leej

I am a VERY amateur photographer. actually, I don't consider myself photographer, just a picture taker, some of which I think are pretty good(accident??). what baffles me is that many of you discuss model nos. w/o mentioning the brand. so I usually have no idea what you are talking about. someone showed me a comparison of how some Canon model was better than my Panasonic. I felt kinda bad until I saw that the Canon cost almost 2 1/2 times as much. if it wasn't better..... maybe I should just stick to the non-photography topics.

unclebe1 Loc: NYC & Wellington, FL

Go where your interests take you. We all started out clueless!! Time, effort, failure and a success or two makes up experience. Try some...you might enjoy it!! :)

Welcome to the club.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

A lot of people do mention just model numbers assuming that everyone else knows the brand. I doubt that most photographers can name every model of every manufacturer but most are aware of the models of the brand or brands they use. I know Canon's product line and can recognize some of the better known competitors but that's about it. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. If you don't know, just ask. Nobody will fault you for it. As far as your friend's Canon being "better" then your Panasonic, you're on the right track when you noticed the price difference. Apples and oranges. Regardless of what model your friend has there are cameras that will make it look inferior. Keep in mind that none of them are Nikons! :) Just kidding! Nikon makes excellent cameras and rumor has it that Nikon has had at least several happy customers! :) :) Just kidding again, but I'm going to leave now before "those people" start throwing things at me! Enjoy your camera and don't worry about what anyone else has or says about it. Upgrade if and when you feel like it. Hope you enjoy the Hog and stick around.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

I never really understood this. If you want to get better at something, don't run away from it. You must be young because when you become my age, you don't worry as much what people think. Life is too short. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

It is confusing - copy the model no and google it - it will normally show you a picture of the unit being discussed with the brand and sometimes the price...

Welcome to hog country -

marki3rd Loc: Columbus, Indiana

When I don't know but am curious, I open another tab in Firefox and use a search engine to look the model number up

leej

mdorn, young/old are relative term. I was born in 1932AD

Flymaster Loc: Michigan

Hello leej. Don't feel bad about whatever model is better then another. Instead learn to use what you have, ask questions, get on youtube, buy a couple of books. Bryan Peterson has a excellent book in easy to understand terms. Feel free to ask questions here, I have and there is always someone out there who will help out. That said practice and have fun above all else.
Scott

Pine1 Loc: Midland & Lakeway

It's a normal thing. It's sorta like saying you drive a Tundra, Silverado, Vett, or F150. Stick with it and it will become second nature. Have fun.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Hey at least it wasn't BC. I have been taking pictures for over 50 years ( I think some were good ) Mostly film. I don't know anywhere near all the model numbers. Don't worry about it. No one else does either. I don't even remember all of the various manufactures names over the years. A fair number are out of business anyway. Welcome. Don't ever give up.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

leej,

You already have the most important tool at your finger tips.

Use your computer. open Google search, and in the search box enter: "camera model#" {no quotes} (model # = the camera model number in question) Google will respond with a page, or more, of matching links.

Michael G

skooters Loc: Flagstaff, Arizona

"maybe I should just stick to the non-photography topics"

I hope you are kidding. For me I am always envious of the latest and greatest gear. I can't spend a lot of money all the time. (read: "I am married.") so I have learned or am learning to be happy with what I have. Remember it is not the camera or gear that makes a good photo it is the subject and photographers ability to capture it. Yes, the gear can help but the most important tool is what is between the ears.

Glad to see you on the forum. I love this place, there are so many helpful folks here I have not been able to avoid learning something every time I log in. Have fun.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Indeed it is a relative term. Thanks for making me feel young again. :-)
My feeling is if you were born in 1932, you are entitled to say and do just about anything. :-)

amehta Loc: Boston

Yes, we often take shortcuts, sorry if it's confusing. It seems cluttered if we use the full name every time, but some context is important. Please feel free to ask, just be aware that you will probably get more answers than you may have wanted. It's one of the challenges of a forum. If we were sitting in a room, and I mentioned a 6D, I could see the look on your face and say, "the Canon 6D". Since I can't see you, you have to tell me if you don't understand and I can give more details.

johnst1001a Loc: West Chester, Ohio

Welcome to the world of photography. There are literally hundreds of different cameras, thousands of lens, and countless other toys. The more you read and research the more you will get the hang of the numbers, the brands, and all else. But, you can always learn more. Photography is a life long hobby, easily done at most any age. I bought my granddaughter a small camera at age 8. She absolutely loved using it. And I am still enjoying photography at 63. Photography can satisfy almost any one, and can be enjoyed by people with small to very large budgets.