all over again today I would go for a used Panasonic Lumix LX5 or LX7. These are Panasonic's Advanced Compact cameras from several years past and can be found in great condition on eBay for the neighborhood of $125 and $225 respectively. Do a Google search for specs and reviews to see how they may meet your beginner requirements.
Excellent Advice !!!
May 21, 2017 10:12:23 #
Blackhawk777 wrote:
I actually have a budget around $500 and plan on having whatever I buy for years to come if that makes sense.
I would vote for a Nikon P900 which is a bridge camera and will not only give you good pictures but will allow you to experiment with and learn the various settings (or not) of a DSLR. And with the 82X zoom ability, you won't need or want a bunch of other lens.
I have both a P900 and a Nikon 7100 and find myself using the P900 the most.
(Also in upper MI)
May 21, 2017 10:30:02 #
May 21, 2017 14:10:20 #
Blackhawk777 wrote:
I'm 20 living in northern Michigan (lower peninsula that is) and have been wanting a nice camera for the last few years. After realizing photography is SO much more than a simple hobby, a sense of being overwhelmed happened. Now I am doing all that I can to research my first camera options, and all that I can do with a beginner's camera.
Hello, welcome to UHH.
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