Krpalmeri

I have always been interested in photography but i would like to learn about it more seriously at this time. Can anyone recommend a good, yet more affordable SLR camera that has the capability of taking really great, semi-professional shots?
Thanks for any info!
Kristin

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Budget...

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

semi-pro shots are more skill with lighting, exposure, composition, posing, attention to the details, post work and a ton of other things that take years to understand and a lifetime to master. expecting quality shots out of the box with little to no knowledge is setting yourself up for failure no matter the camera you purchase.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Welcome to the Forum, Kristen.
NO CAMERA "has the capability of taking really great, semi-professional shots", unless backed up by a really great shooter.

You should maybe first focus your search on what makes a great photo, use what you have (even some pro's use point and shoots), learn the basics, THEN look into what kind of SLR (film camera) or DSLR (digital camera) you're comfortable with.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Entry level DSLR's run around $500.00. The one's I'm familiar with is the Nikon D3100 and the D3200. I don't know what your budget is but you can also look on line for refurbished DSLR's. You want someone to recommend a good yet affordable DSLR, good and affordable are two different words. If you want a good DSLR, your probably going to pay a little more money for it. Hope this helps.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

^^^THIS^^^

Excellent advice.

Once you learn a bit about taking good photographs, then you can start looking at cameras.

Don't limit yourself to just the top three brands; Canon, Nikon, and Sony. Pentax, Olympus, Sigma, and Fuji also make excellent cameras that a beginner can use and grow with.

GOOD LUCK!

katwilphoto Loc: Beaverton Oregon

Whilst a young man, my mum offered to me this advice, "if you want to take nice pictures, figure out if you can take so-so ones instead." She gave me a Kodak Brownie and 2 rolls of film.
I figured out I could take good pictures on the subjects I loved best. And went from there. I am wholly satisfied with my work now.
May I humbly offer you the same advice?

katwilphoto Loc: Beaverton Oregon

Oh BTW, I shoot very old-fashioned film, with medium and large format cameras because that's what pleases me.
Good luck, and have a self-gratifying time.

Will
Beaverton, Oregon

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

This :thumbup:

Jerry Brown

First, Welcome to the forum.

Next, if I were you I would get a couple of books, Understanding exposure and Learning to See Creatively. Both are at Amazon and I suppose your library. I would read these a couple of times. Then purchase and entry level DSLR. Don't be afraid of buying used or refurbished and save yourself a couple of hundred dollars. But use only top name camera shops. If you have a local they're usually all right. If you don't then use B&H, Adorama, Amazon or KEH. Cameta Camera is good to, they have a free one year return policy.

Don't be afraid of asking questions. At the top of this page in blue print you will find the word search. It is similar to Google search only restricted to what has been talked about in the subject that you enter. Don't be afraid to ask questions. and good luck and happy shooting.

welcome to the forum.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Kristin, Welcome to the Hog.
For semi-pro looking shots I would recommend two cameras. Look at the Canon 60D or the 7D. They come as both bodies or kits. Look at them as refurbished at the Canon direct website.
Then get a flash and Google uTubes on how to get pro looking shots.
Good luck
SS
Good luck

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

:thumbup:

Though I have entered the digital aspect of photography, I still love working with film. In fact, heading out today with the 4x5 and the 120.
--Bob

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

welcome to UHH

cthahn

Any camera will take good pictures. The photographer is the one who decides how to take the picture, not the camera. If you do not know how to use the camera, regardless of the cost of the camera, you will never get good photos. You need to know the basics of what makes a good picture. Lighting is extremely important. Without light there is no picture. Understanding ISO, shutter speed, and lens opening are important. Too many amateur photographers purchase an expensive camera, set it to automatic, and expect it to take perfect pictures. Every photographer is different. You say nothing about what type of pictures you want to take. This makes a difference in the camera and lens you might want to purchase. Join a local camera club where you will get a wealth of information.

anotherview Loc: California

Camera 1: Canon 6D (full frame).

Lenses for Camera 1: Prime: 50mm (Canon makes several, all usuable); or, zoom: 24-105mm (a general purpose lens).

Camera 2: Canon T4i (smaller sensor).

Lenses for Camera 2: Prime 35mm (check out both Canon and Sigma for this lens); or, zoom: Canon 15-85mm or Sigma 17-70mm.

Consider buying all this gear refurbished or used. You may also wish to try before you buy: www.lensrentals.com.

Software: Photoshop Elements, to begin: Photoshop Creative Cloud, after gaining enough experience with PE.

Study: Composition, framing, point-of-view, exposure, and histogram.

Suggestion 1.: Consider attending a brief workshop that shows beginners how to operate their camera for best results and proper exposure. Such a workshop will speed your learning curve while giving you confidence in camera operation.

Suggestion 2.: Consult online sources for tutorials, information, and reviews. Try www.photo.net (select the Learning tab).

When editing your photos, you will want to do so on a color-calibrated monitor so your prints closely match the monitor image. Datacolor makes a good monitor calibration device.

Canon makes a line of printers that will do justice to your prints. Later, you may wish to move up to an Epson printer. I use the Epson 3880 with superb results.

Because a craft, photography requires learning by doing. So take many photographs. Learn from your failures and successes.

Good luck.

Marilyn Monroe (Image found online)